THE Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) in Tanga Region has recorded significant progress in the implementation of road infrastructure projects, with 80 percent of projects under the 2024/2025 financial year already completed.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, the TARURA Tanga Regional Manager, Engineer George Tarimo, said the remaining 20 percent of the projects are at their final stages and are expected to be completed within the planned timelines.
Engineer Tarimo attributed the achievement to effective project supervision and improved availability of funds, noting that in previous years TARURA largely depended on the Road Fund as its main source of financing.
28 Projects Awarded to Contractors.
Commenting on the current 2025/2026 financial year, Engineer Tarimo said TARURA has already commenced the implementation of new projects, with 28 projects officially handed over to contractors for execution.
He added that, overall, 125 road projects are expected to be implemented across Tanga Region during the current financial year, reflecting a significant increase in both budget size and project scope compared to five years ago.
Budget Boost Through Multiple Funding Sources.
According to Engineer Tarimo, a total of Tsh 37.7 billion has been allocated for road infrastructure development in Tanga Region for the 2025/2026 financial year.
He explained that the funds have been mobilised from three main sources:
Tsh 13.2 billion from the Road Fund,
Tsh 6.5 billion from Constituency Development Funds,
Tsh 7.4 billion from fuel levy collections.
The diversification of funding sources, he said, has strengthened TARURA’s capacity to implement more projects concurrently and reduced reliance on a single funding stream.
Shift to Solar-Powered Street Lights.
Engineer Tarimo further noted that TARURA continues to rehabilitate road infrastructure, despite challenges posed by deliberate vandalism of some facilities by individuals with malicious intent.
He cited street lighting as one of the areas that had been contributing to high electricity costs, prompting TARURA to initiate a transition from conventional electric street lights to solar-powered lighting systems.
He said the replacement exercise has already begun in selected areas and will continue in tandem with ongoing and upcoming road rehabilitation projects across the region.
Community Participation in Road Maintenance.
Engineer Tarimo also revealed that TARURA is implementing a special strategy aligned with the 30 percent local ownership policy, aimed at enabling community members to actively participate in road infrastructure maintenance.
The initiative will be executed through the Community-Based Routine Maintenance programme, which allows residents to carry out minor road maintenance works and receive payment for their services.
He said the programme is expected to roll out initially in Korogwe, Lushoto and Pangani, where registered community groups are already in place, and is anticipated to generate employment while fostering a sense of ownership among local residents.
Call for Public Stewardship.
In conclusion, Engineer Tarimo urged residents of Tanga Region to safeguard road infrastructure, emphasizing that proper care and protection of public assets are critical to accelerating sustainable socio-economic development in the region.