Tanzania’s projects on track as Sh10.7 trillion spent on SGR

Dar es Salaam. The government said on Wednesday that implementation of strategic projects is on track, with Sh10.69 trillion having being spent on the standard gauge railway (SGR) project alone so far.

Requesting Parliament to endorse a total of Sh532.8 billion for the Prime Minister’s Office and the Parliament Fund for the 2024/25 financial year, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said efforts by President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government to develop infrastructure, foster economic growth and strengthen various sectors – including transportation, electricity generation, industrial construction and tourism – are having the desired results.

“The government has continued to allocate funds for the implementation of the SGR project that covers 1,219 kilometres and so far a total of Sh10.69 trillion has been injected into the project,” he told lawmakers in Dodoma.

Read: Tanzania conducts trials for electric train from commercial capital

Meanwhile, Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) announced that it has received from South Korea the first full set of an SGR train, known as an electric multiple unit (EMU), comprising five locomotives and three passenger wagons.

“The government, through TRC, procured ten sets of SGR trains from South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem. Each set has the capacity of carrying 589 passengers and travel at 160 kilometres per hour…,” TRC said in its statement on Wednesday.

EMUs, TRC said, are manufactured using the latest technology that allows passengers to get a number of important services, including Wi-Fi internet services, an area that accommodates people with special needs, air conditioning and CCTV cameras.

According to the statement, TRC has so far received a total of 65 passenger wagons, nine electric engines and one complete EMU set.

“Other EMU sets will continue to be brought in every month until October 2024. The arrival of the equipment means that TRC is now ready to start transporting passengers on the SGR,” the statement said.

According to TRC, construction of the Dar es Salaam-Morogoro (300 kilometres) section of the SGR has reached 98.9 percent, while that of the 422-kilometre section between Morogoro and Makutupora has reached 96.51 percent.

The section between Makutopora and Tabora is done by 13.98 percent while the Tabora-Isaka section is at 5.44 percent whereas the Mwanza to Isaka phase is currently done by 54.01 percent.

Read: Why SGR is both a challenge and opportunity for bus owners

With trial runs already taking place, passengers can look forward to a modern and convenient travel experience, ushering in a new era for Tanzania’s railway network.

2,115MW project almost complete

Mr Majaliwa said in Parliament on Wednesday that the Julius Nyerere hydroelectricity power project, which will generate 2,115 megawatts, has been completed by 96.81 percent.

“As witnessed, the successful commissioning of the power generation plant has taken place and it successfully injected 235 megawatts into the national grid. This plant is one of nine that will generate electricity for the project,” said Mr Majaliwa, adding that all works in the project are expected to be completed before the end of the year.

More aircraft for ATCL

The government, said Mr Majaliwa, has completed payments totalling Sh753 billion for three aircraft, namely two Boeing 737-9 Max and one Boeing 787-8.

“Two Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft arrived in the country in October 2023 and March 2024, while the third one is expected to arrive in April 2024,” he said, adding that the acquisition brings the total number of aircraft owned by the airline to 16.

These aircraft will enable the airline to increase domestic and international flights, stimulating growth in various economic sectors such as tourism, commerce, agriculture, livestock, and fisheries.

All set for Eacop

Tanzania, according to Mr Majaliwa, has contributed $268.77 million which is equivalent to 87.27 percent of its shares in the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (Eacop) project which runs from Hoima in Uganda to Chongoleani in Tanga.

As of March 2024, activities carried out include completing compensation payments amounting to Sh34.93 billion for 9,823 out of 9,904 affected citizens; completing and launching the heating system installation plant to prevent heat loss along the pipeline in Nzega District and purchasing and receiving four shipments of pipes totalling 400 kilometres.

The government also commenced the construction of four tanks with a capacity of 500,000 barrels each to store crude oil before loading onto ships at Chongoleani, Tanga. It hs also begun the construction of a jetty for crude oil loading onto ships.

As for the 3.2-kilometre Kigongo-Busisi Bridge in Mwanza Region, Mr Majaliwa told Parliament that so far, the project – along with its asphalt connecting road measuring 1.66 kilometres – has reached a completion rate of 84.47 percent.

It is expected that the project will cost Sh716.333 billion until its completion but so far, the contract has already been paid Sh441.309 billion.

The Consulting Engineer has received Sh6.260 billion. The project, which will significantly boost economic and social activities and accelerate development in the Lake Zone regions, is expected to be completed by December 2024.