Fishing port nears completion

DODOMA: THE construction of the country’s first fishing port at Kilwa Masoko in Lindi Region is now 63 per cent complete, signalling significant progress for the fishing industry and potential economic growth.

The 286bn/- project, one of the first ever modern fishing harbour in East Africa, is also set to drive forward the country’s blue economy agenda.

Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Abdallah Ulega said upon its completion in 2025, the new port will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure that will include two cold storage warehouses with a combined capacity of nearly 1,400 tonnes, enabling the storage of frozen and refrigerated fish.

Briefing reporters on the 8th meeting of the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) scheduled for next month in the country, Mr Ulega said once operational, the port will have a positive ripple effect across the country, contributing to broader economic growth and prosperity.

“So far, the construction of the fishing port in Kilwa Masoko has reached 63 per cent, we expect this project to begin operations next year,” Mr Ulega asserted. Besides the Kilwa Masoko project, the minister also revealed that the government is planning to build another fishing port in Bagamoyo District, saying the project is currently in preliminary stages.

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He mentioned that the Kilwa port construction is part of the government’s efforts, under President Samia Suluhu Hssan’s leadership, to ensure the growth and development of the fishing sector.

He further said the construction of the port is a key part of the government’s initiative, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, to promote growth and prosperity of the fishing sector. He said after she assumed presidency, Dr Samia has significantly increased the docket’s budget nearly sixfold.

“When President Samia assumed office, the ministry’s budget was just 66.7 bn/-. Today, it has grown to over 460 bn/-,” he said.

He added: “This substantial rise in the budget is set to drive major reforms in the sector.” The minister added that the implementation of Kilwa fishing port is in line with the Chama Cha Mapinduzi’s 2020-2025 manifesto and the National Development Vision, which altogether emphasise the improvement of fishing sector.

“The construction of the Kilwa Masoko port is part of the implementation of the National Development Vision and the ruling party’s election manifesto,” he underlined.

President Samia laid the foundation stone for the Kilwa Masoko Fishing Port Project on September, 2023.

Upon its completion, the investment is expected to open deep-sea fishing opportunities and establish fish processing industries, the crucial steps towards bolstering the country’s food supply chain.