Members of Parliament in Dodoma have collectively urged for a significant re-evaluation of road financing strategies, pinpointing inadequate funding, poor connectivity, and an inequitable distribution of resources as critical barriers hindering both economic expansion and effective service delivery across Tanzania. During discussions on the 2026/27 Prime Minister's Office budget estimates in the National Assembly, legislators advocated for innovative financing mechanisms, including empowering local authorities to secure loans from financial institutions, as a means to accelerate vital road construction and rehabilitation initiatives.

Kinondoni Member of Parliament, Abbas Tarimba, underscored the persistent deficiency in road coverage, particularly within rapidly urbanizing areas. He highlighted Kinondoni's precarious situation, where only 58 out of 198.34 kilometres of its road network, merely 29 per cent, are paved. MP Tarimba stressed the foundational role of roads in development, lamenting that current budget allocations are insufficient and often fail to reach constituencies as intended. He called for stringent financial discipline, demanding a legal framework to ensure that funds specifically earmarked for road infrastructure are ring-fenced and utilized solely for their intended purpose. Furthermore, he proposed that local authorities be granted autonomy to seek external financing, stating that if Kinondoni could access such funds, it could potentially construct 100 kilometres of roads annually, thereby serving as a national exemplar.

Echoing these concerns, Gairo MP Ahmed Shabiby acknowledged the commendable efforts of agencies like the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) and the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) but emphasized that financial shortages remain the primary impediment. He suggested that the government explore options for borrowing from banks or securing affordable loans to expedite road development. Kilolo MP Ritta Kabati brought to light the direct and severe impact of dilapidated road conditions on livelihoods, especially in rural communities. She described scenarios where impassable roads delay the delivery of agricultural inputs to farmers and cause perishable produce, such as tomatoes, to spoil due to disrupted transport. MP Kabati also criticized the unfairness in budget allocation, noting that regions with comparable road networks often receive vastly different levels of funding.

Morogoro South East MP Hamis Taletale commented on the pervasive nature of road-related complaints among parliamentarians, indicating the gravity of the problem. He stated, “Without roads, even economic activities cannot succeed.” In response to these widespread concerns, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, while tabling the budget on April 1, 2026, affirmed the government's steadfast commitment to prioritizing strategic road infrastructure. He outlined plans for the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of key roads designed to unlock economic opportunities, including those linking regional and district headquarters, as well as connections to neighbouring countries, all to be upgraded to tarmac level. Additionally, the Prime Minister announced upcoming bypass, ring, and rapid transit road projects aimed at alleviating congestion in fast-growing urban centres, alongside efforts to bolster ferry and bridge infrastructure. Regarding financing, he instructed the Ministry of Finance to strengthen revenue streams for the Road Fund and ensure that allocated funds are directly disbursed as approved in the budget.

Beyond road infrastructure, Members of Parliament also voiced significant concerns about the efficacy of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems, asserting that weak follow-up mechanisms undermine the successful implementation of government directives. Special Seats MP Engineer Mwanaisha Ulenge stressed the necessity for robust M&E systems to ensure projects are executed effectively and punctually, advocating for a clear policy and legal framework to support these efforts. Makete MP Festo Sanga highlighted a lack of accountability at lower administrative levels, which he argued impedes service delivery, concluding that “A government without strong monitoring and evaluation cannot expect positive results.” Professor Kitila Mkumbo, addressing these concerns, confirmed that the government currently operates an M&E system within the Prime Minister's Office and across various ministries, with continuous improvements underway. Other issues raised during the parliamentary debate included youth unemployment, with Kisarawe MP Dr. Suleiman Jaffo proposing temporary employment programmes to provide young people with valuable experience, and access to financing, as Tabora Urban MP Hawa Mwaifunga highlighted inequalities in the distribution of interest-free loans, particularly affecting women. Overall, the extensive parliamentary discussions unequivocally underscored road infrastructure as the most critical issue, with MPs collectively urging the government to adopt transformative financing approaches to bridge the existing infrastructure gaps.