Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has directed the Director of the Ruangwa District Council, Frank Chonya, to ensure that the contractor building dormitories, classrooms, and toilets at Mandawa Secondary School starts work by October 24 this year.
Speaking to the school’s teachers and students, along with district leaders today (Monday, October 21, 2024), after inspecting the progress of the infrastructure construction, the Prime Minister stated that the government has decided to elevate the school’s status by adding Form Five and Six classes.
Prime Minister Majaliwa, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ruangwa, is on a four-day working visit to the district. He noted that President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan allocated TZS 545 million for the construction of three dormitories, six classrooms, and twelve toilet stalls at the school, located in Mandawa ward, Ruangwa district, Lindi region.
The Prime Minister condemned the behavior of officials receiving funds for projects and then holding meetings without making decisions that facilitate the commencement of the projects.
“You signed the contract on October 8 this year, but so far no work has been done. Are we really going to finish these buildings on time? Where is the foundation for the dormitory? We want these buildings completed by December this year so that in February 2025, we can register the school,” he emphasized.
He added that the government’s emphasis is on ensuring that all funded projects are completed and start being used. “When people see a project being built, they want to see it progress quickly and with quality to yield results once it is in use.”
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During separate discussions with residents in public meetings held in the Mandawa, Namichiga, and Matambarale wards, Mr. Majaliwa stated that significant work is ongoing in the sectors of education, health, water, electricity, and roads.
“Today in this district, we have finished electrifying all villages, and now we are moving to hamlets. We have completed the construction of primary schools; we have no issues there. On the secondary level, we have made great strides, as when I took office in 2010, we had only three secondary schools, but today in 2024, we have 30 secondary schools. The goal is to ensure that the children of Ruangwa receive an education where they are.”
Regarding road infrastructure, the Prime Minister said there is currently a tarmacked road network of 24 kilometers in Ruangwa town. “We also have plans to construct 100 kilometers of rural roads leading to production areas to facilitate easier transport of crops to markets; all of these will be paved.”
Overall, the Prime Minister urged the residents of these wards to remain calm and continue trusting their government.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow students, the Head Boy of Mandawa Secondary School, Saidi Mohammed Mkowola, expressed gratitude to the Sixth Phase Government led by President Dr. Samia for providing funds for the construction of dormitories, toilet stalls, classrooms, and the construction of chemistry and biology laboratories, as well as the purchase of various laboratory equipment.
He also thanked the government for allocating TZS 30 million for the completion of the physics laboratory.