Over the previous years, the construction industry in Tanzania has grown at an average annual rate of 12 percent. Innocent Bashungwa, the Minister of Construction, made this statement before Parliament in Dodoma during his presentation of the projected revenue and expenses for the year 2024–2025.

He stated that the sector's average contribution to national GDP for the ten-year period from 2012 to 2022 was 14%. Every year, the government allocates a large sum of money for the implementation of development projects carried out by contractors from both inside and outside the country.

Innocent Bashungwa, Minister of Construction, has highlighted nine priority areas for the Ministry of Construction to address in the 2024/25 budget. Bashungwa presented to parliament the expected income and spending of the ministry and its institutions for the fiscal year 2024/25, stating that the budget will focus on restoring the infrastructure of roads and bridges damaged by El-Nino and Typhoon Hidaya.

Bashungwa has also stated that he will continue to undertake ongoing projects such as the construction of critical highways that will open up economic prospects and programs to relieve congestion in major towns such as Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya, and Dodoma.

He has discussed the construction of asphalt roads connecting regional capitals and adjacent nations, as well as defense roads, the design of new roads, particularly in cities, and important projects such as finishing airport development.

He also mentioned the vehicle weight control project, ferry construction and repair under TEMESA, and government housing and building initiatives through TBA.

Bashungwa stated that another priority is to continue maintaining the major and regional roads to make sure that they are functional all year round, as well as to keep enhancing the capacity of local professionals with the goal of increasing local experts' ability to manage large projects being implemented in the country.

He has also stated that in order to adapt to changes in technology and climate, he will conduct a review of the Construction Policy (2003) and the National Road Safety Policy (2009), as well as various regulations and guidelines related to the Construction Sector. He will also continue to strengthen IT systems at work, use low-cost technologies in road construction, particularly in rough areas, and implement the TEMESA Performance Strengthening Strategy.

Posted on : 14 Jun,2024