Dar es Salaam – China is said to be investing $6.8 billion in the country for the construction of Standard Gauge railway along the Central Corridor.
After talks between China’s Ambassador to Tanzania Dr Lu Youqing and President John Magufuli, a fund of $454.545 is said to be set aside out of $13.2 billion in the next financial year.
Releasing a statement the government said construction of railway along the Central Corridor is expected to boost up country’s economy and also performance of the port of Dar es Salaam.
Magufuli said the rail project will be revolutionizing the economy of the country along with other neighboring countries too including Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Dr Lu applauded the new government for the preparations of the project including human resources and equipment in implementing the project.
He added China promises to work as per laid down procedures in implementing the project along with being consciousness of quality, time and cost effectiveness.
In the first phase of the project construction of 1,216 km of railway tracks have been planned connecting Dar es Salaam with Mwanza via Isaka and Tabora.
The project is for construction of 2,561 km of railway in total.
Magufuli has deployed the works and the next move is the announcement of transport and competitive tenders for the project to get the work done by competent companies.
It is considered as the single biggest project ever to be implemented by the government.
