MSALATO AIRPORT PROJET: Facility to spice/alter Dodoma outlook
THE envisaged 272 million US dollars (over 600bn/-) Msalato International Airport robust project is expected to catalyse the country’s economy as it equally plans to offer employment opportunities to Tanzanians living in the country’s capital, Dodoma, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has affirmed.
President Samia made the commitment during a foundation stone-laying ceremony for the construction of one of the country’s largest aviation projects, an event which was attended by hundreds of residents from inside and outside the country.
During the first phase of the project, the government will spend about 272 million US dollars (over 600bn/-), after obtaining a concessional loan from Africa Development Bank (AfDB).
In December 2029, the Board of Directors of the AfDB approved 272 million US dollars loan to Tanzania for the construction of the new international airport at Msalato area about 12 kilometres from the Central Business District of the capital city.
The funding package, comprises a 198.6 million US dollars loan from the bank, 23.52 million US dollars from the African Development Fund (ADF) and 50 million US dollars in co-financing with the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF) — a co-financing facility of the People’s Republic of China managed by the bank.
The project involves the construction of high-capacity airport infrastructure to meet the expected growth in air transport from the city’s new role as the administrative capital of Tanzania.
Work will be carried out over four years and will include a passenger terminal, a runway, and air navigation equipment.
The project includes other related operational services such as a fuel distribution company, water supply systems, electrical power distribution substations and a fire-fighting service, among others.
The laying of the foundation stone was done by President Samia in the company of AfDB Country Manager, Patricia Laverly and the Minister for Works and Transport, Professor Makame Mbarawa, among others.
Speaking at a colourful ceremony, the Head of State said that completion of the first phase of the project in December 2025-the Msalato International Airport would have the capacity to accommodate major aircrafts (Boeing 747) with the capacity to carry about 350 passengers.
According to her, during the 2022/23 financial year, her government was well determined to implement projects that would catalyse development for the people.
“Our target is to increase business competition with other countries in the East African Region, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the world at large as well as expanding markets for our local products,’’ she said.
President Samia said that the Msalato airport project would increase employment opportunities both direct and indirect, directing the contractor executing the project to ensure that all works that can be done by locals be directed to Tanzanians living in the country’s capital.
However, the President was quick to warn unscrupulous locals who will secure jobs during the implementation of the project to desist from trying to steal procured equipment for the implementation of the project.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Works and Transport said the airport that will have a runway of 3.6 kilometres during phase I, was expected to open socio-economic activities that would benefit Tanzanians individually and the country at large.
