ARUSHA — In a bold stride towards transforming Arusha into a model city, Minister of State in the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mr. Mohamed Mchengerwa, on Thursday laid the foundation stone for a landmark city administration building and witnessed the signing of infrastructure projects worth a staggering TZS 40 billion.
Speaking during the event, Mchengerwa called for speed and discipline in the implementation of the nine-storey Arusha City Council office tower, a project valued at TZS 9.8 billion and currently 62 percent complete.
He emphasized that once finished, the new office block will end the current inefficiencies caused by council staff working from scattered locations.
“I extend heartfelt thanks to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for approving the funds for this building. Once completed, it will be a game-changer in service delivery for the people of Arusha,” said the Minister.
He urged the regional and city leadership to ensure no delays hinder the project’s completion and praised Arusha Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda for resolving a long-standing political standoff that stalled the project for over five years.
Constructed by local contractor M/S Tribe Construction Ltd, the building is expected to be operational by July this year.
The day also marked a major development milestone as Mchengerwa presided over the signing of key infrastructure projects under the Tanzania Cities Transforming Infrastructure and Competitiveness (TACTIC) initiative. The projects include the Arusha Regional Central Bus Terminal, Mrombo Market, and Themi Leisure Park, jointly valued at Sh30.6 billion.
“These are not just physical projects—they represent our vision for a better future. We must take bold decisions to ensure successful implementation for the benefit of both current and future generations,” Mchengerwa declared, rallying leaders to take ownership of the developments.
He insisted that once completed, the projects must be self-sustaining and income-generating to reduce dependency on central funding.
“Our duty is to protect and maintain these expensive infrastructures. They must generate revenue for the councils. I urge local governments to ensure markets and terminals run efficiently and profitably,” he emphasized.
Mchengerwa also called on contractors to stick to timelines and uphold quality, stressing that every shilling invested must translate into visible, long-term public benefit.
The Minister further directed project consultants, including the Arusha City Council and TARURA, to ensure rigorous contract supervision, warning that any form of laxity would not be tolerated.
He reminded all council directors across the country to fully utilize in-house human and equipment resources when executing such projects, thereby enhancing efficiency and local capacity building.
The Sh40 billion worth of developments fall under the World Bank-financed TACTIC project, which involves a $410 million credit to upgrade infrastructure in 45 cities across Tanzania. The project aims to strengthen urban management and empower cities to offer better services as populations grow.
“Today’s projects are more than brick and mortar—they are bridges to a brighter tomorrow. Through TACTIC, President Samia’s Sixth Phase Government is walking the talk of inclusive development,” Mchengerwa affirmed.
The Minister’s visit ignited fresh hope for residents of Arusha, who now look forward to a more organized, clean, and investor-attractive city in the years ahead.