TRC Saves Government TZS 12.9 Billion Annually, Parliament Commends Performance

 

The Ministry of Transport has announced that the Parliament of Tanzania has urged the Government to safeguard the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project being implemented by the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC).

The statement was made on February 14, 2026, by the Deputy Minister for Transport, Hon. David Kihenzile, during a visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure to the SGR project. The visit aimed to provide Members of Parliament with a comprehensive understanding of TRC’s mandate and the progress achieved in the implementation of railway infrastructure projects.

On behalf of the Government and the Minister for Transport, the Deputy Minister acknowledged and received the Committee’s recommendations, which call on the Government to ensure the provision of high quality services and strict adherence to quality standards in the procurement of locomotives and wagons. The Committee also directed TRC to strengthen collaboration with other institutions in order to expand freight transportation services for Tanzanians and neighboring countries.

Earlier, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure, led by its Vice Chairperson Hon. Abubakari Assenga, expressed its support for TRC’s investment strategies and performance targets, including the goal of acquiring 30 locomotives by March 2026 out of a total requirement of 58.

The Committee further commended TRC for creating 894 jobs and promoting 3,153 employees, of whom 1,055 were promoted through staggered progression and 2,098 through regular promotions.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director General of TRC, Engineer Tito Mateshi, highlighted the Corporation’s achievements despite operational challenges. He stated that since December 2025, TRC has begun operating independently and has reduced the Government’s recurrent expenditure burden by an average of TZS 12.9 billion per year. This achievement enables public funds to be redirected to other development projects while reinforcing TRC’s transition toward commercial sustainability.