By Our Reporter
More than TZS330 billion has been channelled into the Road Fund within a month, raising expectations of faster implementation of road projects after the Government introduced direct transfers to the fund.
Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said the money would be directed towards rehabilitating roads critical to economic activities, settling outstanding payments to contractors who had suspended work and providing advance payments to contractors awaiting the start of construction.
The move is intended to address funding bottlenecks that have affected road projects, particularly delays in payments that have forced some contractors to suspend operations.
“Since we passed the budget, I have witnessed more than TZS330 billion being channelled into the fund within just one month,” Dr Mwigulu said on Saturday, November 7, 2026, while addressing residents at Mwanhuzi Bus Stand in Bomani Village, Meatu District, Simiyu Region.
He said the Government had identified three priorities for the funds, with emphasis on restoring stalled projects and ensuring contractors could resume or begin construction.
The announcement comes as communities continue to demand improved road infrastructure to facilitate the movement of people and goods, particularly in areas where poor connectivity increases transport costs and limits access to markets and social services.
On the Nkoma–Lalago road, which stretches 65 kilometres, Dr Mwigulu said the contractor would receive an advance payment to enable construction to begin to bitumen standards.
He also directed Works Minister Masanja Kungu Kadogosa to expedite the design of a road linking Simiyu and Singida through Meatu and Iramba East districts, with a view to including the project in the next financial year's budget.
Beyond infrastructure financing, the Prime Minister used the meeting to address concerns over access to healthcare, warning health facilities against charging children under the age of five for treatment.
“The guidelines are clear: treatment for children under five is free. Why are you charging them?” he asked.
He directed health workers to attend to pregnant women arriving at hospitals in labour without unnecessary delays.
Dr Mwigulu also condemned the practice of requiring families of emergency patients to raise money for fuel before ambulances can transfer them to referral hospitals, saying such demands should not stand in the way of accessing urgent medical care.
On water supply, he directed Meatu District leaders to work with residents and technical experts to assess a proposal to construct a dam on the Mwanhuzi River.
The directive followed concerns raised by Meatu MP Salum Khamis Salum over persistent water shortages in the area.
The Prime Minister said that if technical assessments recommended using the site of the former dam, leaders should respect the court's decision and engage residents who won the case on compensation arrangements.
Earlier, Deputy Minister for Water Engineer Kundo Andrea Mathew said Mwanhuzi town required 3.8 million litres of water daily but produced only 1.7 million litres, leaving a substantial gap in supply.
He attributed the shortage partly to declining water levels at Mwanyahina Dam, which serves the town. Five boreholes drilled in the area had also failed to produce sufficient water for distribution to residents.
Meanwhile, Dr Mwigulu said the Government would pay compensation to livestock keepers who won court cases after finding their animals had died while in custody when they went to collect them.
He said the outstanding compensation amounted to approximately TZS3.8 billion.