Contractors push for timely payments to boost project delivery

DODOMA: STAKEHOLDERS in the construction industry have called for timely payment of contractors, warning that persistent delays are disrupting project implementation, hurting local businesses and slowing the sector’s contribution to the country’s economic growth.

The call was made during the Tanzania Contractors and Allied Service Providers Association (TUCASA) Day 2026 held in Dodoma on Friday, where participants urged the government and project owners to ensure contractors are paid on time and that projects are only tendered after adequate funding has been secured.

TUCASA Board of Trustees member, Advocate Rosan Mbwambo, said the construction industry remains a key pillar of the economy through infrastructure development, job creation and business growth, but warned that delayed payments continue to cripple local contractors and disrupt project implementation.

“When contractors are not paid on time, their businesses suffer. The impact extends beyond the contractor to employees, suppliers, financial institutions and ultimately the government itself,” he said.

Mr Mbwambo urged project owners to ensure funds are available before inviting bids, noting that the move would minimise payment delays, contractual disputes and unnecessary interruptions in project execution.

He also encouraged contractors to understand their contractual obligations, exercise their legal rights and continuously improve their professional competence to remain competitive.

TUCASA Chairperson, Quantity Surveyor Samuel Marwa, said the association is advocating for the enactment of a Security of Payment Act to establish a legal framework that safeguards contractors against delayed payments.

He said the proposed legislation would improve contractors’ cash flow, strengthen confidence in the construction industry and create a more predictable business environment for firms implementing public and private sector projects.

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Contractors Registration Board (CRB) Registrar, Mr Rhoben Nkori , described the forum as an important platform for bringing together construction industry stakeholders to discuss challenges facing the sector and identify practical solutions for improving the business environment.

Representing the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF), Mr Deogratius Massawe, said the construction industry remains one of the country’s major economic drivers and called for continued reforms to enable indigenous contractors to benefit more from development projects.

He said improving the business climate would strengthen the capacity of local contractors to compete effectively and contribute more significantly to national development.

Executive Secretary of the Zanzibar Construction Professionals Association, Mr Ali Ali Hassan, said contractors in Zanzibar face challenges similar to those experienced on the Mainland, underscoring the need for legal reforms and stronger regulatory oversight to increase the participation of local firms.

Meanwhile, Zanzibar Contractors Registration Board (ZCRB) Registrar, Engineer Mansoor Kassim, said the construction sector plays a vital role in economic growth and employment creation, urging stakeholders to ensure that resolutions reached during the conference are translated into practical actions that will transform the industry.