Plans are underway to expand the capacity of Mtwara Port to enable it to handle 750,000 tonnes of cargo annually from the present 400,000 tonnes. Mtwara Regional Administrative Secretary, Mr Hajji Kachechele, said yesterday that the expansion was part of the Mtwara Development Corridor (MtDC) initiative.
Mr Kachechele said the port was being expanded to cope with demand for its services by neighbouring regions of Iringa, Mbeya, Lindi, Ruvuma and Rukwa. He said it would also cater for neighbouring Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia and Malawi. "The area which has been identified is surrounding the harbour and Mtwara Gulf for the purpose of establishing a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) covering 2,646 hectares.
He said a master plan for the area was being prepared. As part of the plan, he said construction of Umoja Bridge to link Nanyumbu District in Mtwara Region with Cabo Delgado District in the Northern was underway. He said other projects under MtDC include construction of cement and fertilizer plants. Mr Kachechele said the harbour was expected to ease congestion in Dar es Salaam and boost cashewnut, wood and oilseeds trade.
Mr Kachechele said the port was being expanded to cope with demand for its services by neighbouring regions of Iringa, Mbeya, Lindi, Ruvuma and Rukwa. He said it would also cater for neighbouring Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia and Malawi. "The area which has been identified is surrounding the harbour and Mtwara Gulf for the purpose of establishing a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) covering 2,646 hectares.
He said a master plan for the area was being prepared. As part of the plan, he said construction of Umoja Bridge to link Nanyumbu District in Mtwara Region with Cabo Delgado District in the Northern was underway. He said other projects under MtDC include construction of cement and fertilizer plants. Mr Kachechele said the harbour was expected to ease congestion in Dar es Salaam and boost cashewnut, wood and oilseeds trade.