By Peter Saramba Ongiri
MWANZA, Tanzania (AA) - Turkey on Wednesday pledged continued support and cooperation to Tanzania in implementing development projects in the African country.
Ali Davutoglu, Turkish ambassador to Tanzania, was speaking at a ceremony following laying of the foundation stone for the second phase of the standard gauge railway’s construction between Morogoro to Dodoma, Tanzania’s Administration capital.
“Turkish government will continue to support and cooperate with the Tanzanian government in implementing further development projects in a win-win situation,” said Davutoglu during the event graced by Tanzanian President John Magufuli.
The project worth 3.4 billion is being constructed by a Turkish firm.
According to Tanzanian Minister of Works, Transport and Communication Makame Mbarawa, the project will provide over 30,000 direct employments and another 600,000 indirect job opportunities.
The Turkish ambassador assured the Tanzanian authorities that the project will be completed as per the schedule.
“I acknowledge that it is the first time for a Turkish firm to take part in implementation of such a mega development project in Tanzania; but I can assure you that the firm is determined to complete the project as scheduled," said the Turkish ambassador.
The standard gauge railways line with 160 kilometer per hour speed will have the capacity to transport 17 million tons of cargo annually.
The ongoing first phase of the projects is linking Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s business capital to Morogoro region.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, President Magufuli expressed his optimism that the implementation of the central railway line project will not only facilitate regional trade between Tanzania and other East African partner States, but it would also enable the country to achieve its desired middle income status by 2025.