He also assured contractors undertaking various road projects of the government's commitment to pay them fully their outstanding payments, saying funds are available.

 

Mr Ngonyani made the remarks after visiting several ongoing projects including the Uyovu-Bwanga- Biharamulo 112 kms road, which is being upgraded to tarmac level at a cost of 54.875bn/-.

 

The Regional Manager of the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads), Engineer Andrea Kasamwa named some of the completed projects to include the 154 kms Kagoma-Lusahunga highway, which cost a total of 159.685 bn/- on completion.

 

Construction of the 59.1 kms Kyaka-Bugene road had attained 95.2 per cent performance and was expected to cost 64.961bn/- on completion. Construction of the 50 kms Kibondo- Nyakanazi road had attained 15.8 per cent performance and was expected to cost a total of 45.986 bn/-.

 

Construction of the Bwanga- Biharamulo 67kms road to tarmac level had attained 33 per cent. Rehabilitation of the 110 kms Ushirombo -Lusahunga road linking Shinyanga and Kagera region was in progress.

 

Part of the 58 kms were in Shinyanga region, while 52 kms were in Kagera region. The project was estimated to cost a total of 114.557 bn/- upon completion. Rehabilitation of the Kyamyorwa- Buzirayombo 41kms had attained 40.7 per cent. During 2016/17 financial year the region estimated to spend a total of 13.081 bn/- on roads sector.

Out of the amount, 7.013bn/- was for improvement of 770.3kms trunk roads and 136 bridges while 6.068bn/- was for improvement of 736.7kms regional roads and 37 bridges. According to Engineer Kasamwa, the region has a total of 7,505 kms roads network while 1,917 kms were being supervised by Tanroads.

 

925 kms equivalent of 48.2 per cent were in good condition, 849.6 kms (about 44.3 per cent) were in average condition while 143.4 kms (about 7.5 per cent) were in poor condition. Deputy Minister Ngonyani appealed to engineers under Tanroads to closely supervise the projects and ensure that the roads reached the required standard.

 

He assured residents in Kagera region that detailed designs for the Omugakorongo-Kigarama- Murongo 112kms road were in progress. The road would be up graded to tarmac level linking Karagwe and neighbouring Uganda.

 

He challenged leaders in the region to work as one team and should not divide people on political differences. This follows reports that a section of leaders in Kyerwa District wanted the Omurushaka-Murongo 125kms road to be given priority.

 

"The government will first complete the Omugakorongo- Kigarama-Murongo road, which was among pledges made by retired President Jakaya Kikwete during 2010 campaigns. Due to financial constraints the Bugene -Murongo road will be undergoing periodic maintenance," he said.

 

Deputy Minister Ngonyani directed institutions under the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications to operate profitably and contribute to DAILY NEWS FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016 11 Target realised as road projects make headway "The government will first complete the Omugakorongo- Kigarama- Murongo road, which was among pledges made by retired President Jakaya Kikwete during 2010 campaigns. Due to financial constraints the Bugene -Murongo road will be undergoing periodic maintenance" the Consolidated Fund (CF).

"Institutions under the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications must stop depending solely to get salaries from the central government. You must operate profitably and avoid bureucratic tendencies," he said.

 

He named the Institutions to include Tanzania Building Agency (TBA), Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), Tanzania Telecommunications Company (TTCL), Tanzania Electrical Mechanical and Electronics Services (TEMESA), Tanzania Postal Services(TPS) and Surface and Marine Transport (SUMATRA). Minister Ngonyani said all highways and trunk roads in the country should have zebra crossings instead of speed bumps.

 

He directed officials under TANROADS to consider increasing the rate of fines collected from unruly drivers who intentionally damage roads through overloading, "Weigh bridges should not be a source of revenue. This has contributed to corruption and damaging roads," he said.

 

He directed TEMESA to increase rates collected on ferries operating along border areas especially on areas frequently used by traders crossing to a neighbouring country to make business transactions.

 

This, he said, will generate more revenue. Minister Ngonyani assured residents in Kagera region that the government had allocated funds in the 2016/2017 budget for buying a new ship to operate along Lake Victoria.

 

"Government has allocated funds in this financial year for buying a new ship and rehabilitate Mv Victoria and Mv Serengeti which were currently grounded in Mwanza South Port undergoing major rehabilitation," he said.

 

He also visited the Rusumo One Stop Border Post (OSBP) where he was informed that the post was facing acute water shortage. The officials asked government to utilise fully some of the containers lying idle as temporary bureau de change posts.

 

The Rusumo One Stop Border Post (OSBP) was officially opened by President John Magufuli and President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda. President Magufuli appealed to Tanzania and Rwanda residents to utilise fully the opportunities availed as the Rusumo International Bridge and One Stop Border Post (OSBP) for robust economic transformation, poverty reduction and improved livelihoods.

 

President Magufuli made the remarks during the opening of Rusumo International Bridge and One Stop Border Post (OSBP), saying the move aimed at easing congestion and delays in transportation of goods.

 

"Utilise fully the opportunities available through the Rusumo International Bridge and One Stop Border Post to bring about not only your own development but improved economies of the two countries" he said.

 

Dr Magufuli further stressed the importance on unity among East African Community (EAC) member countries, saying that such unity would make the countries stronger economically and speed up peoples' development.

 

He noted that the EAC countries -- Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and South Sudan, with a combined population of 165 million, had a better chance to hasten peoples' development." I hereby appeal to all residents in the EAC region to utilise this opportunity by trading and making business together. With unity we can perform 

Source : allafrica.com