The Government has announced a set of measures aimed at reducing long-standing truck congestion at the Tunduma border, which serves as a major transit route to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Minister for Works, Mr Abdallah Ulega, has directed the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) to conduct an urgent assessment for the expansion of the road at the Tunduma border area in order to ease traffic congestion caused by heavy truck movement.
Speaking during his visit to Tunduma in Songwe Region, Mr Ulega said the Government is fully aware of the challenges faced by transporters and local residents due to prolonged traffic jams, which also hinder other road users.
“I have directed TANROADS management to urgently mobilise emergency funds, carry out an assessment and immediately expand this road so that three lanes are constructed here to reduce the current truck congestion,” said Mr Ulega.
On challenges caused by the Mpemba Weighbridge, which requires trucks to make U-turns for weight measurement, Mr Ulega said the Ministry of Works plans to construct another weighbridge at Iboya. The new facility will allow all trucks travelling from Tunduma to Mbeya to be weighed at Iboya, thereby easing congestion at the border area.
“With this arrangement, there will be no need for trucks to turn back. The Mpemba Weighbridge will only serve vehicles travelling from Mbeya to Tunduma,” he emphasised.
Furthermore, the minister instructed TANROADS Regional Managers in Mbeya and Songwe regions to improve alternative and diversion roads, which are expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the corridor.
Meanwhile, Songwe Regional Commissioner Mr Jabir Makame thanked President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan for continuing to allocate funds for road construction projects in the region and urged the Minister for Works to implement the proposed plans aimed at easing congestion at Tunduma.
Earlier, truck drivers operating in the area said the congestion is largely caused by the weighbridge’s limited capacity, which fails to cope with the increasing number of trucks. They appealed to the minister to consider modern and efficient weighing systems that would speed up the process and reduce delays.
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