LAAC Chairman, Mr Rajab Mohamed Mbarouk (MP - Ole - CUF)
THE Parliamentary Local Authorities Accounts Committee (LAAC) has directed the Urambo District Council to put its financial records in order which includes payment of all outstanding debts amounting to more than 400m/-.
LAAC Chairman, Mr Rajab Mohamed Mbarouk (MP - Ole - CUF) also directed the Council to ensure more than 1bn/- meant for, women, youth and village development fund was allocated for the intended purposes within this financial year.
Mr Mbarouk noted that Urambo council failed to remit workers' salary contributions amounting to more than 138m/- to the Local Authority Pension Fund (LAPF), Teachers salary arrears amounting to 287m/- and ghost salaries of 13.8m/.
He said judging from the council's financial reports, it is clear the councils' capacity to operate is only 15 per cent, which is even lower than the previously recorded 17 per cent in the past two years.
"The committee directs Urambo council to come up with a regional strategy to identify and improve sources of revenue collection to ensure that more is collected," he explained.
He also directed the District Council Ethics Committee to follow up on those responsible for delays in remitting salary contributions to LAPF and accord befitting disciplinary actions.
Mr Mbarouk asked treasure representatives present during the meeting, to ensure teachers' claims were addressed with immediate effect.
During discussions, the council's Chairman, Mr Elia Kafwemba, revealed that the council still faced an acute shortage of manpower, especially teachers, health officers among others.
LAAC Chairman asked the Regional Administration and Local Government Authority (RALG) to liaise with the Public Service authorities under President's office to ensure that the council was authorized to employ more staff.
"The fact that the Parliament recently passed a law giving powers to councils to hire new staff members, the public service office should ensure that Urambo council receives written guidelines on how to go about this ..," he explained.
Citing an example on funds meant for women (5 per cent), youth (5 per cent) groups as well as villages (20 per cent), LAAC Chairman said the council has only managed to remit 600,000/-, out of 12m/- that was allocated for Women, Youth and Village Fund.
"We want to see that money meant for these groups channeled to them, failure to do so, next time we meet again, we will throw you out," he explained.
Written by ROSE ATHUMANI
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