By Charles Mkoka
Road construction across the country adheres to strict environmental guidelines, ensuring the participation of village and local governments in the process.
This long-standing procedure is followed by all contractors in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
This year, a total of 207 kilometers of roads are set to be upgraded to tarmac level nationwide, with an additional 25 kilometers planned for Dar es Salaam.
A government representative emphasized that Dar es Salaam has prioritized road infrastructure as a crucial driver of the city’s overall development. He further stated that expanding and improving inner-city roads is vital to unlocking economic and social opportunities.
The Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (Tarura) has reached 60% completion of its projects as of June this year. Roads constructed under Tarura’s management are reported to be in good condition, with quality standards continuing to improve.
In efforts to optimize costs, the agency is utilizing stone paving techniques to make road construction more affordable while maintaining durability. Additionally, Tarura is working to enhance connectivity between major highways managed by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) to ensure seamless transportation networks.
To further alleviate traffic congestion, the government is reinforcing feeder roads, particularly those leading to essential community infrastructure such as health centers, schools, and markets.
Lucy, Tarura’s information officer, affirmed that all public feedback, including environmental concerns, is being carefully reviewed to enhance project implementation and service delivery.
She also announced that Tarura is developing specialized contractor packages to streamline project management and ensure efficiency in road construction initiatives.
A high-level meeting was convened by Tarura’s national office on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with the Dar es Salaam regional office overseeing the discussions. The CEO emphasized the importance of operational collaboration among stakeholders, including journalists, to foster long-term partnerships for national development.
"We aim to enhance public awareness about the roads we are working on and highlight the collective responsibility of preserving, improving, and developing these roads for the benefit of all," a Tarura representative stated.
The meeting underlined Tarura’s commitment to transparency and engagement, reinforcing its role in the nation’s ongoing infrastructure transformation.