The government is set to transform the Katavi region into a major economic and strategic hub by paving all its key roads, Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba has announced.
Dr. Nchemba made the announcement today in Katavi while laying the foundation stone for the 112-kilometre Kagwira–Ikola–Karema road.
The project will link Mpanda town to Lake Tanganyika at Karema port, improving port operations and stimulating economic activities in the region.
“We are committed to upgrading the Rukwa–Mpanda and Mpanda–Kigoma roads to bitumen standards. This will make Katavi a strategic and economically vibrant region,” Dr. Nchemba said.
Deputy Minister for Works, Eng. Godfrey Kasekenya, said the Kagwira–Karema road has been upgraded from a regional road to a trunk road.
This ensures it will meet high construction standards, allowing heavy trucks to transport goods efficiently to and from the fully developed Karema port.
The road has been divided into two sections for construction: Kagwira–Kasekese (54.1 km) and Kasekese–Karema (56 km). It will feature seven major bridges and 88 smaller ones, with an estimated cost of TZS 219 billion.
Eng. Kasekenya also revealed that the government is paving other strategic roads, including Kibaoni–Sitalike (72 km) and Vikonge–Mishamo to Uvinza (156 km), connecting Rukwa, Katavi, and Kigoma.
Once completed, this network will open the entire Lake Tanganyika shoreline to trade and economic growth.
