MPANDA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has commenced her four-day working visit in Katavi Region where she is expected to inspect and launch several development projects.
She arrived at Mpanda Airport yesterday at 3:00 PM, where she was warmly welcomed by leaders and citizens.
The welcoming event was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, Minister for Transport Prof Makame Mbarawa, Katavi Regional Commissioner Ms Mwanamvua Mrindoko and the Secretary General of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi.
Upon her arrival, President Samia greeted the gathered leaders and officials, then proceeded to inspect the progress of the ongoing construction of Mpanda Airport passengers’ lounge. This inspection included the passenger waiting buildings, Immigration, and Police facilities.
The Director General of the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), Mussa Mbura, briefed the President on the airport’s status.
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He noted that the airport, which was established in 1954 with a gravel surface and a length of 1,500 metres, is among those managed by the authority.
In 2008, the government upgraded the airport and in 2012, extended the runway from 1,500 metres to 2.0 kilometres with a tarmac surface suitable for aircraft landing and taking off.
Mr Mbura highlighted that since 2012, there had been no further improvements until last year when the government renovated the passengers’ building.
“The construction of the building cost 600mil/- and includes systems such as security cameras, fire suppression and systems for processing passenger information to synchronise with other airports,” he said.
The total cost of the construction and installed systems was 1.4bn/-, which also included the building of a parking area and an exit road.
Previously, in 2008, the building could accommodate 48 passengers at once. However, due to the growth in tourism and business in Katavi Region, it now has the capacity to accommodate 240 passengers.
According to Mbura, Mpanda Airport receives flights from Air Tanzania (ATCL) three times a week on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The planes carry 76 passengers each, thus the current passenger building can handle three flights at the same time.
Today, President Samia, who is also the Chairperson of the ruling CCM, is expected to conclude the week-long celebrations of the party’s Parents Wing at Azimio Ground in Mlele District.
She will address a public rally after inspecting the construction progress of a station dedicated to receiving, cooling and distributing electricity in Mlele District, she said.
Katavi Region is set to be connected to the national power grid by October this year through a 132 KV power transmission line, spanning 383 kilometres from Tabora to Mpanda, at a cost of 116m/-.
According to Katavi RC Ms Mrindoko, on Sunday, President Samia will inaugurate the newly constructed buildings of the Katavi Regional Referral Hospital.
On the same day, President Samia will also launch National Food Reserve Authority (NFRA) silos in Mpanda Municipality. Later, President Samia will inaugurate the magnificent Karema Port on Lake Tanganyika in Tanganyika District, marking a significant milestone in Tanzania’s maritime strategy.
The construction of the landmark project was implemented by the government through the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) and will hold the key to Tanzania’s maritime strategy.
“New Karema Port will serve as a new trade corridor, connecting the southern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi and Zambia to Dar es Salaam Port,” the RC said.
The RC explained that the government decided to construct the new port terminal to exploit the untapped great potential of cross-border trade with DR Congo, a member of the East African Community (EAC) bloc.
On Monday, according to RC, the Head of State will wind up her working tour by holding an indoor meeting with civil servants.
Meanwhile, Rukwa Regional Commissioner, Makongoro Nyerere, told reporters yesterday that President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to begin a three-day working tour in the region from Monday to Wednesday.
While in Rukwa the RC said, President Samia will launch six projects including Nkasi District hospital, Sumbawanga Teachers College, Kalambo District Executive Director’s office and NFRA’s silos.
