Posted on :Wednesday , 23rd February 2022

TANZANIA National Parks Authority (TANAPA) has agreed to acquire cars and machinery from Al Mansour Auto EA Tanzania Ltd and Hughes Agricultural Tanzania Ltd for more than 15 billion.

The agreement was signed yesterday at TANAPA Headquarters in Arusha by the two enterprises and the TANAPA Conservation Commissioner, William Mwakilema, revealing that the two firms had won the tender to supply the authority with cars and equipment.

"The money set out in the agreement for the acquisition of vehicles and machinery seek to improve infrastructure in our country's national parks," stated Commissioner Mwakilema.

He also stated that the agreement was part of the execution of the REGROW project, which is funded by a World Bank concessional loan to improve natural resource management and develop nature-based tourism in Southern Tanzania.

The national parks that would profit from the agreed deal include Ruaha, Mikumi, Udzungwa, and Nyerere, according to TANAPA.

Commissioner Mwakilema, speaking at the signing ceremony, advised the businesses that won the tender to complete all procedures as quickly as possible in compliance with their contracts in order to provide timely access to the equipment and vehicles.

Furthermore, the commissioner thanked the administration for its efforts to develop the country's tourism infrastructure so that more tourists may easily reach tourist sites in the country.

He also expressed gratitude to the World Bank for sponsoring the REGROW initiative, which aims to boost tourist activities in the Southern Circuit.

"The availability of these facilities would enable the designated national parks to increase conservation operations as well as build tourist infrastructure, ultimately fulfilling the government's aim of ensuring all reserves contribute to our country's economy through tourism," Mwakilema said.

Earlier, in announcing the agreement, TANAPA's REGROW Project Coordinator, Senior Assistant Commissioner Betrita Lyimo, revealed that 44 vehicles and machineries will be purchased, including five water bowsers, two fuel bowsers, 17 tipper dump trucks, five concrete mixers, two loaders and trailers, three expedition trucks, five mobile workshops, four cinema vans, and a minibus.

There are also seven tractors, six mower tractor machines, eight water bowser tractors, and nine tractor trailers (of fivetonnes).

Commissioner Betrita went on to say that the major areas to be covered include the rehabilitation of approximately 2,050 kilometres of road reserves, the construction of staff buildings, the construction and rehabilitation of 14 existing airports in the respective areas, and the maintenance of machinery and vehicles.