Dr John Magufuli

Works minister Dr John Magufuli has warned officials who have been diverting the money allocated for the Roads Fund Board (RFB) into activities which are not related to road construction projects.

He said the problem has been serious and that it needs to be addressed, so as to make the board fulfill its duties.
The minister explained that in some areas the Roads Fund money has been diverted into paying bills for the Uhuru Torch rally, paying allowance for Form Four exams’ invigilators as well as paying allowances for board meetings.

“This is not acceptable, I call upon the road fund board to investigate and work on this matter and take action against the officials, who are behind the dubious spending,” Dr Magufuli said here on Monday when opening RFB stakeholders’ meeting.

The minister urged the board to ensure that the findings of the investigation should be sent to the responsible ministry for further actions.
He also urged permanent secretaries in the ministry of Work, Regional Administration and Local Government, Regional Administrative Secretaries, Tanroads’ top officials to take actions against all officials involved in diverting the RFB money.

“This is contrary to the law governing the road fund,” he said, adding that in Dodoma District Council there was a road contractor, who was paid twice in one project.
He said other examples were seen in the district councils of Morogoro, Chato, Kishapu, Mtwara, Kigoma, Biharamulo, Bukoba, Muleba and Misenyi whereby the RFB money was used to pay allowances, fuel something which is not related to road construction projects.

“This problem is very serious across the country,” he said, citing other examples as Morogoro, Musoma municipalities, district councils of Mafia, Mwanga,  Geita, Chato, Kibondo, Bariadi and Tarime where the fund’s money was spent for the Uhuru Torch rally, paying allowances for the Form Four exams’ supervisors and buying facilities which are not related to road construction projects.

 He also revealed that in Chato district, the fund’s money was used to dig a dump site as well as giving a project without calling tenders as required by the law.
Magufuli also complained that there are some contractors who were underperforming, hence contributing to poor spending of public resources.

“This has happened in Bahi District Council whereby Kigwe-Ngulugano bridge was below standards.”
He urged RFB to ensure that allocated funds are wisely spent for country’s socio-economic development.