Majaliwa directs TANROADS to timely complete projects

MWANZA: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has instructed the Tanzania Roads Agency (TANROADS) in Mwanza Region to speed up the construction of the Simiyu Bridge in Magu District on the Mwanza-Musoma main road, along with other ongoing projects to ensure they are completed on time.

The construction of the bridge measuring 175-metre-long and 12.3 metres wide, along with 3 kilometres of approaching roads, began on October, 2023 and is expected to be completed in April, 2025.

The bridge will connect Mwanza and Mara regions. Speaking to residents who gathered at the bridge site on Saturday the Premier insisted that Magu District has significant economic opportunities and that the completion of the project would open new doors for the people of Magu.

“Magu is an area of economic opportunities; Magu is the lifeblood of Mwanza City. What efforts have the people of Magu made to exploit these opportunities? I urge you to build bus stations, hotels, food vending outlets and entertainment venues.

Improve transportation infrastructure so that when someone leaves Mwanza, they can be sure they will return quickly and without any trouble,” he said.

Earlier, Engineer Katetula Kaswaga from TANROADS headquarters said the project is costing 48.7bn/- and that it is fully funded by the government.

“The project is being constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) under the supervision of the TANROADS Engineering Consulting Unit (TECU). The work carried out so far stands at 35 per cent,” he said.

On his part, Deputy Minister for Works, Engineer Godfrey Kasekenya said that the completion of the Simiyu Bridge will significantly reduce accidents and congestion, as the old bridge that had only one lane, while the new one will have two lanes.

He noted that the construction of the Simiyu Bridge is part of the country’s major infrastructure projects aimed at achieving economic transformation.

“This bridge was built before independence and it was the only one left on the country’s main roads,” he revealed.\

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He added: “the sixth phase government decided to remove such bridges from the main roads nationwide. If we had allowed it to remain, it would have caused congestion.”

Moreover, the Premier laid the foundation stone for the Sukuma bridge construction in Ng’haya Ward, which will connect Magu and Bariadi districts.

The bridge, which is 70 metres long, 11.3 metres wide, with 2.3 kilometres of approaching roads, is being built by a local contractor, Mumangi Construction Co Ltd So far, the construction is 24 per cent complete, with a total cost of 10bn/- expected to be spent upon completion.

Deputy Minister Kasekenya said the construction of the bridge is part of the government’s strategy to improve the country’s infrastructure sector.

He added that the completion of the bridge would facilitate the transportation of people and goods and boost production in the agriculture, mining and industrial sectors.

“When the bridge is completed, the road will significantly shorten the journey to Mara. The distance will be just 74 kilometres,” he noted.