Nkasi, Rukwa: The Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) in Nkasi District, Rukwa Region, has begun implementing a directive from the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania—conveyed via Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba—regarding the construction of a 900-meter-long, tarmac-standard road leading to the Kasu Health Center.
The Prime Minister issued this directive during his visit to the Nkasi South Constituency in March 2026. During the visit, the constituency’s Member of Parliament, Hon. Moses Kayegele, requested the construction of the road, noting that the government had invested funds into building a model health center in Nkasi District.
The Acting Manager of TARURA for Nkasi District, Engineer Madirisha Lumala, stated that a major challenge facing the health center was the lack of a road that remains easily accessible throughout the year—during both the dry and rainy seasons—from the main Sumbawanga-Mpanda road.
Engineer Lumala explained that following the request by the Member of Parliament for Nkasi South, Hon. Moses Kayegele, the Prime Minister instructed TARURA to explore the construction of a tarmac-standard road, approximately one kilometer in length, connecting from the main Sumbawanga-Mpanda road. “Following those directives, we at TARURA proceeded with the design work and submitted the report to our headquarters. We were promptly granted authorization for implementation, and the contract officially commenced on October 12, 2026. We anticipate completing the project by January 2027,” explained Engineer Lumala.
Ms. Margreti Chambo, a resident of Kasu village, stated that they previously faced significant challenges—particularly during the rainy season—when the accumulation of water made it difficult to easily access the facility for healthcare services.
Mr. Filbert Tafilo, the Chairperson of Kasu ‘B’ village, noted that the road in the area had become impassable. He added that during the rainy season, it was extremely difficult for patients to reach the health center, with instances where patients even fell off the bodabodas (motorcycle taxis) they were using for transport.
“We thank the Prime Minister for heeding the plea of the residents of this village. It is worth noting that this facility serves approximately six wards, making it a major center,” he said.
He listed the wards served by the facility—Kipande, Mkwamba, Nkandasi, Chala, Kate, and Nyula—and expressed gratitude to President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for alleviating this hardship.
