Our Reporter
The Guardian
AS President John Pombe Magufuli inaugurates the
Kigamboni Bridge tomorrow, local workers have spoken about their
experiences as part of the huge project.
Kigamboni bridge
The
multi-billion shillings project which is set to ease traffic jams in
the city, is being undertaken by China Railway Construction Engineering
Group (CRCEG) in a Joint venture with China Railway Major Bridge Group
(CRMBG).
The CRCEG/CRMBG Project manager, Zhang Bhang Xu, said they have employed over 5,000 Tanzanians as local foremen and technicians who have gained on-job experience.
“They can now be able to manage projects of similar proportions,” said Xu.
Among them is Francis Mambo, who armed with his Diploma in Land Survey, says he has gained invaluable hands-on experience during the project’s lifetime.
“As one of the local experts,” says Mambo, “I can comfortably employ the knowledge gained working on the Kigamboni Bridge on similar civil works anywhere duty calls,” he says.
As a land surveyor, Mambo work involved measuring properties and pieces of land to determine the bridge’s boundaries. Information about boundaries is necessary as it helps determine where roads or buildings would be constructed, settles property line disputes and leads to the creation of maps.
His work is very sensitive as the maps and land descriptions are usually considered legally binding. He is therefore alive to the fact that he can be called upon to present his findings in a courtroom setting whenever need arises.
Projects of such magnitude also require the skills of a quantity surveyor, a role another local expert, Paul James Mnyeke, excelled in remarkably. As a quantity surveyor who learned his trade at the University of Dar es Salaam, Mnyeke was responsible for costing the entire project - from initial estimates, right through to the final acquisition of materials.
The two are among 5,000 lucky Tanzanians, who have added another point in their learning curve, for upon completion of the project, they will be awarded memorable certificates of service, making them marketable in their field of service.
But even as the country celebrates the completion of the bridge, which will accelerate development on the peninsula, it has also unearthed challenges the government ought to address, especially if it is to fully exploit technology transfer to its advantage.
According to the CRCEG/CRMBG Project Engineer, Eng Jamal Mruma, there is need for the government to institute a policy that makes it mandatory for students to get internship in companies undertaking similar construction projects to ensure that the youngsters get the requisite experience to undertake similar projects.
“For instance, we have hosted about 10 students from the University of Dar es Salaam who came for internship here on their own initiative and greatly gained from our training,” said Eng Mruma.
Eng Mruma said the benefits to the local employees were immense. Not only was their training practical, they were also getting paid, which enabled them to support their families while contributing to national development.
The bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in East Africa, connecting the commercial capital of Dar es Salaam with Kigamboni and Kurasini. Construction works began on February 1, 2012.
It has a total of six lanes, three on each direction, in addition to two pedestrian/cyclist lanes with a width of 2.5 metres on each side. The bridge will have a vehicle weight limit of 30 tons per car.
Zhang said the bridge will connect to an approach road of about 1.0 km that will cross the TAZARA Railway line to the north eventually intersecting with Mandela Road. On the Kigamboni side the bridge will connect to an approach road of about 1.5 km that will intersect with the Kigamboni Ferry - Kibada Road.
The CRCEG/CRMBG Project manager, Zhang Bhang Xu, said they have employed over 5,000 Tanzanians as local foremen and technicians who have gained on-job experience.
“They can now be able to manage projects of similar proportions,” said Xu.
Among them is Francis Mambo, who armed with his Diploma in Land Survey, says he has gained invaluable hands-on experience during the project’s lifetime.
“As one of the local experts,” says Mambo, “I can comfortably employ the knowledge gained working on the Kigamboni Bridge on similar civil works anywhere duty calls,” he says.
As a land surveyor, Mambo work involved measuring properties and pieces of land to determine the bridge’s boundaries. Information about boundaries is necessary as it helps determine where roads or buildings would be constructed, settles property line disputes and leads to the creation of maps.
His work is very sensitive as the maps and land descriptions are usually considered legally binding. He is therefore alive to the fact that he can be called upon to present his findings in a courtroom setting whenever need arises.
Projects of such magnitude also require the skills of a quantity surveyor, a role another local expert, Paul James Mnyeke, excelled in remarkably. As a quantity surveyor who learned his trade at the University of Dar es Salaam, Mnyeke was responsible for costing the entire project - from initial estimates, right through to the final acquisition of materials.
The two are among 5,000 lucky Tanzanians, who have added another point in their learning curve, for upon completion of the project, they will be awarded memorable certificates of service, making them marketable in their field of service.
But even as the country celebrates the completion of the bridge, which will accelerate development on the peninsula, it has also unearthed challenges the government ought to address, especially if it is to fully exploit technology transfer to its advantage.
According to the CRCEG/CRMBG Project Engineer, Eng Jamal Mruma, there is need for the government to institute a policy that makes it mandatory for students to get internship in companies undertaking similar construction projects to ensure that the youngsters get the requisite experience to undertake similar projects.
“For instance, we have hosted about 10 students from the University of Dar es Salaam who came for internship here on their own initiative and greatly gained from our training,” said Eng Mruma.
Eng Mruma said the benefits to the local employees were immense. Not only was their training practical, they were also getting paid, which enabled them to support their families while contributing to national development.
The bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in East Africa, connecting the commercial capital of Dar es Salaam with Kigamboni and Kurasini. Construction works began on February 1, 2012.
It has a total of six lanes, three on each direction, in addition to two pedestrian/cyclist lanes with a width of 2.5 metres on each side. The bridge will have a vehicle weight limit of 30 tons per car.
Zhang said the bridge will connect to an approach road of about 1.0 km that will cross the TAZARA Railway line to the north eventually intersecting with Mandela Road. On the Kigamboni side the bridge will connect to an approach road of about 1.5 km that will intersect with the Kigamboni Ferry - Kibada Road.
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