AS operations of the eagerly awaited Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro stretch are expected to commence in February next year, Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has dispatched 14 staff to South Korea for practical learning on operations of the electric railway.
The training which will commence on December 1 this year is part of the implementation of an agreement signed on July 4 this year between TRC and the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) and witnessed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) Director General, Masanja Kadogosa said that the 14 staff will undergo practical training for five months on operations of the SGR.
“Other 45 staff will undergo theoretical training within the country so as to build their capacity on operations of the electric train for increased efficiency,” the DG said during an event to bid farewell to the staff.
He added that the training will focus on issues related to operations, rail safety, business, machines, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the railway infrastructure, including construction, signs, communication and electric.
The DG noted that South Korea is advanced in operation of electric trains, calling upon the staff to make sure that they study hard for improved efficiency of their corporation.
“You should study hard to meet your target, and you should also understand that you are still public servants, thus you are representing us abroad…any misconduct will be handled based on public service procedures,” he said.
Kadogosa also noted that the staff should also use the training as a means of passing the knowledge to other staff who are directly involved in the operations of the SGR.
Kadogosa said the training is preparations for operations of the modern railway whose infrastructure for Dar es Salaam – Morogoro (300 km) section has been completed by more than 97.7 per cent, while Morogoro- Makutupora (422 km) stretch has reached 91 per cent.
Other stretches are Makutupora –Tabora (294 km), Tabora – Isaka (130 km) and Isaka – Mwanza (249 km).
He explained that TRC has decided to use KORAIL to conduct practical training to its staff because operations of such modern railways is safe by 99.9 per cent and has experts in all areas involving the railway.
The DG said operations of the SGR will commence officially on February next year after completion of all trial procedures and agreed on fares to be charged with the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA).
Mid this week, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said that the government will ensure that the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project is built to agreed-upon standards and completed on time.
He stated that the railway’s construction is progressing well in all sections and that the government will ensure that it is not stalled and will address all indicators that could impede its implementation.
“The sixth phase government continues with railway construction strategy, Tanzanians should therefore continue to have faith in their leaders, as our goal is to ensure that we elevate the economy of individuals and the nation as a whole,” he noted.
