JULY 22 was a day like no other for Arusha residents.
Having braved the morning cold, they came in their numbers to witness this historic occasion, the launch ceremony of the Arusha bypass.
Opened by Tanzanian President, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan and former Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta, the 42.4-km stretch is part of the regional Arusha-Holili/Taveta-Voi Road that links northern Tanzania to the Kenyan port city of Mombasa.
It is also a component of the multinational Arusha-Holili/Taveta-Voi Road project, funded by the African Development Bank Group and connects Tanzania and Kenya.
The funding from the African Development Fund, the Bank’s concessional window, amounts to $217 million, $112 million for Tanzania and $105 million for Kenya.
In her remarks, at the event which also coincided with the 22nd Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State, President Samia exuded optimism that the multinational road would, among other things, boost the tourism industry even as it promotes trade.
“Tanzania is currently investing heavily in infrastructure including water transport on Lake Victoria by building ships and rehabilitating ports on the lake to facilitate the movement of people and goods in the region,” she said.
Similarly, she used the occasion to urge residents of Tanzania and Kenya to take advantage of emerging opportunities emanating from the project to uplift themselves, which would consequently contribute to stimulating economic growth.
Likewise, the President appealed to people living near the key infrastructure projects to make use of the emerging opportunities to uplift themselves and spur economic growth.
Her Kenyan counterpart, by then, said the road would reduce traffic congestion and foster integration of the EAC.
He also noted that it will make transporting goods between Tanzania and Kenya and the wider EAC easier.
“Infrastructure development was only second to peace and security as a driver of development,” explained the Retired President.
Detailing on the project, African Development Bank (AfDB) director general for East Africa Nnenna Lily Nwabufo said the AfDB had spent $217million on the Arusha-Holili/Taveta-Voi Road with $112 million allocated to Tanzania while another $105 million allocated to Kenya, adding that the two governments also made contributions to the project.
“The Arusha Bypass will not only enhance trade between Tanzania and Kenya, but will also facilitate trade for landlocked regional neighbors, namely Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,” she said.
She was hopeful that the project would enable significant reductions in transit times, facilitate cross-border trade and enhance access for tourists to the many attractions in this region.
She further reiterated the Bank’s commitment to continue working closely with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the EAC member countries and Secretariat in development endeavors to improve the wellbeing of the people of East Africa.
The Arusha Bypass Road is aligned with the Bank’s High 5 priorities, in particular, “Integrate Africa” and “Improving the quality of life of Africans”.
The Bank’s active portfolio in East Africa amounts to $14.1 billion, 32 per cent of which is in the transport sector.
These investments by the Bank are helping to facilitate the movement of goods, services and people promoting intra-regional trade and improving access to global markets.
