Africa-Press – Tanzania. RESIDENTS of Musoma Rural in Mara region have every reason to smile as the first tarmac road in their area nears completion.
The residents say they have never had a tarmacked road since the country attained independence almost 62 years ago.
But now the unwanted history is about to change with the first-ever five kilometre stretch set to be inaugurated next month as part of the major 92-kilometre Musoma-Makojo-Busekera road project.
Speaking on Wednesday after touring the road section, Musoma Rural Member of Parliament Prof Sospeter Muhongo said the project was among the priorities in Musoma Rural constituency and urged the contractor –Gemen Engineering – to complete it within the stipulated timelines.
Prof Muhongo said once complete, the upgrading of the road to bitumen standard would facilitate faster movement of goods and services and unlock the economic potential of the area.
“This road is the backbone of the economic growth of Musoma Rural constituency, which has 21 wards, 68 villages and 374 harmlets,” said the MP.
“Fish stocks caught on Lake Victoria are transported to various markets inside and outside the country through this road. Food crops which are also cash crops cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, paddy and fruits are transported through this road.”
The former Energy and Minerals Minister added that cotton produce, gold and other minerals extracted in Musoma rural are also transported through the road.
“This is the only major road that connects all 68 villages found in our constituency. Therefore, it is critical for the transportation of people and cargo to and from our constituency.
It is the only road through which the distribution of facilities and various education, health, agricultural, livestock, water and electricity equipment are done,” he added while urging the government to increase budget for the project.
Speaking during the legislator’s inspection tour, Musoma Rural residents said they were happy with the progress of the project and grateful to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration for keeping the ruling party’s pledge to tarmac the road.
Japheth Majura, a resident of rural Musoma, was grateful to President Samia for seeing the importance of building the road to tarmac, which will open up the area for business and investment.
Felista Magesa, another resident, said: “We’re thankful to President Samian for this project; the road is almost complete and is going to boost development in our area.”
For his side, Gemen Engineering Director, Eng Andrew Nyantori vowed to complete and hand over the project on October 30, this year.
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