By Alfred ZachariaMinister of Works Abdallah Ulega has urged fishermen in Kigamboni to prioritize environmental conservation and refrain from carelessly discarding fishing nets in ferry routes.
He said this will ensure the smooth and efficient operation of ferries serving the community.
Ulega made the remarks on January 23, 2025, in Dar es Salaam during the inspection and launch of two new ferries owned by Azam Marine.
These ferries will operate along the Magogoni-Kigamboni route and are set to significantly reduce transportation challenges for Dar es Salaam residents, particularly those in Kigamboni.
“I appeal to those using this area for fishing to adopt sustainable practices. Let us ensure that fishing activities do not disrupt ferry operations, as this has previously caused damage and operational delays,” Ulega emphasized.
The minister noted that the new ferries will drastically cut passenger waiting times from over an hour to just five minutes. Each ferry can transport between 200 and 250 passengers per trip.
“A Kigamboni resident who used to spend an hour waiting for a ferry will no longer face that struggle. Instead, the ferry will now wait for them.
Each ferry can transport up to 2,500 passengers per hour, making this a historic improvement in our transport system,” Ulega added.
He assured residents that the ferries meet all safety standards, having undergone rigorous inspections and certification.
He also called on TEMESA, TASAC, and Azam Marine to work closely to maintain high safety standards for passengers at all times.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Infrastructure Committee, Selemani Kakoso, lauded the government for fostering public-private partnerships to improve service delivery.
He also encouraged Azam Marine to consider expanding its investments to other areas, such as Lake Victoria.
“It would be great for Azam Marine to explore opportunities for investment in Lake Victoria. Additionally, I urge the Ministry to prioritize local contractors whenever opportunities arise, as this is vital for growing our national economy,” Kakoso stated.
Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila highlighted the new ferries' transformative impact, emphasizing their role in addressing long-standing transportation challenges for residents commuting between Magogoni and Kigamboni.
“These ferries will revolutionize travel for Kigamboni residents. The issue of time delays will now be a thing of the past,” Chalamila affirmed.
On his part, TEMESA CEO Lazaro Kilahala explained that the existing ferries, Mv Kigamboni and Mv Magogoni, are undergoing major repairs, leaving Mv Kazi as the sole operational ferry.
To mitigate the inconvenience, the government partnered with Azam Marine to provide uninterrupted ferry services.
The partnership between TEMESA and Azam Marine, which will eventually introduce eight Sea Taxis, is expected to enhance ferry services in the area, which serves approximately 70,000 passengers daily.
