Railway transport in Tanzania: A critical analysis on its legal and regulatory framework

Abstract

Railway transport industry plays a major role in development and growth of economy. It is regarded as a hub of transport system in a nation because of its ability to travel longer distance with ease and lower costs. Railways in Tanzania were built during the colonial era, performed well during 1980‘s -1990‘s when it was a main mode of transport for passengers and freight connecting five neighbouring landlocked countries which depended on our port for importation of goods into their countries. However, the performance of railway transport sector in Tanzania declined during 2000‘s. Possible causes for the decline are; the fact that, the new laws made for the regulation of the sector do not have provisions for operations of the TRL as a company; and RAHCO‘s lack of enforcement measures in case of any concessional term breach. This is a descriptive study which used a survey design and qualitative methods for data collection. It covers Tanzania Mainland and focuses only in analysing the legal and institutional framework, the study used both descriptive and inferential analysis methods in analysing the primary and secondary data collected through structured interviews and review of the documented materials. The study critically analysed legal and regulatory framework surrounding the railway sector to see if they had anything to do with its failure. After the investigation conducted guided by the above mentioned methodologies, the study found out that, deficiencies in the laws regulating the sector and weaknesses within the institutions/regulatory authorities are among the reasons for the declining of the sector. The study recommended among other things, the change in laws which will effectively provide for regulation of the sector and give enough power to the regulatory authorities to discharge their duties effectively and enforce the law without interference from other organs of the government.