Tanga Regional Commissioner, Dr. Batilda Burian, has raised concerns about the reallocation of funds originally intended for the construction of the Maternity, Children's, and Men's Wards, as well as a mortuary building at Mkinga District Hospital.

According to her, the said funds were redirected to other purposes without the consent of her office or the President's Office (TAMISEMI).

Dr. Batilda voiced these concerns during a special council meeting on June 13, 2024, where the Auditor General's report on Mkinga District Council was discussed. She wanted to know the person who approved the transfer of the funds from one project to another.

Furthermore, she inquired about why the funds designated for the specific project were redirected when they were allocated for its completion and were adequate to finish the hospital.

On the other hand, the Regional Commissioner directed the District Executive Director of Mkinga to ensure that legal actions are taken against individuals who retained 21 million without depositing it in the bank, since the money belong to the government.

Furthermore, she highlighted completed projects worth 107m/- that have yet to be utilized, raising questions about why these projects have remained inactive despite their completion.

"Additionally, there are projects worth 84m/- that remain incomplete. An assessment of project implementation efficiency reveals that numerous development projects, including those in Mkinga Council, were not completed within the stipulated time frame,” she said.

She emphasized: “DED, your office must ensure that funded projects are finalized in compliance with established guidelines. I need a detailed report on each project, the report should outline project’s completion status and any obstacles encountered."

Moreover, she called upon the responsible officials to address queries raised by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) before June 30 this year. For queries that are beyond their control, they should provide a response, and for those requiring approval for closure, the process should commence.

"Ensure that the CAG queries are addressed and resolved by June 30, 2024. For queries beyond your immediate control necessitating a response, begin the closure process," instructed RC Ambassador Batilda.

As you may recall, on March 28 of this year, President Samia received the CAG report for the fiscal year 2022/2023. She instructed all ministries, institutions, and regions to evaluate the report thoroughly and address any outstanding queries,” she reminded the gathering.

She observed that among the 11 councils in the Tanga region, 10 received a clean audit report, while Kilindi received an adverse audit review.

"The financial records of local governments underwent scrutiny as well. Out of the 11 councils in the Tanga region, 10 received positive audit reports, with Kilindi Council receiving an unfavorable audit review. Steps must be taken to prevent further adverse audit findings within the region."

She emphasized the significance of ensuring that the substantial efforts undertaken by President Samia Suluhu Hassan are acknowledged and comprehended by the citizens, especially with local elections approaching. Leaders are encouraged to lead by example and demonstrate commendable behavior.

Failure to meet the mark in leadership could hinder the progress of the President's initiatives. Serving as intermediaries between citizens and the President, they have a pivotal role in conveying their concerns and aspirations. public concerns. Consequently, leaders must carefully analyze the issues at hand and strategize accordingly.