Tanzania: CRJE Hands Over Two Students Hostel Buildings To National Institute Of Transport

“During the construction project more than 200 local workers and technicians have directly and indirectly employed by CRJE (East Africa) Limited in strengthening the China-Tanzania partnership,” CRJE (East Africa) Limited Site Agent Dai Yanwei stated during the handing over ceremony.

By Prosper Makene

The Chines construction firm, CRJE (East Africa) Limited has officially handed over two newly completed student hostel buildings to the National Institute of Transport (NIT).

The completion of these buildings marks a significant milestone in the ongoing infrastructure development at the institution. The two hostels are part of a five-building project funded by the World Bank under the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP). This initiative aims to enhance the learning environment and improve accommodation facilities for students.

The successful completion of the buildings reflects the strong collaboration between NIT, CRJE, and the EASTRIP project, and reaffirms a shared commitment to advancing education infrastructure in the region.

Speaking during the handing-over ceremony which took place at NIT Mabibo Campus, Dar es Salaam yesterday, CRJE (East Africa) Limited Site Agent Dai Yanwei stated, “We thank God that today CRJE is officially handing over the two-building project to the client (NIT) after working at an accelerated pace, day and night, to ensure the project’s completion.”

Dai Yanwei went on to say that during the construction project more than 200 local workers and technicians have directly and indirectly employed by CRJE in strengthening the China-Tanzania partnership.

The construction of two student hostel buildings, valued at 10.8bn/-, the two buildings will be used as students’ hostels to cater the shortage of the service to the Institute which currently has more than 16,000 students.

The NIT initially signed a one-year construction contract with CRJE (East Africa) Ltd in November 2022 for the two buildings on its main campus in Mabibo, Dar es Salaam. However, Yanwei explained that the project faced delays in completions due to heavy rains in 2023 and 2024, which interrupted the completion timeline outlined in the contract.

On their part, NIT officials appreciated the building project handed over by CRJE, saying that their working friendship will continue to thrive for many years to come, after a tremendously work done by the Chinese’ CRJE construction firm.

The CRJE has been operating in Tanzania for 50 years since its establishment in 1969 to undertake the Great Uhuru Railway-TAZARA project and has been honoured three times as the best foreign contractor in Tanzania and has received the prestigious Luban Award for construction quality.

The company has over 5,000 employees across East Africa and continues to expand its business while benefiting local communities and strengthening relations between China and Tanzania.

Over the past five decades, CRJE has completed a total of three million square meters of various engineering projects in Tanzania.

Notable projects include the Nyerere Bridge, the New Parliamentary Debating Chamber, the Dodoma Convention Center, the University of Dodoma campus, Rita Tower, Uhuru Heights, and the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation Square.

The company has set construction speed records in East Africa, completing one typical floor in just six days and designing and constructing the Dodoma Convention Center in only seven months, contributing to the "Dodoma Speed" phenomenon in Tanzania.

CRJE (East Africa) Ltd primarily operates in Tanzania while expanding its presence into Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Malaysia.