TCAA Boss Suspended Over Misconduct

The Acting Director General of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), Mr Charles Chacha, has been suspended while other two senior officials have been transferred following discovery of massive financial and procurement irregularities at the authority. The TCAA officials who will be assigned other duties are; Principal Treasurer, Mr Said Mteule and the Procurement Manager, Mr Said Kaswella, who alongside Mr Chacha, have been removed to pave way for further investigations into the said irregularities.

During an impromptu visit by two ministers to TCAA headquarters in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Prof Makame Mbarawa and the Finance and Planning Minister, Dr Philip Mpango, said disciplinary measures taken against the officials resulted from unclear transactions in the purchase of aircraft guiding equipment known as Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS–B) valued at Euro 1.5 million, but remained out of order since installation in November, last year.

After nearly two hours of in-door discussion with TCAA departments managers, Mr Mbarawa told the media that he had suspended the TCAA Acting DG for incompetence as far as managing revenue collection and procurement procedures are concerned.

The finance minister was adamant on collection of government revenue, insisting that all institutions with obligation to collect revenue should comply and avoid lavish spending.

“I have directed the internal auditor to conduct special auditing within two weeks to establish the financial trend, in addition to verification by PPRA on the degree of adherence to procurement procedures.

With the Fifth Phase Government, there will be no let up on revenue collection,” Dr Mpango insisted. Meanwhile, Iddy Mwema reports that three top officials of Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) have been replaced. Their positions have been taken over by staff from elsewhere as part of efforts to enhance the parastatal firm’s efficiency.

Addressing journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Prof Mbarawa said the move aims at fulfilling the promise made by the Fifth Phase Government of boosting efficiency and revenue collection.

“TPA Head of Human Resources, Mr Peter Gawile, will be replaced by Mr Antony Mbilinyi from Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA); Kilian Chale who was the Acting Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the TPA has been replaced by Mr Abdurahman Bamba from the Ministry of Transport,” the minister said.

The position of Director of Procurement and Supplies which was under Mr Mashaka Kisanta has now been taken over by Mr Benito Kalinga from TCRA.

“The move is aimed at boosting collection of taxes at the port and we believe the new officials will improve efficiency and offer the best port services in our zone,” he said.

Prof Mbarawa pointed out that good services and simplified cargo handling systems will help the ports survive in the highly competitive business environment.

He further urged all officials in his ministry to work hard in order to improve national economy, their own livelihoods and other forms of social welfare.

Tanzania is a gateway to six land locked countries and the port of Dar es Salaam has been accused for failing to deliver properly, causing revenue losses to the government.

Culled from Daily News