The Tanzania Urban Development Project (TACTIC) is implementing projects worth 51 billion shillings in the Mbeya City Council, which are the development of the city in the area of road infrastructure, markets and stands.
This was stated by the Coordinator of the TACTIC project in Mbeya City, Engineer Yunus Nsegobya while explaining the status of the implementation of the project, which is funded by a soft loan from the World Bank, where Mbeya City is among the cities benefiting from the project.
He said the TACTIC project in Mbeya city is implementing the construction of 12.3 km of asphalt roads, street lights, 6.41 km of rainwater drainage and the construction of an office building to manage the project at a cost of 21 billion shillings, where its implementation has reached 70 percent.
He said they are implementing other projects including the construction of the Central Bus Station in the “Old Airport” area and the Central Market in the “Sokomatola” area at a cost of 30 billion shillings, where the projects, when completed, will increase the council’s revenue from 24 billion to 35 to 40 billion.
He thanked the Government for listening to the cries of the people of Mbeya by improving various infrastructures which have increased the value of the city and the people are now benefiting from transport and transportation services, he also urged the people of Mbeya to protect the infrastructure so that it can last for a long time.
Engineer Boniface Kasambo, TARURA Manager for Mbeya district, said the projects implemented were the construction of the Uyole-Itezi road 1.8 km, Ilomba-Machinjioni 3.8 km, Kabwe-Block T 1.2 km, Iziwa road 2 km, Kalobe road 3.8 km and a 6.41 km rainwater canal where these roads have brought about major changes as farmers can now transport their produce to the market easily.
A resident of VETA-Machinjioni, Mr. Victor Mlay, has thanked the Government for the road infrastructure which has enabled the value of their areas to rise, stimulate trade and improve transport and transportation services, thus contributing to the growth of economic and social opportunities, where he said that if street lights are installed, the city will be more attractive and business will be conducted until night.
Teacher Ezekia Gwenino of Uyole Secondary School said that previously the roads were muddy, potholes, dust and water were filling the roads which led to a transportation challenge but now the transportation is good and students and teachers reach school on time and he has asked his fellow citizens to maintain the canals by not throwing garbage so that they can last for a long time.
Ms. Zena Nassor, a trader in the Sokomatola market, has thanked the Government for the construction of a new and large Sokomatola market which, when completed, will increase customers and they will do their business well in a good environment.
