By our Reporter
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Tanzania's Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) has trained engineers and regional managers on the use of Weholite pipe technology as part of efforts to improve the resilience of road infrastructure and accelerate the restoration of transport links damaged by heavy rains.
The training, conducted in partnership with Mega Pipes Solutions Ltd, brought together TARURA managers from all 26 regions and bridge design engineers to strengthen technical capacity in the planning, design and implementation of culvert and small bridge projects.
Speaking during the programme, TARURA consulting engineer Pharles Ngeleja said the initiative aims to equip engineers with practical skills to deploy Weholite technology for rapid road rehabilitation, particularly during emergencies caused by flooding.
Participants received training covering feasibility studies, engineering design and the preparation of bills of quantities (BOQs), which TARURA said will improve project planning and execution across the country.
"This technology enables us to restore road connectivity within a short period after transport links are disrupted," Ngeleja said. "We have already used it in regions including Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam, where it has helped communities regain access to essential services and economic activities with minimal disruption."
Arusha Regional Manager Nicholas Francis said the training would enhance engineers' ability to use the cost-effective technology in the construction of culverts and other water-crossing infrastructure.
According to Francis, Weholite pipes are available in diameters of up to three metres and can be used to construct culverts or small bridges spanning four to five metres. Such structures can be completed in about 30 days, allowing roads to reopen more quickly after damage.
He added that the technology has already been deployed successfully in stormwater drainage projects in Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions and is expected to have a service life of more than 100 years because of its resistance to corrosion and deterioration.
Mega Pipes Solutions sales engineer Mafikiri Mushi welcomed TARURA's continued adoption of the technology, saying broader use of Weholite systems would support the development of durable, modern and cost-efficient transport infrastructure across Tanzania.
The training forms part of TARURA's broader efforts to strengthen climate-resilient infrastructure as extreme weather events increasingly affect road networks and disrupt transport services in many parts of the country.
