Kigamboni Bridge ready in 36 months

More than 1,000 permanent jobs expected

Works minister John Magufuli (3rd-L) and his Labour and Empowerment counterpart, Gaudensia Kabaka (2ndR), look on as NSSF director general Ramadhani Dau (L) exchanges documents with director general Shi Yuan.

Works Minister John Magufuli has directed the newly assigned Kigamboni Bridge contractor to make sure that it speeds up construction of the bridge to facilitate easy crossing for Kigamboni dwellers as agreed in the contract.

Witnessing the signing of the agreement between National Social Security Fund’s (NSSF) Director General, Ramadhan Dau and the China Railway Jianchang Engineering Co (CRJE) Managing Director, Shi Yuan yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Magufuli stressed that the contactor should make sure that the implementation of the project is smooth.

“It is my hope that the implementation of the project will be completed in the given period of 36 months (three years)…the money for the project is there so I would be very surprised if the work is not completed as agreed,” stressed Magufuli.

The Minister assured the CRJE of government assistance whenever needed and that the money budgeted for the project was available to ensure smooth take-off this month.

“The 40 percent which the government promised through my ministry is available for you. So there should be no worries or complaints,” said Magufuli.

He applauded NSSF for its efforts in making sure Kigamboni Bridge is built and called on other organisations to emulate NSSF by facilitating other projects which the country planned to implement for development.

For his part, NSSF’s Director General, Ramadhani Dau assured the government that the new bridge will be completed as agreed.

“Many companies applied for the job. We had to carefully scrutinise them to get the best,” explained Dau adding that they had to ensure that a qualified contractor was chosen so that the project meets required standards.

Dau explained that the whole project would cost 214bn/-, stressing that NSSF has set aside 100bn/- for the project.

He said among the activities that the contractor needed to work on immediately was to identify temporary road diversions during the construction, the road links to the bridge on Kurasini and Kigamboni sides and a site for disposal of the excess soil.

Other activities included shifting of infrastructure on Nelson Mandela Road and improving the road junctions at Chang’ombe, Kamata and Tazara points.

“I assure the government through the Ministry of Works including the public that NSSF will make sure that construction of the bridge will meet international standards,” Dr Dau said.

The Minister for Labor and Youth Development Gaudentia Kabaka who also witnessed the signing ceremony, called on the public to exploit the opportunities that would arise during the construction.

“Tanzanians should seek jobs in this company. I am aware that there will be many posts when implementation of the project starts,” stressed Kabaka, adding that there will be 1000 permanent and 2000 or more casual jobs, explained Kabaka.

The 600-meter bridge will serve as the main means of crossing the creek for residents of Kigamboni, Temeke district to reduce traffic at the ferry.

Last year, the Parliamentary Committee on Community Development called on the government to speed up construction of the Kigamboni Bridge, saying the issue has taken too long.