By Akanimo Sampson
Zanzibar is enthusiastically pursuing a multi-purpose seaport dream. The construction of the port which will begin soon is at Mangapwani, Unguja. Zanzibar President, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, recently visited the project site to set the stage for the project to begin.Earlier this year, the president witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of the Mangapwani state-the-of-art port in North Unguja.The event took place at the Zanzibar State House between his government and the Oman Investment Authority (OIA).
Zanzibar’s Works, Transport and Communications Permanent Secretary, Amour Hamil Bakari, signed the MoU on behalf of the government, while OIA was represented by its general manager Sheikh Mohammed Al-Tooq.The project will involve the construction of berths for liquid bulk goods, containers, fishing vessels, natural gas offshore services as well as backup infrastructure for rehabilitation of marine vessels.
According to President Mwinyi, the government’s plan to develop the Isles has begun with the multipurpose port project. “The port will have numerous terminals, including facilities for oil, gas, fishing and a backup for construction and rehabilitation of marine vessels”, he said.
Works, Transport and Communications Minister, Rahma Kassim Ali, said the project was among the government’s initiatives geared towards strengthening investment that would later bring better results to the people of Zanzibar.
She further mentioned that the project has considered the government’s directives, policy and laws governing the Isles for the current and future interests of Zanzibar.The agreement was among the steps made by the government towards the implementation of the country’s blue economy policy.
