The Parliamentary Committee for Regional Administration and Local Government has commended the government for fast tracking implementation of phase one of the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit project.
The chairman of the committee, Dr. Hamis Kigwangalla said they were satisfied with the ongoing work that involve construction of trunks, bus stations, bus terminals pedestrian walkways and depots along the Morogoro Road.
“I must say the government has really shown commitment with Big Results Now projects such as the Bus Rapid Transit. Despite some anomalies spotted at Kivukoni and Ubungo Terminals, the speed and quality of work we have seen onsite so far is superb,” he said in his remarks at the end of a site tour on Wednesday.
The committee advised Dar Rapid Transit Agency (DART) authorities to work extra hard to ensure that the remaining work was completed within a specified time framework.
The committee members suggested also that DART officials should design and develop information packages to enlighten key stakeholders and members of the public about the project and its benefits.
“You must produce and disseminate information about this project because many people are not aware of what is going on right now…imagine the people don’t even know this project is facilitated by Prime Minister’s Office- Regional Administration and Local Government through Dar Rapid Transit Agency…you need to enlighten people through awareness education campaigns,” Dr Kingwangala urged.
Earlier in her welcoming remarks, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office-Regional Administration and Local Government, Hon. Hawa Ghasia assured members of the committee that her ministry was keen on the project’s implementation and that DART authorities in collaboration with other key stakeholders such as TANROADS were following closely the construction of the infrastructure.
“We usually make follow ups including physical visits to the sites and receive progress reports on the construction work from time to time. We are happy that phase 1 of the project is almost coming to an end. We anticipate starting operations end of next year and this will give us a sense of direction of where we are heading and how it would benefit us as a country and people,” she said.
Accompanying the Minister of State, Prime Mister’s Office- Regional Administration and Local Government, Hon. Hawa Ghasia were her two deputies- Hon. Aggrey Mwanri (Regional Administration and Local Government) and Hon. Kassim Majaliwa (Education).
The Committee visited DART Offices situated at Ubungo Plaza, 1st Floor where they were given an over view dossier of the project by DART Ag. Chief Executive Director, Mrs. Asteria Mlambo before going for a site visits at Kimara all the way to Kivukoni DART depot.
The Parliamentary Committee was headed by Dr Hamis Kigwangalla (Nzega MP), Dr Haji H. Mponda (Ulanga Magharibi MP), Hon. Asha Mohamed Omar (Special Seat- Kusini Pemba), Hon. Mkiwa Kimwanga (TAMISEMI) and Hon. Sabreena H. Singwa (Special Seat).
Others were Hon. Rosweeter F. Kasikila (Rukwa, MP), Dr Stephen Kebwe (Serengeti MP), Sylvester M. Mabumba (DoleMP), Hon. Rashid Abdallah (Tumbe, MP), Hon. Moses Machali ( Kasulu UrbanMP) and Hon. Mossy Lukuwi (Committee’s General Secretary).
Source Tanzania Daily News
