Tanzanian Parliament concerned by delayed repair of roads damaged by El-Niño, Cyclone Hidaya

Dar es Salaam. The parliamentary committee on Local Government Affairs (LAAC) has expressed concerns about the slow pace of rural road repairs, particularly those damaged by El Niño rains and Tropical Cyclone Hidaya.

Presenting LAAC’s activities report from February 2024 to January 2025 committee’s chairperson, Justin Nyamoga, informed the Parliament that many roads affected remain unrepaired.

He warned that the coming rains, expected between February and May 2025, could further damage the country’s already fragile road network.

Mr Nyamoga pointed out that as of December last year, the government disbursed Sh83 billion for road rehabilitation out of the Sh883 billion allocated.

"Only 28 percent of the restoration work has been completed, leaving 72 percent unfinished due to a shortage of funds," he told fellow MPs on Tuesday, February 11.

The committee has urged the government to allocate emergency funds to prevent further deterioration and escalating repair costs.

The Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (Tarura), which oversees a 144,429.77-kilometre district road network, is responsible for improving both rural and urban road infrastructure.

Of this network, 2.31 percent is paved, 29.12 percent is gravel, and 68.57 percent consists of murram roads.

Mr Nyamoga also revealed that the Parliament had approved a Sh886.3 billion budget for Tarura in the 2024/25 financial year, with Sh443.15 billion set to be disbursed by December 2024.

However, only Sh92.5 billion was released by that time, representing a mere 20 percent of the planned amount.

“This shortfall has caused frustration within the committee, as Tarura received less than half of the expected funds between July and December 2024,” he said.

The committee also reviewed the government’s response to resolutions passed by Parliament in the 2023/2024 report.

Mr Nyamoga told MPs that the Parliament had called on the government to establish a sustainable funding mechanism to ensure Tarura has sufficient resources for maintaining and expanding road infrastructure.

In response to the funding gap, the government, in collaboration with the private sector, launched the Samia Infrastructure Bond to raise over Sh150 billion for road projects.

However, Mr Nyamoga highlighted the continued damage caused by the rains, which are disrupting transportation and hindering citizens' access to markets.

“Tarura's limited budget hinders its ability to repair roads promptly. Parliament has resolved that district councils should contribute 10 percent of their internal revenue to support restoration efforts,” he said.

Mbulu Urban MP (CCM), Zacharia Isaay, expressed concerns that Tarura has been overwhelmed by the increasing demand for road repairs.

He urged the government to release funds promptly to enable the agency to fulfil its responsibilities effectively.

“The government should find ways to increase funding for Tarura to improve road connectivity between wards, divisions, districts, and town headquarters, ensuring that citizens can access essential services,” he said.

Arumeru West MP (CCM), Mwanaisha Ulenge, called for a review of the Samia Infrastructure Bond’s structure, suggesting that the involvement of commercial banks placed an undue burden on local contractors.

“Mobilising citizen participation through the Samia Infrastructure Bond does not mean the funds should come from commercial banks. Instead, Tarura should work with the Bank of Tanzania (BoT),” she said, emphasising that the goal was to reduce debt owed to contractors and ensure their liquidity.

Finance Minister, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba explained that last year’s budgetary disbursements had been impacted by several factors severe power rationing that forced the allocation of over Sh440 billion for the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP).

Other priority projects were the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, the Kigongo-Busisi Bridge, vocational training centres, and health facilities.

“After the conclusion of the JNHPP, funds are now redirected to areas that have experienced severe funding shortfalls,” said Dr Nchemba.

The minister of State in the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mohamed Mchengerwa, said Sh247 billion had been received through World Bank (WB) projects.

“In response to MPs’ concerns, PO-RALG, through Tarura, has received documents from all regions outlining their challenges. I assure lawmakers that part of the Sh247 billion will be allocated to each constituency based on demands submitted by Tarura’s regional managers,” he said, adding that these funds would start being utilised in March.