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Arusha undergoes facelift in readiness for Sullivan Summit
2008-01-18 09:20:50
By Adam Ihucha, Arusha
Local authorities here have embarked on a major infrastructure development programme in preparation for the eighth edition of the Sullivan Summit scheduled to take place here in June.
Arusha city executive director Dr. Job Laizer told a press conference here yesterday that the 6.07bn/- ambitious project aimed at transforming Arusha’ acclaimed image as the Geneva of Africa into reality.
The complementary `Geneva of Africa` title became a popular catch-phrase after former US president, Bill Clinton compared Arusha to the Swiss city Geneva, which hosts numerous United Nations offices and other international organisations.
Clinton made this remark during his visit to Arusha in August 2000 to witness the Burundi peace pact signing, presided over by former South African president Nelson Mandela.
``To start with, the transformation plan will involve installation of street lights in all 32 streets,`` Dr. Laizer said.
He said city authorities had already struck a deal with a private firm, Skytel, to install the street lights at a cost of 1.05bn/-.
Skytel will fix the lights at its own cost, pay for power and maintain the system for five years and, in turn, the company would affix billboards on the lights’ poles from interested advertising firms and collect fees for the same.
Laizer said the firm had already installed lights along Afrika ya Mashariki road, which leads to the Arusha International Conference Centre, Makongoro and Boma roads.
``The street lighting project should be completed by April 30, this year,`` said Laizer.
He explained that besides the street lights, major road construction and rehabilitation had been undertaken to raise the status of the city.
The Arusha Ciry Council had also requested about 5.2bn/- from the National Leon Sullivan Summit preparatory committee to tarmac some of the city`s roads.
Dr. Laizer said two roads would be constructed to tarmac level through the local authority and road toll funds.
The roads are the one along Arusha Crown Hotel and another adjacent to Arusha Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Authority headquarters.
With regards to the city`s cleanliness, Dr. Laizer said a private firm had been contracted to do the job.
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