Construction of modern bridge across Kigamboni channel long overdue

Improvement of social services to match people's demand is not a matter of choice but a right to citizens and obligation to authorities.

Within this context, it imperative to examine the urge for the construction of the proposed bridge over the Kigamboni channel in Dar es Salaam, as pressure for better services continues to build up. Thousands of people depend on the services provided by the two aged ferry boats, which are not quick enough to make passengers reach their destinations timely.

Time has come for concerned authorities to gauge the wind of change and make firm decisions to improve the services to match the prevailing situation and suit people's actual demands. Hectic moments especially at peak hours, (morning and evening) remain an obvious indicator of the need for improved ferry services at Kigamboni, as the number of people crossing the half-kilometer channel is growing day by day.

Long queues of people waiting on both sides of the ferry are a common phenomenon. Among them are employees and casual workers whose employments hang on balance as they hold back their breath anxiously looking forward to reaching their workplaces lest they lose jobs. Students, expectant mothers, the sick ones intending to reach hospitals for more advanced medical attention also suffer the waiting syndrome, praying that the two slow-moving ferryboats don’t fail on the way back when making a round trip.

Discussions have been going on for years regarding construction of the Kigamboni bridge, and the latest reports suggests that the authorities would have the project completed in the coming two years (2012). This is good if at all implementation becomes a reality.

As preparations for commencement of the project are said to be underway, there are some basic points that the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority, Sumatra, need to give serious consideration to. In case of a breakdown (God forbid) of the machines, the livelihood of thousands of residents who depend on the ferryboat services to reach the other side would obviously be put in danger. Nonetheless, hard times are coming for sure, when the boats which have been in service for years and reach a point of becoming malfunctioning, making the Kigamboni crisis be felt more.

As for now, the problem is gently covered by the customary tolerance among passengers who will sooner or later come to discover that time and pressure for life were not their best allies, and therefore deliberate search for other options to comply with their daily demands becomes obligatory.

Perhaps Sumatra needs to give a second thought on the issue of monopoly of ferry services. The country is currently operating under a liberalized economy just like the rest of the world. Since Sumatra has recruited qualified safety control experts, there is no reason to fear. It is time to "open the gates" at Kigamboni ferry services to allow qualified private bidders to run business under closely monitored safety measures.

The relevance of this suggestion is noticed at this particular moment when implementation of Kigamboni bridge construction appears to be shrouded by useless politics. There was a time when candidates vying for the parliamentary seat for Kigamboni constituency turned this project into a cheap popularity springboard - promising towards construction of the bridge, but never delivering the goods.

Furthermore, there was a time it was announced that National Social Security Fund would provide funds to ensure implementation of the project, but to date this still remains a fantasy.

Many countries around the world have the technology to build such bridges, and have in fact implemented similar projects. I remember seeing in Denmark a similar bridge connected at the middle with some special detachable mechanism, such that when a big ship passes underneath, the bridge opens up and the two pieces forming the arch stand upright, rejoining later to allow passage of motorists and pedestrians.

Delayed implementation of the project prompts many questions. It appears there are people who benefit from the hardships endured by the users of the ferryboat services, fearing that their interests would be greatly affected if the bridge was constructed or private operators allowed to provide ferry services. At this juncture, it is important that national interests are given priority over individual profiteering.