As Tanzania prepares to mark its 60 years' Independence Anniversary in a few days, the country boasts of major set up and facelift to its transport infrastructures of over 36,000 kilometres road network and 2,707 km of metre gauge railway. Besides, the execution of the first phase of 1,219 km Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza continues well, with the 300 km Dar es Salaam-Morogoro line standing at 93,7 percent, awaiting trials next month.
As veins allow blood to flow in humans, transport infrastructures allow goods and services to move from one place to another, thus stimulating a country's economic growth and people's development. Works and Transport Minister, Prof. Makame Mbarawa disclosed this as he was outlining the achievements, challenges and direction of the ministry ahead of Tanzania's 60 years' Anniversary Commemoration next month.
"The success recorded in the country's road network since independence in 1961 accounts for an increased 1,360 km paved roads in 1961 to 11,186 km by September, this year, thus facilitating transport and transportation services in various parts of the country," said Eng. Mbarawa. For the works and transport sector that oversees construction, maintenance and repair of roads, bridges, ferries, airports, houses and government buildings, he noted that the achievements have been reflected in the budget increase of 2.1bn/- (1962/1963) to 1.5tri/- in 2021/2022.
Prof. Mbarawa noted that regular improvements are carried out with emphasis placed on construction and rehabilitation of major highways, regional and district roads and bridges with a goal of bringing reliable and affordable transport and transportation services in the country. The Minister cited an example of the residents and people who currently use 15 hours to ply from Dar es Salam to the Lake Zone, instead of the over 30 hours used to arrive to the same destination, noting that some had to incur the hustle of travelling through neighbouring Kenya (Nairobi).
He went on to reveal that the government is currently executing different stages of road construction projects comprising of 1,593 km, including the Dodoma outer ring road (112,3 km), Tabora-Koga-Mpanda (366 km), Kabingo Kibondo Town-Kasulu-Manyovu (287 km), Pangani-Tanga (50 km) and 50 km gravel road Lusitu-Mawengi.
According to him, the government in 2001 approved the use of funding from internal sources to execute various tarmac roads and bridge projects, a move that fast tracked the process. Such projects are a 233 km road section connecting Dar es Salaam and Southern Regions entailing Somanga - Matundu (33km), Nangurukuru - Mbwemkuru (95 km) and Mbwemkuru - Mingoyo (95 km).
Others include a total of 455 km road section connecting Dar es Salaam, Central Regions and Lake Region covering Geita - Buzirayombo - Kyamyorwa (120 km), Geita - Usagara (90 km), Dodoma - Manyoni (127 km) and Manyoni - Singida (118 km) and Tanga Region, Korogwe - Handeni - Mkata road (119 km) was implemented among many others.
He outlined completed bridges, including the Nyerere Bridge - Dar es Salaam (680 metres), Magufuli along Kilombero - Morogoro River (384 metres), Lukuledi II - Lindi (30 metres), Momba - Songwe (84 metres), Mara - Mara (94 metres), Sibiti - Singida (82 metres), Magara - Manyara (84 metres) and Ruhuhu Bridge (connecting Ruvuma and Njombe regions 98,7 metres).
Prof. Mbarawa added: "Urban and population growth have led to traffic congestion, especially in cities and metropolitan areas, prompting the government to execute projects to reduce congestion in the cities of Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Dodoma, Mbeya, Arusha and Tanga as well as municipalities like Iringa and Babati, whereby a total of 102,4 km roads are planned to be paved."
The projects comprise of expansion of the Kimara - Kibaha road (19,2 km) to eight lanes, the expansion of the Morocco - Mwenge Road (4,3 km) and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Phase I and construction of Phase II of BRT along with the Gerezani Bridge which is underway. In line with connecting regional headquarters, the government has also connected the country with neighbouring Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Zambia via a road network.
He said in the 60 years of independence, the country has constructed major and minor bridges which have been completed, which are Kirumi (Mara), Kagera River Bridge (Kagera), Rusumo Bridge (Kagera), Mkapa Bridge (Coast), Umoja Bridge (Mtwara), Kikwete Bridge (Kigoma), Sibiti (Singida), Mara (Mara), Mlalakuwa (Dar es Salaam), Momba (Rukwa), Lukuledi II (Lindi), Ruhuhu (Ruvuma / Njombe), Magufuli (Morogoro), Magara (Manyara), Nyerere (Dar es Salaam), Kavuu (Katavi), Lower Ruvu (Pwani) and many others.
With regard to experts in the engineering cadre, Prof. Mbarawa said the number has risen from two engineers (1961) to the current 32,145 registered engineers. "The Engineers Registration Board (ERB) has continued to supervise the implementation of training for professional engineers' identified as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the Structured Engineers Apprenticeship Programme (SEAP), whereby 3,000 graduate engineers have been attached to all the key strategic projects," he said.
As for contractors, he noted that a total of 12,382 registered contractors are recognised by the Contractors Registration Board (CRB), which includes 11,916 local contractors and 466 foreign contractors. Regarding the SGR project, he said implementation for the construction of the 422 km Morogoro -Makutupora section stands at 72,4 percent and is expected to be completed in February 2022.
He said the Mwanza-Isaka line (341 km) has reached 3,3 percent, citing that the contract suggests finalisation of work in April 2024. He revealed that the first phase train from Dar es Salaam - Morogoro will start offering services immediately after trials are completed. In enabling service delivery, a contract on the procurement of two electricity locomotives and 30 coaches have been signed waiting for their arrival in November, 2021.
Expounding further, he said another contract for procuring 17 electricity locomotives and 10 sets of multiple-unit train was signed in July 14, 2021 and are expected to arrive after 34 months. Besides, a contract for the purchase of 59 passenger coaches was signed in September 23, 2020, noting that the initial payment was done in June 2021 and the production work had reached 45 percent. "This is a two-year contract which is expected to be finalised in September, 2022 and the process for the procurement of 1,430 wagons is underway," revealed the Minister. He pointed out that the railway has been designed to have a top speed of 160 km per hour for passenger train and 120 km per hour for freight train.
"The aim of this project is to provide railway transport services to both local and international passenger and freight forwarding services to boost the country’s economy by connecting the country's ports with neighbouring landlinked countries," noted Prof. Mbarawa.