SUMBAWANGA: THE Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) is investigating the implementation of the 21.3bn/- Ilemba irrigation scheme along the Lake Rukwa Basin in Sumbawanga District, Rukwa Region, to assess the value for money.
The Ilemba irrigation scheme, situated along the Lake Rukwa Basin in Sumbawanga, is a key project within the Rift Valley Basin, aimed at boosting agricultural productivity in the region.
The PCCB’s scrutiny will assess whether the project’s execution aligns with its intended goals and delivers the expected value for money for the local community and the government The PCCB Deputy Regional Chief, Mr Thomas Msuka, said over the weekend that the Ilemba irrigation scheme, which covers 1,600 hectares, was found to have discrepancies.
“The bureau though its investigation learnt that the construction of the project is at slow pace” which raise concern, he said.
The project started June last year and as per contractual agreement was supposed to be implemented for six months up to last December. Serengeti Limited is the main contractor.
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“However, the construction work of the project has reached 21 per cent though the contractor Serengeti Ltd has been given an extension to December this year,” the PCCB regional deputy chief said.
He further explained that in the course of investigation the bureau has found several discrepancies which hindered the progress of the project.
He mentioned them as dire shortages of requisite equipment including lack of trucks and concrete mixers.
“Also lack of material engineer and quality control engineer as well as human activities including farming and cattle grazing carried on the key source of water,” Mr Msuka said.
The initiative will boost rice production to sustain food self-sufficiency and subsequently meeting growing demand of staple food in the region and country at large.
Meanwhile, PCCB in Rukwa between October and December last year received 55 complaints, out of which 44 complaints were related to corruption.
