Minister for Works, Abdallah Ulega, has presented a TSh 2.28 trillion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, pledging continued expansion of Tanzania’s road and bridge networks while underscoring the importance of efficiency, transparency, and human dignity in project execution.
Addressing Parliament in Dodoma, Ulega emphasized that despite significant progress in recent years, some areas remain inaccessible, especially during the rainy season.
“Mr. Speaker, while we have made commendable strides in road and bridge construction, there are still regions that remain unreachable at certain times of the year,” he said.
“In this budget, I assure the House that the government will intensify its efforts to connect all corners of the country, not just to accelerate national development but also to ensure our citizens live in dignity.”
The proposed budget allocates funds for both recurrent expenditures and development projects, with strategic focus areas including expansion of transport infrastructure, decongestion of urban centers, empowerment of local contractors, installation of streetlights, and deployment of technology to eliminate inefficiencies and corruption at weighbridges.
The Minister emphasized that every construction initiative must consider the well-being of the people. He revealed that President Samia Suluhu Hassan consistently instructs him to assess the human impact of infrastructure damage whenever he is dispatched to disaster-affected regions.
“I have personally witnessed the devastating effects of flooding from the southern regions to Morogoro,” Ulega said.
“President Samia always begins by asking: Are the people safe? That shows our priorities go beyond just structures we are committed to ensuring our citizens are not left to live in substandard conditions.”
Ulega announced that new technologies will soon be introduced at weighbridges, including automated cameras and advanced machines that operate without human control. This is aimed at reducing errors, eliminating corruption, and easing complaints from road users.
“There have been numerous grievances from drivers about extortion and inaccurate weight readings,” he said. “This shift to automated systems will drastically reduce such challenges.”
In a move welcomed by the local construction industry, Ulega revealed the government has raised the ceiling for projects reserved for Tanzanian contractors from TSh 10 billion to TSh 50 billion.
“This decision will empower local firms to compete and grow, helping retain more money within the country and enhancing their capacity to take on larger-scale projects,” he explained.
To enhance road safety and promote economic activities at night, the government plans to install 5,200 streetlights along major roads in over 200 towns nationwide.
Reflecting on the achievements of the current financial year, Ulega said the government is proud of the near-completion of the Magufuli Bridge in Mwanza, now 99 percent finished.
Stretching 3.2 kilometers, the bridge will be the longest in East Africa and is expected to drastically reduce travel time in the Lake Zone from over two hours to just three minutes.
He also cited improvements in the Kigamboni area, where the launch of ferry services by the Bakhresa Group has eased transport challenges for daily commuters.
Parliament began debating the Works Ministry’s budget on May 4, and discussions will continue until May 6, when Minister Ulega is expected to present his concluding remarks.