TANZANIA Ports Authority (TPA) has said that the construction of a new port at Mbamba Bay, costing 75.8bn/-, is a major strategic project expected to boost local economy due to creation of job opportunities, especially for the youth.

TPA Deputy Director General Juma Kijavara, said this here at the weekend when speaking during a visit by Minister for Transport Prof Makame Mbarawa to inspect the site for the new port in Nyasa District, Ruvuma region.

Kijavara noted that one of the major benefits of the port construction is creation of job opportunities for local residents, especially the youth, adding that this is expected to stimulate economic development for families and the district as a whole.

He mentioned that various business opportunities would increase for local residents through services provided to contractors and project workers.

 “This will boost income for small and medium-sized traders during the two-year implementation of this project,” he said.

Kijavara also said that the implementation of supporting infrastructure such as roads and electricity will further benefit the local community.

In his address, Prof Mbarawa noted that the port will enhance the economies of Tanzania and neighbouring countries such as Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, encouraging more investment in the private and public sectors, particularly in manufacturing, transportation, commerce and tourism around Lake Nyasa.

He commended TPA for executing the major project and for its effective operations that are beneficial to the nation. 

“This modern port will reduce transportation costs of various industrial products, especially minerals, agricultural products and fish as it will have the capacity to accommodate large vessels, leading to lower shipping costs and more affordable prices for citizens,” he said.

 “Recently, we launched another major project for construction of large oil storage facility at the Dar es Salaam port,” he said.

 “Now, we are launching construction of this strategic port to open up the country and create various opportunities, including jobs for Tanzanians.”

Construction of the port will involve, among other things, building of two berths measuring 103 meters in length, capable of servicing two large vessels, unlike the current port which only accommodates small boats for cargo and passengers.

 It will also include construction of warehouses, staff housing, an administration building, a passenger terminal, a workshop, a water tower, a health facility building, a bridge measuring 105 meters in length and 15 meters in width for cargo transport vehicles, a storage area for 3,000 cargo containers and internal and external roads for vehicles to access the port.

John Paul, TPA project engineer, said that the authority has already made an advance payment of 3.2bn/- (5 percent) to the contractor and has paid consulting engineer 448.1m/- as an advance payment which is equivalent to 10 percent.