|
Kamala rules out resurrection of defunct EA Railway network
2008-03-28 10:16:50
By Correspondent Gadiosa Lamtey
The government has ruled out a possibility to reestablish the East Africa Railway Corporation saying it is afraid that a possible wrangle in the distribution of benefits and resources among partner states might crop up.
East Africa Cooperation Affairs Minister Dr Diodorus Kamala made the remark yesterday in Dar es Salaam during a familiarisation tour of the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA).
He was appointed to the ministry last month to replace his predecessor Dr Ibrahim Msabaha after a cabinet reshuffle.
However, he said Dar es Salaam would support the idea of establishing a railway network for East African countries with a view to enabling easy movement of people, goods and services within the bloc.
Dr Kamala, who was responding to a question posed by members of the chamber, elaborated further that the decision to reestablish the bloc`s railway network was meant to benefit the business community in shipping mechandise to different parts within the club.
``Currently we have EAC network of railways, which work within partner states` networks. The aim of discouraging the idea of reestablishing a railway line is the fear of inequality and avoiding crisis among the members,`` the minister noted.
He promised TCCIA members that the government would work with them to ensure businesspersons trading within the partner states do not get disturbance at border points.
A businessperson, Betty Matarimo urged the government to give education to entrepreneurs to help them understand their businesses, including legitimate procedures when crossing borders of partner countries.
``We have been facing a lot of problems, for instance, you can pay several times when you cross a border point, say pay while in Uganda and also on entering Kenya. This is too cumbersome a procedure for us,`` she said, urging respective authorities to intervene.
|
