MODERNISATION and expansion of Lake Victoria's Mwanza North Port is 48 percent, it has been learnt.

The project, undertaken by M/S China Railway 15 Bureau Group Corporation since May 3, 2023, was initially scheduled for completion within 18 months.

Erasto Lugenge, port manager for Lake Victoria ports unveiled this here at the weekend when speaking to reporters on the project’s progress.

Lugenge said the project has been delayed for   six-months because of site constraints, saying the area designated for the project was previously occupied by fish traders, which hindered smooth implementation.

"In response, regional authorities in Mwanza have relocated the traders to an alternative location to facilitate the project's progress," he said.

Another challenge, he noted, was the ongoing port operations, which have continued alongside the construction activities, thereby affecting the project's pace.

"With port operations continuing simultaneously alongside the project, implementation has inevitably been impacted," he said.

Given the challenges, the government through the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) extended the contract deadline by six months to allow the contractor to complete the work.

Mwanza North Port is one of two major ports on Lake Victoria in Mwanza City, the other being Mwanza South port. Both are managed by the TPA.