BabuK
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- Jul 30, 2008
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President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday inaugurated the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) project, saying plan to construct two temporary stations costing 2bn/- each, could translate into gross misuse of public funds. The president instructed the Regional Commissioner Said Meck Sadiki to host an emergency meeting with the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) and DART next week to discuss and decide whether to stop the construction of the stations or to build permanent ones.
The stations were to be constructed at Jangwani and near the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).
The laying of the foundation stone follows official launch of the project in August last year by the president at Kivukoni in Dar es Salaam.
DART Chief Executive Officer Cosmas Takule, when contacted for clarification on the controversial location of the temporary stations said he has heard the instructions of the president.
Kikwete said upon completion of the DART project, more than 180 rapid buses will be introduced, reducing pressure at Ubungo where currently more than 300 buses are serving commuters.
"There will be also Mwakyembe Railway which will move people in and out of the area," he said.
He thanked the World Bank for financing the project, adding that the government will not dare play with the opportunities funded by WB.
Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) Acting Director General Ahmad Kiima, speaking to journalists said over 1000 commuter buses (Daladala) will be forced to cease their operation in the city after the rapid buses begin operating.
"These will be given routes outside the city," he said.
Addressing the gathering, Works minister Dr John Magufuli expressed dismay to the Ministry of State Prime Minister's Office Regional Administration and Local Governments for failing to compensate residents living in areas where the project is being implemented, saying it was delaying the work of the contractors.
"Not only are they failing to perform their tasks, but the delay also affects the government as it leads to paying the contractor more than the agreed amount," he said.
Magufuli said currently there were two sites where the contactor has failed to do anything since people in the area had not been compensated and the contract period has passed.
Eng. Patrick Mfugale, Acting Chief Executive of TANROADs said the 20.9-km rapid highway will run from Kimara through Magomeni to Kivukoni and Morocco to Magomeni and finally from Fire Station to Kariakoo.
He said the construction of the Highway will be of concrete and will be 7metres wide.
In another development, President Kikwete revealed that the World Bank has agreed to finance construction of a fly-over at Ubungo in an effort to reduce traffic congestion in the city.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
The stations were to be constructed at Jangwani and near the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM).
The laying of the foundation stone follows official launch of the project in August last year by the president at Kivukoni in Dar es Salaam.
DART Chief Executive Officer Cosmas Takule, when contacted for clarification on the controversial location of the temporary stations said he has heard the instructions of the president.
Kikwete said upon completion of the DART project, more than 180 rapid buses will be introduced, reducing pressure at Ubungo where currently more than 300 buses are serving commuters.
"There will be also Mwakyembe Railway which will move people in and out of the area," he said.
He thanked the World Bank for financing the project, adding that the government will not dare play with the opportunities funded by WB.
Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA) Acting Director General Ahmad Kiima, speaking to journalists said over 1000 commuter buses (Daladala) will be forced to cease their operation in the city after the rapid buses begin operating.
"These will be given routes outside the city," he said.
Addressing the gathering, Works minister Dr John Magufuli expressed dismay to the Ministry of State Prime Minister's Office Regional Administration and Local Governments for failing to compensate residents living in areas where the project is being implemented, saying it was delaying the work of the contractors.
"Not only are they failing to perform their tasks, but the delay also affects the government as it leads to paying the contractor more than the agreed amount," he said.
Magufuli said currently there were two sites where the contactor has failed to do anything since people in the area had not been compensated and the contract period has passed.
Eng. Patrick Mfugale, Acting Chief Executive of TANROADs said the 20.9-km rapid highway will run from Kimara through Magomeni to Kivukoni and Morocco to Magomeni and finally from Fire Station to Kariakoo.
He said the construction of the Highway will be of concrete and will be 7metres wide.
In another development, President Kikwete revealed that the World Bank has agreed to finance construction of a fly-over at Ubungo in an effort to reduce traffic congestion in the city.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN