Boost to COASCO as Bashe hands over five vehicles

DODOMA: MINISTER for Agriculture, Mr Hussein Bashe has handed over five vehicles to the Cooperative Audit and Supervision Corporation (COASCO) to ensure the institution discharges its duties effectively and diligently.

The vehicles were part of a batch of 38 vehicles handed recently by the Minister for Agriculture to various institutions under its docket.

The Minister also handed over water well drilling machinery that will be used in ministry and irrigation agency operations.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Bashe announced that the government has begun supporting COASCO to enhance its operational effectiveness.

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“At least we’ve taken the first step in supporting COASCO so it can better fulfill its responsibilities,” he said.

He added: “We believe in COASCO’s capabilities, especially now that it has started receiving budgetary resources and essential equipment. This support will enable the organization to deliver on its mandate and ensure value for money. I am confident that COASCO’s vision is on the path to transformation.”

The Minister also informed stakeholders at the well-attended event that the Ministry of Agriculture plans to introduce a subsidy programme for drilling wells for smallholder farmers.

The service will be provided free of charge. He emphasized that through the initiative, farmers will be able to adopt irrigation farming instead of depending on unreliable rainfall, thereby increasing agricultural productivity.

For his part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Gerald Mweli said that the arrival of new vehicles at COASCO will significantly boost the institution’s efficiency.

“COASCO was in a dire state,” he recalled. “Minister, I remember your directive to increase the budget and procure functional equipment for the organization. We have acted on that directive, and today, you will officially hand over five vehicles to them.”