By Alfred Zacharia
The Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) is grappling with substantial
financial constraints, even as it has achieved notable progress in improving
Tanzania’s district road networks over the past three years.
Presented by Chief Executive Officer of TARURA,
Engineer Victor Seff on Monday (September 2), an assessment for the 2022/23
fiscal year revealed that approximately TZS 1.635 trillion annually is needed
to ensure that 85% of the district road network remains accessible year-round.
Currently, TARURA’s budget averages at TZS 850 billion
per year, highlighting a significant funding gap.
Despite these challenges, TARURA has made remarkable
strides since its establishment on July 1, 2017.
Related article: Boosted budget drives major infrastructure development in Busega District
Created to enhance the management of district roads
previously overseen by local government authorities, TARURA has focused on
maintaining roads in good and fair condition, improving year-round
accessibility, and upgrading earth roads to gravel or paved standards using
locally available materials.
“As of June 2024, the condition of district roads
varies significantly. Paved roads span 3,337.66 km, with only 2.31% classified
as in good condition. Gravel roads cover 42,059.17 km, with 29.12% in good
condition. Earth roads stretch 99,032.93 km, with a substantial 68.57% in poor
condition,” he noted.
Over the past three years, TARURA has achieved
significant milestones, including the construction of 923.96 km of paved roads,
22,815.98 km of gravel roads, and 378 new bridges.
The agency has successfully implemented the second
TARURA Strategic Plan (2021/22 – 2025/26), benefiting from increased budget
allocations.
Notable funding has come from development partners
such as the World Bank and the European Union, supporting various ongoing and
completed projects.
To address the financial constraints, TARURA is
working to secure increased funding through various sources. This includes
continued involvement with the World Bank on major projects like the RISE
program, collaboration with the European Union (Agriconnect) focusing on
critical rural and agricultural road networks, and exploring new partnerships
with other international donors for large-scale projects such as the Msimbazi
River Basin development.
Looking ahead, TARURA plans to expand funding sources,
including public-private partnerships (PPPs), prioritize high-impact projects
that boost economic and social returns, and emphasize cost-efficiency by
utilizing local materials and innovative technologies.
These efforts aim to significantly improve road
infrastructure, enhance accessibility, and support sustainable economic growth
across Tanzania.
For further details on TARURA’s projects and future
plans, please visit their official website or contact their public relations
office.