DEPUTY Minister for Works and Transport, Eng Fred Mwakibete has given one month to Tanzania Aviation Authority (TAA) management to deploy a technical team to assess the allocated land plot if it is suitable for construction of an airstrip at Kalambo waterfalls in Rukwa region.
He made the directives during his one day working tour in Rukwa Region, asking the technical team to submit the findings to him upon completion.
According to him the objective of the construction of airstrip in the district is to promote the Kalambo waterfalls and other tourist attractions in the area in a bid to attract more visitors.
“The construction of airstrip at the site will have multiplier effects including stimulating the social – economic growth in the area,” he said.
In efforts to promote Kalambo water falls Tanzania Forests Services (TFS) Agency has constructed a 1.27 kilometer steel case while planning to build a cable car at Kalambo waterfalls in a bid to attract more visitors.
The agency further revealed that it has spent some 1.3bn/- in the last five years to make it easier for visitors to reach the water falls while offering quality accommodation near the area.
The TFS Ecologist and Conservationist in Kalambo District, Mr Joseph Chezue said that the project started 2016, and is scheduled for accomplished next month.
Giving breakdown, Mr Cheuze noted that the first phase of the project started in 2016 and the second in 2018.
“The third phase of the project is under construction started this year at a cost of 300m/- and is expected to be completed in September this year,” he said.
He further said that TFS is currently constructing four rest houses at the site at a cost of 362m/-.
“Also the government through TFS is looking for possibility of putting a line cable car to enable visitors to easily have aerial view of the area,” he noted.
On her part the Kalambo District Commissioner Ms Tano Mwela assured the deputy minister that a suitable plot of land for construction of an airstrip at Kalambo waterfalls has been allocated so far.
She also welcomed those who wish to invest in the hotels and hospitality industry in the area.
“There is not even a single hotel that has met qualifications of a three star hotel in Kalambo” she explained.