Tabora — FOUR major road projects at the cost of 351.7bn/- in Tabora region were launched by President Jakaya Kikwete.

President Kikwete said that 293.9 kilometres of road will be upgraded to tarmac level and thus create more economic investment opportunities in the area and improve living standards of the people.

He commended the Ministry of Works for a good job it has been doing in building the country's infrastructure. The Minister for Works, Dr John Magufuli said the government is implementing a total of four major road projects and the construction of Mbutu Bridge.

Outlining the projects, Dr Magufuli mentioned one of the projects as the Nzega-Puge-Tabora road, a stretch of 114.9 kilometre links Nzega and Tabora regional headquarters as well as linking the country to neighbouring countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi through the central corridor.

"For many years there have been pleas for improved infrastructure in Tabora Region that will link them to other regions and neighbouring countries, now we are here to build the infrastructure so the public can easily participate in developing the region and the country in general," Dr Magufuli noted.

Tanroads Chief Executive, Eng. Patrick Mfugale explained that the Nzega-Puge road which is 58.8 kilometres will cost 135bn/- and is being constructed by China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), while Sinohydro Corporation Ltd also from China will upgrade the Puge-Tabora stretch which is 56.10 kilometres both under the supervision of SMEC International Ltd, consulting company from Australia.

Another project that was launched is the construction to tarmac level of the Itigi road from Singida Region through Tabora to Urambo which will continue to Kigoma. President Kikwete also launched the Nyahua through Tabora to Ndono road which is a stretch of 127 kilometres, that will cost 151bn/-.

Eng. Mfugale noted that two contractors Chongqing Foreign Traders supervised by the Consulting Engineering are constructing part of the road from Nyahau to Tabora and from Tabora to Ndono will be done by China Henan International Cooperation Group Co. Ltd, under the supervision of SAI consulting Engineering Ltd from India.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Works, Dr John Magufuli has suspended contractor Progressive Constructions Limited - Higleig Joint Venture who was constructing the Songea-Namtumbo-Kilimasenra-Matemanga-Tunduru road and confiscated its equipment. Dr Magufuli noted that the contractor failed to implement awarded projects in accordance with the contract.