Parliament team urges TRC to install cameras, build fence along SGR after sabotage claims

Dar es Salaam. The Parliament’s Budget and Infrastructure committees have urged Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) to build fence and install CCTV cameras along the Standard Gauge Railway SGR) line to heighten security after sabotage allegations.

The advice comes after reports that the new passengers train had stopped for about six hours after developing electric fault which was allegedly described as sabotage.

The newly acquired Electric Multiple Unit train (EMU) commenced commercial services last week to beef up the transport services through the SGR route between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.

Chairperson of the Infrastructure Committee, Mr Selemani Kakoso urged TRC to protect the multibillion SGR infrastructures as they have realised instances of sabotage.

“We strongly advise the corporation to establish protective fencing systems for the infrastructure and install CCTV cameras along the entire route to safeguard the invested areas,” he said.

He made the remarks today November 9, 2024 during a training session for the budget and infrastructure committees.

“There is a serious issue with some fellow Tanzanians who are not patriotic and are sabotaging the TRC project. To address this, we request that these areas be given proper attention,” added Mr Kakoso.

Mr Kasoko also directed the government to develop a business plan that outlines effective business systems to ensure sustainable progress of the project, so that the corporation does not suffer losses.

“We have seen past challenges and we have learned that the organisation reached a critical state. Therefore, it is essential to establish a business plan that promotes sustainability and benefits the corporation,” he said.

According to him, the government postponed a lot of projects to invest huge amounts of money in the modern railway project.

The committee also urged Tanzanians to be patriotic instead of sabotaging the corporation.

Chairperson of the Parliament’s Budget Committee, Mr Oran Njeza urged the government to speed up the construction of other sections of the SGR to open doors to connect Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and East Africa Community (EAC) countries.

"The government should not wait to collect a small amount of money to complete the construction of SGR. It should instead turn to an institution called the Export Guarantee Agency. We have resources like minerals, tourism and agriculture, all of which we can leverage. With careful planning, we can accelerate the completion of the remaining sections of the ongoing construction project,” he said.

Deputy Minister for infrastructure, Mr Ludovic Nduhiye said the government will work on the directives.

“We are happy that both committees are satisfied with the ongoing construction and we promise that we will work on all the initiatives to improve the efficiency of the corporations.