SHORTFALLS in the procurement process, a shortage of engineers in Tanga City Council, and lack of financial resources have been mentioned as among reasons for delayed completion of Pongwe Health Centre renovation.
This was said by Pongwe Ward Councillor Mubarak Saad Mubarak when he updated Ms Husna Sekiboko, Member of Parliament (Special Seats) for Tanga Region, on the pressing issues that the aging 1973 Centre is presently confronting.
The MP was touring a number of development projects being implemented as part of the execution of the CCM’s 2020-2025 Election Manifesto.
According to Mr Mubaraka, the Council has set aside 100m/ from its internal revenue sources to implement the project.
The project aims to revitalise the failing water and sewage systems in addition to repairing the deteriorating electrical system.
He clarified that the money was made available three months ago.
Patients, including expectant mothers, are currently required to fetch water for their use in the ward from far distance.
“Since there is no running water in the facility, even the cleanliness of the wards cannot be good,” he said.
He asserted that each time they inquire about the issue, they were informed that the procurement process was still ongoing.
In addition, he emphasised that insufficient number of procurement officers poses a significant challenge for staying on track with the rapid implementation of multiple projects.
To handle the implementation of projects in Tanga City Council, he advised the government to hire more procurement officers and engineers.
He noted that the projects have been conducted using Force Account, an arrangement that requires the local contractors to have capital to initiate particular tendered work and then receive payment later.
“A lot of local contractors fail because they lack funds to start working. Therefore, we request that the government develops a strategy to finance them so that they can perform those tasks,” said Mubarak.
Ms Sekiboko, in response to the ward’s arguments, urged the City Council to expedite the procurement procedures.
She said she will take the matter to relevant leaders including the Member of Parliament for Tanga Constituency, Ummy Mwalimu to correct the defects that are hindering the implementation of projects.
