Dar feeder roads in bad condition as repairs delayed

Dar es Salaam. It is 5am and most of city residents are busy, rushing to commuter bus stops, while those with vehicles are driving and others are stuck in traffic jams.

Heavy rain has damaged some roads and this happens every year.

A survey conducted by The Citizen has established that roads in the municipal councils of Kinondoni, Kigamboni, Ilala and Temeke are in bad condition and cause transport challenges.

Ilala

The Citizen surveyed feeder roads, including Nyerere Road from Mnazi Mmoja to Gongo la Mboto, Uhuru Road from Kariakoo, including Kitunda Road from Banana, Machimbo Road from Jet Rumo to Buza.

Mr John Mtenga, a Kituda resident, told The Citizen that many roads in the area, where he lived were rough, so it was difficult for vehicles to pass. “The roads are bad. That’s why during the rainy season we have a transport problem,” he said. He noted that although the government had been repairing them every year after the rainy season the same problems recurred.

Ms Khadija Kihengo, a resident of Spenko, Vingunguti, said drivers using Kwamnyamani Road found it difficult to pass because the road was bad, a situation that caused heavy traffic jams and sometimes car breakdowns. “If I want to go Kariakoo, I would rather walk to Buguruni Petrol Station and then take a commuter bus from there because of the heavy traffic jam,” she said.

However, Ilala deputy Mayor Omary Kumbilamoto said the municipal council had set aside Sh3.8 billion for road repairs. “When the rain stops we will start repairing the damaged roads,” he said.

Kigamboni

The Citizen has established that the situation is not better in Kigamboni as most of the roads are also in bad condition and drivers find it difficult to drive. There are potholes on many roads.

Speaking to The Citizen, municipal council communication head Davidi Langa said since the district was still new, most of the roads were under the central government.

“Kigamboni roads, like those in other parts of the city, are also in bad condition. But they are under the central government plan. So, we are waiting for funds,” he said.

However, Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) chief executive officer Patrick Mfugale told this newspaper that he had no report of any road under his jurisdiction, which had been damaged during the rainy season.

“I am not aware of any road damage. However, there are roads, which are planned for construction,” he noted.

According to Mr Langa, roads under Tanroads include that of Kigamboni-Kurasini and Kimbiji.

Kinondoni

The most affected areas in Kinondoni are Mwananyamara, Sinza, Tandare and Mwenge. The Citizen surveyed Uzuri Road, which starts at Sinza-kijiweni to Magomeni via Tandale, Afrika Sana to Kijitonyama, Mwananyamala and Akachube.

In Kinondoni, the roads connect different areas with important public facilities and services, but they too are in bad condition.

Ubungo

The Citizen’s survey has established that the most affected roads in Ubungo are those from Kimara to Goba, Kinyerezi and Segerea. There is also a road, which connects Sim2000 Bus Station and Sinza.

Kimara-Goba Road was damaged to the extent that a transport fare has gone up from Sh400 to Sh1,000.

Residents complain that, apart from digging dipper into their pockets to get transport services, it is difficult for them to get transport since most of the commuter bus drivers change routes.

According to residents and drivers interviewed, most of the commuter bus drivers change the routes because the roads are too rough.

Temeke

The survey has also revealed that roads from Temeke to Kwa Aziz Ally, Temeke Mwisho to Sudan, Temeke Municipal Hospital via Usalama to Sokota are also damaged. There is another bad road, which starts from Sudan Street to Davis Corner via Majaribio and Tandika.

According to Temeke Municipal Mayor Abdallah Chaurembo, the municipal council plans to conduct a survey to establish how much money is needed for road repairs.

“A survey is in the pipeline to assess the damage and from this we will know the amount of money needed for repairs,” he said. He added that the money would come from both local and central governments.

Commuters

The Citizen witnessed a big number of commuters at different bus stops struggling to board buses to the extent that some had their money stolen and others were injured in the process. Some of them entered the bus through windows.

“The number of commuter buses has decreased in Goba, but we have to be at our work stations on time. If you don’t struggle you won’t make it and you will be in trouble for being late,” said Ms Anjelina Thomas, a Goba resident.

However, commuters using buses in different areas ask themselves why they pay tax if roads are still in a bad condition. “Where does our tax go? We pay tax for development, including roads, but we are disappointed by poor services,” Mr Geoffrey Kisanga, a Kitunda resident complained.

Drivers’ concern

Some drivers complain that the transport problem recurs each year. Mr Hasan Kondo, a commuter bus driver from Vingunguti to Kariakoo said he would repair his commuter bus almost every two days. He added that apart from having a few breakdowns, his income had also decreased because he was not able to carry many passengers as he used to before.

Mr Christian Melose, a resident of Tandale Uzuri told this paper that, traffic jams had been his big challenge to reach his office on time since the rainy season started.

“It is hardly possible for me to arrive at my office on time. More rain means more damaged roads and hence heavy traffic jams. Not only that, it sometimes causes family problems because of arriving home late,” he said.

On the other hand, a truck driver, Mr Joel Masimango, from Kigamboni said he found it difficult to reach at Kimbiji on time because the road was too rough.

He noted that the government had failed to construct good roads and bridges. “It is high time the government did something about it.”

City resolutions

The city council plans to take some immediate measures to address the challenges in various parts of the city.

According to Dar es Salaam City Mayor Isaya Mwita, the municipal councils will use their emergency funds to repair the roads, while awaiting the central government to release some money for long-term plans.

“We have already set aside some money for the municipal councils to repair their roads after the rainy season,” he said.

He said that would be a temporary plan as the municipal councils awaited the money to be released by the central government after budget discussions.

Some municipal officials have confirmed they have received some money for road repairs and preparations have already started.

Furthermore, Ilala deputy Mayor Omary Kumbilamoto said the municipal council had set aside Sh3.8 billion for road repairs. Other municipal councils have also confirmed they are in a process to release road repair funds soon.