WARNING bells have started tolling for government officials who bungle big environmental projects aimed at overcoming chronic problems that compromise people’s livelihood.
That was stated emphatically yesterday
by the Deputy Minister in Vice-President’s Office (Union and
Environment), Mr Kangi Lugola.
Mr Lugola was fuming as he rejected a
report presented by Engineer Jason Niraphael, the coordinator of an
ongoing potable water project in Bagamoyo District to mitigate the
effects of climate change on people.
He directed the coordinator be relieved
of that role and assigned other duties. “I came here to work, but you
are receiving me empty-handed,” Mr Lugola, who was appointed to the post
two weeks ago, remarked angrily, to Mr Niraphael’s chagrin.
The deputy minister was particularly
upset by indications of laxity in implementation of the training of
would-be beneficiaries of the project at a cost of more than 85
million/-.
“These are the trends that are returning
us to where we came from. I sent prior information of my visit, and
expected to find you prepared… These are very costly projects; they must
be implemented on schedule to benefit the people,” Mr Lugola said.
Feasibility studies on the project
estimated to cost 912 million/- and is overseen by the Vice-President’s
Office, were completed in 2012 and implementation started in January
2015. The project is expected to be commissioned in February next year.
Under the project, 17 bore holes are to
be built and water tanks put in place to store rain water. It is
expected to benefit 10,000 people, and five government institutions,
including schools.
But Mr Lugola told his audience that he
had been shocked by the little work that had been done so far,
reiterating that the government won’t have mercy on inept and negligent
officials.
The Bagamoyo District Executive
Director, Ms Fatuma Latu, said the council knew nothing about the
project, for which the council wasn’t given correct information.
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