JPM lays Sh188bn foundation stone for road project

Dar es Salaam. President John Magufuli and World Bank chief Jim Yong Kim yesterday laid a foundation stone for the Sh188.71 billion Ubungo interchange project, connecting Nelson Mandela, Sam Nujoma and Morogoro roads. The project is expected to be competed in 30 months and reduce traffic congestion on the busy Ubungo junction with more than 60,000 vehicles passing daily.

President Magufuli said the project was part of implementing pledges of improving city infrastructure to reduce time spent on roads, hence facilitating service delivery.

Funds for undertaking the project has been borrowed from the World Bank whose president and Dr Magufuli arrived at Ubungo on 11.01am from Kivukoni Station by Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (BRT) bus.

The World Bank and funded the BRT project.

“We have made efforts to upgrade city infrastructure starting with the expansion of Morocco-Mwenge road by using the budget which was set for Independence Day, then the construction of the Tazara flyover, the launch of Mwalimu Nyerere Bridge in Kigamboni and BRT,” President Magufuli said.

He also said the government was in final stages of preparations of constructing a six-lane road project from Dar es Salaam to Chalinze.

“Upon completion of the project many opportunities will be created as people will spend less time travelling, hence facilitating development.”

He also urged the contractor — China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) — around the clock to ensure the project is completed on time.

It has also to reduce interruptions on the city’s transport system during the construction.

He is optimistic that by 2020 traffic congestion will end, hence the opening up opportunities for rapid growth of economic activities.

The WB president promised to continue supporting Tanzania, saying its plan to become a middle-income economy by 2025 can be attained.

He commended Dr Magufuli for fighting corruption and increasing revenue collections. “I’m impressed by President Magufuli’s leadership. He is doing a great job to ensure revenue collections are increased and social services are improved. We are ready to provide assistance you need to improve services.”

He said the BRT project was a “fantastic example of benefits of using public-private partnership” for national development.

Dr Magufuli and Dr Kim earlier witnessed the signing of $780 million loan agreements for three projects.

They are, with their funds in brackets, the Dar es Salaam Urban Transport Project ($425 million), Strategic Cities second additional financing ($130 million) and the Tanzania Second Water Sector Supply Project ($225 million).

The deals were signed by Finance and Planning minister Philip Mpango and World Bank country director Bella Bird.

Earlier, Works, Transport and Communications minister Makame Mbarawa said the Ubungo junction had been a major challenge for Dar es Salaam transport as people had been stuck in traffic jam for up to an hour. “The problem has also been a challenge for Dart operations, but we are optimistic that this interchange will address the matter.”