BY CORRESPONDENT DAVID
3rd December 2013
The funds are a grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
and cover construction of the Dodoma-Babati road (188.15 kilometres), in Dodoma and Manyara regions and the Tunduru-Mangaka to Mtambaswala road (201.5 kilometres) in Mtwara and Ruvuma regions.
Works Minister Dr John Magufuli speaking during the signing ceremony stressed that the government will protect roads in the country at any cost from being damaged by greedy truck operators who intentionally overload to make super profits.
“The government spends huge amounts of money improving infrastructures in the country. Moreover the loans that we sign are very expensive,” he noted at the ceremony held yesterday in Dar es Salaam.
He said the loans are paid back by Tanzanians in the form of tax, and that extra care to ensure the roads benefit all people should not be underestimated.
“We shall implement the law as required. The government will not tolerate some greedy truck operators who destroy roads built by people’s money,” he said.
“Destruction of the roads forces us to pay for repairs instead of constructing new roads in areas where there are no good roads. We need to have good roads all over the country for the benefit of all people,” he noted.
According to him if strong measures are not put in place to preserve roads in the country, the expensive loans accessed by the government will cost future generations.
He noted that President Jakaya Kikwete has tasked the Works Ministry to effectively implement laws to ensure that the roads last longer for the benefit of the present and future generations.
He said most countries have specified weights trucks can haul on specific roads to avoid damage.
The United Kingdom for example has set the maximum of 30 tons that a truck can haul on its roads while Germany and Russia have set 40 and 38 tons respectively.
Dr Magufuli said that it was not uncommon in the country to find some trucks hauling more than 100 tons on the roads, while the specified weight is 56 tons.
Magufuli ordered the road contractors implementing the projects to ensure that they perform the work to the required standards and agreed period.
“Signing means commitment. If you think you are not going to perform the work it is better you don’t sign the contract,” he cautioned.
Of the 538.88bn/-, the ADB has contributed 65.8 per cent, JICA 29.2 per cent while the government will contribute 5 per cent.
MP Moses Machali (Kasulu Urban, NCCR-Mageuzi) who represented other legislators, commended the government for its efforts to improve infrastructure in the country.
He called for timely implementation of the projects and the issuing of employment opportunities, good and timely payment to people in the areas where the projects will be implemented.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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