The construction of Kiwira and Itungi port roads will follow the recent signing of a contract between the Tanzania National Roads Agency, (TanRoads) and a Turkish firm, the PS Group. TanRoads CEO Rogatus Mativila and PS Group CEO Umit Pal signed on behalf of the two parties, with Works and Transport Minister Prof. Makame Mbarawa witnessing.
The 22-kilometer Ibanda-Kanjunjumele road, the six-kilometer Kanjunjumele-Kiwira Port road, and the four-kilometer Kanjunjumele-Itungi Port road will all be upgraded to the tarmac, he said. The upgrade will cost Sh38.3 billion without an external loan facility.
He stated that the Mbeya, Njombe, and Ruvuma regions will have improved connections to Itungi, Kiwira, and Mbamba Bay ports. This will facilitate crop transportation, mineral transport, and other economic activities.
He added that the Mbeya-Kasumulu road links with Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and finally South Africa. Transporting forestry and fishing products is also anticipated to improve.
How long it will take to build the Kiwira and Itungi port roads
He explained that the project’s completion is expected to take 36 months, with 24 months allocated for construction and 12 months allocated for supervision tests and evaluations. The regional commissioner, Juma Homera, stated that the road is crucial for the Kyela District’s economic activities. According to him, the Lake Nyasa area functions as a hub of business.
He urged district residents to collaborate with the contractor and local authorities supervising changes in land use. He said that cargo volumes will increase using ships that are currently under construction and will operate more efficiently. This has been impeded for a long time due to poor road links.
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The roads should be constructed and completed on schedule so that residents can begin to benefit from the new facility. This is in order to fulfill a promise made by President Samia Suluhu Hassan during a visit to Kyela back in August. He stated that installing lights at Ipinda has also helped the government improve the Kikusya-Ipinda Matema road.
Ally Mlaghila, a member of parliament from Kyela, asked the government to give the contractor clear instructions to give preference to local youths. She also called for timely compensation for those who will be evicted so that they move before construction work commences.
The minister stated that TanRoads must properly manage the project. This will guarantee that it is implemented in accordance with the specified standards and is durable. To protect the infrastructure project from being undermined, residents must also ensure that construction supplies are secure from thieves.
