AS the construction of a new dry port at Kwala Village in
Ruvu- Vigwaza area in Coast Region goes on, a new urban business centre is
likely to emerge and sprawl, giving the area a new face.
Authorities in Kibaha District, Coast Region have begun
scratching their heads on how to capitalise on the opportunity to expand the
region’s economy.
The 500-hectre dry port, whose operations are planned to
kick off early next January, is posed to attract a number of businesses ranging
from car parks to restaurants, accommodation and other recreational facilities.
The ‘Sunday News’ recently visited the dry port construction
site, witnessing huge business potential in case authorities in Coast Region
come up with an affirmative plan to invite entities and businesspersons to
invest in such facilities to provide social services.
Ms Tatu Selemani, Kibaha District Council Executive
Director, spoke to the ‘Sunday News’, providing hints on how to capitalise on
the opportunity.
“We have already seen the business potential that will be
brought about by the dry port once it becomes operational,” she said. According
to Ms Selemani, the district council together with the office of the Regional
Commissioner (RC) are planning to consult other authorities, including the
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and Kwala Village government
in Kibaha District to facilitate land acquisition.
“The land we are talking about is within the ranch that
administratively falls under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and
Fisheries.
It should also be remembered that the area is within a
village called Kwala, an indication that both authorities must be consulted
before acquiring the land,” she said.
Upon completion of land acquisition procedures, the district
council will survey it to earmark plots for sale to investors.
Speaking about the challenge posed by a 15-kilometre road
that branch off at Ruvu area from Dar es Salaam- Morogoro highway to the dry
port, Ms Selemani said already they have written the Ministry of Works,
Transport and Communications, asking it to upgrade the status of the stretch so
that it is maintained by Tanzania National Road Agency (Tanroads).
“Currently, the road is maintained by Tanzania Rural-Urban
Road Agency (Tarura), but we have presented the request to the ministry,
through Tarura regional manager, so that Tanroads can take over the responsibility
of maintaining it,” she explained.
Real Estate Developer, Managing Director and Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) at Watumishi Housing Company (WHC), Dr Fred Msemwa spoke to the
‘Sunday News,’ saying the dry port would indeed open up business opportunities
around the area.
However, he said the District Council must come up with a
larger area development Master Plan that will incorporate the dry port’s plan,
clearly indicating how and where commercial complexes and other structures
should be built.
“Upon coming up with the larger Master Plan of the area, the
District Council then invites people like us (real estate developers) to
construct structures that will support the operations of the terminal,” he
said.
The dry port, currently under construction by SUMA JKT, will
start operations next January in an area covering 60 hectares, equivalent to
600,000 square metres, out of the total area of 500 hectares earmarked for the
whole project.
Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Director General, Engineer
Deusdedit Kakoko (pictured), explained that upon starting operations all
containerised cargo (containers) will be hauled from Dar es Salaam Port to the
terminal (dry port) in Coast Region by railway.
“This means that all haulage trucks that have been causing
traffic jams in Dar es Salaam as they travel to the port to collect cargo
before transporting it to the respective destinations will end up in the Coast
Region,” he said.
According to Engineer Kakoko, at initial stage of operation
the dry port will be able to handle 1 million containers at once, insisting
that its capacity will increase as expansion goes on.
“When the dry port becomes operational next January,
containerised cargo destined for upcountry and Great Lakes states will be
brought here. Customers will now be collecting their cargo right from here,
easing congestion in Dar es Salaam, speeding up cargo delivery as well as
reducing costs to our valued customers,” DG Kakoko was quoted as saying
Source: Daily News TZ