Tanzania is set to spend close to TZS699.9 billion ($300 million) constructing one of the longest bridges in Africa.
The 3.2 km bridge will connect the Mwanza-Geita area and neighboring regions in Lake Victoria. Details for the project’s commencement or completion are yet to be released.
Government spokesperson Dr. Hassan Abbasi told journalists that the contracts for building the project have already been signed. The money used to build the bridge comes from public funds.
Abbasi said that the bridge is a continuation of developmental projects initiated by President John Magufuli to improve the lives of Tanzanians.
“President Magufuli believes in using the country’s resources to implement developmental projects,” Abbasi said. “In different occasions and events, President Magufuli has insisted that his country is not poor but rich. Since then he has used such spirit to implement mega developmental projects in the East African country which had never been constructed since the country’s independence.”
President Magufuli has undertaken a progressive program of industrialisation since 2015 investing heavily in infrastructure projects. The Julius Nyerere Dam, which costs TZS6.5 trillion ($3 billion) is due to be completed in 2022. The standard gauge railway connecting Dar es Salaam and Tanzania’s landlocked neighbours at a cost of $14 billion is scheduled for completion by 2024. The first and second phases of the railway of Dar es Salaam-Morogoro-Dodoma is expected to be completed in November this year.
The five longest bridges in Africa are October Bridge in Egypt (20,500m), Third Mainland bridge in Nigeria (11,800m), Suez Canal in Egypt (3,900m), Dona Ana bridge in Mozambique (3,670m) and Mozambique Island Bridge in Mozambique (3,400m).
