No plan to establish administrative areas at the moment- Govt

DODOMA: DEPUTY Minister in the President’s Office, Public Service management and Good Governance, Mr Festo Dugange said on Friday that the government has prioritised completing construction of infrastructures and improving social services in the existing administrative areas instead of establishing new ones.

He said the government recognizes the importance of the establishment of administrative areas to move services closer to the people.

The Deputy Minister was responding to a question from Mbulu rural Member of Parliament Flatei Massay, who wanted to know when the government will divide the villages of Sidgi, Hayderer Juu, Umbur along with Hayderer, Haydom, Maghangw, Dogobesh and Maretadu Wards.

The deputy minister said the establishment of new administrative areas complies with the Law of Local Governments (District Authorities) Chapter 287 and (City Authorities) Chapter 288 as well as the Guidelines for the establishment of Administrative Areas of the Year 2014.

He said the government recognizes the need to allocate some new administrative areas but currently, it is focusing on improving and completing infrastructure in the existing administrative areas, so that they can provide services more efficiently and later continue with other areas in accordance with the specified procedures and criteria.

The Deputy Minister also added that the government was constructing various health centres and hospital in various parts of the country in phases.

He was responding to a question from Special Seats Member of Parliament Ester Midimu who wanted to know when the government will build the Inpatient Wards at the Zagayu Health Center in Itilima District, the deputy minister said that the construction of a health center is usually done in phases, where the first phase involves Out Patient Department OPD) buildings, laboratories, emergency surgery, maternity and surgery ward, laundry building and waste incinerator.

The second phase, the deputy minister said, will involve the construction of inpatient wards.

“Therefore, Zagayu health center will be allocated a budget for the construction of a ward in the second phase of construction,” said the deputy minister.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government Authorities)Ms Zainab Katimba said the government recognizes the importance of the construction of Mpiji River Bridge connecting Kibaha and Kibwegere Town Councils in Ubungo District.

The deputy minister was responding to a question from Kibaha Urban Member of Parliament Sylvestry Koka (CCM) who wanted to know when the government will build the Mpiji River Bridge to connect Kibaha and Kibwengere in Ubungo District.

The deputy minister told the legislator that Tanzania Rural and Urban Road Agency (TARURA) in collaboration with Smarcon Consulting Engineer has done a detailed design of the bridge with a length of 60 meters, the work has been completed and the construction costs are estimated to be 3bn/-.

“The government is continuing with its efforts to find funds for the construction of the bridge, and once they are available, construction will begin immediately,” he said.