State deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government) Aggrey Mwanri has threatened to form a task force to probe payments of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) made by District councils in Iringa region.

He said he would take the action if audit of transactions conducted by district councils in Iringa Region for 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 would not be done immediately.

Mwanri said this at the weekend at the end of his official visit in the districts of Ludewa, Makete, Mufindi, Kilolo and Iringa.

He indicated that there were signs funds managed under NHIF and the community health insurance fund (CHIF) had been mismanaged in the region.

“Before we send a team from the PMO, I instruct the RC (Dr Christine Ishengoma) and the Regional Administrative Secretary (Getrude Mpaka) to use the Regional Internal Auditor to work on the transactions conducted under the health schemes," said Minister Mwanri.

He added: “I want to receive reports of the audit for 2010/2011 and 20121/2012. I must say from the outset that I'm not pleased with the performance so far," said Mwanri.

“As for the councilors, I want them to examine the general conduct of the community health fund and follow up on its performance. The same should be done by the district commissioners," he emphasised.

Regarding poor monitoring of development projects in the district councils, Mwanri demanded that credentials of the engineer for Kilolo District Council, who he did not name be forwarded to his office immediately for scrunity.