DODOMA: THE government has allocated 4.6bn/- this financial year for the completion of Magufuli Bus Terminal in Dar es Salaam which is currently 97 per cent complete.
The Deputy Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Dr Festo Dugange informed the National Assembly here on Friday that the allocated funds will facilitate the completion of the bus terminal by 100 per cent.
The Deputy Minister was responding to a basic question by Special Seats MP Janeth Massaburi (CCM) who wanted to know when the government will complete the infrastructure construction by 100 per cent at the Magufuli Bus Terminal.
Responding, Dr Dugange said that execution of Magufuli Bus Terminal project began in 2017 by the contractor Hainan International LTD at a cost of 54.6bn/-.
He said of the funds, 50.9bn/- has been provided by the government while 3.6bn/- has been disbursed by Ubungo Council.
“As of August, this year, a total of 49.8bn/- has been spent on implementing the project, which has reached 97 per cent,” he said.
The deputy minister said that some of the planned works have been completed, while others are at various stages of implementation such as the construction of Basement 1 and 2, construction of the third-floor of the passenger lounge and the vehicle entrance area.
Dr Dugange said that in 2023/2024 financial year, the government through the council’s internal revenue paid a total of 545m/- and that 1.6bn/- is being processed to ensure the contractor is paid to continue with work.
He said by recognising the importance of the bus terminal for bus owners, passengers and businesses, the government, through the municipal council’s internal revenue, has allocated 4.6bn/- this financial year for the completion of the remaining work to ensure that the terminal is completed 100 per cent.
Dr Dugange said the Magufuli Bus Terminal is one of the facilities constructed at the highest standards in the country and it is being completed in accordance with the required standards to ensure it becomes one of the tourist attractions in the country.
“That is why this terminal is used by both upcountry buses and buses from outside the country and we believe we will continue to improve services so that this terminal attracts more customers as well as tourists,” he said.
He said with its high-quality buildings, design and the finishing which will be done it will be one of the attractive terminals that will be beneficial to the citizens and the country in general.
Dr Dugange was responding to a supplementary question by Massaburi who wanted to know the government plans of making the bus terminal one of the tourist attractions to boost revenue.
The legislator also wanted to know whether the government has failed to put in place a system that will require all up-country buses to start their journey at the bus terminal. Responding, Dr Dugange said the government is currently holding talks with bus owners to see the possibilities of all buses to start their journey at the terminal upon completion of the facility.
The Magufuli Bus Terminal has the capacity of hosting 3,456 upcountry buses, 200 parking lots for private vehicles and shopping stores.…Read more by Lyidia Shekighenda and Nelly Mtema
