The government has warned residents of Morogoro Municipality against dumping waste on newly constructed roads, saying the practice threatens public investment and urban safety.
The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government, Prof Riziki Shemdoe, issued the warning during an inspection of roads built under the Tanzania Cities Transforming Infrastructure and Competitiveness (TACTIC) project.
Prof Shemdoe said some residents had begun disposing of waste along the Muhimbili, Tubuyu II, Mjimwema, Barakuda and Kihonda–VETA roads, which together cover 12.85 kilometres and are yet to be officially handed over.
“These are high-quality roads built with public funds, but some people are already using them as dumping sites,” he said. “This behaviour is unacceptable.”
He said the government has spent Sh19.6 billion on the roads and urged residents to protect and maintain the infrastructure so it can serve the community for a long time.
Prof Shemdoe directed Morogoro Municipal Mayor Khalid Matengo to strengthen public awareness campaigns and ensure by-laws are enforced against those who dump waste in road drains.
“Anyone found disposing solid waste in road gutters should be fined according to municipal regulations,” he said.
Providing an update on the project, Morogoro TACTIC assistant coordinator Engineer Mboka Nkwera said implementation in the municipality has reached 94.51 percent, with contractors completing finishing works such as drainage, crossings and street lighting.
Residents welcomed the roads, saying they have improved mobility and living conditions in the municipality.
Morogoro is among 45 urban councils benefiting from the TACTIC project, which is implemented by TAMISEMI through TARURA.
