JPM: Law fears nobody

PRESIDENT John Magufuli yesterday ordered the demolition of Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) building, proving the adage that ‘law is a doubled-edged sword.’ The pulling down of the imposing structure at Ubungo along Morogoro road will pave way for construction works on the expansion of Morogoro highway

Dr Magufuli directed the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) to tear down Tanesco and water ministry’s buildings in Dar es Salaam ahead of the ambitious Ubungo interchange construction project scheduled to start next month.

He gave the directive when he visited the construction site for the project upon his arrival from his home village of Chato in Geita region. As he inspected development of the project, the president told TANROADS Dar es Salaam Zonal Manager Ndyamukama Julius to pull parts of the buildings that have encroached into the road reserve to pave way for the interchange construction works.

“The law must be respected to speed up construction works of the interchange...the law is a double-edged sword, which even the government itself should adhere to,” he maintained.

The president challenged the project contractors to ensure that construction works of the interchange are executed day and night to complete within the set timeline to facilitate businesses in the city.

Meanwhile, Dr Magufuli directed TANROADS to float tender for the expansion works on the 16-kilometre road from Ubungo interchange towards Chalinze, Coast region, to ease transport from the city.

TANROADS is currently demolishing structures from Kimara to pave way for construction of the six-lane Morogoro highway. Being a commercial city, Dar es Salaam needs infrastructures that will facilitate transportation of commodities entering and transported from the city, he explained.

Security Assurance Consultant Engineer Richard Baruani who is in charge of the construction of Tazara Flyover told the president that the construction of the project has reached 64 per cent and is due for completion in October next year.

Ubungo interchange Consultant Engineer Reginald Kayanga said they anticipate to start construction works next month.

On his arrival at the airport, President Magufuli was received by Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda and other government leaders.