Daily News On Saturday; Friday,February 15, 2008 @19:01
US President George W. Bush is expected to jet into Dar es Salaam today for a four-day state visit. He will be accompanied by the Secretary of State, Ms Condeleeza Rice. The State House Director of Communications and Press, Mr Salva Rweyemamu, said today that Mr Bushs visit was in appreciation of the growing democracy and good governance in Tanzania and good utilisation of the aid packages from the worlds superpower.
While in the country, President Bush and his host, President Jakaya Kikwete, are expected to sign the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) contract on Sunday at the State House. Under the agreement, the US government will release 698 million US dollars (about 700bn/-) for the construction of a number of roads including Tunduma Sumbawanga (224 kilometers), Namtumbo- Songea (61 km), Peramiho- Mbinga (70 km) and Tanga- Horohoro (68 km).
The funds would also be spent on supplying electricity to Kigoma region. Mr Rweyemamu reiterated that day-to-day activities would not be disrupted as a result of the high profile and tight security visit. President Bushs itinerary includes a visit to Amana Hospital in Ilala district in the city on Sunday after signing the MCC agreement at the State House, where Americans have a project to fight malaria and HIV/Aids.
On Monday he is expected to leave for Arusha where he will spend the night and return to Dar es Salaam on Tuesday. He is expected to leave the country that same day to continue with his tour of Africa which will also take to him to Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia. Mr Bush left Washington today. He arrives in the country from Benin.
Meanwhile, several main roads in Dar es Salaam would be closed to motorists for some hours beginning today afternoon as the country graces to receive President Bush. The Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander, Mr Alfred Tibaigana told reporters today Nyerere Road would be closed to traffic from the junction of Pugu Road all the way to Gerezani Road down to Sokoine Drive starting today afternoon.
On Sunday, Sokoine Drive, Luthuli Road, Ocean Road, Kivukoni Front, Gerezani Road, Nyerere Road upto the junction of Kawawa Road, Uhuru Street to Old Bagamoyo Road will be closed from morning to afternoon. Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road, Ocean Road, Luthuli Road and Sokoine Drive will be closed in the afternoon, he said.
Mr Tibaigana further said that on Monday Sokoine Drive, Ohio Street, Kivukoni Front, Gerezani Street, Nyerere Road and Pugu Road will be closed in the morning, open in the afternoon and will be closed again in the evening. On Tuesday when Mr Bush leaves, Sokoine Drive, Ohio Street, Kivukoni Front, Gerezani Street, Nyerere Road and the junction to Pugu Road will be closed in the morning, Mr Tibaigana said.
For those living at Kigamboni and use the ferry to the city centre, the Kivukoni Road will be closed at the junction with Luthuli Road. Motorists are advised to use Luthuli Road, Shaban Robert Street, Samora Avenue, Pamba Street and Sokoine Drive, he said.
He said for those who are working in the government offices such as High Court, Court of Appeal, National Development Corporation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others will be shown the entrance to their respective offices by police. Mr Tibaigana congratulated the University of Dar es Salaam Academic Staff Assembly (Udasa), Dar es Salaam University Students Organisation (Daruso) and the Civic United Front (CUF) for postponing their demonstrations planned for today.