NJOMBE: The University of Dodoma (UDOM) is making steady progress toward completing its Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) project in Njombe, with the university now confidence that the landmark development will be finalized three months ahead of schedule.
Valued at 20bn/- , the project entails the construction of key academic and support infrastructure, including an administration block, lecture halls, modern laboratories, a library, a cafeteria and a dispensary.
Upon completion, the expanded campus is expected to significantly enhance the learning environment and broaden access to quality higher education in Njombe Region and surrounding areas.
During an inspection visit, UDOM Vice Chancellor Prof Lughano Kusiluka said the accelerated pace of construction places the project firmly on track to meet and potentially beat its planned completion timeline.
“This is a very encouraging stage of implementation. Despite the initial challenges, the contractor has intensified the pace of work, and we are confident the project will be completed within the agreed timeframe,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor directed both the project consultant and contractor to further scale up operations to safeguard the deadline.
He ordered an immediate increase in manpower at the site and instructed that all essential construction materials be delivered and secured on-site in advance, wherever possible, to prevent further disruptions.
Prof Kusiluka said the project was designed to be completed within 12 months, with construction progress now exceeding 60 percent. The contract began in May last year.
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“We have no option but to deliver this project on time. It is a strategic investment aimed at strengthening higher education and contributing to national development,” Prof Kusiluka stressed.
He underscored the importance of prudent financial management, noting that funds allocated under the HEET initiative must be utilized efficiently and transparently.
“These funds dedicated to transforming higher education. We must ensure value for money and tangible results that will benefit students and the wider community,” he said.
Earlier delays were largely attributed to disruptions in the supply of construction materials from manufacturing industries, which slowed progress for nearly two months last year. However, the contractor has since increased manpower and reorganized work schedules to recover lost time.
The Njombe Regional authorities allocated 110 acres of land for the campus expansion, underscoring strong local support for the initiative. Once completed, the project is expected to stimulate the regional economy through job creation, growth of small businesses and expanded demand for services.
The Dimetoclasa Real Hope Ltd , managing Director Mr Dickson Mwipopo, said the project is contractually scheduled for completion on May 26, 2026, and reaffirmed his commitment to meeting the deadline.
The contract clearly states that the project must be completed by May 26, 2026. To achieve this target, we are increasing manpower and reorganizing our work schedule to accelerate progress,” he said.
Mr Mwipopo explained that some construction materials are being sourced from outside Njombe due to limited local availability. Sand is transported from Makambako, while aggregates are sourced from the Ismani area in Iringa Region.
“At the beginning, we did not factor in transporting certain materials in our work plan because we believed they were available locally. That was not the case, and we had to source them from outside the region, which contributed to delays,” he said.
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He added that the project experienced nearly two months of disruption during the election period, when several manufacturing industries temporarily slowed or halted production, affecting the supply of key materials such as steel and aggregates.
“Currently, production has stabilized, materials are available, and with increased manpower and round-the-clock operations, we are confident the project will be completed within the agreed timeframe,” Mr Mwipopo said.
Beyond infrastructure expansion, the HEET project is designed to bring higher education opportunities closer to the people of Njombe. By improving academic facilities and learning conditions, UDOM aims to nurture skilled graduates capable of driving economic and social transformation, while reinforcing its commitment to academic excellence and national development.