The Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mr Sospeter Mtwale, has urged the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) to sustain efforts to improve road infrastructure, saying better roads are critical to citizens’ livelihoods and economic activity.
Mr Mtwale said quality construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads should remain a priority because reliable transport networks determine how easily people access markets, social services and other economic opportunities.
He made the remarks after visiting the Prime Minister’s Office and its institutions’ joint pavilion at the 2026 National and International Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition at the Dr John Samwel Malecela grounds in Dodoma.
He challenged TARURA to continue delivering roads that respond to the needs of communities, particularly farmers who rely on rural roads to transport agricultural produce from farms to markets.
“Roads should bring a smile to citizens by making it easier to move their produce, access services and participate in economic activities,” Mr Mtwale said.
His remarks highlight the broader economic importance of rural roads beyond improving connectivity. For farmers, better roads can reduce transport difficulties, improve access to markets and help minimise losses associated with delays in moving agricultural products.
Improved roads also make it easier for communities to access schools, health facilities, markets and other essential services, while supporting the movement of goods and services between rural and urban areas.
Mr Mtwale said the efforts by TARURA were consistent with the Government’s infrastructure agenda under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which seeks to strengthen road networks as a foundation for social and economic development.
He said continued investment in road infrastructure would help unlock economic opportunities in communities and contribute to improved living standards.
The call comes as the 2026 Nanenane exhibitions provide a platform for government institutions, farmers, businesses and other stakeholders to showcase products and services while engaging citizens on initiatives aimed at strengthening agriculture and related sectors.
For TARURA, the challenge is not only to expand the road network but also to ensure that existing roads remain usable and provide lasting value to communities that depend on them every day.
