President Magufuli orders TBA to speed-up construction of hospital in Simiyu
What you need to know:
- He issued the directive when he was addressing Bariadi residents during a ceremony to lay a foundation stone for construction of a 49.7 kilometre tarmac road connecting Bariadi-Maswa.
Dar es Salaam. President John Magufuli on Saturday, September 8, 2018 ordered the Tanzania Building Agency (TBA) to speed up construction of Simiyu Regional Hospital.
He issued the directive when he was addressing Bariadi residents during a ceremony to lay a foundation stone for construction of a 49.7 kilometre tarmac road connecting Bariadi-Maswa.
During the event which was live broadcast via a local television site, Dr Magufuli further instructed the Health Minister Ms Ummy Mwalimu to ensure the construction of the hospital facilities was completed in the next six months.
“I want the project to be completed as soon as possible in a bid to allow patients to have access to the medical services,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President pledged to contribute at least Sh4 billion to facilitate the construction of facilities in Simiyu regional hospital.
He also revealed that the government had received Sh1.1 billion aid from the Global Fund for improving health settings in Tanzania.
Responding, the Health Minister Ms Mwalimu during the event assured the President that her office will supervise the project to make sure that the project was completed as scheduled.
“During the 2018/19 fiscal budget, we allocated Sh1.5 billion to facilitate construction and rehabilitation of Simiyu regional hospital,” she said.
Commenting on the road project, the President revealed that the construction of the road will cost Sh238 billion, funded by the government of Tanzania.
He also applauded the farmers and pastoralists in the region, citing that the government was determined to transform the agriculture sector.
“I am aware that at least 80 percent of Simiyu population are farmers and pastoralists.
He added “Simiyu region is the leading producer of cotton followed by Mwanza region. I therefore encourage the farmers to increase their yields,”
Among others, the President on Saturday during his official tour of Simiyu region laid foundation stones for construction of various road projects.
