Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Tanzanian government said the ongoing investment of over 590bn/- in Mtwara Port and the new Mgao Island Port aims to open up and strengthen the Southern Corridor to boost trade and economic growth in the region and neighboring countries.
The Deputy Minister for Transport David Kihenzile made the statement during an inspection visit to assess progress on the construction of the new Mgao Island Port and ongoing improvements at Mtwara Port.
The minister noted that the government has continued to invest strategically in port infrastructure to improve service efficiency, reduce transport costs and attract more investors in the industrial, agricultural and mining sectors.
“These upgrades will position Mtwara Port and Mgao Island as key trade gateways for southern regions of Tanzania and SADC countries,” he said.
Moreover, he expressed satisfaction with the pace of the project and stressed the importance of maintaining quality, timelines and value for money in its completion.
The Director of Engineering Services at the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Eng Erick Madinda, speaking on behalf of TPA Director General Plasduce Mbossa, said construction of the Mgao Island Port has reached 33 percent completion and is progressing well according to schedule.
The Eng said the completion of the project will expand capacity to handle larger volumes of bulk cargo and related raw materials, positioning Mtwara and Mgao Island ports as a major trade hub in southern Tanzania.
He stated that the project is expected to be completed on time and to the required standards, forming part of the government’s broader strategy to improve the transport sector and strengthen the national economy through modern port infrastructure.
