Road construction, Tanzanian style

This road (photo below) links the village of Butiama to the Musoma - Mwanza main road, more than 11 kilometres to the west. It was completed in 2005 just before President Benjamin Mkapa stepped down after his second term in office.

In late July I noticed that workers were drawing the white stripe in the middle of the road and I thought: "It's about time!"Although it had taken nine years for someone to remember to put the final touches on this road I felt they could be forgiven for the lapse. Finally, I thought, those drivers who had difficulty keeping on their side of the road now had a line in the middle to help them navigate past oncoming traffic.

And then someone mentioned that Works Minister Dr. John Pombe Magufuli was about to visit Butiama to inaugurate construction of the road that would provide access for residents of this part of Tanzania to travel on most of the distance between Mara region through the Serengeti National Park and to Arusha region on a tarmac road. Yes, I am referring to the infamous Serengeti "Highway".

Then I understood why that someone who nine years ago should have drawn the white stripe in the middle of the road had suddenly remembered to complete a task that, in normal conditions, would remain unfinished.

The minister was bound to pass on this road and raise more than a few questions. That was the reason why.