Mbeya District Council has set aside TZS 80 million in the 2026/2027 financial year for the construction of a modern truck parking terminal at Songwe Valley, in a move aimed at ending chaotic roadside parking that has been threatening safety and disrupting traffic flow in Mbalizi Township.
The project is part of broader efforts by the council to address the growing challenge of heavy trucks being parked along major roads without designated facilities.
The situation has contributed to congestion, reduced road capacity, and increased risks for motorists and pedestrians using the busy routes passing through the area.
The decision was confirmed on June 24, 2026 during a Council Full Meeting where councillors reviewed responses to audit queries raised by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) for the financial year ending June 30, 2025.
Council Chairperson Aida Haule said the planned facility is expected to bring lasting relief to residents who have long been affected by indiscriminate truck parking.
She noted that the current situation has created persistent inconvenience for road users, including drivers of smaller vehicles and pedestrians, and has in some cases contributed to road accidents due to reduced visibility and obstruction along key road sections.
The new facility is expected to improve order and safety in the transport system within Mbalizi and surrounding areas.
The initiative follows directives from Mbeya Regional Commissioner Beno Malisa, who instructed the council to develop a sustainable solution to the recurring problem of truck congestion in Mbalizi.
The regional leadership has emphasized that uncontrolled parking of heavy trucks not only disrupts traffic flow but also increases the likelihood of accidents, particularly in areas where visibility is compromised.
According to Mbeya District Council Executive Director Erica Yegela, more than seven hectares of land have already been allocated in Songwe Valley for the development of the truck parking terminal.
The planned facility will accommodate over 80 trucks per day, significantly easing pressure on urban roads currently used as informal parking areas.
Yegela added that the project is also expected to improve the council’s revenue collection through parking fees, while enhancing efficiency in the management of freight transport within the district.
She said better regulation of truck parking will help streamline logistics operations and create a more organized transport environment for businesses and service providers.
Once completed, the modern truck terminal is expected to transform transport management in Mbalizi by reducing roadside congestion, improving safety for all road users, and supporting wider economic activities that depend on efficient movement of goods through the region.
The project also aligns with ongoing efforts by local authorities to modernize infrastructure and strengthen urban planning in fast-growing townships facing increasing pressure from economic growth and rising transport demand.
