SIDO, National Service corporation pen Sh2bn deal for zonal offices

SUMA JKT will build zonal offices and industrial plants in Simiyu, Geita and Kagera Regions following the signing of a Sh2 billion contract between the National Service’s investment corporation and the Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Speaking after signing the contract, SIDO managing director Professor Sylvester Mpanduji told reporters in the city that upon completion the offices will be used for a variety of functions.

“In those offices we shall offer different services including loans, advising on markets…they will be the bastion for starting small and medium industries in the regions,” Prof Mpanduji explained. The contract says building of the structures must be completed in four months.

The MD said the specially-designed compartments will be built in Manyara, Geita (Chato District) and Kagera (Bukoba District) regions to add value to goods that will be produced before placing them in local and foreign markets.

Professor Mpanduji said 12 industrial plants would be built in Manyara Region, 16 in Chato and four in Bukoba in order to create jobs and produce goods based on raw materials prevalent in the areas.

He gave the example of Chato where he said some 100 indirect and over 80 direct jobs would be created.

SUMA JKT managing director, Eng Morgan Nyonyi, said building of the units would showcase their ability to deliver on put up physical infrastructure, especially industrial plants.

“Work on the sites is set to start in seven days from now.

We shall work day and night to complete the work inside the four contractual months,” he said.

Last week the minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Charles

Mwijage, inspected and handed over estates to SIDO, clearing the way for building the physical infrastructure in the lake zone.