|
Work on Mwenge bus terminal to begin after ’rains’
2006-05-16 07:23:11
By Amri Lugungulo and Grace Chilongola, PST
Rehabilitation of Mwenge bus terminal in the City of Dar es Salaam, at a cost of 100/-millions shillings will commence soon after the end of the current rain season, Kinondoni Municipal Mayor, Salum Londa said over the weekend.
Confirming that architectural designs are complete, the Mayor said the bus terminus would be rehabilitated in four blocks for the public services vehicles plying Kawe, City Centre, Ubungo and Mbagala routes.
Londa said the contractors have been invited to bid for the construction of the major bus terminal whose state is now appalling and an eye soar for a long time.
’’We could not rehabilitate the stand because we lacked designs, but we are relieved now that the design work is ready, we are rearing to go,’’ he said.
Mwenge bus terminal serves buses plying various destinations in the City including Gongo la Mboto, Mbezi, Kawe, Bunju, Tegeta, Mbagala, Tandika, Tazara maghorofani, City centre, Kariakoo, Vingunguti and Ubungo.
The Mayor said the design for the bus stage was partly delayed because his office had not received designs for the expansion of Sam Nujoma Road, which joins the New Bagamoyo Road at Mwenge.
Currently, the bus terminal is in an appalling state. Vehicles and passengers are forced to wade in pools of filthy waters that have collected right in the park.
However, the situation is even made worse with burst sewage drainage pipes that daily spew raw sewer, endangering the lives of passengers, drivers, conductors and businessmen at the stage.
Londa regretted that the situation was aggravated by the heavy congestion of buses and commuters, putting pressure on the small facility.
Meanwhile, the Mayor called on motorists in the municipality to be mindful of other road users to avoid unnecessary traffic jams.
He took a swipe at those who blocked drainage system causing over flow of water on the roads during the rain season.This, the Mayor said was the major cause of road dilapidation.
The Mayor, further said the municipality had purchased a fire fighting engine at a cost of 300m/- to serve Kinondoni but under the supervision of the Dar es Salaam City Council.
However, he notes that later, the municipality would open its fire brigade centre at Ubungo, Kawe and Manzese for emergency services response as the City Council expands its services.
|
