The government has secured 65 million US dollars to urgently restore damaged roads and bridges across the country, aiming to improve transport services and reconnect communities affected by extreme weather conditions.
The funds have been channelled to the Rural and Urban Roads Agency TARURA under an emergency financing window known as the Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC), supported by the World Bank World Bank.
The support follows a nationwide assessment that confirmed widespread destruction of infrastructure caused by the 2024 El-Niño rains.
TARURA Executive Director Engineer Victor Seff said the funding is part of a soft loan arrangement that is helping the country respond quickly to urgent infrastructure needs.
He said many roads were cut off, while bridges and drainage systems were severely damaged, disrupting movement of people and goods in several regions.
He made the remarks during an inspection visit by members of the TARURA Advisory Board in Tabora Municipality, where they assessed ongoing emergency works, including the construction of a 22-metre bridge and 290 metres of access roads along Ndovelwa road, which stretches 20.2 kilometres.
Engineer Seff said the emergency programme is being implemented nationwide, with overall progress reaching about 70 percent.
He added that all works are expected to be completed by September 2026, with a focus on restoring full connectivity in affected areas.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of ongoing construction in Tabora, noting that the infrastructure being built must be strong, durable, and usable throughout the year.
He stressed that reliable roads and bridges are essential for improving access to markets, schools, health services, and agricultural activities, especially in rural communities.
He further noted that the projects are being implemented by local contractors, which helps strengthen domestic capacity and ensures that Tanzanian businesses directly benefit from government infrastructure investments.
He urged TARURA managers and supervisors across the country to maintain strong oversight to ensure quality standards are met and projects are completed on time.
The Vice Chairperson of the TARURA Advisory Board, Nunu Mangu, said the ongoing construction will greatly improve transport and communication for residents in the affected areas.
She noted that once completed, the bridge and feeder roads will ensure year-round accessibility, even during rainy seasons.
She also called on citizens to take good care of the infrastructure, saying the government continues to invest heavily through TARURA to improve road networks across the country.
She emphasized that protecting public assets is important to ensure long-term benefits and continued development for communities.
