Africa-Press – Tanzania. MINISTER of State in the President’s Office Public Service Management and Good Governance, Omar Mchengerwa has ordered for thorough investigations into a corruption scandal at the Tanzanite mineral rich Mirerani Mines in Simanjiro District, Manyara Region.
Mr Mchengerwa gave the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) a two-week ultimatum to come up with the findings on Tanzanite smuggling and the best way forward to prevent that from happening.
He gave the order during the launching of Ajira Portal Mobile App which intends to give access to recruitment posts to all Tanzanians regardless of their location.
“There is Tanzanite smuggling of the highest degree at the Mirerani mines, and corruption practices are all over, since PCCB Director of Investigations you are here with us, go and conduct thorough investigation into the matter and hand the report to us within two weeks” he ordered.
His sentiments do not fall far from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who in April this year exposed new tactics of smuggling Tanzanite, demanding security reinforcement to curb the malpractice.
President Samia said smugglers have now resorted to digging underground channels through which they have been sneaking Tanzanite out of the 24.5-kilometre perimeter wall surrounding the Mirerani mines.
“We have TPDF (Tanzania People’s Defence Forces) soldiers protecting the mineral site, yet Tanzanite finds its way out of the fortified place,” she wondered.
Ms Samia expressed her dismay over the trend, calling on the Ministry of Minerals to further reinforce security despite a successful installation of 24-hour surveillance CCTV cameras on the perimeter wall.
The President also took issue with mineral smuggling at Block C, which is partly owned by the State mining firm (STAMICO).
“Let it be known that the government had since stopped mineral exploration at the site as it has been designated for other purposes,” she said.
The President further urged the Ministry of Minerals to be extra vigilant in protecting minerals resources.
In yesterday’s occasion, Minister Mchengerwa also tasked PCCB to investigate on the excessive abuse of power and office at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) by interrogating all who are involved and take proper actions.
He also ordered PCCB to ensure effective use of the funds released by the government for implementation of a number of strategic projects, saying priority should be in preventing rather than combating corruption.
“You must ensure that the funds are well spent for the intended purpose of bringing positive impact and they should not be diverted for personal gains,” he instructed PCCB.
Speaking on Ajira Portal mobile app, the minister commended Public Service Recruitment Secretariat for opting to use the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to give a chance to many people, including those in remote areas to have access to the employment opportunities.
The app, he said, will also give graduates and other job seekers room to remain in their rural or remote areas while channeling their application as they can be processed from where they are instead of travelling to Dodoma, Dar es Salaam or other designed destinations to lodge their applications.
He said the use of the app will assure openness, transparency and rid away favoritism in recruitment. Mr Mchengerwa said that the government thrives to have well committed, patriotic, hardworking and ethical public servants, who will propel the country to the next level in terms of services.
He called upon government and stakeholders to be innovative by coming up with activities that will generate informal employment that skilled personnel can engage in.
On his part, Executive Secretary of the Public Service Recruitment Secretariat, Mr Xavier Daudi said they will come up with other versions of online systems as they intend to conduct all the screening and interviewing of applicants stages online.
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