MWANZA: MWANZA Region is set to construct new ferries and repair existing ones during this financial year, aiming to enhance transportation efficiency for passengers and goods.
Acting Ferries Manager for the Lake and Western Zone, Engineer Vitalis Bilauri, revealed this during an exclusive interview with the Daily News regarding the management, maintenance and government ferry projects under construction in the region.
He stated that the government has already disbursed funds to support both new ferry construction and maintenance initiatives, including repairs to ferries such as MV Mwanza. One of the key projects includes the construction of the Buyagu-Mbalika Ferry in Sengerema District, which is being developed at a cost of 3.9bn/-.
The ferry will have the capacity to carry 50 tonnes of cargo, 100 passengers and six small vehicles. The contractor has already been paid 80 per cent of the contract value and the project is 80 per cent complete. In Magu District, the Ijinga-Kahangala Ferry is under construction, valued at over 5.2bn/-.
This ferry will have a capacity to carry 100 tonnes of cargo 200 passengers and 10 small vehicles. Currently, the project is 90 per cent complete and the contractor has received 90 per cent of the contract value. The ferry is expected to be completed by March 31, 2025.
ALSO READ: Tanga port exceeds revenue collection target
The Kisorya-Rugezi Ferry in Ukerewe District is another ongoing project, at a total cost of 892m/-.
The ferry will have the capacity to carry 170 tonnes of cargo, 800 passengers and 22 small vehicles. The project is expected to be completed within 40 weeks, with the target completion date set for March 29, 2025.
In Sengerema District, the Nyakaliro-Kome Ferry is being constructed at a cost of 8 bn/-, including consultancy fee.
Once completed, the ferry will have the capacity to carry 170 tonnes of cargo, 800 passengers and 22 small vehicles.
The contractor has received 60 per cent of the contract value and the project is currently 83 per cent complete. The construction of Bwiro-Bukondo Ferry in Ukerewe District is also underway.
The ferry will carry 100 tonnes of cargo, 200 passengers and 10 small vehicles and the contractor has been paid 85 per cent of the contract value. In addition to the construction projects, maintenance works are ongoing on key ferries.
The MV Nyerere ferry, which has a capacity of 25 tonnes, 101 passengers and four small vehicles, is being renovated at a cost of 1.7bn/-.
The project is currently 81 per cent complete and is expected to conclude by March 30, 2025. The MV Ukara I ferry is also undergoing renovations at a cost of TZS 348 million. This ferry has a capacity of 25 passengers and the contractor has been paid 10 per cent of the contract value so far.
Engineer Bilauri emphasised that the projects are expected to significantly improve transportation, enhance regional connectivity and boost economic activities across the Mwanza Region.
