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Promise on port’s construction: Bagamoyo residents happy
2006-06-05 10:49:47
By Patrick Kisembo
The anticipated emergence of Mbegani Port in Bagamoyo District, Coast region, stands to act as a big boost to the country’s economy and in particular on the nation’s tourism sector around Bagamoyo.
The survey by this paper has established that many people have been impressed by the government’s decision to build a port to the historical town of Bagamoyo.
Mahad Abdulahi Nur, the Managing Director of Paradise Holiday resort in Bagamoyo town had this to say: ’’I am happy to hear from the media that a new port is to be built in Bagamoyo. This a huge boost to tourism industry.’’
He said the most important thing was to invest in the infrastructure aimed at opening it up for tourists.
Nur, urged the government to look for ways of rehabilitating historical sites, beaches, and provide access to the newly established Saadani National Park.
”We are sure many tourists will come to Bagamoyo.
The majority of them have been going to Mombasa in neighbouring Kenya, and Zanzibar, because their infrastructures are already on place and also that they have advertised heavily as tourist destinations,’’ he noted.
Nur said when completed, the port would reap a lot of benefits, as well as opening Bagamoyo to the rest of the world.
He added: ’’There would no longer be the need to let boats carry tourists to Mombassa while it is possible to bring them here, in Bagamoyo. We need them (tourists) here.’’
Elizabeth Kibona, a resident of Bagamoyo concurred with Nur’s view over the establishment of the Port in Bagamoyo.
She said Mbegani port would bring employment to many people in Bagamoyo, paving way for other investors in various sectors.
’’If this had been done earlier, it would have contributed a lot to the economy of the nation, but the plan, though has come late, should be viewed with optimism as it stands to yield better results,’’ she noted.
She said it was the right time for the government to put some sound infrastructure to the place to woo business people to invest in various areas including tourism.
Rashid Sabli, a fisherman who was not aware of the government’s move to build a port at Mbegani said what is needed is for the government to fulfil its promise.
’’Let them accomplish it.
The area has a lot of potential in terms of tourism, and the people here are also in need of development’’ Sabli said.
He said the place is potential as it is enriched historically and culturally, both of which provide an opening for investment to the tourism sector.
’’As you can see here, we have these very old buildings, if they are rehabilitated, we are sure people will want to see them.
In addition, you can see good beaches along the Indian ocean, we still have the national park some miles from here, all of which could provide lots of benefits to us all,’’ he noted.
Last week, the Minister for Natural resources and Tourism, Anthony Diallo, told reporters his ministry has kept aside 1bn/- for the rehabilitation of historical heritage sites, including those of Bagamoyo.
He said there were many heritage sites that need rehabilitation and mentioned some of them as those in Iringa, Tanga, Morogoro, Songea, Rufiji and Bagamoyo.
’’If these heritage sites are rehabilitated, they will attract many tourists within and outside the country of which the government will earn its income,’’ said Diallo.
The government had recently announced its decision to build a new port at Mbegani, in the historical town of Bagamoyo.
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