Assessments of effectiveness of TANROADs in road maintenance in Tanzania

The main purpose of this study was to assess effectiveness of TANROADS in road maintenance in Dar es Salaam. Specifically, the study aimed at finding out the extent to which TANROADS has been effective in road maintenance in Dar es Salaam, to find out whether the road service level report by TANROADS reflect the actual service level, to find out the extent to which the Road Fund Board (RFB) is capable of fulfilling the funds requested by TANROADS. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews and review of documentary sources. The study results showed that TANROADS has not been very effective in road maintenance, and the main reason given is the persistent deterioration and poor quality of the roads. The study results revealed doubts related to the service level reports that TANROADS produced, because basing on the report and the TANROADS proposed annual budget, RBF disbursed funds as requested, yet road maintenance was not effectively done by TANROADS, raising the question of mismanagement of road management funds. Views on ways of ensuring sustainability of roads were also given, among which are the following: service level reports to be prepared by an independent body, on-site survey to be conducted by RBF to determine validity of the service level reports, proper management of funds released by RBF, timely release of road funds, practicing good governance, as well as education programs for road users on road matters. This study recommends proper management of funds released by RBF, on-site survey to be conducted by RBF to determine validity of the service level reports and also conducting seminars and workshops on maintenance and sustainability of roads so as to create awareness