Tanzania’s Transport Minister Lauds NIT For Successful International Conference on Transport, Logistics

By Prosper Makene, Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania’s Transport Minister Professor Makame Mbarawa has congratulated the National Institute of Transport (NIT) for organizing the Second  International Conference on Transport, Logistics and Management, saying it is an important milestone where the scientific community in the fields of transport and logistics management share experience and disseminate their research findings and breakthroughs

Speaking while gracing the International Conference today Thursday October 17, Prof Mbarawa said:

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to address such a talented and hardworking scientific community as well as several other stakeholders in the transport sector. I have been informed that there are speakers, presenters, and participants from overseas with us today. Let me take this opportunity to welcome you to lands of Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar.”

He further said that as the theme of this year’s Conference is “Promoting Transport Technologies, Logistics and Supply Chain Management for Sustainable Economy”, the theme aligns to the National Development Vision 2025, where both envision to have a sustainable economy supported with well-educated and learned society.

“This year’s Conference also provides for the required transport outputs in research and development as stipulated in the National Research Agenda and Priorities,” he said.

He noted: “NIT has been leading in providing high quality education and training, research, publication, and consultancy services in areas of logistics, management, and transport technology in Tanzania and across the East, Central and Southern Africa regions. By so doing its mandate becomes a pillar that enables the growth of both national and regional economy. This year’s Conference enhances a solid foundation for attaining a level of excellence that you have been aspiring for so long.”

“The culture that you have now built is key for not only institutional growth and recognition worldwide, but also to national prosperity. This is because the findings that researchers will share in these two days, could be adapted and used to transform several processes and systems in the areas of transport, logistics, and management,” he observed.

He also commended NIT for taking lead in organizing this conference, “I am confident that, this achievement could not be possible without the strong and dynamic leadership of both the Management and the Governing Council of NIT.  The 2nd International Conference on Transport, Logistics and Management marks a major milestone for NIT, the nation, and the region at large.”

He underscored that the Conference sets a remarkable foundation for NIT to execute one of its mandates as a higher learning institution and it is his anticipation that researchers, scientists, and participants of this year Conference will have a chance to share their recent breakthroughs and innovations in transport, logistics and management for the prosperity of the transport sector as well as for economic development of our nation.

He went on to say that Tanzania, as an active member of various development communities such as the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), East African Community (EAC), and Southern Africa Development Cooperation (SADC), collaborates extensively with other countries to significantly enhance regional integration and development through the strategic use of airways, railways, maritime, and highways for integrated modes of transport.

“Through its geographical position located at the eastern part along the Indian Ocean (maritime transport), it has been used by land linked EAC and SADC for export and import goods including raw materials for example exportation of Cobalt from DRC to China,” he said.

He insisted: “The sustainable development of transport sector will facilitate local and international trade. Case of TPA as a gateway of marine transport from all over the world through Dar es Salaam Port, Tanga and Mtwara to the SADC and EAC neighboring land linked countries such as Zambia, Malawi, DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Zimbabwe.  For the case of railways TAZARA connect between two countries of Tanzania and Zambia while Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) introduction of SGR railway will connect Tanzania and neighbouring EAC countries, ATCL fly to all EAC, SADC and International flight including passenger flights to Guangzhou (China), Dubai (UAE) and Mumbai (India). Also, Tanzania connected to Durban to Cairo road corridor through Tunduma (border to Zambia) up to Horohoro (border to Kenya) to facilitate trade through roads transportation from South to North of Africa.”

He also pointed out that Tanzania as a nation has made a significant strides in enhancing its transportation infrastructure. One of the key projects is the construction of an Electrified Standard Gauge Railway, which will span 1219 km from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza and 506 km from Tabora to Kigoma. 

He also said that the parts of Dar es Salaam - Morogoro (300 kilometers) have been completed by 99.27 percent and Morogoro - Makutopora (422 kilometers) have been completed by 97.14 percent where for those two parts the services of a modern electric passenger train have already been launched since 1st August, 2024.

“In addition to this, the government is also focusing on improving maritime transport services along lakes (Victoria, Tanganyika and Nyasa) that connect to neighboring countries which includes the refurbishment of existing vessels and the construction of new ones,” he said. 

Insisted, “The three (3) projects are the construction of new ships two (RoRo & Wagon) with modern rail (SGR) one with the capacity to carry 3500 tons on Lake Tanganyika and the other with the capacity to carry 3000 tons on Lake Victoria and the construction of a shipyard on Lake Tanganyika which will have a backup of to carry Ships with a weight of 5000 Tons are at preparatory stages following the signing of contracts in October, 2023.”

He also elaborated that the state is revitalize the TAZARA railway of which the Government of the People’s Republic of China through the CCECC Company, alongside the Governments of Tanzania and Zambia through TAZARA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to revitalize this railway line.

“The Government through the Tanzania Port Authority (TPA) also has continued to improve the Port of Dar es Salaam through the Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project (DMGP). Projects aimed at modernizing the Port by building a new Ro-Ro berth where the construction is completed and the pier is in use; strengthening and increasing the depth of berth number 1 to 7 where construction has already been completed;  widening and increasing the depth of the entrance channel and ship turning area where construction has already been completed; and increasing the depth and strengthening of berth number 8 - 11 where the Consultant has already completed the feasibility report and the review is ongoing,” he said.

On the other hand, the transport Minister said that the the Government has continued to improve and rehabilitate various airports including, Kigoma, Sumbawanga, Tabora, Shinyanga, Songwe, Mwanza, Lake Manyara, Mpanda, Arusha, Kahama, Kilwa Masoko, Moshi, Mtwara, Musoma, Lindi and Iringa. In addition, the Government is continuing with the construction of a new international airport in Msalato, Dodoma Region has reached 78.05 percent of implementation airport infrastructure  package (running way, tax way, apron, main and access roads, parking and perimeter fence);     while 46. 85 percent for buildings package including Terminal building, Air Traffic Control tower, Fire station building.

In the spirit of shared benefit and connectivity among regional and sub-regional integrations, Professor Mbarawa said that Tanzania is actively seeking funds to implement its strategic railway project, involving the construction of an Electrified Standard Gauge Railway line from Isaka to Rusumo to Kigali (371 km), Uvinza to Musongati (Burundi 180 km), from Gitega to Kindu 180 km (DRC), Kaliua - Mpanda - Karema (321 km) which will connect to DRC through Lake Tanganyika.

“To make sure that, the investment in railway infrastructure yields the intended benefit, the Government has amended the Railways Act No. 10 of 2017 to allow the participation of the private sector in the provision of services by rail.  Thus, with TRC providing train services, the private sector is welcome to provide these services to ensure that customers benefit from the built infrastructure,” he said.

Further to that, in considering sustainability, proper operations and satisfaction of service provision, we intend to involve private sectors through open access as well as to participate in PPP projects through Built Operate and Transfer mode of finance within Southern SGR railway line from Mtwara – Mbambabay – Mchuchuma/Liganga (1000 Km);

He concluded: “With all these strategic investments done by the Government, all of you will now agree with me that your conference has come at the right time. I wish to assure you that, the my Ministry is ready to works tirelessly to take the transport sector to the next level in line with scientific and technological changes in which the World is moving towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

I understand that, high quality research plays a key role towards sustainable development and you are at the cornerstone of realizing that. We need evidence-based decisions in the transport sector in order to realize the intended development outcomes. As participants of this Conference, you have a stake. I encourage all of you to be attentive and use this platform to establish everlasting research collaborations. As the Government, we promise to continually provide necessary support to NIT and other transport stakeholders to ensure that we work and move together for the betterment of the transport sector.”