The Minister for Works, Hon. Masanja Kadogosa has directed the contractor undertaking construction work for the Kahama–Bulyanhulu Junction–Kakola Road to fast-track implementation of the project and meet the set deadline.
The key infrastucture development project is being executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), and is supposed to complete on early next month, as per the entered contract.
The 73-kilometre road is being upgraded to bitumen standard with funding from Barrick’s mines in Tanzania, which are operated in partnership with the government through Twiga Minerals at the Bulyanhulu and North Mara mines.
According the project’s brief report, it implementation is expected to gobble up to 101.2bn/- upon completion.
Works for it construction commenced in 2024, under the supervision of the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS).
Speaking after inspecting the road, Minister Kadogosa urged the contractor to speed up construction to ensure the project is completed within the stipulated timeframe.
He said the road would ease transport challenges for residents and benefit traders and other road users by facilitating the movement of goods, expanding business opportunities and stimulating economic growth.
Kadogosa emphasised that the contractor must complete the project in accordance with the contract by December 7, 2026.
He warned that the Government would take stern action if the contractor failed to fulfil its obligations, including imposing a penalty equivalent to 0.1 per cent of the contract value and revoking the company’s authorisation to undertake similar projects in the country.
Providing an update on the project, Shinyanga Regional TANROADS Manager, Engineer Ntuli Mwaikokesya, said construction of the 73-kilometre Kahama–Bulyanhulu Junction–Kakola Road was estimated to cost 100.6bn/-.
He said the project had initially been scheduled for completion in September 2026. However, following various challenges encountered during implementation, the contractor had requested an extension of time. So far, 32 kilometres of the 73-kilometre road have been paved, while construction works continue at various sections of the project.
Speaking during the inspection, Msalala Constituency Member of Parliament, Hon. Mabula Magangila, said local residents had long needed the road, noting that its completion would stimulate economic activities in the area.
Engineer Ibrahim Paul, representing Barrick, which is financing 100 per cent of the road construction costs, supported Minister Kadogosa’s call for the contractor to complete the works on time. He said project funding was made available when required for payments, adding that Barrick wanted to see its commitment to improving the welfare of communities through the project translated into tangible benefits.
Engineer Wang Lei of CCECC pledged to intensify efforts and work around the clock to ensure the project is completed within the agreed timeframe.
Completion of the road, whose construction began in July 2024, is expected to unlock economic opportunities in mining, agriculture, forestry and tourism across the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Kagera and Kigoma.
In addition to opening up these economic opportunities, the road is vital to Shinyanga Region, particularly Kahama Municipality, which serves as a major hub for cargo transport from Tanzania’s principal seaport to neighbouring countries, including Rwanda and Uganda.
Barrick’s long-term strategy underpinning its support for the project recognises that responsible and efficient mining can be a powerful driver of development, and that the success of communities living in areas where the company operates is also part of its own success.