The Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) has expressed optimism that the Government’s commitment in ensuring sufficient funds were allocated towards infrastructure projects in Songwe would soon be vindicated, TPJ can report.

Speaking to the press recently when inspecting implementation of construction projects in the region, Tanroads Acting Regional Manager for Songwe Region, Eng.  Suleiman Bishanga commended contractors on various projects for successfully meeting their contractual obligations.

He said while the Government was generously disbursing huge sums of money for implementation of various development projects, infrastructure being one of the priorities, road contractors were also doing their best in ensuring that 11.29billion shillings allocated for road works in the Financial Year 2022/2023, brought about tangible results for improving the region’s economy.

“The government has prioritized four projects in Songwe Region which will revamp the economy, considering that this is the main gate for SADC… a lot of cargo passes through Songwe from Dar es Salaam to neighboring countries,” said Eng. Bishanga.

Highlighting specific projects which have been prioritized and are implemented under the agency in Songwe, he said they include the 218km four ways Tunduma-Igawa Road, which aims at boosting the intercountry trade between Tanzania and Zambia as well as the 130km Mlowo- Kamsamba which includes a 17 kilometer diversion road.

Furthermore, he said other infrastructures are the 50km Mpemba-Isongole Road, the 124km Katumba - Songwe Road which, connects Songwe, Mbeya and Malawi.

“Currently, Tanroads Songwe covers the road network with a total of 982 kilometers, whereby 255 kilometers are tarmac roads and 727 are gravel roads, as well as 224 bridges,” the Acting Regional Manager told the press.

According to him, the government is planning to construct roads which will connect Songwe-Mbeya-Tabora and Singida, starting from Chang'ombe - Patamela and Makongolosi in Songwe.

He also said there were plans to construct a short road sections to connect Viwawa Town and Mpemba as well as a diversion road to Tunduma.