ARUSHA: President Samia Suluhu Hassan has ordered the commencement of the process for constructing a Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Arusha.
The Director General of the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC), Masanja Kadogosa, announced this during his discussions with the Arusha Regional Commissioner, Paul Makonda, in Arusha recently.
Kadogosa stated that the plan is part of the President’s specific directives, and the railway will extend to Musoma. “We have a significant plan for Arusha as per the President’s directives to begin the construction of the SGR to this region, and it will stretch to Musoma,” he said.
He further explained that the construction of this railway fulfills the long-held aspirations of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, and the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, who envisioned a railway connection from Tanga to Musoma via the Port of Tanga, eventually linking to Jinja, Uganda.
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According to Kadogosa, the SGR will boost the region’s economy by facilitating the transportation of key resources such as soda ash and nickel, which are essential for national development. “The soda ash deposits could last for over 100 years, and there are also nickel reserves in the Dutwa area, so there are strong economic reasons for constructing this railway,” he explained.
Kadogosa also highlighted that the railway will play a crucial role in the transportation of fuel from Uganda to Tanga, thereby enhancing trade connectivity between Tanzania, Uganda, and South Sudan.
On his part, Arusha Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda stated that the project will provide numerous employment opportunities and boost the incomes of the region’s residents.
The construction of this railway is expected to bring significant transformations in the transportation and trade sectors, ultimately driving economic growth in Tanzania and neighboring countries.
