Dart delays cost top executive’s job

Dar es Salaam. The government has suspended the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (Dart) executive officer Asteria Mlambo over procurement irregularities.

The procurement process involved obtaining an interim service provider in the Dart project.

In April, the government through Dart agency signed an agreement with Usafiri Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit Company to help it run the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project as an interim service provider (ISP). The minister of State in the President’s Office -- Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mr George Simbachawene, said Ms Mlambo also had failed to take action even after realising the ISP violated terms of the contract.

Ms Mlambo, who is also accused of making major decision without involving the Dart advisory board, has been suspended to pave the way for investigations.

Yesterday, Mr Simbachawene said the government was aware that there were some Dart workers, who ill-advised the executive officer, saying action would be taken against them by an acting executive officer to be appointed.

The government has also ordered the permanent secretary in the President’s Office (RALG) to continue with disciplinary procedures against the suspended executive officer.

The government started the Dart project with the aim of reducing traffic jam and facilitating modern means of transport in the city of Dar es Salaam.

“I would like to state that the government will take swift measures to ensure the project takes off and that it provides quality services to residents of Dar es Salaam without further delay.

“I would also advise people to look after and value the Dart infrastructure that has cost us a lot of money,” said Mr Simbachawene.

Uda and Dar es Salaam Commuter Bus Owners Association (Darcoboa) established a new company Uda-RT specifically to run the Dart project.

The company entered in April into a two-year agreement with Dart agency in which it was to purchase and run a fleet of 76 modern buses to operate the BRT project in the city.

The suspended Dart boss, Ms Mlambo, represented the government at the signing ceremony while the Simon Group chairman, which operates Uda, Mr Robert Kisena, and Darcoboa chairman, Mr Sabri Mabruki, represented Uda Rapid Transit at the signing ceremony that took place of the Regional Commissioner’s offices.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by then minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Officer responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government, Ms Hawa Ghasia, and Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Said Meck Sadiki.

Ms Mlambo becomes the fifth head of public corporation or government agency to be suspended or sacked since President John Magufuli took office last month.