By Alfred Zacharia
The Somanga-Mtama road, a crucial link for southern Tanzania, has started to reopen after being closed due to heavy rain damage.
Experts from the Tanzania Roads Agency (TANROADS) worked day and night to repair the road, making it passable once again.
On April 8, 2025, Minister of Works Abdallah Ulega confirmed that 230 light vehicles, 10 buses, and 30 trucks carrying goods—including large stones—were able to pass through the Somanga-Mtama and Matandu areas.
The repairs took place overnight, allowing traffic to flow safely by 11:30 a.m.
Minister Ulega, who has been on-site since the previous day, shared this update while overseeing the restoration efforts in Lindi.
The repairs were carried out by the Ministry of Works, TANROADS, and the contractor involved.
“Work is still ongoing. We are strengthening the road by placing large stones in the damaged areas to allow other vehicles to pass safely,” Ulega said.
The government is still working around the clock to make sure this road remains open and accessible for everyone.
Passengers, many of whom had been stranded overnight, expressed their appreciation for the swift action taken to restore the road.
“We are so grateful to the government and especially to Minister Ulega, who has been with us all day. He promised we would travel today, and he kept his word,” said Shaaban Matwanga, a resident of Lindi, who was finally able to continue his journey to Dar es Salaam.
Ulega reassured the public that the government is committed to ensuring the road’s long-term stability and preventing future disruptions.
The ongoing repairs are part of a broader effort to improve Tanzania’s infrastructure and make travel easier for both passengers and businesses in the southern regions.
The reopening of the Somanga-Mtama road highlights the government's dedication to improving key road networks, making transportation smoother for everyone.
