Tanzania, delays in completing the four-lane road project from Uyole to the airport have begun to put pressure on internal city roads, with local leaders warning that the diversion of heavy traffic is accelerating damage to infrastructure within residential areas.
A Member of the CCM National Executive Committee (NEC) from Mbeya Region, Ndele Mwaselela, told journalists on April 18, 2026, that the continued delay is forcing heavy trucks and other large vehicles to use alternative routes through city streets, which were not designed to carry such loads.
He said this situation is contributing to rapid deterioration of paved internal roads, as well as the emergence of potholes and structural weaknesses in several neighbourhoods.
“For example, a vehicle travelling from Kabwe to Ilomba may now pass through areas near the former airport. These are residential roads that were not built for heavy trucks. As a result, we are now witnessing faster destruction of these roads,” Mwaselela said.
He added that the completion of the four-lane road would significantly reduce traffic congestion and redirect heavy vehicles away from inner-city roads, helping to preserve public infrastructure and reduce maintenance costs for Government.
Mwaselela stressed that CCM will continue to engage Government leadership to ensure the project is completed on time, noting that further delays could increase long-term costs for road repairs across the city.
“We will continue to use party structures and our engagement with Government to emphasize the importance of completing this project. Delays are now creating losses that may become more expensive than completing the work on time,” he said.
He also called for increased budget allocations to the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), saying internal roads are heavily used by citizens in their daily activities and therefore require priority attention in national planning and funding.
His remarks follow a question raised in Parliament by Mbeya Special Seats MP Suma Fyandomo, who sought clarification on when the Government would ensure full completion of the four-lane road from Uyole to the airport.
Responding to the question, Deputy Minister for Works, Engineer Godfrey Kasekenya, said delays in the project have largely been caused by the relocation of key public utilities, including electricity infrastructure, as well as water and sewerage systems.
He said overall implementation of the project has reached 41.7 percent, while efforts are ongoing to complete the relocation of utilities in some sections to allow full continuation of construction works.
The Government has assured that once completed, the four-lane road will ease traffic congestion in Mbeya City, improve road safety, and enhance economic activities by providing a more efficient transport corridor for both passengers and cargo.
