Key road projects gain funding boost

DODOMA: THE National Assembly yesterday approved a 2.5tri/- budget for the Ministry of Works after the government outlined plans to accelerate implementation of strategic road projects and strengthen financing mechanisms aimed at transforming the country’s transport infrastructure.

Winding up debate on the ministry’s budget estimates for the 2026/27 financial year in the National Assembly in Dodoma, Minister for Works Mr Abdallah Ulega said the government remains committed to completing major economic roads, bridges and dual carriageways to strengthen connectivity, improve cargo transportation and support economic growth.

He said under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the government has already constructed more than 1,400 kilometres of tarmac roads and strategic bridges nationwide, while nearly 80 contracts worth about 6tri/- have been signed for projects currently under implementation.

“This is a strong commitment that shows the President’s vision for where she wants to take the nation. We have agreed with the Parliamentary Committee and lawmakers that priority should now be placed on completing all signed and ongoing projects,” he said.

Mr Ulega also assured lawmakers from southern regions that the government remains committed to upgrading trunk roads in their areas following concerns raised over poor road infrastructure. He said implementation plans are already in place for road sections stretching from Mkuranga to Kongowe, Ikwiriri to Nyamwage and Somanga, as well as Nangurukuru to Mbwemkuru.

The minister further revealed that the government has allocated more than 600bn/- for construction of the Mnazi Mmoja-MingoyoMasasi-Mtwara Rural circular road project aimed at improving regional connectivity and stimulating economic activities. In another development, he said more than 30 villages along the 70-kilometre stretch from Mnazi Mmoja to Masasi in Mtama Constituency will benefit from installation of over 3,000 street lights.

“There should be no interference with these funds because any delay could affect implementation of the project and slow down development in the area,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Mr Ulega said the government is planning to upgrade strategic economic roads into dual carriageways in line with the CCM election manifesto, citing the Singida-Babati road among projects earmarked for expansion.

He also said the government has established financing plans, including introduction of infrastructure bonds, to strengthen the Road Fund and accelerate road construction and rehabilitation projects nationwide.

ALSO READ: Govt seeks to ease fuel price pressure

“This infrastructure bond is reliable. Once we refinance the Road Fund properly, there will be stable funding and we will prioritise major economic roads so that we improve transportation and increase revenues through ports and cargo movement,” he explained.

Responding to concerns raised by Joseph Musukuma (Geita Rural MP-CCM) on the poor condition of roads and potholes, the minister said the Ministry of Finance has already released 20bn/- to the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) for emergency road repairs.

“The process has already started and we are going to repair potholes across the country and improve earth and gravel roads requested by citizens and lawmakers,” he said.

Speaker of Parliament Dr Mussa Zungu also commended the Ministry of Works for its performance in infrastructure development, while calling for greater adoption of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to reduce the financial burden on the government.

He also urged the ministry to review road quality and construction costs, citing the durability of the ChalinzeMorogoro highway, while calling for review of laws requiring the government to pay penalties to contractors over delayed payments.

On his part, Deputy Minister for Works Engineer Godfrey Kasekenya said the government is upgrading and expanding key roads in Arusha City ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to improve access to the stadium.

He said contractors have already started mobilisation on several strategic routes, including roads linking Mbauda, Mrombo and Losinyai to the East African four-lane highway, as well as Airport and Moshono corridors, all set to be upgraded into four-lane roads.

Eng Kasekenya added that the government is fasttracking the Tengeru-Mererani bypass project following directives issued by the Prime Minister, noting that investments in bridges and road infrastructure are already easing long-standing transport bottlenecks across the country. Of the approved 2.5tri/-, 2.06tri/- will be allocated for development expenditure, while 438.1bn/- is earmarked for recurrent expenditure.