Minister of Works, Innocent Bashungwa, has issued a stern warning to contractors working on the Dodoma Outer Ring Road, expressing dissatisfaction with the progress of the project.
During an inspection of the 112.3 km road, which is crucial for alleviating traffic congestion and improving transport flow in the capital, Bashungwa instructed the contractors to expedite their work and adhere to the project deadlines.
The Dodoma Outer Ring Road project is divided into two key sections: the Ihumwa Dry Port-Matumbulu-Nala section (60 km) and the Nala-Veyula-Mtumba-Ihumwa Dry Port section (52.3 km), both being built to tarmac standard.
The project is expected to enhance connectivity and facilitate the movement of goods and people in and around Dodoma.
While inspecting the Ihumwa-Matumbulu-Nala section, Bashungwa directed AVIC, the contractor responsible for this stretch, to present a comprehensive work plan that would ensure the road is completed by March 2025.
He urged the contractor to ramp up operations by increasing manpower, deploying additional machinery, and working both day and night to meet the deadline.
"The Deputy Permanent Secretary must work closely with AVIC to finalize a work plan that guarantees this section of the road will be completed by March 2025, as stipulated in the contract," Bashungwa emphasized.
He also gave clear instructions to China Civil Engineering Construction Cooperation (CCECC), the contractor handling the Nala-Veyula-Mtumba-Ihumwa Dry Port section, to complete their part of the project by December 2024. Bashungwa made it clear that no extensions would be granted for this phase, insisting that the project must be delivered on schedule.
Bashungwa also tasked Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr. Charles Msonde to intensify oversight of the entire project, emphasizing that underperforming contractors should not be awarded future contracts.
He reinforced the government's dedication to easing traffic and enhancing transport services in Dodoma, highlighting plans to expand major access roads into the city, including Dodoma City-Ikulu Chamwino, Dodoma City-Msalato, and Dodoma City-Mkonze (SGR), to four lanes.
TANROADS Project Manager, Engineer Herman Laswai, confirmed that AVIC had been instructed to address equipment shortages immediately.
The contractor had already received a warning letter concerning delays and the risk of no time extensions.
Engineer Deogratius Nyambo from Inter-Consult reported that the Nala-Veyula-Mtumba-Ihumwa Dry Port section is 83.6% complete, creating 505 local jobs. Similarly, Engineer Daniel Nila from PACE reported that the Ihumwa-Matumbulu-Nala section is 79.1% complete.
Bashungwa's directives reflect the government’s strong focus on completing the Dodoma Outer Ring Road on time, aiming to boost the city’s infrastructure and meet its growing transportation demands.