State to commence 1.33tri/- road network project

TANZANIA: THE government has continued walking the talk on its commitment to strengthen the country’s road network after it revealed its plans to commence construction of a four-lane road from Igawa in Mbeya to Tunduma in Songwe at the cost of 1.33tri/-.

The construction of the 218-kilometre road will involve construction of a 48-kilometre bypass from Inyala – Uyole to Songwe which will pass on the outskirt of Mbeya City as part of the major project.

The plan was announced by Deputy Minister for Works Eng Godfrey Kasekenya when speaking to Ruanda villagers in Mbozi District, Songwe Region when he was given an opportunity by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa to briefly speak and greet area residents.  The Premier is in Songwe Region for a three- day working tour.

“We have a major project involving the construction of the road from Igawa to Tunduma and when the construction process reaches this area a keep-left will be built to connect with Ruanda – Malawi road,” he said.

Commenting on the state of Ruanda – Nyimbili – Hasamba – Izilya- Itumba road measuring 79.62kilometres, Kasekenya said that the road is currently at initial stages of maintenance, noting that the first 21 kilometres will be built by four female contractors.

“President Samia Suluhu Hassan issued directives that the first 21kilometres should be divided into lots stretching five kilometres each and should be built by female contractors so as to showcase their capability in the field,” he said.

He said Songwe is the new region and it does not have tarmac regional roads, adding that upon completion the road will be a shortcut to Mbeya and it will be the first one.

Speaking to the public, Majaliwa called upon Ruanda residents to build various service provision infrastructure including food selling points and accommodation facilities to ensure reliable services to visitors.

“A visitor coming from Malawi will now pass through here. Let’s plan to set up infrastructure for food and accommodation services. We have been told that a big keep-left will be constructed here, so many motorists and other visitors will come here,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) has successfully managed to save more than 2bn /- that was planned to finance  execution of a water project at Isongole and Itumba areas in Ileje District, Songwe Region.

According to the information revealed by Prime Minister Offices on Thursday when he visited the project, the government allocated about 4.9 bn/- to implement the project in the areas.

Following the saving of more than a half of the allocated funds, the Premier commended RUWASA experts for being honest and good management of government funds.

“I applaud water experts from RUWASA for managing well the funds during the implementation of Itumba – Isongole water project…they were able to execute the project at the  cost of 2.6 bn/- out of 4.9bn/ that had been allocated,” the Premier emphasised.

Mr Majaliwa said the remaining funds from the project will be used to implement other water projects.

He applauded the Minister for Water, Jumaa Aweso and his Deputy, Engineer Mary-Prisca Mahundi for exemplary ministerial leadership and good financial management.

“It is good for the executives who implement various government projects to be patriotic, including embracing integrity in using public funds as RUWASA did,” Mr Majaliwa underscored.

He also encouraged employees of both government institutions and corporations that implement various projects throughout the country to be patriotic and place ahead national interests.

The project is implemented with funds from the National Water Fund (NWF), and is expected to be completed by the end of December this year.  It is expected to serve more than 20,000 citizens of Itumba and Isongole in the district.

Earlier, Deputy Minister for Works, who also serves as     Ileje MP, Engineer Godfrey Kasekenya, congratulated the Ministry of Water for the implementation of the Itumba-Isongole water project which will completely resolve water shortage by 100 per cent.

For his part, RUWASA Songwe Regional Manager, Eng Charles Pambe highlighted the scope of the remaining work, saying the agency plans to construct two water storage tanks with a capacity of 500,000 litres each.