MTWARA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has said that the government is planning to set more budget for improving Mtwara Port in a bid to make it the largest water gateway and an engine for Southern Zone and neighbouring countries’ economic boom.
President Samia made the statement after visiting the deep-water port for the first time since being sworn in as the sixth Tanzanian president in March 2021, calling on effective utilisation of the massively face-lifted port.
“Statistics indicate that Mtwara Port can become the biggest port the same as Dar es Salaam Port and this is possible if you (Tanzania Ports Authority (management) devote to work hard and diligently,” she said.
Dr Samia said the budget to be issued by the government would ensure the provision of more port services that will attract more customers to use the strategic terminal, which is currently the second largest port in the country.
She said the port of Mtwara was not built to decorate Mtwara but to stimulate the southern zone economy as well as serving neighbouring countries.
“We’re not finished with the Mtwara Port, we’re going to continue with the expansion of this crucial port,” said President Samia whilst urging importers and exporters to use the terminal.
Meanwhile, President Samia said plans are underway to ensure cashew nuts are transported through Mtwara Port, asking farmers to prepare themselves towards supporting the government to generate more revenues through port services.
Dr Samia who arrived here on Thursday evening for a four-day working tour yesterday inaugurated, laid foundation stones and visited to review the progress on various development projects that are being implemented in the region.
Upon her arrival, the president first met with elders before visiting and inaugurating the 15bn/- worth Southern Zone Referral Hospital at Mitengo area in Mikindani Municipal Council.
At the hospital, the Head of the State went through the wards and other hospital buildings. While at the hospital, she inaugurated and handed over three hospital vehicles including an ambulance with ICU facilities services. The ambulance will be used to streamline critical treatment services to rural areas in Mtwara Region.
Dr Samia urged the health services providers at the hospital to ensure healthcare remains a priority towards saving the lives of patients.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure all the essential needs including working facilities for health providers are provided on time, asking Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu to purchase tablets to ease the provision of services in the area.
She also asked the management of the hospital to take care of medical equipment in the hospital, the buildings as well as being kind to patients.
Also yesterday, President Samia inaugurated a water treatment plant worth 3.4bn/- at Mangamba area in Mtwara Mikindani and a 50-kilometre Mnivita-Mtwara road at Naliendele area, urging ‘wananchi’ mostly farmers to work hard and earn more. President Samia also inspected the progress of the Mtwara Airport project, expressing her satisfaction with its development.
