Burundi is really looking for ways on modernizing their country. They are really pumping money in various projects to regain the economic balance. Last week, the nation launched a new lake project to modernize its Bujumbura port. Its main function being to boost the operational efficiency from Lake business.
According to the report released, the project will consume almost 31 million US dollars. It’s the Japanese who have implemented the contract and their company will take up the job late this month. Burundi wants more renovation on its capital city, Bujumbura. A modern port will create more jobs as per the report.
The current President Mr. Everest Ndayishimiye admitted that the Bujumbura port project has landed at the right time. Burundi is at the upper hand, forming relations with more countries to increase the trade boundaries. But first, the neighbouring countries have a great share to contribute a lot to this nation. Burundi is bordered by DRC Congo, Tanzania, and Rwanda on the north.
Bujumbura port started operating in 1950s when the colonials were in the country. Its main function was for the importation of slaves to other developed nations. Also, goods including weapons came through the port. It was a meeting point for all the British citizens who had invaded Burundi.
Over the years, there have been rumors about modernizing the port but they get postponed. The material used in building it are very old, although still strong. But the national government has seen the need to modernize it within the next year. Much work has to be done to make the port a standardized place for other nations to admire.
Large boats have found it difficult in docking their weights on the available report. Therefore, dredging is one of the needed activities in the port basin. By doing this, even the large ships will be able to land with ease. Furthermore, it will become easier to come out of the ships and boats without the fear of looking the river.
The Director-General of Maritime Authority said that boats need to navigate the station smoothly. The construction engineers have to implement that to reduce docking difficulties. He confirmed that all the millions pumped into the project will change a lot.
The citizens of Burundi are also happy about the project. A good number of them will be employed during the construction period. And even after the project has ended, the number of employees will have to increase. Modernizing means expanding it to allow more activities to take place. It’s a source of income for every citizen. Towards completion, the port will earn the country higher revenue as compared to the current one.
As per the statistics, the port will handle almost half a million tonnes of goods. Currently, the port has a capability of taking 200,000tonnes only. This is a big step to the economy of Burundi.
Bujumbura is an essential entry point of Lake Tanganyika. The port works together with income in Tanzania, Kalemia in DRC, and Mpungula in Zambia.
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