Chadema faults govt for ‘neglecting’ resource-rich southern regions

Dar es Salaam. The opposition political party, Chadema, has expressed concern over the road infrastructure challenges facing the country’s southern regions, arguing that despite the area's wealth of natural resources, citizens continue to suffer from persistent issues.

Party leaders cited dilapidated roads and collapsing bridges as a major impediment to development.

The party stated that these challenges have obstructed the movement of people and transportation of agricultural produce, stifling economic growth in a region that should be thriving.

Chadema said that despite frequent visits by government officials to the region, where citizens are urged to remain vigilant, tangible progress remains elusive.

However, in a quick rejoinder, Government Chief Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa dismissed those claims, asserting that the government had not neglected the region and was actively implementing various development initiatives.

He stated that infrastructure upgrades were underway, including rehabilitating the dilapidated tarmac in key roads used to transport coal and other agricultural products.

“The Songea–Makambako road is scheduled for reconstruction. This route plays a critical role in the national economy. It facilitates the movement of coal across the country and supports trade within the East African region,” said Mr Msigwa.

He added that the rehabilitation would be carried out in phases and that plans were afoot to construct a railway linking Mtwara and Ruvuma via the coal-rich belt.

The government, he said, is engaging private investors to support the project, which would ease the transportation burden for heavy cargo.

Mr Msigwa also addressed growing concerns over deteriorating bridge infrastructure, including the Somanga Bridge in Lindi Region, which began to collapse last year.

“We are aware of the Somanga issue. A new project has already been planned. However, major infrastructure projects of this scale require extensive resources in billions of shillings. You cannot rebuild a collapsed bridge overnight using ordinary water or road budgets,” he stressed.

His remarks followed a press briefing addressed by Chadema’s Southern Zone leaders on Friday, April 18, 2025, at the party’s zonal offices in Ufipa, Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam.

The Southern Zone Chairperson, Mr Aden Mayala, criticised the government’s track record, saying, “We often ask ourselves: what wrong have the people of the southern regions done to deserve this persistent neglect?”

“The roads are in a deplorable state. Whether travelling from Njombe to Dar es Salaam, or along the Lindi and Mtwara highway, they are all in disrepair. Infrastructure failures had left many communities isolated and struggling,” he added.

He said just recently, a bridge that collapsed last year failed again, leaving it unusable for over a week.

“Travellers were stranded. Leaders from the region have been insisting that repairs are underway, but how long must this continue?” he questioned.

He cited the road from Ruvuma through Njombe as a prime example, noting that it remains riddled with potholes despite the region being a key hub for coal, uranium, and agricultural commodities.

“Natural wealth is extracted from the region, yet the local population is left with hardship and crumbling roads. Leaders live in comfort while ordinary citizens suffer. What crime have the people of the South committed to deserve such treatment?” said Mr Mayala.

He lamented that it was disheartening that a region so rich in natural and agricultural resources remained trapped in poverty, despite generating billions of shillings in revenue through its mines and farms.

“Many roads resemble livestock paths. For instance, the route from Nachingwea District to Liwale is nearly impassable, especially during the rainy season,” he stressed.

He said heavy trucks transport minerals from areas like Songea, Luanda, and Bambabay, while residents continue to suffer from infrastructure hardships.