• Works ministry tables 3.55tri/- budget
• Govt to invest heavily in land, sea and air transport
• Earmarks new 3,934.7-km of tarmac roads
• 1.113tri/- for SGR, procuring locomotive engines, train wagons

MAJOR investments in Tanzania’s transport network are transforming life and business in the country with the government fostering further 3,934.7 new kilometres network of tarmac roads.

The country is looking to establish itself as a leading logistics hub in the region and investing heavily in land, sea and air transport.

The Ministry of Works and Transport has requested the National Assembly’s approval of a 3.55tri/- budget estimates, highlighting 19 key priorities for the financial year 2023/24.

Out of the priorities, seven are in the works sector whose implementation will add 3,934.7 new kilometres to the country’s network of tarmac roads.

Currently, the country’s network of tarmac roads stands at 11,387.82km, meaning, the additional 3,934.7 will expand the coverage to 15, 321km.

Completion of the projects will be implemented in the coming financial year, making the country to have a total of 15,522.52 km, recording an increase of 34 per cent.

Tabling the budget estimates yesterday, the Minister for Works and Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawa said the priorities include the construction of seven new road projects with a total length of 235km.

The projects, according to him, will be implemented under arrangement of Engineering Construction and Financing (EPC+C).

“In the coming financial year, the government will also commence the implementation for construction of 205 kilometers of Expressway from Kibaha in the Coast Region to Morogoro Region under Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement,” he said.

According to him, right now, the government is in the evaluation process to identify contractors, who have expressed their interest in executing the project for the Kibaha- Chalinze section that covers 78.9kilometres.

Prof Mbarawa informed the National Assembly that the consultant engineer is continuing with feasibility study for the second section from Chalinze-Morogoro at a distance of 206.1km.

The minister explained further that the government would continue with the construction of various roads projects at a length of 1031.98km that are in various stages of implementation.

“The ministry shall carry on construction of 393.6 km roads, whose contracts were signed during the current financial year 2022/23,” he said, adding the government will continue with the execution of two bridges that are Kigogo- Busisi in Mwanza, Pangani (in Tanga Region) and many others across the countries.

He also explained that before the end of the year 2023, the government will also sign contracts for the construction of 269km of tarmac roads in various areas.

The government is also determined to carry on the construction and rehabilitation of various airports, including the Msalato International Airport, whose first package is now at 18 per cent towards completion.

On transport sector, Prof Mbarawa said the government has planned to spend 1.113tri/- for the construction of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), procuring locomotive engines, train wagons for cargoes and passengers as well as conducting feasibility study for railway projects.

Other priorities to be implemented under the transport sector include upgrading of the Port of Dar es Salaam that has been allocated with a budget of 93.8bn/-, as well as improving the transport in Lake Victoria.

He also informed the House that the government has allocated 294.8bn/- for the Railway fund, 13.19bn/- for the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara), while upgrading the Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) line has been allocated a budget of 11.72bn/-.

More so, the government will invest in institutional support, continue with construction of new ships, procurement of Radar, as well as supporting operation of Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) with a budget of 300bn/-.

He said, in the coming financial year, ATCL will introduce international routes to six new destinations such as Juba South (Sudan), Dubai in the (United Arab Emirates), Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo), Lagos (Nigeria), London (United Kingdom) and reintroducing routes to Johannesburg in South Africa.

The minister noted that in increasing the fleet of ATCL, the government has procured new planes that will be received between end of this month and February next year.

A list of planes has Boeing 767-300 freight that will be received at the end of May 2023, two Boeing 737 Max-9 that will come between August and December this year and one Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that is expected in the country in February next year.

He said, in a bid to continue increasing its market share in the aviation sector, ATCL has entered into agreements with 11 airlines such as Air India, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, APG Airlines, Hahn Air, RwandAir, Precision Air, Oman Air, KLM and LAM Mozambique.

Out of the 3.55tri/- budget estimates, Prof Mbarawa said the works sector has been allocated 1.46tri/- while the remaining 2.08tri/- will be spent on the transport portfolio.