Dodoma — RESEARCH on use of locally available cheap material such asporcelain is underway to ensure that there are no serious environmental destruction by such actions.

Minister for Works, Dr John Magufuli said some localproducts have serious negative effects on the environment which makes their use impossible. "But in addition, these stabilizing materials are not all that cheap and good hence research is continuing," Dr Magufuli argued while supporting Deputy Minister for Local Government and Regional Administration,Aggrey Mwanri.

Chilonwa lawmaker (CCM) Hezekia Chibulunje wanted to know reasons behind failure by the ministry, Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Dodoma Municipal Council to use local stabilizing material in construction of roads in the region despite available and cheap price.

Mr Chibulunje also wanted to know what measures is the government taking to ensure that the quality of the region's roads which are funded by a World Bank loan under a Tanzania Strategic Cities Project which is also backed by a grant from Danish government.

"Experience has shown that our roads are constructed to very poor standards which should be addressed by this project," pointed out the former Deputy Infrastructure Minister. Responding to the main questions, Mwanri pointed out that so far CDA and Dodoma municipality have received 6.7bn/- and 6.8bn/- respectively from the 32bn/- project. "In short, this funding will be used to construct infrastructure, storm drains, bus station and dumpsite," Mwanri pointed out.

He said some 41.17 kilometres of road will be constructed tobitumen standards which include 15.17 kilometres under the municipality and 26 kilometres under CDA. The construction work is being undertaken by Nyanza Road

Works Limited, DF Mists & Co. (1974) Limited JV while AAW Consulting Engineers, Metro Consult Limited, Elerai Construction Limited and SMEC International Pty Limited as consultants.