Infrastructure in the East African region needs urgent attention if the East African partner states are to see an improvement in the economy and a growth of trade within the region.

The deputy minister for works, Charles Tibeza,spoke at the third East and Central Africa Roads & Rail Infrastructure Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, last week and said that the interconnection between road and rail infrastructure needs to improve in order for the trade and economy of the East African bloc countries to grow.

“Effective and efficiency of roads and rail infrastructure facilitate trade in countries, be it in the developed and or developing countries,” the deputy minister said.

Tibeza mentioned that an upgrade and renovation of the rail network in the East African region needs to occur in order for it to be capable of transporting more wagons and goods.

“The dilapidated rail network in the region is a result of lack of investment in the rail transportation system that needs to be looked upon,”Tibeza said.

Due to a lack of capital, the branches of the rail networks have been neglected and a revamp would ease the cost of transportation in the region.