TANZAM Highway upgrade gains momentum

MBEYA: CONSTRUCTION of the four-lane Tanzania-Zambia Highway (TANZAM) from Nsalaga to Songwe has reached 44.8 per cent, with the government releasing 9bn/- to accelerate implementation of the strategic 29-kilometre project.

The Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) said recently that the contractor has resumed work, raising expectations that one of the region’s busiest transport corridors will soon offer faster, safer and more efficient travel.

Speaking during the eight Nanenane Southern Highlands Zone Agricultural Exhibitions in Mbeya City, Mbeya Regional TANROADS Manager, Engineer Suleiman Bishanga said the release of funds had restored momentum to the project.

He said the construction is progressing well, with major works including bridges, a flyover at Mafiati, pedestrian crossings, road improvements around Nzovwe and an underpass at Kabwe.

According to Engineer Bishanga, the project is designed to increase the highway’s capacity while addressing long-standing challenges such as traffic congestion, road safety and dust pollution.

“Completion of this infrastructure will ease congestion, improve road safety, reduce travel time and eliminate the dust nuisance affecting communities along the route. We also expect to see more TANROADS roads in Mbeya Region paved within a short period,” he said.

He added that TANROADS had strengthened supervision to ensure the project meets quality standards and delivers value for money.

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The highway is expected to boost economic activity by improving the movement of people and goods along the corridor linking Tanzania with Zambia and other neighbouring countries.

Farmers in the Southern Highlands are among those expected to benefit, as the improved road will enable agricultural products to reach domestic and regional markets more quickly while reducing transport costs.

Katavi Regional Commissioner Mwanamvua Mrindoko called for closer collaboration between TANROADS and the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) to ensure efficient implementation of road projects across Mbeya.

She said the region needed modern infrastructure befitting its status as the Southern Highlands’ commercial hub, adding that better roads would improve mobility, reduce dust and support agricultural growth.

Finance Minister Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar said the government had agreed with Members of Parliament from the Mbeya Region on measures to ensure funds allocated for road projects are channelled directly to the Road Fund.

He said the move aimed at accelerating the construction of four-lane roads in congestion-prone areas.