TANZANIA: FRANCE SET TO DEVELOP AMBONI CAVES TO BOOST TOURISM

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu

Tanga — TANZANIA and France are determined to develop the historical Amboni caves in Tanga Region to make them more attractive for tourism and an important centre for antiquities studies in the country.

The plan was announced by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu, during his one-day tour of the Amboni site where he was accompanied by the France Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Marcel Escure.

He said the Tanzanian government, through his ministry, had already agreed with the French government to develop the historical site in order to promote tourism for the benefit of present and future generations.

Elaborating, Mr Nyalandu said the initial stage would be to improve and develop the caves' infrastructure including roads and recreation buildings for visitors to make the area accessible and attractive at all the time.

He also said the area would be developed to be a centre of antiquities studies in the country. Mr Nyalandu thanked the France government for its willingness to support the project, adding that he was optimistic that the bilateral relationship between the two countries would further be cemented for mutual benefit.

For his part, the France ambassador said his government would continue to collaborate with the Tanzanian government in different sectors in order to bring development to the people.

President Jakaya Kikwete recently urged Tanga regional authorities to take measures to develop the Amboni caves so that 'wananchi' could benefit from the historical site in terms of employment and tourism. He directed them to approach the Antiquities department to see how the site could be developed.