THE Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) in Tanga Region has condemned the growing practice among city residents of using drainage systems along roads as primary dumping grounds for both solid and liquid waste.

TARURA Tanga Regional Manager, George Tarimo, explained that this harmful practice undermines the agency’s efforts to improve road infrastructure, as the government invests significant funds in maintaining the drainage systems.

“We allocate substantial amounts of money to clear these drains and ensure water flows properly. Rather than using those funds to construct new drains in other areas, we find that citizens are turning them into waste disposal sites, which leads to blockages,” he said.

“Although we clean the drainage system regularly, I urge local officials and ward leaders to educate the public on the importance of disposing of waste in the areas designated by the city.” 

“With the rainy season approaching, we are working to clean all the drains. I urge everyone not to create further problems because when a drain is blocked, it can lead to flooding and become a public nuisance,” Tarimo warned.

However, he reassured the public that the government is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to take swift action to resolve any issues, ensuring that citizens are protected from potential challenges.

“We continue to inspect bridges and drainage systems to ensure that any existing issues are addressed promptly before they cause harm to the public,” he said.