By Charles Mkoka
Tanzania’s Minister of Works, Hon. Abdallah Ulega, said the country’s road network has reached 182,000 kilometres, pushing back against what he described as misleading narratives circulating online about the state of national infrastructure.
Speaking at an official event attended by senior government leaders, including the guest of honour, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI), Ulega said Tanzania’s road coverage spanning both rural and urban areas places it among the leading countries in the region in terms of infrastructure reach.
He noted that 16,100 kilometres of roads are already paved, while an additional 5,100 kilometres are under construction and 5,700 kilometres have secured contracts, reflecting continued expansion under the government’s infrastructure agenda.
Ulega also directed agencies, including the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) and TANROADS, to strengthen coordination in project implementation, saying closer collaboration would reduce confusion among citizens and improve service delivery.
Turning to urban development, the minister described the Msimbazi Valley improvement project as a flagship initiative expected to transform Dar es Salaam’s landscape and boost tourism.
He said the project aims to deepen the Msimbazi River and develop modern infrastructure that will support recreational activities, including small boats and gondola-style transport linking different parts of the city.
The development is also expected to introduce public parks, entertainment spaces, and child-friendly facilities, while allowing visitors to experience the city from new vantage points, including beneath newly constructed bridges.
Officials say the project is part of broader efforts under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration to modernise infrastructure and position Dar es Salaam as a regional hub for tourism and urban investment.
