Tanzania: Progress on Kia-Mirerani Road Resumes

Posted on : Tuesday, 13th January 2015

Arusha — AFTER a 12-month freeze on the road connecting Kilimanjaro International Airport's (KIA) junction and the Mirerani Mining Hills of Simanjiro, work is set to resume soon, following the appointment of a new contractor.

Regional Manager, Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), Eng. Deusdedit Kakoko, told the Regional Road Board here that the previous contractor who was undertaking the project to build Mirerani road, had been relieved of his duties due to shoddy work.

"We are in the process of signing another contract with the new firm and work on Mirerani Road is set to resume soon," stated Eng. Kakoko without specifying when exactly.

The 41 kilometre road which connects the Tanzanite mining hills to Kilimanjaro Airport junction was initially executed by Ms STRADA International of the United Kingdom (UK), whose performance left a lot to be desired, prompting TANROADS to revoke the tender. Eng. Kakoko said the works entail upgrading the current gravel track to tarmac level.

The contractor, Ms STRADA International of United Kingdom was supposed to have accomplished twenty-five percent of the 26 kilometres of the road which starts from the section in Arusha to Simanjiro in Manyara Region by January, last year but until then nothing had been done. This January 2015 the road is still the same.

According to Eng. Kakoko, 26 kilometres lie within Arusha Region while the remaining 15 kilometres are mapped in Manyara.

The Mirerani hills, where Tanzanite gemstones are mined, are located in Simanjiro District. Initially, the works were estimated to cost nearly 30 bills/- upon completion, but it is now unclear if the figure remains the same.