By Adonis Byemelwa
Shinyanga District Commissioner, Julius
Mtatiro, conducted a thorough inspection of ongoing road and bridge
infrastructure projects in the Shinyanga Municipality on July 8, 2024.
During the visit, he ordered the
termination of Fomast Construction Company's contract for a bridge project due
to unsatisfactory performance.
Accompanied by members of the
district's defense and security committee and experts from the Tanzania Rural
and Urban Roads Agency (Tarura), Mtatiro stressed the importance of timely and
high-quality project execution.
He stated that contractors who
fail to meet these standards would not be awarded future projects.
Specifically, Mtatiro directed that the bridge project connecting Mwawaza and
Chibe wards be reassigned to another contractor, while Fomast would retain responsibility
for the road construction only. He demanded a detailed work plan for the
completion of the road by Saturday.
"This contractor,
responsible for both the road and bridge connecting Mwawaza and Chibe wards,
will be stripped of the bridge project and retained only for the road work. By
Saturday, I want a comprehensive work plan for the road's completion,"
Mtatiro declared.
"We are inspecting these
development projects to ensure that the funds provided by President Samia
Suluhu Hassan are utilized effectively. We will not tolerate incompetent
contractors," he added.
In addition, Mtatiro called for
a structured approach to educate and relocate residents engaged in agricultural
activities along the Ning'wa River, where a new bridge is set to be constructed
soon.
Acting Manager of Tarura
Shinyanga District, Engineer Yohana William, confirmed that Fomast Construction
had been repeatedly urged to expedite their work but continued to underperform.
He pledged to enforce the directive to reassign the bridge project, which
Fomast had yet to commence.
In defense, Fomast's contractor
Exavel Mapunda attributed the delays to challenges posed by the rainy season.
The inspected roads and bridges include the routes connecting Mwasele and Ndala
wards, Mwawaza and Chibe wards extending to Old Shinyanga and Butengwa, as well
as the roads in Majengo Mapya and the town center, which are being upgraded to
tarmac.
In Tanzania, District
Commissioners (DCs) like Julius Mtatiro play a crucial role in local
governance, wielding significant authority to oversee and ensure the efficient
execution of government projects.
Their responsibilities include
monitoring the performance of public employees and contractors, ensuring
adherence to project timelines and quality standards, and addressing any lapses
in service delivery.
The administrative framework in
Tanzania empowers DCs to make decisive interventions, such as terminating
contracts, to uphold accountability and efficiency in public service.
This system of governance
underscores the importance of political leaders in Tanzania being vigilant and
proactive in managing public resources and infrastructure development.
The District Commissioner’s
power to directly address and rectify issues with contractors and public
employees highlights a hands-on approach to governance, ensuring that
development initiatives meet the expected standards and contribute to the
nation's progress.
The inspection of infrastructure
projects by DC Mtatiro exemplifies the accountability mechanisms in place
within Tanzania's political and administrative systems, aiming to optimize the
impact of public expenditure on community development and infrastructure.