Minister orders manhunt for water contractor

Deputy minister of Water and Irrigation Jumaa Aweso

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Mr Aweso issued the directive on Friday during his four-day tour of Ruvuma Region to oversee the implementation of water projects.

        Tunduru. Deputy minister of Water and Irrigation Jumaa Aweso has directed the police to arrest the contractor of Cosmas Engineering Company for allegedly disappearing after being paid Sh500 million without accomplishing the project.

Mr Aweso issued the directive on Friday during his four-day tour of Ruvuma Region to oversee the implementation of water projects.

The project is implemented at Matemanga Village in Tunduru District at Sh1 billion and was expected to be completed since 2014.

“He must be arrested immediately and face charges. This is not acceptable at all,” said the deputy minister, adding that the government would have no mercy to those, who would misuse public funds.

“To reach the target, we need collaboration of both government officials and members of the public to ensure all projects are completed on time and hold accountable those, who will misuse public funds for water projects,” he added.

He also asked head of departments to avoid favouritism, when issuing tenders for development projects, but consider competence.

Mr Aweso also directed the Tunduru District Council to explain why it re-issued the tender to the same contractor, who was expelled after failing to complete the project on time. Earlier, district water engineer Emmanuel Mfoi said the Matemanga water project started in 2013 and was expected to be finished in 2014.

“The delay was caused by a number of factors and that is why we have been extending the deadline.

The constructor was supposed to hand over the project on November 27, this year, but he didn’t,” he said.