Mwinyi pushes for quality execution of projects

Mwinyi pushes for quality execution of projects

ZANZIBAR President, Dr Hussein Mwinyi has directed the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Communication and Transport to ensure the ongoing improvement of roads, seaports and airports in Zanzibar meet international standards.

He emphasised on this after witnessing the signing of contract for the construction of ‘Karume Airport’ in Chakechake, South Pemba between the government and Mwananchi Engineering Construction Company (MECCO) that works jointly with the UK firm ‘Propav’.

Signing the contract was the Ministry’s Principal Secretary, Ms Khadija Khamis Rajab and Mr Nassir Abdulkadir Sheikh, the MECCO.

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“We need quality work. People are eagerly waiting for the project to kick off and be completed,” Dr Mwinyi said.

He promised to develop Pemba, saying the airport is crucial in boosting the potential of the Clove Island and helping local economy to grow fast.

Dr Mwinyi said that construction of the airport is being implemented simultaneously with construction of three main roads of Mkoani-Chake (43 kilometres), Tunguu-Makunduchi (48km) and Fumba-Kisauni (12km) and construction of seaports.

He thanked development partner – the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) for a soft loan issued to fund the projects

President Mwinyi tasked the contractors ‘Propav Joint Venture MECCO’ to produce quality work in an agreed time schedule.

He said that airport will significantly contribute to the economic growth of Pemba as it will create benefits for investors and generate jobs for people.

“It is will also wake up the tourism potential of the Island,”Dr Mwinyi said, adding that the signing of the contract to begin developing Pemba airport is also a milestone in the implementation of his promises; the CCM party manifesto 2020/2025 and the Vision 2050.

The Minister for Infrastructure Development, Communications and Transportation, Dr Khalid Salum Mohammed said the project is one of the priority projects coordinated in the East African Community (EAC) and included in the circular projects to connect the tourism industry in the region and beyond.

Minister Mohammed said the project will be executed in two phases, where the signed contract is for the construction of the first phase which is 74 percent of all the construction. Initially, the design of the construction included a passenger terminal in an area of 14,000 square metres, and 2.5 kilometres runway budgeted to cost 230 million US dollars.

He said the available funds of 170 million Euro will be spent to construct a terminal on 9,170 square metres land and a runway with a length of 2,510 metres and a width of 45 meters.

Dr Mohamed said that in the first phase of construction, the airport will have the capacity to serve at least 330,000 passengers per year, compared to the current capacity to serve 45,000 passengers, while when both phases are completed the facility will have the capacity to serve 750,000 passengers annually.

Speaking on behalf of the Propav Company, Mr Leandro Motta promised that the construction of the airport to attract bigger planes and boost tourism will meet the international standard.

The UK High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr David Concar, explained that his country remain committed to support Zanzibar achieve its development goals for the benefits of Zanzibaris and Tanzanians in general.

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