He has ordered the immediate implementation of the long-dormant "Zanzibar Urban Public Transport Master Plan," aiming to revamp the island's public transport system with efficiency, sustainability, and economic growth in mind.
Unguja. President Hussein Mwinyi has slammed the brakes on stagnation and steered Zanzibar towards a modern transportation future.
He has ordered the immediate implementation of the long-dormant "Zanzibar Urban Public Transport Master Plan," aiming to revamp the island's public transport system with efficiency, sustainability, and economic growth in mind.
Kickstarting the transformation at the groundbreaking ceremony for a modern bus terminal in Kijangwani, Kariakoo, President Mwinyi emphasized the crucial role of a robust transportation network in propelling Zanzibar's economic engine.
He envisioned sleek bus terminals buzzing with electric or gas-powered buses, gliding through the city streets while minimizing pollution.
"The Zanzibar Social Security Fund (ZSSF) will partner with transport authorities to select a company that can bring modern buses to our city," he declared. "Small cars can continue serving rural areas, but Zanzibar City deserves a modern fleet."
President Mwinyi commended the ZSSF for its strategic investments in projects like the bus terminal, acknowledging their potential to create jobs and invigorate the economy.
He further called for a vision beyond roads, stating, "We must rely on a modern, integrated, and efficient transportation network, and we must invest in it carefully. We should also plan for a railway network."
Evoking Zanzibar's historical connection to railways, President Mwinyi recalled the Stone Town-Bububu line from the 1870s. "It's high time we restore this railway," he asserted. "The need for a modern transport network is not just our own; it's a global imperative for a sustainable future."
Undeterred by potential opposition, President Mwinyi expressed his unwavering commitment to positive change. "I urge the ZSSF to continue its investment efforts," he declared, "and the government will always stand by you."
Dr. Saada Mkuya Salum, Minister of State in the Office of the President, echoed the commitment to progress, highlighting the close collaboration between her ministry and the ZSSF in implementing these transformative projects.
The event buzzed with optimism and gratitude, with Zanzibar's First Lady, Maryam Mwinyi, gracing the occasion alongside dignitaries and local representatives. The association of retired soldiers, who previously owned the land allocated for the bus terminal, received heartfelt thanks for their contribution to the project's success.
