Tanzania government issues over Sh900 billion for post-El Niño, cyclone repairs

Dar es Salaam. The government of Tanzania has released $325 million (over Sh900 billion) to fund the reconstruction and repairs of infrastructure damaged by natural disasters such as El Nino and Cyclone Hidaya.

The torrential El Nino rains that battered the nation between September 2023 and April 2024, followed by Cyclone Hidaya’s destructive landfall in early May, left a trail of devastation in their wake.

The cyclone, in particular, brought with it severe winds, floods, and landslides that wreaked havoc on Tanzania’s coastal regions. Over 51,000A households were affected, and 200,000 people were impacted across the country, with 155 lives tragically lost due to the disaster.

Speaking during a press conference in Dar es Salaam, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads), Ephatar Mlavi, stated that following these disasters, the government, through Tanroads, began the process of rebuilding and repairing the affected infrastructure to restore normalcy.

“We made significant efforts to restore our infrastructure to its previous state because these disasters affected various areas of our country and neighbouring countries as well,” he said. According to him, the funds were used to rapidly repair the infrastructure, ensuring that communication was restored and that social and economic activities could continue uninterrupted.

He added that emergency measures were taken promptly for the most affected areas to ensure accessibility within a short period. “As of now, our infrastructure is in good condition, and further improvements are ongoing in areas that still face challenges,” he added.

In an earlier address to Parliament, the minister of Works, Innocent Bashungwa, outlined the extent of the damage, explaining that the country would need Sh986 billion to fully rehabilitate damaged roads and bridges.

At the time, only Sh72 billion had been released by the Treasury, with the government awaiting the final report from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) before allocating further funds. He revealed that despite these challenges, TANROADS has successfully carried out emergency repairs, ensuring the reopening of key transportation routes.

Cyclone Hidaya’s impact was most devastating in the coastal regions of Lindi, Mtwara, and Mafia Island. The cyclone’s rains and winds caused significant damage to roads and communication links, rendering routes like the Nangurukuru-Liwale impassable. In response, the government allocated an additional Sh84.13 billion for the rebuilding of the Mtwara-Lindi-Dar es Salaam highway, a crucial transport artery.

The Ministry of Works has further proposed a Sh1.7 trillion budget for the 2024/25 fiscal year to continue addressing the country’s infrastructure needs. Among the key projects are airport expansions in several regions, including Kigoma, Tabora, Mwanza, and Mtwara. The government also allocated Sh90.35 billion to expand the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Dar es Salaam.

However, the Parliamentary Infrastructure Committee expressed concerns that the proposed budget might not be enough to meet the growing demand for infrastructure projects. Committee Chairman Selemani Kakoso called for more funds to be allocated, suggesting that Sh5 trillion may be necessary to close the gaps in road and bridge construction.

In that meeting, Mr Mlavi also revealed that over the past three years, TANROADS has completed 38 road projects in various regions, including Arusha, Pwani, Dar es Salaam, Geita, Iringa, Katavi, Kigoma, Mara, Mbeya, Mtwara, Mwanza, Njombe, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Songwe, Tabora, and Simiyu.

According to him, a total of 15,343.88 kilometres of roads have entered different stages of implementation, with 1,198.50 kilometres already completed with tarmac. Additionally, 2,031.11 kilometres are currently under construction to be paved, while 2,052.94 kilometres have undergone feasibility studies and are ready for tarmac construction.

Furthermore, 4,734.43 kilometres of roads and 10 bridges are currently in the feasibility study phase, while other road projects, covering 5,326.90 kilometres and seven bridges, are undergoing detailed design preparations for tarmac construction.

Completed bridges over this period include Gerezani and Tanzanite bridges in Dar es Salaam, Wami in Coast, Kitengule in Kagera, Kiyegeya and Ruaha in Morogoro, Ruhuhu in Ruvuma, Mpwapwa in Dodoma, and Msingi in Singida.

He said currently, five major bridges under construction include the Magufuli Bridge in Mwanza, Lower Mpiji in Dar es Salaam and Mbambe in Coast. Others are Pangani, Tanga, Simiyu, and Mwanza.

In addition, 19 other bridges are being built, including Godegode, Mtera in Dodoma, Ugala in Katavi, Kamshango, Kyabakoba, Kalebe in Kagera, Bujonde, Bulome, and Ipyana in Mbeya, as well as Chakwale, Nguyami, Mkundi, Mjonga, Doma, Mkondoa in Morogoro, Lower Malagarasi in Kigoma, Sanga in Songwe, Kilambo in Mtwara, and Chemchem in Singida.