Mufindi bets on self-reliance to fund key public services

Mufindi. The Mufindi District Council in Iringa Region has successfully implemented major development projects by allocating 60 percent of its locally generated revenue to bring essential services closer to residents.

Speaking during a third-quarter council meeting covering the period from January to March, the council’s executive director, Mr Mashaka Mfaume, said the initiative has enabled the council to undertake significant projects, including the construction of Iramba Girls Secondary School and Kibengu Secondary School.

He emphasised that although the central government provides financial support, the council has taken deliberate steps to use its own resources for development.

“Through our internal revenue, we have implemented various projects, such as building new schools and completing key infrastructure,” he said on May 21, 2025.

According to Mr Mfaume, the council projected to collect Sh9.3 billion in the 2024/25 financial year from its local sources, with 60 percent of this revenue earmarked for development projects across the district.

“In addition to completing educational infrastructure, we have constructed three new health centres in the wards of Iyalimba, Mapanda and Mninga,” he said, adding that these centres, along with improvements to existing dispensaries, were entirely funded through internal revenue.

The commitment to reinvesting local revenue in visible and impactful projects was originally encouraged by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa during his visit to Iringa on July 7, 2024. While laying the foundation stone for Iramba Girls Secondary School, he urged councils nationwide to allocate local revenue for projects that directly benefit citizens. He also praised Mufindi councillors for their forward-thinking decision to finance the school.

The council chairman Mr Festo Mgina echoed the praise, stating that the benefits of their efforts are now evident across all wards.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our councillors, the director and all technical staff for their outstanding work in ensuring the timely completion of these projects,” he said.

Mufindi District Commissioner, Dr Linda Salekwa, who also spoke at the meeting, commended the council for distinguishing itself from others by funding large-scale development initiatives from its internal revenue.

“I believe the councillors can agree with me that every leader who visits here commends the council for the commendable efforts in implementing health and education projects using our own local funds,” she said.