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Private sector invited to construct railway in Mtwara

MTWARA: THE government has asked players in the private sector to invest in the construction of a railway line that will connect Mtwara Port to Mbamba-Bay with spurs to Mchuchuma coal and Liganga iron mines.

The call was made by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation in the Ministry of Transport, Ms Devota Gabriel, recently. She said the construction of the Southern Standard Gauge Railway line, which is scheduled to kick off soon, is set to improve the Mtwara Development Corridor and boost businesses in the area.

She was speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Transport Permanent Secretary, Prof Godius Kahyarara, during an evaluation meeting on the Mtwara Development Corridor, which was organised by TPA.

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The Mtwara Development Corridor aims to promote trade and investment in Southern Tanzanian regions such as Ruvuma, Mtwara, and Lindi, as well as improve trade to neighbouring Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia.

“Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) is working on the matter, and the construction of the railway line will start soon. The project will also align with the construction and improvement of roads that link the Mtwara Corridor and neighbouring countries.

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She said the government invites members of the private sector to participate in the project and that it is well-prepared to work with them.

She added that the government is committed to ensuring public-private partnership in the Southern SGR line to enable proper business operations in the Southern part of the country and open business opportunities with neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director-General of TPA, Engineer Juma Kijavara, said the construction of the Dirty Cargo Port to serve as an extension for Mtwara Port in the handling of coal, cement, graphite, among other similar goods, will start in May of this year.

“We expect to work and complete the construction of the project in less than 24 months as the project starts in May this year,” he said.