Dar City opens bidding for Msimbazi Basin project

DAR ES SALAAM: AFTER years of anticipation, the Dar es Salaam City Council (DCC) has opened bidding for the construction of terraces and riverbank protection in the lower Msimbazi Basin, as part of the Msimbazi Basin Development Project (MBDP).

Funded by a credit from the International Development Association (IDA) at the tune of 200 million US dollars (equivalent to over 466bn/-), the project aims to reduce flood risks and revitalise the river area for urban development and recreational use.

Alongside the WB support, the project is co-financed through a 30 million US dollars (about 70bn/-) credit from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation and a 30 million Euros (about 69.4bn/-) grant from the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The project focuses on flood control measures, including the construction of terraces and riverbank protection, to safeguard the area from severe flooding.

DCC, in collaboration with the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), and the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), has announced the commencement of key construction works that will address long-standing flood issues in one of Dar es Salaam’s most vulnerable regions.

These construction efforts will recontour and deepen the Msimbazi Basin to increase its capacity to handle water during heavy rains, transforming the flood-prone area into a safer and more sustainable space for urban use.

The project’s scope includes the creation of flood plains, deepening and widening river channels and constructing terraces that can accommodate future urban development and public spaces.

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“Once completed, the Msimbazi Basin will have the capacity to support recreational areas, green zones and safe urban expansion, contributing to the overall growth and modernisation of Dar es Salaam,” the bid document reads in part.

The project is planned to be completed within a 24-month period, with an initial two-month mobilisation phase.

Key activities outlined in the bid include the demolition and removal of structures in the flood-prone zones, clearing vegetation, dredging the river channels and constructing sediment depots to manage silt accumulation.

The terraces and green spaces will offer new opportunities for urban development and recreational use in areas that were previously considered high-risk due to frequent flooding.

By implementing a combination of riverbank stabilisation and terrace construction, the project will not only address immediate flood risks but also offer long-term environmental and social benefits for the local community.

According to the DCC, this initiative is a vital component of Dar es Salaam’s broader flood management strategy.

By reducing the impact of seasonal flooding and enhancing the area’s capacity for urban development, the project is expected to improve the city’s resilience to climate change and contribute to its sustainability.

The project is part of ongoing efforts to modernise Dar es Salaam’s infrastructure and adapt to the challenges posed by increasing urbanisation and climate change-induced flooding.

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Along the bid, the DCC has also requested expression of interest for provision of construction supervision consultancy services for terraces in flood detention area and riverbank protection works under MBDP.

The consultant will be responsible for, but not limited to contract documents review and redesign, general supervision of works, environmental and social implementation and monitoring, quality management system, occupational health and safety supervision and transfer of knowledge (training) programme.