RC warns teachers, contractors who collude to inflate projects’ charges

KAGERA: KAGERA Regional Commissioner (RC) Fatma Mwassa has warned teachers and contractors who collude to inflate projects’ charges, saying stern measures will be taken against them.

Equally, she tasked engineers and procurement officers under the eight councils –Muleba, Bukoba DC, Biharamulo, Ngara, Karagwe, Kyerwa, Miassenyi and Bukoba MC to closely supervise the projects to get the intended value for money.

She made the remarks on Thursday while in Ngara District where she convened a meeting with District Commissioners (DCs), District Executive Directors (DEDs) and heads of departments from the eight councils to review work progress for 2023 and set new strategies for the new year 2024.

“I have received reports that some of the head teachers (names withheld) deliberately report a big number of pupils registered for primary school and thus they use money intended for BOOST education programme”, she warned.

Ms Mwassa also said some of the teachers collude with contractors by inflating charges on projects saying stern measures would be taken against them.

Meanwhile, Muleba District Commissioner (DC), Dr Abel Nyamahanga has directed the Acting District Executive Director (DED), Ms Christina Akio, to suspend seven Council Officers for allegedly violating government guidelines in the construction of buildings under the Primary Education Quality Improvement (BOOST) Programme, causing an estimated loss amounting over 104m/-.

He made the remarks recently during a joint workers’ meeting to review work progress for 2023 and set strategies for the new year 2024.

“I am disappointed by reports which indicate that guidelines for the construction of buildings under the Primary Education Quality Improvement Programme (BOOST) have been violated. I will not hesitate to take immediate action against employees who are found to have committed fraud in public projects,” he warned.

According to Dr Nyamahanga, the stalled projects include the construction of buildings for four primary schools namely Kanyamika, Burigi, Kanyabwenda and Rugasha.

The suspended officers include the District Education Officer (primary), five Engineers under Works department and a Procurement Officer (names withheld). “The Officers have been suspended pending an inquiry into the allegations leveled against them,” he said.