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The Parliamentary Committee on Local Government Affairs (LAAC) has raised alarms over the slow progress in repairing rural roads damaged by last year’s El Niño rains and Tropical Cyclone Hidaya.
Justin Nyamoga, the chairperson of the committee, told Parliament that many of these roads still remain unrepaired, leaving rural communities struggling with poor infrastructure. He warned that the coming rains—expected between February and May 2025—could worsen the already fragile state of the country’s road network.
According to Nyamoga, by December 2024, only Sh83 billion had been disbursed for road repairs out of the Sh883 billion initially allocated. Shockingly, just 28 percent of the work has been completed, leaving a staggering 72 percent still unfinished due to a lack of funds.
“This delay is concerning, especially with the rains fast approaching,” Nyamoga said in his report to fellow MPs on February 11. He urged the government to allocate emergency funds to help prevent further deterioration of the roads, as repairs would only become more expensive if left unaddressed.
The Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (Tarura), which is responsible for managing the country’s vast 144,429.77-kilometre district road network, has been tasked with overseeing repairs. However, out of this extensive network, only 2.31 percent of the roads are paved, while 29.12 percent are gravel and 68.57 percent are murram roads.
While Parliament had approved a Sh886.3 billion budget for Tarura in the 2024/25 financial year, only Sh92.5 billion had been released by the end of 2024, amounting to just 20 percent of the planned funding. The shortfall has caused frustration among committee members, who feel the delayed disbursements are hindering much-needed repairs.
“This situation is frustrating,” Nyamoga added. “With Tarura receiving less than half of the funds it expected in the second half of 2024, the committee is increasingly concerned about the road repairs slipping further behind schedule.”
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In light of these delays, the committee has called on the government to come up with a sustainable funding plan to ensure Tarura can carry out regular repairs and improve road infrastructure across the country.
Finance Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba responded, explaining that last year’s financial challenges, including power rationing, had limited available funds. He assured Parliament that the government is committed to addressing the situation and will prioritize road repairs moving forward.
This growing concern highlights the urgent need for effective planning and timely funding to avoid further road damage, especially in rural areas where the economy relies heavily on road transport. MPs and committee members alike have stressed that the safety and mobility of citizens are at risk, with consequences for both everyday life and the economy.
