Deputy Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Dr. Jafar Seif, on behalf of the Minister, Prof. Riziki Shemdoe, has ordered the arrest of Hamerkop International Limited if it fails to complete the Outpatient Department (OPD) building at Njombe Town (Kibena) Hospital by February 8, 2026.
Dr. Seif issued the directive on January 7, 2026, during an inspection of the single-story OPD facility, which is set to provide outpatient services, radiology, emergency care, dental services, and offices for other hospital departments. The project is part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery and support health insurance services.
The Deputy Minister cited repeated delays, despite granting the contractor two extensions beyond the original contract period. Progress has slowed, affecting timely access to quality healthcare, even though the government has already paid TZS 784.2 million of the total TZS 863.3 million project value.
A report from the Tanzania Building Agency (TBA) consultant, Mr. Kenan Lyimo, shows the project is 70% complete.
Hamerkop International Limited maintains that the remaining time is sufficient to finish construction and hand over the building within the extended deadline.
Njombe Town (Kibena) Hospital serves about 204,247 people annually, including residents from Njombe Town, Njombe District, Wanging’ombe, Makambako Town, Makete, and Ludewa Districts.