Residents of Rufiji District continue to bear the brunt of stalled road projects, as two major contractors fail to execute critical infrastructure works, threatening community safety and local development.
The Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) in Pwani Region is moving to terminate the contracts of HariCom International Ltd and Trinity Manufacturing Services after repeated failures to deliver despite receiving advance payments.
Deputy Parmanent Secretary for Infrastructure at the President’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Engineer Rogatus Mativila, who conducted an inspection of ongoing projects, warned that the delays leave residents exposed to flooding and the destruction of homes and farmlands.
“HariCom International Ltd was awarded the 1 km Polisi-Kirungi road project and received an advance payment of TZS 160 million. Yet no construction has begun, and their equipment remains abandoned at the site. Completing the project now would cost approximately TZS 1.07 billion,” Engineer Mativila said.
Trinity Manufacturing Services received TZS 460 million in August last year for another road project, scheduled for completion this November. However, no progress has been made.
“These delays are not just financial losses. Communities suffer during every rainy season as roads and drainage systems fail. Infrastructure development is essential to protect lives, farms, and livelihoods,” he added.
Engineer Mativila noted that TARURA will take strict action against the contractors, including seizing equipment left at the sites, and requested that both companies be barred from future contracts through PO-RALG.
Pwani Region TARURA Manager, Engineer Ibrahim Kibasa, said repeated attempts to contact the contractors have failed.
“Despite receiving advance payments, HariCom’s Kaunda-Kikopo project and Trinity’s other road projects have made no progress,” he said.
During the inspection, ongoing projects in other areas were observed, with supervisors pledging timely completion.
Engineer Mativila also called on Rufiji residents to maintain newly constructed drainage channels and urged the district council to strengthen public awareness on environmental sanitation.
The stalled road projects highlight the urgent need for accountability and responsible contracting to ensure that communities are protected, and development initiatives deliver tangible benefits.