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By The Respondents Reporter
Tanzania Minister for Works, Abdallah Ulega, has issued a stern 28-day ultimatum to the Ministry and TANROADS Kagera Region to terminate a bloated 94.3 billion shilling contract for the stalled 50km Kyerwa-Omurushaka road and boot out the underperforming Chinese contractor, Shandong Luqiao Co. Ltd.
Speaking yesterday at a high-level meeting with government officials, TANROADS executives, the contractor, and local residents, Ulega lambasted the firm's negligence, which has left the vital economic artery at just 5.4% completion despite a 9.15 billion shilling advance payment.
"This road is crucial for boosting productivity in Kyerwa and Karagwe districts, but the contractor's delays have sabotaged it," he declared. "The government will no longer tolerate such incompetence on strategic projects. Complete the termination within 28 days."
Ulega also ordered TANROADS headquarters to launch a forensic probe into the advance funds, vowing legal action against any staff implicated in mismanagement.
"Those involved in embezzlement will face charges of economic sabotage alongside the contractor," he warned.
To keep the project on track, he directed the ministry to swiftly onboard a local firm and ensure timely completion, delivering relief to residents.
TANROADS Kagera Manager, Engineer Joel Samwel Mwambuungu, blamed the impasse on the contractor's chronic shortages of equipment and labor. With 43% of the project timeline already elapsed, progress remains dismal, turning what should be a lifeline for trade into a persistent headache.
Kagera Regional Commissioner, Fatma Mwassa, echoed the frustration, calling for asset seizures from the firm. "They've pocketed billions for years with zero results. Our people suffer bad roads, skyrocketing fares—while their own country boasts flawless highways. Act now for Tanzanians," she urged.
Local residents painted a grim picture of the fallout: soaring transport costs, impassable village routes, delayed farm produce to markets, and deepening poverty. "This road delay cripples our crops, businesses, and services," one farmer lamented.
They implored authorities to enforce Ulega's directive fully, replacing the laggard contractor to end their long ordeal.
The move signals President Samia's zero-tolerance stance on project delays, promising swifter accountability in Tanzania's infrastructure drive.