Unguja. Zanzibar President, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, has reassured the public that the government has robust, effective plans and systems in place to secure funding for extensive development across the island.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the first flyover at Mwanakwerekwe on December 20, 2024, Dr Mwinyi emphasized that the promises made are being delivered, with even larger projects on the horizon.
Responding to critics of the ongoing development, Dr. Mwinyi remarked, “If they think we’re done here, we’re just getting started. There’s something called interchange, and more flyovers are on the way.”
The president expressed disbelief that some critics described the roads as “narrow streets,” saying, “My brothers, good things are coming. We’ve moved from Hussein mabati (roofing sheets) to Hussein maflyovers (flyovers). If they didn’t see it on the ground, they should look up in the sky.”
Dr. Mwinyi also expressed his satisfaction with the progress, saying, “Today, we are here, and I am proud that, for the first time in our island’s history, we are building an overhead road. This is the kind of leadership that leaves a lasting legacy.”
He urged citizens to continue fostering peace and unity to support further development, and to be mindful of the infrastructure by avoiding construction too close to roads, as this could hinder progress.
In a technical briefing, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Communications, and Transport, Makame Haji Machano, provided details about the flyover, which is part of a larger 100.9-kilometer urban road project valued at over $19 million.
He revealed that construction is 80 percent complete, with 48 pillars built—each connecting eight base pillars at the center and 12 base pillars at the start and end of the bridge.
Due to the growing economic activity in Zanzibar and an increase in vehicles, Machano highlighted the challenge of traffic congestion. To address this, the government has allocated Sh2 billion to compensate citizens whose properties were affected by the project.
“Current work includes building the foundations and walls for the car ramps leading up to the flyover,” Machano said.
The flyover will be 72 meters long, with a height of six meters, a width of 18 meters, and two upper lanes each 8.35 meters wide. The lower lanes will be 8 meters wide. The project also includes rainwater drains and pedestrian walkways, designed to accommodate two-way traffic.
Once completed, the flyover will significantly alleviate traffic congestion at the junctions of Mwanakwerekwe and Amani roads.
Minister of Works, Communications, and Transport, Dr. Khalid Mohamed Salum, shared that 897.2 kilometers of roads are being constructed in Unguja and Pemba, as part of the broader 1,344-kilometer official road network.
“Today, we are laying the foundation for our legacy with Zanzibar’s first flyover. We are also working on bridges in Chwaka, Chakawe, and Uzi Ngwamba, each spanning two kilometers,” Dr. Salum concluded.
Share this news
This Year's Most Read News Stories
Africa: Rwanda Gets a Grip Of Marburg, But Mpox ‘Not Yet Under Control’
Monrovia — The Rwanda Minister of State responsible for Health, Dr. Yvan Butera, cautioned that while the country is beginning to see positive signals in its fight against the Marburg virus, the outbreak is “not yet over”. He, however, expressed hope that “we are headed in that direction”. The minister said the epidemiology trend, since the disease was first discovered in the country more than a month ago, is moving towards fewer cases.
Dr. Butera, who was giving updates during an online briefing yesterday, said in the past two weeks, only two deaths were recorded while 14 people recovered from the disease. He said Rwanda was expanding its testing capacity with 16,000 people already inoculated against the disease.
The priority right now, Butera said, is “rapid testing and detection”.
Marburg is a highly virulent disease transmitted through human-to-human contact or contact with an infected animal. The fatality rate of cases, which has varied over the period, is more than 50%, according to the World Health Organization. WHO said the highest number of new confirmed cases in Rwanda were reported in the first two weeks of the outbreak. There’s been a “sharp decline” in the last few weeks, with the country now tackling over 60 cases.
At Thursday’s briefing, a senior official of the Africa Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, said mpox – the other infectious disease outbreak that countries in the region are fighting – was been reported in 19 countries, with Mauritius being the latest country to confirm a case. He said although no new cases have been recorded in recent weeks in several countries where outbreaks occurred previously – including Cameroon, South Africa, Guinea, and Gabon – Uganda confirmed its first Mpox death. This, he said, is one of two fatalities reported outside Central Africa.
Dr. Ngashi revealed that there was an increase in cases in Liberia and Uganda. He said mpox cases were still on an upward trend.
“The situation is not yet under control.”
Source: allafrica.com
British Investor’s $1.6 billion real estate project in Zanzibar lies in limbo
The revocation of British developer Pennyroyal’s leasehold for the construction of Blue Amber Resort by the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has sent shock waves in the nascent property market on the Isles.Continue Reading
US taps Tanzania for infrastructure plan in battle with China for minerals
Washington wants to tap into the country’s minerals, particularly its nickel mines.Continue Reading
