DAR ES SALAAM, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania has begun assembling mainline gauge railway locomotives locally, becoming the first country in the East African region to undertake such work, officials said Saturday.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure commended the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) for the initiative during an inspection visit to the Pugu railway workshop in Dar es Salaam, where the locomotive assembly project is underway.

Committee Chairman Selemani Kakoso urged the TRC to continue building the capacity of Tanzanian youth involved in assembling and maintaining the locomotives by providing advanced training both domestically and abroad.

He said strengthening technical knowledge, skills and innovation among young technicians would enhance efficiency and sustainability in the railway sector.

According to TRC Director General Machibya Shiwa, the decision to assemble the locomotives locally followed delays in the delivery of spare parts from suppliers due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Two locomotives assembled in Malaysia were shipped to Tanzania, while parts for the remaining six units were transported to the Pugu workshop for local assembly.

Shiwa said the project has opened business opportunities for local suppliers providing machinery services, construction materials, electrical equipment and other components. ■