Tanga City Council Set to Construct Industrial Park

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

George Sembony

27 June 2011

The Tanga City Council and a South Korean Non-Governmental Organisation, Africa Future Forum, are working on the process of establishing a company that would coordinate the operations and activities of a proposed industrial park in the region.Africa Future Forum, which focuses on supporting infrastructure development in Africa as well as private sector investment, recently signed an agreement to build an Industrial Park at Pongwe, within the Tanga City.

The Tanga Industrial Park seeks to open light industries based on the success of Kilimo Kwanza, apart from creating an opportunity for collaboration between the private sectors of South Korea and Tanzania.It is expected that over 20 companies and investors to participate in the construction of various industries which increase employment opportunities to Tanga residents.

And the acting Tanga City director, Mr Hassan Njama, said here during the weekend, that formation of the company was an important part in the implementation of the agreement to establish the industrial park in Tanga.

He said the council has already sought the advice of Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) on the proposed project, saying TIC has however, cautioned them on the need to make sure that the land allocated for the project was commensurate with the amount of funds to be invested for the establishment of the park.

He said that the agreement would be discussed in the Finance Committee and the Full council again before the actual formation of the company. Reports from Pongwe, Kisimatui area show that there is a rush to buy land from unsuspecting locals in the Kisimatui area in readiness for selling it to investors who would operate in the proposed park.

One such resident, Maalim Kinyemi said that they have been forced to visit their land at Kisimatui area after reports that some villagers were selling land which was not theirs to some wealthy individuals basing on speculative evidence.

The agreement was signed in Tanga in April, this year by Chief Executive of the Africa Future Forum, Chris Incheul Chae and Hyun Wook Nam with the city represented by the city director, John Gikene and the mayor of the city, Omari Guledi.

The Tanga Industrial Park Project is the second project for the forum in Tanzania after the Singida Wind Power Project which failed to take off due to what has been termed as slight gaps in the different cultures.

Chae said the project originated from a courtesy call paid to President Jakaya Kikwete in June 2010 where the President showed the determination to develop the country which he claimed encouraged them to support his efforts for the benefit of Tanzania.

AllAfrica – All the Time