ROAD NETWORK DEVELOPMENT

Along with Mtwara Region, Ruvuma is a region, which is located in the southernmost area of Tanzania Mainland. It is a region, which is at the periphery, security wise and in terms of distance to the industrial, commercial and administrative capital of Tanzania . To the region, connectivity with the centre, in particular via the road network, is very important. It is a matter of survival and it is critical to the development process.

On the other hand, being at the periphery gives the region a central role in assisting neighbouring and landlocked countries in the south to have access to the sea. Ruvuma is an important connecting region in the development of the Mtwara Corridor, which can assist Malawi , Zambia , Nothern Mozambique and even the D.R.C. in the movement of their exports and imports to and from overseas.

Road network by road classification:

By the year 2003 the combined tarmac and gravel network amounted to 567.7 kms in length. This was 10.4 percent of the total network. Of the 567.2 kms of combined tarmac and gravel Songea Rural had the major share at 248.8 kms or 43.8 percent. Tunduru's share was least among the districts at 11.2 percent or 63.8 kms.