The government has dramatically boosted the budget for the Rural and Urban Roads Agency (Tarura) in Busega District, Simiyu Region, from Sh 500 million to a whopping Sh 2.4 billion.
Tarura Busega District Manager, Engineer Mathias Mgolozi, revealed this game-changing increase earlier this week, underscoring the significant impact it has had on local infrastructure.
“Four years ago, Busega District operated on a modest annual budget of Sh 500 million. But with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the helm, our budget has skyrocketed to Sh 2.4 billion. This substantial rise includes Sh 1.2 billion from additional levies, Sh 500 million from the constituency fund, and Sh 748 million from the road fund,” Mgolozi explained.
This budget surge has empowered TARURA to execute numerous critical projects. In the 2023/24 fiscal year alone, Tarura successfully constructed 100 kilometers of road, part of the district's 511-kilometer network.
Among the flagship projects completed is the Mwamanyili Bridge, spanning 20 meters and built for Sh 121.6 million. Additionally, the Mwamigongwa to Nyaluhande road, stretching 6 kilometers, was completed, along with 4.8 kilometers of newly opened roads, all costing Sh 237 million.
Further notable achievements include the construction of three bridges in Mwamigongwa, with widths of 12 meters, 8 meters, and 6 meters, costing a total of Sh 477 million.
“With the previous Sh 500 million budget, we could have only completed these three bridges in a year. But thanks to the increased funding, we've managed to achieve so much more,” Engineer Mgolozi noted.
Robert Mabeyo, a member of the Nyaluhande Village Government, expressed his amazement at the unprecedented development in his village. “I’m 50 years old, and I’ve never seen this road maintained, let alone built. But under President Samia’s leadership, we now have this new Nyaluhande road,” Mabeyo remarked.
Busega District, composed of 15 wards, is now benefitting from a robust road network managed by Tarura Busega, covering 511.10 kilometers and comprising 136 roads.