By The Respondent Reporter
Minister of Construction, Abdallah Ulega, led an important meeting between government officials and senior executives of construction companies overseeing infrastructure projects, including the Fourth Phase Bus Rapid Transit (BRT4), bridges, and other roadworks across Tanzania.
The meeting was held at the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) offices on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in response to delays in these projects and growing complaints of heavy traffic congestion in the affected areas.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Ulega explained that the gathering was part of ongoing measures following his inspection visit on March 4, 2025, when he assessed the progress of the BRT4 infrastructure development.
During the visit, contractors at the project sites were unable to provide satisfactory answers regarding the delays, prompting the call for senior officials from the companies' headquarters in China to attend the meeting.
“We are pleased that the company leaders are now here in Tanzania, and we had a valuable opportunity to discuss the issues with them. They have shared their challenges, though these do not justify the significant delays. Nevertheless, we have set new commitments to ensure the projects are completed on time and to the highest standards,” said Minister Ulega.
During the meeting, various companies made formal written commitments to the government regarding the completion of their respective projects.
Among them was Shandong, which is responsible for the construction of BRT infrastructure from Mwenge to Tegeta.
Another key player, China Geo Corporation (CGC), is handling the roads from the city center to Mwenge and from Mwenge to Ubungo via Sam Nujoma Road.
Minister Ulega also addressed the considerable delays experienced by Shandong on the Omurushaka - Kyerwa road project.
The company acknowledged the issue and assured the Minister that work would resume by the end of April 2025. Minister Ulega is planning an inspection of the site in early May 2025 to assess progress.
According to Minister Ulega, the BRT4 project is scheduled for completion by April 30, 2025. However, the contractors have requested an additional 12 months to finalize their work.
In response, the government, through the Ministry of Construction, is currently reviewing the request, considering two potential options: terminating the contracts or granting an extension under stringent conditions.
The contractors attributed several factors to the delays, including the El Niño rains, delays in relocating electrical cables, water pipes, and gas lines—issues that fall outside the contractors' responsibility.
Minister Ulega stressed that government institutions must work more closely together to expedite the process of relocating these infrastructures, thereby preventing further delays.
In addition, Minister Ulega highlighted concerns regarding the Morogoro road expansion project, particularly the issue of mud during the rainy season between Ubungo and Kimara. He confirmed that experts would immediately address this issue.
To mitigate traffic congestion in areas affected by the BRT4 construction delays, Minister Ulega revealed that contractors working on the Mwenge to Tegeta section had committed to adding more U-turns and bypass routes within the next two weeks.
“This initiative is aimed at alleviating congestion on the Mwenge - Tegeta road, while similar measures will be implemented on Sam Nujoma Road to Ubungo, Ubungo to Mwenge, and Mwenge to Morocco,” Minister Ulega explained.
The government will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure minimal disruption to the public.
“Now, it is the job of our experts to ensure that we hold the contractors accountable for the delays in these projects. Time is of the essence, and these projects will be completed as scheduled so that citizens can enjoy their roads,” concluded Minister Ulega, emphasizing that the government would continue to hold contractors accountable to ensure work is carried out efficiently.