THE Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure has commended the rapid progress at Tanga Port in handling cargo vessels, which has undergone significant upgrades funded by the government under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Committee chairman Selemani Kakoso who is also Mpanda Rural Member of Parliament expressed his astonishment during a visit to the port with the President on March 1, 2025, noting substantial improvements compared to just three years ago.

 In 2023, the committee assessed the port’s infrastructure and identified critical areas for development to enhance its strategic role in Tanga's economic and trade activities. 

 During that visit, the committee raised concerns over delayed payments for the port's modernization and urged the government to expedite the disbursement of funds approved by Parliament.

 While Kakoso did not specify the exact expected amount, he emphasized that the allocation of 429.1 billion Tanzanian shillings in a single installment reflected President Dr. Samia’s commitment to the port’s revitalization.

 “During our 2023 visit, the port was in poor condition with infrastructure that couldn’t compete. However, the funding provided by President Dr. Samia has resulted in significant improvements and development,” he stated.

 Kakoso also underscored the importance of complementary infrastructure projects, such as the development of rail networks and major roads, to further enhance the port’s functionality. Key projects include the 460-kilometer Handeni - Kibirashi - Kiteto - Nchemba - Singida road and the Tanga - Pangani - Saadan - Makurunge road.

 President Dr. Samia, during her regional visit, directed the Ministry of Infrastructure to partner with various stakeholders, including the private sector, to fund the construction of the Handeni - Kibirashi - Kiteto - Nchemba - Singida road.

 Kakoso highlighted the importance of parliamentary committee visits in driving government action, particularly in addressing stalled projects due to funding constraints. 

 He noted that such visits, sanctioned under parliamentary rules, play a crucial role in ensuring the completion of key projects, especially as the nation prepares for the 2025/2026 fiscal year budget.

 On another occasion, the Committee advised the government that the construction of the Tanga-Pangani-Bagamoyo road should pass through the Saadani National Park in order to open up the economic potential of the region and boost the number of tourists.

 The Committee made the observation during the visit to the Tanga-Pangani road construction site and the inspection of the ongoing construction of the Pangani River Bridge.

 Kakoso said that the government is not building roads merely to please citizens but to stimulate the national economy. 

 Therefore, if the road is being diverted from an area that would be more beneficial, they request a feasibility study from the government to determine the most effective approach for strategic projects.

 "Building this road, if it were to remain as originally planned, would bring development to the coastal areas, benefiting the local population. 

 We don’t object to the section that has already been constructed, but we ask that you focus on the remaining part, ensuring it aligns with the original project and is integrated into the larger network," he said.

 The Chairperson also emphasized that the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Vice President’s Office should collaborate to examine the possibility of extending the road through the Saadani National Park, which could help develop a tourism corridor and economically empower the Tanga region and the country as a whole.

 "I commend the ongoing construction of the bridge, which is progressing well. The project has received approval from Parliament, and once completed, it will significantly improve the Pangani district and the entire region;

 It will also be an impressive landmark, with the government’s investment in this project proving to be highly beneficial," he stated.

 He stressed that the investment in the Pangani River Bridge would be ineffective without the complementary road, urging swift action to ensure both projects are completed in tandem.

 He also called on the government to ensure that contractors adhere to the terms of the agreement, expressing concern that without proper oversight, there could be delays beyond the planned four-month completion period for the remaining road section.

 “Ensure that the final stretch of the road is completed and connected to the highway system. Once again, Parliament strongly supports the idea of the road passing through the Saadani National Park as it would open up the region economically and boost tourism,” he added.

 Earlier, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Msonde, stated that they would continue to monitor the project to address any issues that arise.

 The Tanga-Pangani road project manager from the Tanzanian Roads Agency (Tanroads), Engineer Godson Yahana, explained that the Pangani River Bridge is 525 meters long, making it the second-largest bridge project in the country, after the Kigongo-Busisi bridge in Mwanza.

 He shared that construction began on December 7, 2022, with a project cost of 82.2 billion Tanzanian shillings. The project is being carried out by the Chinese company, Shandon Likway Group, and is currently 55 percent percent complete. This includes both the road and the bridge construction.

 Engineer Yohana further noted that all the bridge’s support pillars have been completed, and work continues on the construction site. The contractor has finished the first phase of the road, covering 15.8 kilometers, which is 75 percent complete.

 A major challenge delaying the project, according to Yahana, has been sourcing high-quality stone for the road construction, as the material must meet specific technological requirements to withstand the paving process.

 "We have now obtained the necessary stones from Muheza, about 60 kilometers from the project site. Although there were some licensing challenges, the situation has now been resolved. The project is expected to be completed by June 16, 2025," he said.

 He also mentioned that 34 kilometers of the road remain to be completed, and the government has already paid the contractor 4.7 billion Tanzanian shillings in December last year, with an additional 10.8 billion shillings due in February this year.

 "We initially faced several challenges that halted the project, but we have given the contractor two weeks to resume work. Currently, they are mobilizing equipment to continue the construction," he concluded.