The Respondent Reporter - Dodoma
The Director of Regional Administration at the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Ms. Beatrice Kimoleta, has urged citizens to take responsibility for cleaning roadside drainage systems in their communities to improve sanitation and protect public infrastructure.
Ms Kimoleta made the call during her visit to the Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) pavilion at the ongoing Nane Nane National Agricultural Exhibition, held at Nzuguni Grounds in Dodoma.
She noted that some residents neglect drainage systems adjacent to their homes, resulting in poor hygiene conditions and damage to roads, especially during the rainy season.
“TARURA, continue educating the public to clean the drains near their homes. In some streets, there are well-built tarmac roads, but they’re overgrown with grass. Others have small shops blocking the view, and people dump waste directly into the drains without cleaning them,” Ms. Kimoleta said.
She emphasized that regular maintenance of drainage systems is crucial to preserving road infrastructure and preventing costly repairs.
“If people develop a habit of cleaning and protecting the roads around them, those roads will last longer,” she added.
Ms Kimoleta also praised TARURA for its efforts in expanding road networks in rural areas, highlighting the agency’s role in improving connectivity and boosting local economies.
In Kilimanjaro Region, residents of Kimangaro village in Mwika South Ward, Moshi District, lauded TARURA for supporting community-driven road construction initiatives.
Mr Frank Urio, a resident of Kimangaro, said villagers contributed resources while TARURA provided technical assistance including surveying, proper measurements, and engineering advice for building gravel roads.
“Thanks to our contribution, TARURA prioritized our road. They sent engineers to supervise the work, helped us build culverts to manage water flow, and guided us on how to lay gravel. Their support made our efforts more effective,” said Mr. Urio.
He called on residents in Kimangaro, Kiruweli, and surrounding villages to protect the roads by keeping them clean, avoiding littering, and preserving road signs and infrastructure.
“Let’s maintain the roads we’ve built together. That means no dumping trash and no destroying signs. These roads are ours, and we must take care of them,” he urged.
This collaboration between communities and government agencies demonstrates how combining local initiative with technical expertise can overcome funding challenges and improve rural infrastructure.
TARURA’s work supports the government’s Vision 2025, which prioritizes inclusive infrastructure development and rural transformation.