- Citizens peg high hopes on Kigongo-Busisi Bridge
WITH its construction now at 60.05 per cent, the Kigongo-Busisi Bridge across Lake Victoria is poised to become an economic game changer in mineral-rich Mwanza and Geita regions as well as the Great Lakes Region.
Hopes are high that the 3.2 long kilometre bridge, which is being constructed at a cost of 699bn/- along with its 1.66-kilometre link roads, will unlock economic potentials in both Mwanza and Geita regions as well as neighboring countries of Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda.
The Kigongo-Busisi Bridge is part of Tanzania’s flagship infrastructure projects as the East African nation strives to lay a strong foundation for the much-envisaged industrialised economy.
In 2019, the government of Tanzania contracted a consortium of two Chinese state-owned engineering and construction companies to design and build the transport infrastructure project. The two firms are China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Railway 15th Bureau (CR15B).
Speaking to the ‘Daily News’, Mwanza residents expressed high optimism that the imposing bridge will massively transform their livelihoods by facilitating economic activities and making a sound contribution to the national economy.
An expert on business and entrepreneurship, Dr Sylvester Jotta, was of the view that the Kigongo-Busisi Bridge is going to change the status quo of Mwanza City by being an international trading hub.
He said the project is the cornerstone for East Africa interactivity from which Mwanza city and Tanzania at large can look forward to a surge in revenue collection as foreigners’ influx will boost investments.
“Mwanza is strategically located in the Great Lakes region and thus the need to have favourable infrastructure to facilitate trade and tourism,” Dr Jotta commented.
On his part, a truck driver with Guld Chai Leo Company, Mr Mashimba Petro, said completion of the project will enable smooth supply of products within the lake zone regions and beyond.
The company he works for, supplies various products including biscuits and wheat flour to retailers in Mwanza, Geita and Kagera regions.
A farmer-cum-businesswoman in Mwanza Region, Ms Imacurata Mpanda (54), said she expects tremendous boost in her business and farming activities.
She was assured of a few hours of travel from Mwanza to Geita where she conducts her businesses, noting that it takes long using ferry services between the two regions.
This new facility will significantly help cut crossing time from thirty-five minutes by ferry to four minutes by automobile.
Upon completion, the Kigongo-Busisi Bridge is set to become the longest bridge in East Africa and the sixth-longest on the African continent.
According to its design, the new transport infrastructure is expected to have the capacity to handle 180 tonnes at one time in which over 1,600 vehicles could pass through it on a daily basis.
Construction of the bridge is part of the 3rd National Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP III) which describes it as among flagship projects which are beneficial to the country.
“The project aims at unlocking trade and investment opportunities between Tanzania and neighbouring countries by facilitating more traffic along the routes.
“This project will enhance socio-economic activities in the region,” reads part of the document which is currently under implementation.
A consulting engineer for the project, Abdulkarim Majuto said there are two parts that are being implemented in construction of the bridge.
“There are two main entries and exits in the Kigongo and Busisi area,” he said, noting that the bridge has 22 large concrete pillars carrying a 3.2km long tarmac road across Lake Victoria.
The 22 concrete pillars are carried by 804 poles that have been drilled under water that have a length of between 15.5 and 66 meters.
“So far we have made a total of 506 concrete poles,” he said.
The project has created over 700 jobs with Tanzanians securing lion’s share, whereas only 56 employees are foreign expatriates.
For their part some employees working for the project hailed the government for coming up with such an idea that apart from creating jobs will facilitate easy movement of people goods and services as well as stimulating the economy.
A surveyor working for the project, Mr William James, said through the project, they are able to adapt to new technologies that are being used to construct modern bridges.
