THE eagerly awaited ‘MV Mwanza-Hapa Kazi’ is now taking its shape, with 71 per cent construction already completed.
The maiden ship, which has been described as the biggest vessel in the region’s shared Great Lakes of Victoria, Tanganyika and Nyasa, is expected to start operations on Lake Victoria from next October, this year.
Construction of the ship is part of the government’s efforts to transform marine transport as indicated in the National Five Year Development Plan (2021/22-2025/26).
In the plan, the government envisages expanding the basic economic infrastructure (networks of surface, marine, and air transport; power and water).
Also, in the 2020 Election Manifesto, the ruling CCM pledged to accomplish construction of the new MV Mwanza-Hapa Kazi Tu in Lake Victoria with the capacity of carrying 1,200 passengers and 400 tonnes of cargo.
Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Service Company Limited (MSCL), Mr Eric Hamissi, said the work for building the 89bn/- vessel was going on well.
He revealed this on Monday when briefing CCM’s Vice chairman (mainland), Abdulrahman Kinana, who is on a working tour to the region.
“No vessel like this in the neighbouring countries of Kenya, Uganda or else in the region. It comprises economy, business and VIP class with modern facilities. It will bring huge economic benefits to residents of the Lake Zone,” Mr Hamissi stated.
Apart from sailing between Mwanza and Bukoba, the ship will also be ferrying passengers and goods to neighbouring countries of Uganda at Portbell and Jinja and in Kenya docking at Kisumu Port.
“This is a big milestone. We thank President Samia Suluhu Hassan because since she took over the presidency, the construction of the ship has been going speedily as funds for the project have been disbursed timely,” he explained.
When it becomes operational, the 92.6-metre-long vessel will have capacity to carry 1200 passengers, 400 tonnes of cargo and 20 vehicles.
During the project implementation, at least 200 Tanzanian youth have benefited from skills on welding its apartments.
He thanked the CCM government for its efforts to ensure that water transport woes are resolved through building more vessels.
“This is just a beginning; we have many more vessels to construct after this. I thank the government since we have got experts for vessel construction,” he said.
For his part, the CCM Vice Chairman Mr Abdulhman Kinana praised the Mwanza regional authorities and the management of MSCL for the major steps they have reached in the construction of the new Mwanza Mv Ship –Hapa kazi tu.
“I congratulate all of you for the job well done,” the CCM leader said during his visit to see the progress of the construction of the ship in Mwanza South Port.
He was accompanied by other CCM and government leaders in Mwanza region including Mwanza CCM Regional Chairman Dr Anthony Diallo.
Commenting, the Nyamagana Member of Parliament Mr Stanslaus Mabula said Nyamagana and Mwanza residents were grateful to President Samia for continuing to release huge amounts of money for the construction of the ship so that it is completed on time.
