Biharamulo Council tests LAAC powers

THE Parliamentary Local Authorities Accounts Committee (LAAC) has expressed its dissatisfaction over implementation of its directives it had issued to Biharamulo Municipal Council.

In the wake of the matter, the committee ordered the council’s officials to travel back to Biharamulo to implement the directives before meeting the committee.

Committee’s Chairman, Seleman Zedi said the officials had implemented only three out of 33 directives given by the committee.

He made the revelations after the committee held a meeting with officials from Ngara, Sumbawanga and Biharamulo district councils.

“We have sent them back to implement the directives, we want them to come back when they are done,” he said.

With regard to the Sumbawanga District Council, Zedi said his committee found out that it had not adhered to the internal budget estimate plans due to the fact that for three years consecutively its spending surpassed its estimates.

“The committee, in its opinion, has seen that the local councils can collect more revenue if they make realistic plans,” he said.

He said the members have directed the councils that their estimates should go in tandem with the realistic needs of the areas.

“We have also discovered that the councils have set aside 10 per cent of their own revenues to loan vulnerable groups but they do not abide by the 4-4-2 ratio for women, youth and people with disabilities, respectively,” he said.

He also said the repayment of the loans was still a challenge since a lot of money was still not paid back.

“We have also discovered that there are uncompleted development projects in these local councils, particularly in health and education sectors,” said LAAC chairman.