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Dar roads: A stitch in time saves nine
2006-05-17 09:25:41
By Correspondent Mary Segulle
Last week, the Prime Minister, Edward Lowassa, visited Shekilango Road that traverses the densely populated area of Sinza in Dare s Salaam and was not happy with what he saw.
The road was in a terrible state of disrepair. Its pitiable condition has no doubt been exacerbated by recent downpours in the city.
But even before the rains, its condition was pathetic, and many wonder why the authorities concerned elected to be blind.
It is also worth mentioning that a decade ago Shekilango Road was earmarked for reconstruction into a dual carriageway, and following this decision illegal structures built within the carriageway’s path were demolished.
However nothing thereafter materialised.
Shekilango Road is however a tip of the iceberg, in so far as Dar es Salaam roads that need urgent rehabilitation are concerned.
There are others, the major ones being Temeke Road, Nelson Mandela Express way, Uhuru Street, as well as dozens of lesser ones in various areas of the city including its peripheries.
One important issue that cropped up during the Premier’s visit to Shekilango and which could be the reason behind some roads remaining in a state of disrepair for too long, was identifying and pinning down the responsible authority .
The Minister Responsible for Infrastructure Basil Mramba pointed out that Shekilango did not fall under his jurisdiction.
After some consultations it became evident that it falls under the Kinondoni Municipal authorities which immediately promised that it would see to it that repair works began within two days.
Even though the road does not directly fall under the Infrastructure ministry, it still falls under its overall responsibility. It is the same situation as the councils-run schools that cannot be said to be under the overall responsibility of the Education Ministry.
There is no excuse for the roads mentioned to remain unattended until they deteriorate into their current conditions.
It’s not the question of money , because in the case of Shekilalngo Road, this was not cited. What else can we say if not sheer negligence, skirting of responsibility.
A pothole or depression on a tarmac road if not attended to in time can destroy the whole road over a short time. And that is exactly what is happening along Uhuru Street near Mkapa High School.
So, if such major roads are ignored by the responsible authorities, what of the small ones in various areas of the city, such as the poor neighbourhoods of Mwananyamala, Buguruni, Temeke and Tandale?
However, it would be unfair if we only tell the city’s poor areas not to bank on the authorities to have their roads repaired.
Even the posh areas of Mikocheni and Upanga for instance, cannot boast to have roads that commensurate with the status of the structures that have sprung up over the years.
We suggest a change of attitude towards the infrastructure.
Gone are the days when we relied on the government for essential services. There must be a way whereby wananchi can be mobilised to do minor repairs on their streets.
As for the major roads, all we can say is ’a stitch in time saves nine.’
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