Fast-track road repairs, VP tells TANROADS, TARURA

VICE -President Philip Mpango on Thursday instructed the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) and the Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) to expeditiously repair some of the roads that got washed away by recent rains, which pounded the region.

Dr Mpango, who was opening the Mianzini-Ngaramtoni ya Juu 18-kilometer stretch, underscored the regional importance in the country’s economic growth, noting that Arusha was always buzzing with activities and that it was imperative to have its roads passable throughout the year.

“Arusha is a strategic city that’s why the government has special interest in it,” he said.

According to the VP, the government had allocated 19.5bn/- to TARURA for the undertaking, adding that more road infrastructural upgrades were in the pipeline.

“Good infrastructure is vital for tourism and general trading of goods for export,” he disclosed.

He, equally, tasked the two road authorities to continue accentuating key roads in the region as the country continues to keep pace with the influx of tourists visiting Tanzania.

The VP further described the 18kilometer stretch as an important road that will open up more opportunities in the region, stimulate tourism and productivity.

He urged the contractor, Stecol Corporation to fast-track its construction so that it becomes passable by August this year.

Apart from the Mianzini-Ngaramtoni ya Juu road, the government is also mulling over plans of constructing a four-lane from the city’s Kilombero market to Kisongo town.

According to the Vice-President, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has also approved the construction of Oljoro-Lusinyai road which would connect to Kongwa District in Dodoma, a move that seeks to open up Arusha to the rest of the country.

Dr Mpango started off his day with a visit to Meru District Council, where he inaugurated an Emergency Medicine Department (EMD) at Meru District Hospital.

The Vice-President didn’t hesitate to remind staff at the medical facility to be honest and professionals, while discharging their duties.

“I urge you to keep an eye on the medical supplies that you are always provided with and take stern actions against any health worker, who might attempt to smuggle them out,” he instructed.

The construction of the state-of-the-art facility cost the government more than 800m/- where it serves as an interface between the hospital and the population that it serves.

It will also provide services for acutely ill patients with potential life-threatening conditions and the aim is to stabilise and manage them for a maximum of 24 hours before referral to an inpatient ward.

While at the hospital, the Vice-President learnt of the challenges that staff at the medical facility were grappling with.

The district hospital is also set to receive a vehicle, according to Dr Mpango.

The Vice-President winds up his five-day work tour by officiating 28^thAnnual General Meeting which will be held at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) today.