Zanzibar Government Unveils Plans for Major Infrastructure Development
Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Mwinyi has assured residents that the government is committed to securing funding for significant development initiatives throughout the island. This announcement was made during the groundbreaking ceremony for the first flyover at Mwanakwerekwe on December 20, 2024.
During his address, Dr. Mwinyi emphasized that the government’s development promises are being fulfilled, with even larger projects anticipated in the near future. He responded to critics by stating, "If they think we’re done here, we’re just getting started. There’s something called interchange, and more flyovers are on the way."
The President highlighted misconceptions about the island’s roads by stating, "My brothers, good things are coming. We’ve moved from Hussein mabati (roofing sheets) to Hussein maflyovers (flyovers). If they didn’t see it on the ground, they should look up in the sky." He expressed pride in leading the development of overhead roads for the first time in Zanzibar’s history, which he believes will leave a lasting legacy.
Dr. Mwinyi urged the public to maintain peace and unity to promote further development. He also advised citizens to avoid building too close to roadways, as it could obstruct infrastructural progress.
In a technical briefing, Makame Haji Machano, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Communications, and Transport, shared details about the flyover—part of a comprehensive urban road project spanning 100.9 kilometers with an investment exceeding $19 million. Construction is reported to be 80 percent complete, with 48 pillars established to support the infrastructure.
Machano noted that increasing economic activity in Zanzibar and a rise in vehicular traffic have contributed to congestion issues, prompting the government to allocate Sh2 billion for compensating affected property owners. Current efforts focus on constructing foundations and walls for the ramps leading to the flyover.
The new flyover is designed to be 72 meters long, standing six meters high and 18 meters wide, featuring two upper lanes of 8.35 meters and lower lanes of eight meters in width. The project also incorporates rainwater drainage systems and pedestrian walkways, ensuring efficient two-way traffic flow.
Once operational, the flyover is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion at the busy junctions of Mwanakwerekwe and Amani roads. Minister of Works, Communications, and Transport Dr. Khalid Mohamed Salum announced that a total of 897.2 kilometers of roads are currently under construction in Unguja and Pemba, as part of a larger 1,344-kilometer official road network initiative.
"This flyover marks a critical step towards building our legacy," Dr. Salum concluded. Further infrastructure projects, including bridges in Chwaka, Chakawe, and Uzi Ngwamba, are also underway to enhance connectivity across the region.
