ZANZIBAR President Dr. Hussein Mwinyi has directed the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communication and Transportation to compensate residents whose buildings are near main roads, citing safety concerns.

Dr Mwinyi issued the directive  yesterday during the inauguration of Micheweni Shumba port and Kiuyu Maziwang'ombe roads in Micheweni District, Pemba North Region, to mark the 61st anniversary of the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution.

President Mwinyi explained that some residents have built homes near main roads, urging them to avoid encroaching on road reserves.

He also reaffirmed that the promises to construct the Micheweni Shumba port and Kiuyu Maziwang'ombe roads had been fulfiled and emphasised that the government would continue to build new roads at tarmac level, particularly in Micheweni District.  

Furthermore, President Mwinyi assured residents that, in addition to the high-quality roads, plans to install streetlights would also be implemented.

Zanzibar Minister for Infrastructure, Communication, and Transport, Dr. Khalid Salum Mohamed, highlighted the modern standards of the roads and commended   the government. He urged citizens to appreciate the progress made under President Mwinyi’s leadership.

Dr. Mohamed reiterated that the government remains inclusive in its development initiatives and called on citizens to support further efforts. 

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Habiba Hassan Omar, provided a technical report, saying that the road projects are part of the 2020/2025 CCM election manifesto. The Micheweni Kiuyu Maziwang'ombe and Shumba Port roads, totalling 10 kilometres are part of the larger initiative encompassing 274.9 kilometres of internal roads in Unguja and Pemba.

Of the total, 140.9 kilometres are in Unguja, and 134.9 kilometres are in Pemba, with construction ongoing across both islands.

In November 2021, the ministry contracted the Turkish company IRIS for the construction of 275.9 kilometres of internal roads to gravel and tarmac levels in both islands. A subsequent agreement signed in March 2024 with Turkiye’s MAWI company will focus on asphalt surfacing, costing $79,167,226.

The total cost for the roads in Unguja and Pemba is $159,467,226, or $57,798.92 per kilometre.