Seven different contracts have been signed for the construction of 2,035 kilometres of roads in Tanzania at 3.8 trillion shillings. The contracts were signed by Tanzania Roads Agency (TANROADS).
All the projects are expected to be completed within five year period. Once completed, the roads will spark up the country’s economy. The highways will be built through Engineering, Procurement, Construction Plus Financing (EPC+F), according to the Minister for Works and Transport.
The TANROADS Chief Executive illustrated that contractors will be obligated to do design as well as the construction of roads. Â Additionally, all risks concerning the design of the projects would be under the contractor.
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The 7 Roads in Tanzania subject to the contracts and their expectations
Prof Mbarawa, the Minister for Works and Transport, alleged that during the 2022-2023 Financial Year, the government instigated procurement procedures. The procedures will allow contractors to construct seven different roads at the tarmac level through EPC + F. Additionally, insisting that the 2,035 kilometres of roads will open the country economically.
According to him, the roads to be constructed include Kidatu – Ifakara – Lupiro – Malinyi – Kilosa Kwa Mpepo – Londo – Lumecha/Songea (435.8km). Moreover, Arusha – Kibaya – Kongwa (453.42km) is among them. Handeni – Kiberashi – Kijungu – Kibaya – Njoro – Olboroti – Mrijo Chini – Dalai – Bicha – Chambolo – Chemba – Kwa Mtoro – Singida ( 384.33km).
Others are Igawa – Songwe – Tunduma (four-lane) (237.9km); Masasi – Nachingwea – Liwale (175km). Karatu – Mbulu – Haydom – Sibiti River – Lalago – Maswa (339km) and Mafinga – Mtwango – Mgololo (81km).
Prof Mbarawa further explained the major aim of constructing these projects was to improve the road network in the country. Additionally, the projects will increase efficiency in the works and transport sectors. Moreover, they will catalyze production activities in the areas where the highways will be constructed.
Importantly, the envisaged projects will equally attract neighbouring countries to use the Tanzanian ports thus hiking revenues collected from ports. These countries include Zambia, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Southern Sudan.
