Rufiji. Member of Parliament and CCM parliamentary candidate for Rufiji, Mohamed Mchengerwa, has credited the past decade as a period of significant transformation in the constituency, marked by socio-economic development and a shift in public mindset.
Addressing party members in Mbwara, Chumbi and Mohoro wards as part of his campaign to seek re-election, Mchengerwa said the achievements realized over the past ten years reflect the power of collective vision and strategic leadership.
“If entrusted with another term, I will continue to work closely with the people of Rufiji to expand our economic base, building on the solid foundation we’ve laid together,” he said.
He cited substantial gains in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and energy access. According to Mchengerwa, the number of advanced secondary schools (A-Level) in Rufiji has increased from one to seven, while lower secondary schools have risen from four to 23. Primary schools have tripled from 20 to 63.
In the health sector, health centres have grown from three to nine, significantly improving access to basic services for rural communities.
“When I first entered Parliament, Rufiji had no paved internal roads. Today, we have over 20 kilometres of tarmac and more than 200 solar-powered streetlights across key urban areas,” he said.
He acknowledged the national government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for facilitating transformative projects, including the construction of four new bridges raising the total to seven.
Among them, the Mohoro Bridge alone cost TZS 17 billion and has become a critical transport link for trade and connectivity.
On future plans, Mchengerwa said strategic investments are already underway, particularly in agriculture and agro-processing.
These include commercial banana and sugarcane farming, along with a palm oil processing factory.
“These projects are expected to generate thousands of employment opportunities, especially for youth and women. They will also position Rufiji as a regional hub for agribusiness,” he noted.
He added that Rufiji has been upgraded to city council status, opening the door for World Bank-funded development projects worth TZS 30 billion. This, he said, would accelerate urban development and service delivery.
“In 2015, only 17 percent of villages in Rufiji were connected to electricity. Today, we have achieved close to 100 percent rural electrification,” he said, calling the achievement a “game-changer” for local entrepreneurship and education.
Mchengerwa concluded by urging CCM members and citizens to safeguard the gains made and maintain political stability for continued development.
“We have rewritten Rufiji’s story over the last decade. Now is the time to scale up our ambition and move from transformation to economic takeoff,” he said.