Simanjiro District Council has been hailed as a model local authority in Manyara Region after becoming the first district council in the region to purchase its own bus, while also earning an unqualified audit opinion from the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) for the 2024/25 financial year.
The commendation came from Manyara Regional Commissioner Queen Cuthbert Sendiga during the inauguration of the council’s new Marcopolo Tata bus and a newly furnished conference hall in Orkesumet Township.
The Regional Commissioner described the investments as a reflection of prudent financial management and a commitment to improving public service delivery.
“I congratulate Simanjiro District Council for this remarkable achievement. This is the first district council in Manyara Region to acquire its own bus, and it demonstrates the council’s determination to invest in assets that support development and improve efficiency,” she said.
Ms Sendiga noted that the true value of the bus would be measured by its contribution to service delivery, particularly in facilitating the movement of council staff and enhancing operational efficiency.
“The importance of this bus is not in owning it, but in how it is used. It should help employees perform their duties effectively, reach work stations on time and ultimately improve services for wananchi,” she said.
She also praised the council for equipping its new conference hall with modern furniture, saying the facility would provide a conducive environment for councillors and staff to conduct meetings and make decisions that drive local development.
Beyond the infrastructure investments, the Regional Commissioner lauded the council for securing a clean audit report, a key indicator of sound financial governance and accountability.
The council received an unqualified opinion from the CAG for the 2024/25 financial year after successfully addressing most of the audit concerns that had previously been raised.
“This achievement deserves recognition. Out of 40 audit queries, the council has managed to clear 26. I encourage the leadership to ensure that the remaining 14 are resolved so that Simanjiro can maintain its strong record of financial accountability,” she said.
Simanjiro District Executive Director Gracian Max Makota said the new bus was purchased at a cost of Sh180 million, financed entirely through the council’s internally generated revenue.
He said the investment reflects the council’s growing financial capacity and commitment to improving operational efficiency without relying solely on central government funding.
Mr Makota added that Sh206 million from the central government was used to procure furniture and fittings for the new conference hall, transforming it into a modern facility capable of supporting council activities and stakeholder engagements.
Speaking at the event, Simanjiro District Council Chairperson Kaleya Melita Mollel said the council had put in place measures to ensure the bus is properly maintained and delivers value for money over the long term.
“We recognise the importance of protecting public assets. The council is committed to maintaining this vehicle so that it can continue serving staff and residents efficiently for many years,” she said.
The launch of the new facilities marks another milestone for Simanjiro District Council as it seeks to strengthen institutional capacity, improve service delivery and sustain a culture of financial discipline that has earned it recognition from regional authorities.
