Ring road seen as catalyst for local businesses
DODOMA: DODOMA Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule has urged residents living along the Ring Road to seize emerging business opportunities, saying the flagship infrastructure project should become a major driver of local economic growth rather than merely a transport corridor.
Addressing residents at a public meeting in Zuzu Ward, Ms Senyamule said the government expects communities along the Ring Road to benefit directly by establishing businesses, markets and service centres to serve thousands of motorists expected to use the road every day.
She said local entrepreneurs should position themselves to supply agricultural produce, food, accommodation and other essential services to travellers’ using the route.
“We do not want Dodoma residents to remain spectators watching vehicles pass. We want them to benefit from the money spent by travellers through businesses established along the Ring Road,” she said.
Ms Senyamule, who was accompanied by technical experts from various sectors, directed the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) and Dodoma City Council to identify and develop designated trading areas where residents can sell grapes, sunflower oil and other locally produced commodities.
She said President Samia Suluhu Hassan has consistently directed government leaders to take services closer to wananchi, instead of waiting for citizens to travel long distances to government offices.
The RC also encouraged farmers to embrace modern irrigation agriculture to increase productivity throughout the year, saying ongoing government investment in irrigation infrastructure would strengthen food production and household incomes.
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She urged residents to take advantage of Dodoma’s strategic grape industry, describing it as a unique economic asset capable of generating greater income for farmers and the region.
Dodoma Urban Member of Parliament Pascal Chinyele called for accelerated land surveying to prevent unplanned settlements as the city expands, saying proper planning would facilitate the development of roads, sewerage systems and other public infrastructure.
He also proposed the construction of a Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) station at the intersection of the Ring Road and the railway in Zuzu to stimulate investment and commercial activities.
Mr Chinyele recalled President Samia’s directive that areas bordering the Ring Road should be properly planned and beautified through commercial grape farming to reflect Dodoma’s status as the country’s grape-producing hub.
Urban Planning Committee Chairperson and Ipagala Ward Councillor Gombo Dotto said the city was implementing road expansion projects linking major highways to the Ring Road while working with TANROADS and TARURA to improve access roads. Zuzu Ward Councillor Jenesta Maringo appealed for completion of the remaining five-kilometre tarmac road linking the ward to the Ring Road, construction of pedestrian crossings and establishment of a local market. Responding to the concerns, Dodoma City Mayor Alimwoni Chaula said the council had allocated 50m/- in the 2026/27 budget to begin developing market infrastructure in wards without formal markets.
During the visit, Ms Senyamule also inspected several development projects, including the 6.93bn/- Makole Health Centre Integrated Health Services Complex, which has reached 71 per cent completion, asphalt road projects, education infrastructure at Dodoma Mlimani Primary School and Zuzu Secondary School, as well as water supply projects serving the area.
