TARURA sets aside 1bn/- for El Niño

TABORA: THE Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) has set aside more than 1bn/- to improve road infrastructure in Tabora Region as part of preparations for the expected heavy El Niño rains.

The agency said the investment is aimed at keeping roads passable throughout the rainy season, with two strategic bridges already completed and more flood-mitigation works lined up.

Speaking on behalf of the Regional Manager during a Tabora Municipal Council meeting yesterday, TARURA official, Engineer Nehemia Chacha said the agency has completed two major bridges serving Ndevelwa, Misha and Kabila wards.

He said the Ndevelwa Bridge, which cost more than 460m/-, is now fully operational after years of disrupting transport for residents.

“The problem has now been resolved, as residents have started using the bridge,” he said.

The second bridge, linking Misha and Kabila wards, was completed at a cost of 592m/-, improving access for residents of Igambiro and Igombe villages.

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“These projects have been completed through the efforts of the sixth phase government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan to ensure difficult areas are addressed as quickly as possible,” Eng Chacha said.

He added that, ahead of the rainy season, TARURA has separately allocated 950m/- to rehabilitate drainage channels along the Kenge River to prevent recurrent flooding.

The river has repeatedly disrupted livelihoods in Kanyenye, Kitete, Mwinyi and Malolo wards, where floods occur almost every rainy season.

Another 121m/- has been allocated to eight youth groups to undertake routine road maintenance and clear blocked drainage channels to improve accessibility during heavy rains.