Transport minister Omar Nundu

Shortage of competent transportation experts has been cited as the main cause of poor performance of the transport sector in the country.

This was revealed by yesterday in Dar es Salaam by Transport minister Omari Nundu at a function to launch postgraduate curricula at the National Institute of Transport (NIT).

“I understand that lack of skilled people causes the sector to have poor contribution to the national income compared to expectations, the statistics show that in 2009 the sector contributed only 7.1 per cent to the national income; and in 2005 it contributed 6.1 per cent,” he noted.

He called upon stakeholders in the sector to support NIT efforts to produce more experts.

Nundu said the nation must invest in improving human resource under the transport sector in order to boost development because economic growth depends on the sector.

Meanwhile, Nundu laid a foundation stone to officially launch the construction of a six-storey Learning Resource Centre for the Institute, which will also accommodates a computer room, library and conference facilities.

Chairman of NIT Council Priscilla Chilipweli said the construction of the learning resource building started about three years ago and until its completion is expected to cost 16bn/-.

By DEVOTA MWACHANG`A, The Guardian

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