Maruhubi, Mpigaduri ports to boost Z’bar trade

ZANZIBAR: CONSTRUCTION of Maruhubi passenger port and Mpigaduri dry port is projected to economically open up Zanzibar and strengthen trade and transport sectors, Second Vice-President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla said here on Tuesday.

Speaking during his inspection tour of various development projects in Urban West region, the Second Vice-President said completion of the key facilities will widely open up the islands and address the transport challenge. He described the ports as a giant economic gateway for island countries like Zanzibar, demanding timely completion of the projects to achieve the envisaged goal.

Mr Hemed decried the challenge of container congestion and long wait for ships at Malindi port, assuring that the problem will soon end, thanks to completion of the project.

He assured that the government will strictly ensure the projects are completed within time, directing Zanzibar Ports Corporation (ZPC) to timely compensate wananchi who surrendered their land for the project implementation.

He implored citizens with financial capacity to grab the investment opportunity in the country’s development projects, assuring that the government priority is to give investment opportunities to local investors.

Mr Hemed asked Chumbuni and surrounding residents to accord full cooperation to the project contractors for the timely completion of the work.

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ZPC Director General Akif Ali Khamis said the Maruhubi passenger port construction project will cost 400bn/- upon completion, noting that the construction work includes passenger building, vessel parking, bus terminal, airport and it will allow four vessels to load and offload passengers at a time.

He said the port is expected to serve over five million passengers annually and it will have the capacity to generate energy, assisting in environmental conservation.

Mr Akif said the envisaged port, constructed under agreement between Zanzibar government and ZF Devco company, will be among the biggest port in Africa. ZF Devco, besides constructing the facility, will operate it for a 33-year period.

The first phase of Maruhubi port and dry port is scheduled for completion in October 2025 and the second phase for the speed boat passengers will be completed in 2027.

Meanwhile, the third in the country’s command hierarchy inspected the construction of dormitory at Lumumba secondary school in Unguja, saying the government through the ministry of education and vocational training is taking firm measures to address all the challenges that face the education sector in the country.

Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary Khalid Massoud Waziri said the dormitory will be used by students preparing for Form IV and VI national examinations. He thanked President Hussein Mwinyi for huge investment in education sector that has resulted into improved performance in national examinations.