YAPI MERKEZI STARTS THE TABORA - ISAKA SGR LINE PROJECT LAUNCHED BY TANZANIA’S VICE PRESIDENT

Tanzania Vice President, Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango listening to Yapi Merkezi Deputy Manager (right) a Turkish company constructing the SGR railway, explaining the railway project details during the Tabora-Isaka SGR LOT 4 construction launch ceremony held in Isaka town, Shinyanga region. Looking on (in green) is ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Shinyanga Region Chairman, Mabala Mlolwa and Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) Director General, Masanja Kadogosa.

Tanzania Vice President, Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango shakes hands with Yapi Merkezi Deputy Manager, Hana Alkan soon after receiving a gift during the Tabora-Isaka SGR lot 4 construction launch ceremony held in Isaka town, Shinyanga region. Looking on is Turkish Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr. Mehment Gulluoglu.

Tanzania Vice President, Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango in a group photo with representatives from Yapi Merkezi, during the Tabora-Isaka SGR lot 4 construction launch ceremony held in Isaka town, Shinyanga region.

Tanzania Vice President, Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango inspects the railway structure as explained by Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) Director General, Masanja K. Kadogosa (right with microphone) during the launch of the Tabora-Isaka SGR line constructed by Turkish company Yapi Merkezi. The event was held in Isaka town, Shinyanga, on Wednesday, 18 January 2023.

Tanzania Vice President Dr Philip Isdor Mpango looks at the Tabora-Isaka SGR construction plaque during the project launch, which is the fourth phase of the ambitious mega transport plan constructed by Turkish company Yapi Merkezi. The event was held in Isaka town, Shinyanga, on Wednesday, 18 January 2023.

Isaka town residents joyously celebrate the Tabora-Isaka SGR line construction launch, which stands to revitalize the transportation system, cut down transportation costs and enhance the economy.

The Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) is breathing life into the train transport system to transform the economy. The newly constructed Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is now in the fourth phase and has been constructed by the Turkish company Yapi Merkezi.

Isaka, January 17, 2023: Yapi Merkezi, a Turkish company contracted by Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC), has started the construction of the 4th phase of Tanzania’s TABORA-ISAKA SGR line with a groundbreaking ceremony whose guest of honor was Tanzania’s Vice President Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango.

The foundation laid is the 4th phase from Tabora to Isaka coming after the first, second and third phases of the Dar Salaam-Mwanza Railway in Tanzania. This will be the longest railway line constructed by a Turkish contractor and the fastest in East Africa.

The Tanzania Railway Corporation has mandated Yapi Merkezi to plan and complete this project in 42 months from January 2023.

In addition to all infrastructure works in the single-track railway project in Tanzania, Yapı Merkezi has undertaken all the pieces of construction of a total of 3 stations between the cities of Tabora and Isaka, a maintenance workshop, and depot area, an Administrative Building, a Railway Institute, construction of 165-km-long single-track railway with sidetracks, signaling, telecommunications and electrification work.

Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango, the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Prof. Makame M. Mbrawa, Minister of Labor and Transport of Tanzania, Masanja K. Kadogosa, CEO of Tanzania Railways, Hakan Alkan and Erhan Cengiz, Deputy General Managers of Yapı Merkezi Construction, attended the groundbreaking ceremony held in Isaka on January 18, 2023.

During his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony, Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango said, "This SGR project is strategic for the development of Tanzania. More than 20,000 employment opportunities have been created and a total worth of 1.9 trillion Tanzania shillings will go to sub-contractors who will also pay taxes that boost government revenue."

Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango further congratulated Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) for the efforts made to get value for money with the right contractors and sub-contractors. "I urge the contractors to work diligently and make sure the projects are completed on time" he concluded.

Hon. Prof. Makame M. Mbarawa, the Minister of Construction and Transport applauded TRC for the support and guidance given on the SGR project and assured the public that the government of Tanzania led by H.E. President Samia Suluhu Hassan intends to invest in transport infrastructure because a robust transport system goes a long way in boosting the economy of the nation, saying 14% of the government revenue is boosted as a result of the movement of goods, services, and people.

Yapı Merkezi has undertaken big projects globally, and this 4th phase is coming after its successful works in the first two phases of the Tanzania SGR project. The company had undertaken the 3rd phase works in December 2021 based on its successful works in the first 2 phases of the project.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the 4th phase having a length of approximately 165 km, Hakan Alkan, Deputy General Manager of Yapı Merkezi Construction, said: “Today, we are happy to add a new one to many successful projects carried out by us in Africa so far. Tanzanian Railways authorities have also awarded the third and fourth phases of this very important railway line thanks to the diligence and work quality shown by us in the first two sections of the Dar es Salaam-Mwanza Railway in a length of 540 km from Dar es Salaam to Makutupora, which is the longest railway line constructed by a Turkish contractor in Africa and the fastest in East Africa, carried by us in Tanzania.

Also, the CEO of Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) Mr. Masanja K. Kadogosa said, “SGR will reduce the time it takes to move goods and services and people resulting in reduced prices for goods and services. For example, it will take roughly 8 hours to move from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza. The same will impact local people between these cities”

Established in 1965, Yapı Merkezi is a Turkish construction company that has undertaken giant projects and become a global pioneer in transportation, infrastructure, and general contracting. Completing more than 63 railway projects totaling more than 4,000 kilometers on 3 continents as of the end of 2021, the company provides safe transportation to more than 3.5 million passengers every day around the world. Yapı Merkezi has also undertaken ongoing and completed transportation projects in other African countries such as Tanzania, Ethiopia, Senegal, Zambia, Algeria, Morocco, and Sudan. The company is ranked 58th on the Top 250 Global Contractors list determined every year by Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) and 8th on the Rail Systems-Public Transport list.