Media Wire Express Correspondent
The government has partnered with Azam Marine and the Tanzania Electrical, Mechanical, and Electronics Services Agency (TEMESA) to launch a new initiative aimed at improving transport services between Magogoni and Kigamboni.
This initiative is designed to tackle the long-standing transportation issues at the crossing point. The collaboration was inaugurated alongside the launch of two new sea taxis purchased by Azam Marine, part of a 5.98 billion shilling investment aimed at alleviating the transport difficulties faced by residents of Magogoni and Kigamboni due to a shortage of ferries.
The investment will also fund the addition of more ferries, renovations of existing passenger terminals, construction of new facilities, development of a floating dock, and the installation of modern electronic scanners and ticketing systems.
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During the event, Minister for Works Mr. Abdallah Ulega emphasized the crucial role of the private sector in enhancing transportation in regions separated by water bodies, such as islands and gulfs, where ferries are essential for citizen interaction.
Mr. Ulega highlighted that the new sea taxis introduced by the private investor will significantly reduce travel time from over 45 minutes to just five minutes for residents traveling between Magogoni and Kigamboni, effectively eliminating decades of time lost to congestion.
He noted that approximately 70,000 people currently travel daily between Magogoni and Kigamboni.
The minister explained that Azam Marine’s sea taxis will work alongside government-operated ferries, including the MV Kazi, to offer residents reliable and affordable transportation options. He announced that by May of this year, Azam Marine plans to add more ferries, increasing the total to eight.
According to Mr. Ulega, each ferry can accommodate 250 passengers at a time and completes a trip in six minutes. This means that, on average, a single ferry can transport up to 2,500 passengers per hour, depending on the number of trips made.
Highlighting the magnitude of demerits of congestions in Sub-Saharan Africa’s cities including Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, he said almost 10tri/- is being lost per year due to citizens’ time wastage as a result of delays by congestion which retard economic production.
In that regard, he urged the Azam Marine and other serious investors also to invest in other areas like Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika which demands similar investments such as ships and ferries to simplify citizens’ transport.
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Azam Marine Managing Director Mr. Abubakar Aziz Salim announced that the new sea taxis, which charge a fare of 500 shillings per passenger per trip, will operate daily from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
During the launch ceremony, he explained that each of the two sea taxis has a capacity of 250 passengers. Together, they can transport up to 5,000 people per hour, translating to over 50,000 passengers daily. Mr. Salim also indicated that more vessels will be added by May this year, increasing the total to eight.
“Our partnership with TEMESA underscores our commitment to providing safer and more reliable marine transport services. Together, we aim to enhance the quality of life for citizens by ensuring they can reach their workplaces on time,” he stated.
Mr. Salim further noted that the collaboration with TEMESA is set for eight years, with reviews scheduled every three years.
He highlighted that this investment has created 60 direct jobs. Dar es Salaam Region Commissioner Mr. Albert Chamila remarked that the Azam Marine investment presents a timely solution to the transportation challenges faced at Magogoni and Kigamboni.
He encouraged other investors to view challenges as opportunities and to pursue strategic investments based on a win-win principle.
