Dr Harrison Mwakyembe

Transport Ministry is holding talks with Ministry of Industries and Trade to allow the National Institute of Transport to inspect imported used vehicle.

Transport Minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe told the National Assembly on Wednesday that NIT had already received modern equipment for the work from the World Bank.

“In efforts to improve traffic safety my ministry is holding talks with Ministry of Industry and Trade so that the responsibility of inspecting used vehicles is given to NIT,” he said.

He said that NIT has received four sets of modern equipment for inspection from WB with the capacity of inspecting 800 vehicles per day.

He said the Institute also continued with the construction of Learning Resource Centre of the six store building.

Mwakyembe however said that in overcoming the challenges of shortage of aviation experts NIT planned to start pilot and aircraft engineers training courses at Tanga and Dodoma airports.

He said the Institute will also conduct courses for airhostesses so as to improve the services offered on aircrafts.

“The training will be provided to students by considering various qualifications including form four and forms six education with the capability to speak fluent English and Kiswahili,” Mwakyembe said.

Meanwhile the minister said that in financial year 2012/2013 Air Tanzania will continue providing services using hired aircraft Boeing 737-500 and its aircraft Dash 8-Q300 which was currently undergoing maintenance in the country.

Dr Mwakyembe said that ATCL will use 10.6bn/- out of 12.2bn/- paid to the Company as insurance of its aircraft which was involved in the accident to make pre- payment for purchasing new aircraft.

The Parliamentary Committee for Infrastructure demanded that the government give its stance concerning the future of ATCL.

The Committee Chairman Peter Serukamba said that ATCL has been facing a number of challenges for a long time forcing it to rely on government subsidy for its operations.

“Following the challenges facing the transport sector ATCL should not be a priority. The funds should be directed to other areas such as railway infrastructure,” Serukamba said.

Serukamba said that the argument that ATCL is a National Flag Carrier was outdated because most countries in the world have abandoned the business after recognising that the flag careers have been burden to their countries.

He said despite the fact that the business needed huge capital, it was also highly competitive noting that ATCL cannot survive in competition as other companies conduct business through alliances.