Mbarawa directs TPA to work on Dar maritime gateway 24/7
By
BERNARD LUGONGO about 1 hour ago
WORKS, Transport and Communication Minister, Prof Makame Mbarawa on Thursday directed the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to deploy its engineers and work around-the-clock at the construction site of the Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project (DMGP).
The project, which involves dredging and expansion of the port, is expected to improve the efficiency of the major sea gateway in the country. Prof Mbarawa who inspected the development of the construction work at the port yesterday, gave the directive for speeding up the work so that it is completed within the set deadline.
The DSMGP is the World Bank and UK-funded project which is undertaken by China Harbour Engineering Construction Company (CHEC), a subsidiary of the state-run China Communications Construction Company.
The project had been planned to be complete within 36 months after its launch in July last year. “Presence of TPA’s engineers at the site will add more efficiency and will definitely lead to better performance of the work to the level of agreed standard,” Prof Mbarawa stated.
The minister added that so far the project has been completed by 35 per cent, noting that berth No1 and 2 are expected to be complete in November this year. Currently, the Dar es Salaam port has the depth ranging from 8 to 11 metres, which cannot accommodate big vessels to dock.
“Deepening and strengthening of the berths will allow big container ships to come in. All these efforts are being done in order to increase competitiveness of the port,” the minister said. Prof Mbarawa said that big vessels carrying up to 19,000 tonnes of cargo require between 12 and 13 metres depth for docking at the port.
On June 9 last year, Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) on behalf of the government signed a contract with the Chinese company, which was witnessed by the Works, Transport and Communication Minister, Prof Makame Mbarawa.
On his part, the TPA Director General, Deusdedit Kakoko said the port authority will effectively implement the directives issued by the minister in order to make sure the project is completed as planned.
TPA’s Acting Deputy Director General (infrastructure development), Engineer Karim Mattaka said despite challenges, the project will be complete within time.
Mbarawa directs TPA to work on Dar maritime gateway 24/7