RESIDENTS and political leaders converging at a key CCM Iringa Urban rally stridently demanded the construction of a bypass road at the Kitonga hills section, an often dangerously steep section of the Tanzania–Zambia Highway.

Speaking at the rally attended by CCM presidential candidate and party chairperson Samia Suluhu Hassan, they said the road is a vital trade route linking Iringa and Morogoro regions to Dar es Salaam as a port city and main market for scores of goods from the area.

.Farmers and traders said that delays and accidents on the busy stretch are costing them money and discouraging various economic initiatives, with Kilolo parliamentary aspirant Ritha Kabati telling the rally that when re-elected, the CCM government should consider the construction of an 11-kilometre bypass from Mahenge to Ilula, Kilolo District.

This would reduce congestion, ease transportation of farm produce and further unlock the economic potential of the southern highlands, she said, pointing out that rehabilitation works are being conducted in the area 

The MP nominee said that the project, alongside ongoing improvements at Kitonga, would open up new economic opportunities, as the bypass need is not just about easing traffic. It is about making sure our farmers can move their maize, beans and avocados to markets quickly and at lower cost, she said.

Maria Mwinuka, a vegetable trader from Ilula, said that a bypass road would change livesin the area completely. “We sometimes spend hours stuck at Kitonga with trucks queuing in both directions. By the time we reach the market, vegetables are already spoiled,” she stated.

Ezekiel Mkena, a maize farmer at Idete, said the road challenge is holding back productivity. “We have worked hard to increase our maize harvests with subsidised inputs but transportation is the biggest headache,” he specified, stressing that once Kitonga is decongested, we will finally benefit fully from these government programmes.”

Rehema Mwasomola, a young business person in Iringa Urban said the bypass would also encourage youth to venture into agro-based small enterprises. “If transport becomes easier and faster, young people like us can supply markets in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma without fear of losing stock. It is about jobs and the future,” she remarked.

Mafinga leaders in Mufindi District pushed for a modern bus terminal to reflect the town’s rapid growth, the upgrading of the Mafinga–Mgololo road, and elevating the town to municipal council status. 

Addressing rallies at Iringa Urban and other places, the presidential candidate said that there are requests for infrastructure projects everywhere and the government will ensure that it rehabilitates infrastructure as needed, and taking up new projects for development.

She reminded Iringa residents of her 2022 pledge to expand irrigation in the region, where six projects valued at 104.4bn/- have been implemented, benefiting more than 62,000 people.

Coffee production has tripled from 109 tonnes in 2020 to 323 tonnes this year, while maize output has reached 10m tonnes, placing Tanzania among major producers in Africa, she stated.

Nationally, electricity generation has surged from 600MW in 2020 to 4,000MW today, with plans to reach 8,000MW in the coming years, the candidate asserted.

The government plans to build 50 avocado and vegetable cold storage facilities across the country, modernise Iringa airport, construct a new hawkers’ centre to house small-scale traders, and strengthen the cooperative movement with the launch of a cooperative bank, she said.

Jackson Kiswaga, parliamentary candidate for Kalenga constituency within Iringa District, on Saturday praised the government for constructing the road from Iringa to Ruaha National Park, opening up tourism and local trade.

Other achievements include four new secondary schools, fertiliser subsidies, a 13bn/- irrigation project, new health centres, rural electrification across 340 hamlets and water projects billed at 8bn/-.

William Lukuvi, veteran cabinet minister ad Ismani constituency candidate, listed further progress from just four secondary schools in 1995 to 15 in Kalenga constituency built in the lastr few years. 

Health services have expanded with four new health centres and a district hospital in Pawaga, he said, pointing at a mega irrigation project costing 50bn/- while another 35bn/- scheme, is transforming farming in Iringa Rural District.

Ismani needs to be elevated to district council status, along with building a livestock watering units and irrigation dams, he added.