This piece explains what the minister’s directive means for delivery, standards and performance under the road contract.
A contract-compliance order at the work site
Minister for Works Masanja Kadogosa ordered the contractor handling the 70-kilometre Mbauda–Losinyai and Tanganyika Packers–Losinyai sections of the Arusha–Kibaya–Kongwa road to meet contractual requirements and deliver the works to the required standards. He issued the directive on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, during an inspection of Tanzania National Roads Agency projects in Arusha. The inspection formed part of preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The instruction places emphasis on the contractor’s existing obligations rather than announcing a new procurement. It links delivery to the agreed scope, quality and timetable of the works.
The mechanism is performance against agreed obligations
In a public works contract, the contractor is expected to deliver the defined works on time, in full and according to the required standards. The minister’s order is significant because it publicly reinforces those contractual requirements and directs the contractor to treat the project as a test of performance. Kadogosa also said a strong record on this project could create opportunities for future road projects. That is a reminder that performance on one contract can affect a firm’s reputation and prospects, while the immediate measure remains compliance with the obligations for the current work.
Thirteen kilometres has tournament priority
The government has prioritised 13 kilometres for the tournament: the 7.4-kilometre Mbauda–Arusha Bypass section and the 5.6-kilometre Tanganyika Packers–Kiserian section. Both are scheduled for completion by December 2026. TANROADS Arusha Regional Manager Engineer Raginald Massawe said implementation of these AFCON sections had reached 50.93 per cent. The agency has directed the contractor to increase resources, equipment and workforce to keep the works within the planned time frame. The priority therefore creates a specific delivery focus within the wider road project.
Road works sit alongside wider improvements
Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports and Arusha Urban MP Paul Makonda said he expects the project to be completed on schedule. He also referred to the installation of street lights, construction of bus stops and tree planting as measures intended to improve Arusha’s appearance. These additions broaden the visible impact expected around the road works, but the central procurement issue remains delivery by the contractor against the contract’s requirements. The inspection brought together the ministerial direction and TANROADS’ request for more resources, equipment and workers as the December deadline approaches.
IN NUMBERS
The directive makes contractual compliance the centre of the project’s next phase, with TANROADS monitoring progress and the contractor expected to improve capacity for the prioritised sections.
Reported from dailynews.co.tz, 2026-10-07. The Tender Wire is published by Otnox.
