Deputy Speaker Zungu asks a question for the first time – Tanzania

The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Mussa Zungu, has asked a question regarding the destruction of infrastructure in big cities and the measures taken to ensure that the economy is not affected.

Dodoma. The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mussa Zungu, has advised the Government to use the emergency provision in the Public Procurement Law, to speed up the process of roads damaged by rain in cities including the city of Dar es Salaam.

This is the first time for Zungu to ask a question while in his parliamentary seat since he was elected to that position.

Asking an additional question today May 24, 2024, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mussa Zungu has said that Dar es Salaam Region contributes more than 75 percent to the national income, but its infrastructure of roads and canals is very damaged.

“As a result of this problem, the country’s income may decrease because of this infrastructure, which will delay running the economy quickly,” he said.

He questioned why the Government does not issue a statement to all the directors of Dar es Salaam to comply with the procurement rules and laws using the emergency element so that the roads are built with Government funds, which have contributed to bringing from the councils in the country and the local revenue that they have allocated.

He gave the example of Ilala Municipality which has set aside its income and that the process of finding contractors takes a long time and thus delays the development of Dar es Salaam which contributes to other regions in the country.

Answering the question, the Deputy Minister of Regional Administration and Local Government (Tamisemi), Zainab Katimba said the Government recognizes the importance of district roads in the economic development of the nation.

“It is obvious that there has been a lot of rain that has caused various damage to the infrastructure. The government, despite the fact that funds have been allocated and continue to be allocated, intends to ensure that it improves the infrastructure.

He said that due to the rains that continue to fall during this period, the purchase measures are continuing while they wait for the rain to end and Tamisemi gave instructions to some councils, especially the cities, to allocate funds from their internal revenue for various road repairs.

He added that there are other roads that have no communication at all, so based on the information previously given by the Minister of Tamisemi, he has reminded the councils to take action because they have allocated money from their internal revenue.

He has said that this step will enable them to make adjustments, especially in areas where the roads are completely impassable.