Construction of Nyerere International Airport in Dar completed by 83pc

Dar es Salaam. Construction of Terminal-III of the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam has been completed by a goodly 83 per cent of the entire project.

But, payment delays to the contractors are still a challenge that is frustrating implementation of the project.

In any case, completion of the project is slated for May next year, from when air travelers and crew using JNIA will start enjoying the new facility.

However, a report from the project supervisors, Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads), has it that the project’s consultant engineer has complained of delays in releasing payments of Sh495.3 million and $314,376 due from January to July this year.

The contractor is also claiming payment from the project owner, amounting to 4.904 million euros which the contractor spent on clearing cargos out of the port.

The payment was necessary after the earlier tax exemption on the project was withdrawn following changes made to the country’s laws, thereby forcing the contractor to pay the amount to clear the goods out of Customs control.

All these challenges notwithstanding, however, the Tanroads Project Supervisor, Mr Barton Komba, revealed yesterday during a tour of the project site by the deputy minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Mr Elias Kwandikwa, that “the project is progressing well” – adding that “the government is working on the matter,” and that they would receive their dues soon. 

Commenting overall on the project, Mr Komba said it is being implemented in three areas, namely the “construction of buildings – which has been completed by 73 per cent – landside external (75 per cent completed), and airside external works, which have been completed by 92 per cent.”

According to him, the testing of systems, including electronic equipment, started last month, and is slated to be completed in March next year.

Other parts of the project, including car parking, have already been completed and handed over to the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA). 

For his part, the Works, Transport and Communications deputy minister, Mr  Kwandikwa, said “this is my second time to visit this terminal, and it gives me hope that the construction will be completed by May next year” as pledged.

Noting that expansion of the airport by constructing Terminal-III was started in 2013 at a projected total cost of 276,776,293 euros, the minister revealed that 224, 761,142.67 euros out of that amount have already been paid to the project contractor -- while the consultant engineer has already been paid over Sh10 billion.

“We decided to construct Terminal Three after the other two terminals, which were constructed to handle about 1.5 million passengers annually, were overwhelmed by increased numbers, which had grown to 2.5 million passengers annually,” the minister explained.

After completion of Terminal-II, Tanzania’s biggest and busiest international airport will have the capacity to handle and process some 8 million passengers per year, Mr Kwandikwa proudly said.

“We call upon Tanzanians to grab the opportunities that will be available at this airport and open various businesses that would help to increase their incomes and boost government revenues,” he urged

For his part, the TAA director general, Mr Richard Mayongela, called upon the general public to take good care of the improved airport facilities as a matter of course.

“After completion of Terminal-III, we look forward to start upgrading Terminal-II, which has been in service for almost 34 years,” he said.