The government has directed contractors implementing major infrastructure projects to prioritise human dignity and reduce inconvenience to the public, in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s development philosophy.
The Minister for Works, Mr Abdallah Ulega, issued the directive in Ruvuma Region during an inspection of the ongoing construction of the Kitahi–Amani Makoro–Ruanda–Ndumbi Port road, an 85-kilometre tarmac project being implemented by China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG).
Mr Ulega said infrastructure development should go beyond physical completion and focus on addressing social challenges arising during construction.
He stressed that contractors must first take practical measures that protect communities before accelerating works.
“If you are awarded a construction contract, think first about how to ease people’s lives. If there is a risk of water entering homes, install culverts first and then continue with construction,” he said.
The inspection followed concerns raised by Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba over the slow pace of the project, despite the contractor having already received payment from the government.
Mr Ulega said delays were unacceptable, particularly where challenges could be resolved through proper planning and commitment.
At the project site, the minister instructed the contractor to accelerate construction works and address key issues, including the construction of pedestrian crossings, widening of drainage systems, extension of culverts in the Amani Makoro area, and installation of street lighting from Kitahi to Amani Makoro to support safety and economic activity.
Mr Ulega reiterated that President Samia expects completed projects to leave the public satisfied, adding that road and bridge construction must respect human dignity and address existing challenges.
The minister also directed the TANROADS Ruvuma Regional Manager to establish designated truck parking areas within the road reserve at Amani Makoro to prevent heavy vehicles from parking along the road shoulders and damaging the infrastructure.
Providing an update on the project, TANROADS Ruvuma Regional Manager, Engineer Salehe Mkwama, said the TZS60.4 billion project has been divided into three sections.
The first section, covering five kilometres from Kitahi to Amani Makoro, has been completed, while the 35-kilometre Amani Makoro–Ruanda section has reached 41 per cent completion.
He said the second section was initially scheduled for completion in December 2025 but encountered several challenges.
Some have already been addressed, while others are still being resolved, with completion now expected in April 2026.
Engineer Mkwama assured the minister that all directives would be implemented, including the installation of streetlights, noting that the project includes 880 lights to be installed in populated areas and on major bridges to enhance safety and security.
CRSG employer’s representative, Mr Themistocles Rugabela, apologised for the slow pace of implementation and asked the minister to convey an apology to the Prime Minister.
He pledged that the contractor would intensify work, operating day and night to complete the project within the agreed timeframe and quality standards.
Earlier, residents of Amani Makoro requested the minister to address the challenge of pedestrian crossings, citing safety concerns for schoolchildren and other road users.