Minister for Works, Abdallah Ulega, has issued a firm directive to the Chinese contractor, CHICO, to complete the 16.4-kilometre Kikombo–Chololo–Mapinduzi tarmac road—leading to the headquarters of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF)—by December 2025.
Speaking in Dodoma on June 1, 2025, after inspecting the slow-moving project alongside Defence and National Service Minister Dr. Stergomena Tax, Ulega expressed dissatisfaction with the current pace of implementation, citing shortages of workers and construction equipment as major setbacks.
“We’ve assessed the road, and I am not pleased with the current speed of work,” said Ulega. “I am now giving clear instructions: the contractor must operate day and night, bring in more machinery and personnel, and create job opportunities for local residents. This project must be delivered on time and to the quality standards agreed in the contract.”he added
He further directed CHICO to revise and improve its work plan to fast-track the remaining activities, which include the construction of culverts and bridges along the road.
Minister Ulega also revealed that the government is in the final stages of the procurement process to select a contractor for a major road expansion project upgrading the highway from Chamwino State House to central Dodoma into four and six lanes.
Defence Minister Dr. Stergomena Tax expressed optimism that the Kikombo–Mapinduzi road project would be completed within the stipulated timeframe and meet all technical standards.
Dodoma District Commissioner, Alhaj Jabir Shekimweri, commended the two ministers for their visit, noting that the road will significantly improve connectivity between Dodoma Urban and Chamwino districts, thus accelerating local development.
Providing a status update, TANROADS Director of Projects, Engineer Japherson Nnko, assured the ministers of close supervision of the project.
He confirmed that the construction has so far reached 51 percent completion and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to meeting the project deadline.
