- Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassana has revealed that the Government has begun talks to revive the Bagamoyo Port project.
- The construction of the $10 billion Bagamoyo project was stalled by the late president, John Magufuli in January 2016.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassana has revealed that the Government has begun talks to revive the Bagamoyo Port project. Addressing the 12th Summit of Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC), where she is the Chairman. She assured that the negotiations will be done by keeping the national interests at top priority. With the soaring steel prices in the global market, she felt that the shelved projects should be revived at the earliest.
The construction of $10 billion Bagamoyo project was stalled by the late president, John Magufuli on January 2016.The project planned to be run by China Merchants Holding International (CMHI) if completed would have been the largest port in East Africa. It was supposed to be a vital link in China’s $900-billion Belt and Road Initiative. The late President alleged that Chinese terms were exploitative and unfair. The conditions demanded by the Chinese side included, no other port should be built between Tanga to Mtwara south, a guarantee of 33 years and a lease of 99 years, and unquestionable freedom to bring any investor, once the port becomes operational. He argued that the construction of the Port would undermine the $522-million expansion of Dar es Salaam port. He also accused that the $50-million compensation for those displaced by the new port project did not reach the true owners in Bagamoyo but went to the pockets of few individuals in Dar es Salaam.
