Hassan Magulumali
Ilala District Commissioner Edward Mpogolo has directed the Tanzania Anti-Corruption Bureau (TAKUKURU) Ilala office, in collaboration with the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), to closely monitor the contractor handling the Upanga Magharibi road project and ensure asphalt laying begins within 14 days.
Mpogolo issued the directive in Dar es Salaam on Friday during a site visit to assess progress on the road project, which is being implemented under the Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Development Project (DMDP) Phase II, Package IV.
The project, valued at Sh26.06 billion, involves the construction and upgrading of 16 roads with a combined length of approximately 7.38 kilometres.
“I direct TAKUKURU Ilala and TARURA Ilala to closely monitor the accountability of every party involved in this major government-funded project. Within 14 days, asphalt should have been laid on this road,” Mpogolo said.
He said the road, which passes through the Muhimbili National Hospital area, is particularly important to residents, patients and other people accessing services at the hospital.
Mpogolo said delays could no longer be tolerated, noting that the government had already allocated and disbursed funds for implementation of the project.
“I want this road to have started receiving asphalt within 14 days. The TARURA Ilala District Manager must supervise this. I also want TAKUKURU Ilala to follow up on this commitment and ensure that everyone is accountable for their responsibilities. After 14 days, we will return here to assess the work done,” he said.
Also Read: Algerian Company Plans Three Cashew Processing Plants in Tanzania
The District Commissioner also ordered the contractor, Wu Yi Construction, to immediately increase machinery, equipment, technical personnel and manpower, while introducing day and night shifts where necessary to accelerate the pace of construction.
The project commenced on May 15, 2025, and was initially scheduled for completion on August 14, 2026. However, its implementation period has since been extended to December 16, 2026.
Mpogolo stressed that the extension should not be used as an excuse for slow progress, insisting that the additional time must instead be used to intensify construction and ensure timely completion.
According to the District Commissioner, the project is currently about 55 per cent complete, while the government has already paid more than Sh5 billion toward its implementation.
He said although all 16 roads had undergone various stages of construction, only three were showing satisfactory progress, while asphalt laying remained below the expected level.
Mpogolo further directed the project’s supervising consultant, M/s Mhandisi Consultancy, to submit copies of all official letters, instructions and correspondence issued to the contractor concerning delays, together with details of measures taken to improve the pace of implementation.
He emphasized that the supervising consultant, who is paid from project funds, has a critical responsibility to ensure that the contractor delivers the works in accordance with the contract and within the agreed timeframe.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over the pace of implementation of the DMDP Phase II road projects, particularly those serving densely populated areas and key public institutions such as Muhimbili National Hospital.
