Tanzania attains significant strides in road infrastructure

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA continues to register significant achievements in the construction of rural and urban road networks, leading to significant improvements in communities and economies.

According to statistics issued Monday, district road network under the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) has increased from 108,946 kilometres to 144,429 kilometres, over the past three years, equivalent to 32.6 per cent.

This expansion surpasses the CCM Election Manifesto (2020-2025) target of 143,881 kilometres by 2025, according to the report presented by TARURA to the media.

Speaking at a meeting organised by the Office of Treasury Registrar (OTR) in Dar es Salaam, TARURA Chief Executive Officer Engineer Victor Seff attributed these achievements to increased government funding for road construction and maintenance.

The government tripled TARURA’s budget from an average of 275bn/- over the past four years to 850bn/-.

Engineer Seff also highlighted that, by June 2023, weather road networks in the districts had reached 42,059 kilometres, exceeding the manifesto’s target of 35,000 kilometres.

“As of June, this year, the tarmac road network in the districts had reached 3,337 kilometres, surpassing the manifesto’s goal, which aimed to expand tarmac roads from 2,025 to 3,100 kilometres by 2025,” Eng Seff said.

The TARURA’s CEO reported that significant infrastructure projects have been completed, including the construction of 58.5 kilometres of tarmac roads in the government city of Mtumba, the 140-metre Berega Bridge in Kilosa District, Morogoro Region, the 12.5-kilometre Visiga-Zegereni tarmac road in Kibaha, Coast Region, and a 5.1-kilometre tarmac road in the industrial area of Dodoma.

Several ongoing projects are being implemented through donor programmes, including the Agriconnect project (European Union) and the Roads to Inclusion and Socio-Economic Opportunities (RISE) project funded by the World Bank.

The Agriconnect project, coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to improve infrastructure in areas involved in tea, coffee, vegetable and fruit production.

In Phase I, the project cost 39.8 bn/-, resulting in the construction of 87.6 kilometres across various districts, including Kilolo (18.3 km), Mufindi (30.3 km), Mbeya DC (26.8 km) and Rungwe DC (12.2 km).

In Phase II, the project cost 37.2 bn/-, and a total of 49.12 kilometres were constructed in Kilolo DC (1.1 km), Wangingombe (19.25 km), Mbozi DC (11.01 km), Busokelo DC (6.41 km), and Rungwe DC (11.35 km).

Increased road connectivity has played a key role in empowering communities by providing them with the infrastructure to develop local businesses and improve living standards.

District roads have helped spur economic development by increasing market access, enabling farmers and local businesses to transport goods more efficiently, cutting costs and expanding market reach.

Equally, the road construction projects have created numerous jobs, both directly and indirectly, contributing to local economies while enhancing the quality of life in rural settings.

Speaking on the implementation of the Roads to Inclusion and Socio-Economic Opportunities (RISE) project under the World Bank, Engineer Seff said that the project is estimated to cost 822bn/-, with 705bn/- being a soft loan from the World Bank and 117.5bn/- being government contribution.

“The project will construct 535 kilometres of tarmac road, with 400 kilometres to be built by TARURA and 175 kilometres by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS),” he said.

Regarding the construction of the bridge and the development of the River Msimbazi basin project, he said that the project aims to address flooding in the basin.

He added that so far, 98 per cent of people who were affected by the flooding have been compensated and relocated saying that the procurement of a contractor for the bridge and the supervising engineer is expected to be completed by November this year.

Another initiative, the Tanzania Cities Transforming Infrastructure and Competitiveness (Tactic) project, has begun in 12 cities across the country.

“The first phase of the project involves road and drainage construction. Contracts were signed in September 2023, and contractors commenced work in November 2023, with the project scheduled to take 15 months to complete,” he said.

The TARURA boss said they are also implementing the manifesto’s directive to research the use of appropriate technologies in the construction of both urban and rural roads to construct roads using the right technology at a lower cost.

According to Engineer Seff, TARURA utilises locally available construction materials, including stones which reduce costs by more than 50 per cent.

“We’re also continuing to test various technologies to use locally available soil instead of transporting materials from distant locations, thereby conserving the environment,” he added.

He said that so far, using the ECOROADS technology, one kilometre has been constructed in Dodoma City and 6.9 kilometres in Chamwino District, both of which are completed.

“In Mufindi district, 10 kilometres have been constructed and in Rufiji District, 32 kilometres have been built,” he added.

Similarly, Engineer Seff said that by using Ecozyme technology, 5.2 kilometres are being constructed in Itilima District, with contractors on site and continuing the implementation.

The manifesto also directed TARURA to use community groups for the maintenance of roads and bridges to provide employment for residents, increase project ownership and reduce costs.

In implementing this, Engineer Seff said that TARURA began encouraging groups as early as 2018. As of June, this year, TARURA had signed contracts with 217 groups, including 187 women, 24 youths and 6 elders.

Engineer Seff provided an update on the Roads to Inclusion and Socio-Economic Opportunities (RISE) project under the World Bank, which is estimated to cost 822 billion/-. This includes 705 billion/- as a soft loan from the World Bank and 117.5 billion/- contributed by the government.

“The project will involve the construction of 535 kilometres of tarmac roads, with 400 kilometres to be built by TARURA and 175 kilometres by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS),” he said.

Regarding the River Msimbazi basin project, which aims to address flooding issues, Engineer Seff noted that 98 per cent of those affected by the flooding have been compensated and relocated. The procurement process for the bridge contractor and the supervising engineer is expected to be completed by November this year.

Another key initiative, the Tanzania Cities Transforming Infrastructure and Competitiveness (Tactic) project, has been launched in 12 cities across the country.

The first phase involves road and drainage construction, with contracts signed in September 2023. Contractors began work in November 2023, and the project is slated to be completed within 15 months.

The agency is also following the manifesto’s directive to explore appropriate technologies for both urban and rural road construction, aiming to reduce costs.

Engineer Seff highlighted that TARURA uses locally available construction materials, including stones, which can cut costs by more than 50 per cent.

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Additionally, the agency is testing various technologies to use local soil, reducing the need for transporting materials and conserving the environment.

To date, using ECOROADS technology, one kilometre has been completed in Dodoma City and 6.9 kilometres in Chamwino District.

In Mufindi District, 10 kilometres have been constructed and 32 kilometres have been built in Rufiji District. Similarly, with Ecozyme technology, 5.2 kilometres are under construction in Itilima District, with ongoing contractor activities.

The manifesto also directed TARURA to involve community groups in road and bridge maintenance to create employment opportunities, foster project ownership and reduce costs.

Since 2018, TARURA has been engaging community groups and as of June this year, has signed contracts with 217 groups, including 187 women, 24 youths and 6 elders.