Makonda orders TPA to timely complete expansion of Mwanza North Port

MWANZA: THE Minister for Culture,Arts, and Sports, Paul Makonda, has directed the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to ensure the timely execution of the construction, expansion, and modernization project at the Mwanza North Port, aiming to enhance passenger and cargo transport services.

Mr Makonda made these remarks today as he represented President Samia Suluhu during a visit to the Mwanza region, where he toured the port and emphasized the importance of completing the project on schedule. He also commended the work being done by the TPA to improve port infrastructure and boost economic activities.

He said that the project’s completion would enable the port to handle five vessels simultaneously, a move expected to increase transport efficiency across Lake Victoria.

For her part, the Lake Victoria Ports Manager,Ms Rosemary Ndesamburo, said the Government, through the TPA, is implementing expansion and modernization projects for Lake Victoria ports in phases to meet the growing demands of trade and transportation.

She noted that the implementation of these projects began following the completion of a feasibility study in 2022, which helped identify the ports’ needs, optimal improvement strategies, and priority areas.  According to Ms Ndesamburo, upgrades have commenced at the Mwanza North, Bukoba, and Kemondo ports, with projects at various stages of implementation.

She explained that these projects were initiated in response to population growth, the expansion of trade, and the high demand for transport services. The government aims to increase the capacity to transport goods from the Port of Dar es Salaam to other countries via Lake Victoria.

Furthermore, these improvements are expected to help handle the anticipated increase in cargo resulting from the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), while also enhancing port security and safety.

“The construction, expansion, and upgrading project at Mwanza North Port is being implemented at a cost of 18.61bn/-, an amount that includes Value Added Tax (VAT),” she said.

She noted that the construction supervision contract is valued at 1.58m US dollars, exclusive of the applicable VAT as stipulated in the contract.

“By October 2026, the contractor had been paid  10.84bn/- across nine payment certificates, while a tenth certificate worth  1.04bn/- was in the final stages of processing,” She said.

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She added that the project has created temporary employment for 300 Tanzanian citizens and expanded business opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs providing food, accommodation, and transport services.

She further noted that construction activities contribute to the Council’s revenue through various taxes, duties, and levies. The project also offers Tanzanian youth the opportunity to gain skills and experience in the construction and architectural sectors.

She said that upon completion, the port is expected to have the capacity to handle five vessels simultaneously. The new, modern building to be constructed will be capable of accommodating 700 passengers at a time.

She added that this upgrade is expected to enhance port service efficiency, facilitate the transport of passengers and cargo, boost trade, and strengthen commercial ties between Tanzania and the neighboring countries connected by Lake Victoria.