Tanzania pledges to acquire additional land close to Kisiwa/Mgao Port for port’s future expansion

MTWARA: THE Tanzanian government has been advised to acquire additional land surrounding the Kisiwa/Mgao Port Design and Construction Project in Mtwara Region to create room for the port’s future expansion and avoid potentially high compensation and land acquisition costs.

The recommendation was made by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Selemani Kakoso, during the Committee’s visit to inspect the progress of the Kisiwa/Mgao Port project.

Kakoso said the Government should adopt a long-term approach to major infrastructure projects by securing key areas surrounding the project at an early stage.

He said experience has shown that acquiring limited land when initiating major infrastructure projects can increase costs later if expansion becomes necessary, as the Government may then be required to pay compensation or purchase additional land.

“The government should consider the future needs of this project by ensuring that land surrounding the port is secured early, in order to avoid the high costs that may arise during future expansion of the port,” Kakoso said.

The Committee also stressed the importance of commencing on schedule the construction of a paved access road linking Kisiwa/Mgao Port with Mtwara.

The Committee said the road would be critical in ensuring that transport and logistics infrastructure develops alongside the port, enabling port operations to commence immediately after the project is completed.

Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile assured the Committee that the government would implement the recommendations issued and continue closely supervising transport sector projects being implemented in Mtwara Region.

Kihenzile said the Government was committed to ensuring that the projects are completed on time and in accordance with the required standards.

Meanwhile, Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Deputy Director General, Eng. Dr Baraka Mdima, said the Kisiwa/Mgao Port Construction Project is being implemented at a cost of 435 billion Tanzanian shillings.

He said the project is intended to increase the capacity of the Port of Mtwara to handle large volumes of cargo through the expansion of port infrastructure and enhance its capacity to accommodate larger vessels.

According to Mdima, the project is currently 48 per cent complete and is expected to be completed in September 2028.

He said completion of the project is expected to strengthen the position of the Port of Mtwara in supporting trade and cargo transportation within Tanzania and across international markets.