MPs endorse 3.6tri/- Works’ plan as Tanzania considers PPP model to revamp Dar Port
MEMBERS of Parliament have unanimously endorsed the Ministry of Works and Transport 3.6tri/- spending plan for the 2023/24 fiscal year as the government promises to work on lawmakers’ advice to engage the private sector to operate Dar es Salaam Port.
Before the approval, Works Minister Prof Makame Mbarawa admitted in Dodoma Tuesday that most MPs’ contributions to his docket spending plan suggested that Private-Public Partnership (PPP) model should be deployed to boost efficiency at the Dar es Salaam Port.
Prof Mbarawa said the global experience shows that the PPP model has proved to be a best solution in running ports so Tanzanians should not be afraid of engaging the private sector in Dar Port.
He mentioned competitors of Dar es Salaam Port which are being operated by the private sector are Mombasa Port (Kenya), Beira Port (Mozambique), Namibia, South Africa and Morocco.
He said the investor(s) who will be engaged in operating the facility should have a global experience in logistics which will subsequently boost the famous Port in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa.
In the approved plan, Prof Mbarawa promises the MPs that among other issues to be implemented in the next FY by his docket are construction of seven new roads through Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing (EPC + F) system.
He mentioned roads that will be constructed in the 2023/24 as Kidatu – Ifakara – Lupiro – Malinyi – Kilosa kwa Mpepo – Londo – Lumecha/Songea (435 km), Karatu – Mbulu – Haydom – Sibiti River – Lalago – Maswa (Simiyu) (339 km) and the one in Handeni – Kibirashi – Kijungu – Kibaya – Njoro – Olboroti – Mrijochini – Dalai – Chambalo – Chemba – Kwa Mtoro – Singida with a total of 460 km.
Others are the Arusha – Kibaya – Kongwa Junction road (453.42 km), Masasi – Nachingwea – Liwale (175 km), Igawa – Songwe – Tunduma (218 km) as well as the Uyole – Songwe bypass road with a length of 48.9 kilometers and Mafinga – Mtwango – Mgololo (81 km).
