The Regional Commissioner (RC) of Manyara, Queen Cuthbert Sendiga, has called on leaders and government officials to ensure their service leaves a lasting impact, rather than just leaving their names on offices and signboards.
RC Sendiga made the remarks in Babati during a regional road board meeting attended by district commissioners, MPs, directors, council chairpersons, and other officials.
“We should not leave only nameplates as memories of our leadership. Let our work remain in the hearts of the people we serve,” RC Sendiga said.
He urged the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) and the Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) to maintain and repair roads regularly to allow smooth travel throughout the year, especially during the rainy season. He emphasized the need for emergency funds to fix roads damaged by seasonal rains.
“Roads are the backbone of Manyara’s economy. They enable people to move, transport goods, and carry agricultural produce safely and efficiently,” RC Sendiga said.
He added that roads should be upgraded progressively from dirt and gravel to paved surfaces.
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, James Ole Millya, stressed that paved roads should also reach other parts of Manyara, including Simanjiro and Kiteto districts.
Kiteto MP Edward Ole Lekaita raised concerns over a 70-kilometre section of the Arusha–Simanjiro–Kiteto–Kongwa road, noting that the current route bypasses key local communities instead of passing through areas like Mromboo in Arusha to Terrat in Simanjiro.
TANROADS Manyara Regional Manager, Engineer Dutu Masele, said the agency manages 1,657 kilometres of roads in the region, including 207 kilometres of trunk roads and 1,450 kilometres of regional roads.
All trunk roads are paved, 52 kilometres of regional roads are paved, and the remaining 1,398 kilometres are gravel. He said all roads are in good condition, with maintenance ongoing in areas affected by rains.
TARURA Manyara Regional Manager, Salim Bwaya, said the agency manages 6,898.73 kilometres of rural and urban roads, including 2,314.99 kilometres of connector roads, 3,348.64 kilometres of feeder roads, and 1,235.10 kilometres of community roads.
Of the total, 41.162 kilometres are paved, 2,432.792 kilometres are gravel, and 5,017 kilometres are earth roads.