Government Impulses Contractor To Speed Up Construction Of Barrick Mining Corporation- Funded Kahama–Kakola Road 

The Minister for Energy and Government Liaison for Shinyanga Region, Hon. Deogratius Ndejembi has urged the contractor for the Kahama–Bulyanhulu Jct–Kakola Road, M/s China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to speed up implementation of the project to pave the way for the residents to benefit from the infrastructure.

Minister Ndejembi called for the contractor to complete the project on the framed time to enable residents to use it and thus, stimulate economic activities.

The 73-kilometre road construction project, which involves upgrading the road to bitumen standard, is being funded by Barrick-Twiga’s Bulyanhulu and North Mara mine  at a cost of 101.2bn/-.

The project began two years ago and is being supervised by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS).

Speaking after inspecting of the on-going construction project, Hon. Ndejembi urged contractor to fast- track it construction so that the road can be completed within the planned timeframe and alleviate transportation challenges faced by the road users.

He said that, so far, 32 kilometres out of the 73-kilometre road have been paved, while other construction activities are on-going at various stages of the project.

“I have no doubts about the quality of the work being carried out by the contractor, but he needs to increase the pace so that the road is completed on time. Residents wish to see their road completed at planned timeframe,” said Hon. Ndejembi.

He emphasized that the pace of implementation must go hand in hand with the quality of the work, explaining that completion of the road will facilitate the transportation of people and goods and stimulate economic activities in the areas through which it passes.

In addition, Hon. Ndejembi directed TANROADS Shinyanga Region to closely supervise the contractor and ensure that the pace of  the implementation is increased so that the project is completed within the timeframe.

At the same time, he emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of road users by making sure that roads constructed to bitumen standard are equipped with street lights , particularly in areas with high levels of social and economic activity.

He said that the installation of streetlights is part of Government directives through the Ministry of Works, aimed at strengthening safety and enabling residents to use the roads more safely at night.

For her part, the Regional Commissioner of Shinyanga, Hon. Mboni Mhita, said that the government has allocated more than 2 trn/- to Shinyanga Region for the implementation of various strategic projects. She pledged to closely supervise the construction of the Kahama–Bulyanhulu Jct–Kakola Road to ensure that the funds provided by the government and the directives of the President are implemented on time.

She also commended Barrick Mining Corporation which has a partnership with the Government through Twiga Minerals, for providing funding for the implementation of the project.

Providing an update on the progress of the project, TANROADS Shinyanga Regional Manager, Engineer Ntuli Mwaikokesya, said that construction of the 73-kilometre Kahama–Bulyanhulu Jct–Kakola Road is costing 100.6bn/-.

He said the project was originally scheduled for completion in September 2026. However, due to various challenges encountered during the implementation, the contractor has requested an extension of time to complete the work.

According to Engineer Mwaikokesya, if the extension is approved, the project is expected to be completed by December 2026.

Completion of the road project , whose construction began in July two years ago, will open up various economic opportunities in mining, agriculture, forestry and tourism across the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Kagera and Kigoma.

In addition the opening up for economic opportunities in mining, agriculture, forestry and tourism in Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Kagera and Kigoma, the road will also be vital  for economic and social activities in Shinyanga Region, particularly Kahama Municipality, which has a large concentration of cargo transporters moving goods from Tanzania’s main port to neighbouring countries, including Rwanda and Uganda.

Barrick’s sustainability strategy  which among other things funding and facilitating the construction of the road is part and parcel of the company policy , emphasizes that when mining is conducted responsibly and effectively, it can be a powerful force for development, and that when communities surrounding the mines benefits is also success story of the company.