The Zanzibar government recently signed a contract for the construction of 103 km of roads in Zanzibar at 230 million euros, or Sh537.8 billion. The contract was signed with Mwananchi Engineering and Construction Ltd. (Mecco) and Propav, UK Company.
Khadja Khamis Rajab, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Communications, and Transport, represented the Zanzibar government in the signing ceremony. Mr. Leandro Motta, Director of Infrastructure for the Propav Company, and Mr. Nasser Sheikh, Director of Mecco, respectively, represented the two companies.
The 103 km of roads in Zanzibar set for construction
The roads set for construction include the Tunguu-Makadunchi Road in Unguja’s South Region, which is 48 km long. They also include the Kisauni-Fumba Road in Unguja’s West Urban Region, which is 12 km long. In addition, they include the Mkoani-Chake Chake Pemba Road, which is 43.5 km long.
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All of the roads will reportedly have four lanes, two of which will be dedicated to traffic in one direction, while the other two will be used for pedestrian paths and lights. The project for the construction of the 103 km of roads in Zanzibar is financed by the British government via United Kingdom Export Finance (Ukef). It will be carried out within a span of three years.
Remarks on the project
The move, according to the ministry’s minister, Dr. Khalid Salum Mohammed, is the result of years of cooperation between the governments of Tanzania and Zanzibar, as well as the contractors in obtaining funds. The loan is approved and guaranteed by the Tanzanian government.
Also, he stated that they are grateful to Dr. Hussein Mwinyi and President Samia Suluhu Hassan for their efforts. They have provided them with guidelines for making that successful.
Mr. Motta, on his part, commended the government for putting its trust in them and giving them the project for the construction of 103 km of roads in Zanzibar, and he promised that they would complete the project on time in accordance with the contract and their vast experience.
Rashid Hadid Rashid and Idrissa Mustafa Kitwana, the Unguja South and West Urban regional commissioners, whose regions will get the roads, respectively, said the move will spur development in those regions.
Residents who said that the roads, particularly the Tunguu-Makunduchi Road, had long been an issue, applauded the move.
