RUKWA: RESIDENTS of Rukwa Region are breathing a sigh of relief as the area experiences a resurgence in both social and economic activities, thanks to ongoing road construction and repairs.
The improved road infrastructures are easing transport woes and expected to enhance trade and investment opportunities within the region and neighbouring Zambia.
Markets are thriving in both rural and urban areas, with new vendors setting up shops. The rehabilitation and repair of roads have led to the establishment of new commercial facilities, providing cheaper access to markets and essential services.
Engineer Chacha Moseti, Rukwa Regional Manager for Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), announced that the agency has been allocated with over 11.84bn/- for the 2024/25 fiscal year to upgrade road infrastructure.
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This budget is three times the 4.2bn/-allocated in the 2020/21 financial year.
“The allocated funds will be used for the construction, repair and maintenance of roads. These funds come from the Constituency Development Fund, the Fuel Levy Road Fund and the State Fund,” added Engineer Moseti.
TARURA in Rukwa Region manages a road network of 2,304.26 kilometres, including 30 bridges, 2,628 pipe culverts, 258 box culverts and 40 drifts. This includes 46.42 kilometres of tarmac roads, 1,137.53 kilometres of gravel roads and 1,113.78 kilometres of earth roads.
Tanzania is advancing its rural transport infrastructure, which plays a crucial role in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty alleviation, food security and zero hunger. The country is committed to the 2030 Agenda of SDGs, which emphasises leaving no one behind.
Engineer Moseti highlighted that the improvements have benefited all four district councils—Nkasi, Kalambo, Sumbawanga and Sumbawanga Municipality. “I urge citizens to continue protecting these roads and other infrastructures to ensure their longevity, as their construction represents a significant investment by the government and taxpayers,” he stressed.
The Third National Five-Year Development Plan prioritises construction as a rapidly growing sector that significantly contributes to GDP.
The plan focuses on strengthening and building basic infrastructure to stimulate economic activity through development projects for local contractors and enhancing skills development for local professionals.
The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Election Manifesto for 2020-2025 also emphasises road construction and repair to enable continued production activities and income generation. The party has directed the government to enhance TARURA’s professional, systemic and institutional capacities for effective road maintenance.
Kalambo District Council Chairman, Mr Daud Sichone, praised the improvements for facilitating crop transportation from fields to markets. He urged the government to allocate more funds for road infrastructure maintenance in the district.
Mr John Francis from the Chanji area also appealed for continued investment in road improvements.
In response, TARURA has empowered local firms by signing 33 contracts worth 7.73bn/- with local contractors for road projects in Sumbawanga Municipality, Sumbawanga, Nkasi and Kalambo district councils.
These projects are scheduled for completion over eleven months (August 2024 – June 2025) and are expected to ease the movement of people, goods and services.
