State enforces accountability in 1.1tri/- WB-funded urban projects

THE Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa, has directed the termination of contracts for non-performing contractors and those who violate procedures in the implementation of the 1.1tri/- Tanzania Cities Transforming Infrastructure and Competitiveness Project (TACTIC), which is being executed in 45 towns across the country.

He issued the directive in Dodoma on Wednesday after witnessing the signing of 13 contracts, worth over 261.8bn/- for projects in 11 towns, between the Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) and various contractors.

These projects are part of the TACTIC initiative, funded by the Central Government through a World Bank loan worth USD 410 million (over 1.1tri/-), excluding VAT.

The Minister emphasized that officials from the TARURA must be firm and vigilant, ensuring that any contractor who breaches contract terms is terminated.

“If the contractors assigned to this work underperform or breach procedures, terminate their contracts because the law allows you to do so. Be strict and firm, because Members of Parliament fought hard to get these infrastructure projects approved by the President. Their aim is to see citizens receiving services, so I urge you to be tough,” he stressed.

Mchengerwa also instructed municipal directors in areas where the projects are being implemented to provide opportunities for local experts for minor works and to cooperate with contractors.

Additionally, the Minister warned against the practice where some contractors receive project funds but divert them to other activities.

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“There has been a trend of some contractors taking funds allocated for specific projects and using them elsewhere. If you identify such individuals, the law permits you to terminate their contracts,” he cautioned.

He further directed TARURA to blacklist contractors who have delayed projects and not to assign them new contracts. Where necessary, he said, contracts should be revoked, as contractors had been given enough time to complete the projects.

Mchengerwa highlighted that the government expects these projects to positively transform lives in the respective towns by improving transportation, creating a better business environment, and increasing municipal revenues, while emphasizing the need to preserve the infrastructure.

He also instructed benefiting local government authorities to ensure that marketplaces and bus terminals built under these projects are self-sustaining, so they can generate income to support national development.

“The government will ensure all procedures are completed on time so that these projects can begin implementation. Now it is your responsibility, contractors, to make sure they are completed within the scheduled timeframe,” he said.

The Minister also directed regional and district commissioners to closely monitor the implementation of the projects.

Earlier, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Rogatus Mativila, said the signed projects involve the construction of roads and stormwater drainage systems, installation of streetlights, as well as marketplaces and bus terminals, in 11 towns.

The Tanzania Cities Transforming Infrastructure and Competitiveness Project is designed to support urban development by strengthening urban management and improving access to basic infrastructure and services in participating urban areas in Tanzania.