RC urges residents to seize SGR business opportunities

DODOMA: DODOMA Regional Commissioner, Ms Rosemary Senyamule, has urged residents of the capital city to fully utilise the country’s modern transport infrastructure, particularly cargo services on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), to transport agricultural produce to other cities and towns.

Ms Senyamule made the call during a recent visit to SGR stations at Igandu in Chamwino District and Gulwe in Mpwapwa District. She assured residents that the government plans to construct a road linking Chinangali and the Igandu SGR station to improve access, noting that the distance between Chinangali II and the station is about 12 kilometres.

“I have been informed that the distance from Chinangali II to the Igandu station is 12 kilometres, and the government will make this road easily passable,” she said.

The RC explained that the road construction would help increase the number of passengers and traders using the station, which is currently underutilised.

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She encouraged residents of Igandu and surrounding areas to take advantage of the station by transporting goods and planning agricultural production based on market access through the SGR. Ms Senyamule further revealed that a commercial centre is expected to be established in the area, urging residents to prepare early and develop sound business and farming plans.

“This is an opportunity. Agricultural officers should work closely with farmers and help them prepare proper business plans,” she said.

During her visit, the RC also led a tree-planting exercise at Igandu Secondary School as part of the national environmental conservation programme. She noted that Dodoma Region is required to plant eight million trees, calling on every resident to plant at least three trees so that each household has a minimum of five.

“The big task is not just planting, but caring for the trees to ensure they grow,” she explained.

Launching a seven-day treeplanting campaign that began on January 1, Ms Senyamule said the government directives require each local government authority to plant 1.5 million trees annually.

She added that the government, through the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), will distribute seedlings free of charge and urged environmental officers to ensure households also plant fruit trees.

Meanwhile, Chamwino District Commissioner, Ms Janeth Mayanja, said construction of the Chinangali– Igandu road would significantly improve access to the SGR station for residents. At Gulwe SGR station in Mpwapwa District, Ms Senyamule also inspected a bridge under construction after being damaged by floods.