LEADING presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed intentions to build an alternative airport at Misenyi in Kagera Region, owing to difficulties of improving Bukoba airport, often troubled by stormy weather on Lake Victoria.

Addressing campaign rallies in Misenyi, Muleba and Karagwe yesterday, she pointed out that Bukoba airport has a 1.4 kilometres runway and has no room for expansion, making it unable to handle large aircraft.

The government has decided to begin processes for the construction of a larger and more modern airport in Misenyi, with feasibility studies having already commenced for the new airport, to be built in the Kyabajwa area.

The facility will have the capacity to accommodate large aircraft such as Boeing 737-900, capable of carrying 180 to 220 passengers, she said, underlining that the project will boost trade, tourism and regional connectivity, opening up the region to international markets.

It is likely to make Misenyi an air transport hub for north-western Tanzania and neighbouring Uganda, she said, as friends across the border will be able to use this airport to travel and conduct business.

 “This development will strengthen tourism, trade and the agricultural economy.” she said, expecting to revitalise Misenyi’s agricultural activity by investing in high-value crops such as vanilla, coffee and avocado.

 “I have been told that Misenyi farmers are very good at growing vanilla, but the crop has not yet performed as expected,” she said, citing its vast global market which Tanzania has not fully tapped into its potential.

“This is possibly because our production volumes are still too low,” she said, pointing at

 Madagascar and Uganda as the world’s major vanilla exporters who have proven the viability of the crop.

Tanzania will now invest strategically to promote and expand vanilla farming in Misenyi and other suitable regions, he said, similarly projecting the distribution of two million coffee seedlings and half a million avocado seedlings to farmers in the district.

Expanding access to affordable loans to strengthen agribusiness will be pursued, given that the region has great potential, she said, while in Muleba, the CCM flag bearer pledged to direct efforts towards empowering young people in smart livestock keeping.

That needs a technology-driven approach to animal rearing aimed at boosting productivity and income, she said, alluding to the government’s ongoing effort under the ‘building a better tomorrow’ graduate involvement in farm sector projects. It has already enabled thousands of graduates and others to venture into profitable farming, she stated.

Under the BBT-YIA programme, 300 young farmers in Makongola village in Muleba District have benefited from large-scale coffee and banana plantations covering 300 acres. This effort has Livestock breeding facilities to assist youth in gaining access to improved animal breeds and training in modern husbandry are being built, while the government moves to prioritise investment in education, healthcare, clean water and energy.  All productive sectors need to be backed by strong social and infrastructure services, she said.

The government has completed the design phase for a 39.3bn/- project to draw water from Lake Victoria to supply households across the region, now being prepared for implementation.

Party secretary general Dr Asharose Migiro said that the president had ushered in a new era of economic transformation and given Tanzanians confidence in a growing, inclusive economy. “Under Samia’s leadership, the nation has undergone significant transformation in key sectors, lifting the lives of many citizens,” the veteran diplomat added.