POLICE APPREHENDS A CONTRACTOR INVOLVED IN THE CORRUPT MKWAWA BUILDING

The President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli (in black suit) is inspecting the Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE) building which is under scrutiny for corruption scandal when visited Iringa region early this month. (Photo by Friday Simbaya)

Iringa Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Juma Bwire (L) and Iringa region Commander of Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) Aidan Ndomba in a joint press conference yesterday. (Photo by Friday Simbaya)

IRINGA: POLICE in collaboration with Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in Iringa region have arrested a contractor involved in the construction of conference building worth 8.8 billion shillings at Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE), which the President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli condemned to be built on below standard recently. 

The President Dr John Magufuli during his tour Iringa region early this month ordered the arrest of a contractor who was involved in the construction of the 8.8 billion Conference Hall as well as former Mkwawa College Principal Prof Pak Mushi and all involved in the process without taking into account the procedures. 

Speaking to journalists yesterday Regional Police Commander Iringa Region, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Juma Bwire and the commander of the anti-corruption in the region (PCCB) Aidan Ndomba said the suspect Godwin Mshana, managing director of MNM Engineering Services Ltd of Gangilonga A, Iringa municipality was arrested on May 3, this year after a day from the President when he issued the order. 

"Following the order of President Dr Magufuli on the construction of Mkwawa University meeting hall that was built below standard, we have arrested the managing director of MNM Engineering Services Ltd, who was apprehended at his home Gangilonga" A " in Iringa municipality.’” 

ACP Bwire in their joint press conference said that they arrested the Eng. Godwin Mshana and he is in police custody for investigations before taken to court with all other suspects involved in the scandal. 

On the other hand, PCCB Commander of Iringa region, Aidan Ndomba said that the suspect's arrest was one step in searching for others involved in the corrupt suspicion and that the number of characters would increase further. 

He elaborated that the matter had a long chain and that all involved should be brought to court to answer the charges. 

However, President Dr Magufuli while in Iringa region refused to put a foundation stone at the building which was requested of the Mkwawa College Principal. Prof. Esther Dungumaro because of the corruption was committed and that if they were to deal with the search for the people involved in the corruption scandal, he will look forward to come and implement the request of dormitory construction. 

The president has stated that on May 2, 2018 when speaking with staff and college students as part of his visit to the region. 

"Sometimes let's tell each other the fact, Mkwawa College has not convinced me, that's why I refused to come to lay the foundation stone in the building, I cannot set the foundation stone in the building...,” Magufuli echoed. 

"I came out here and went to investigate it. I relied on this college to manage the value of money, because there are elite people here." 

President Magufuli used the opportunity to order security organs in the region to ensure that all stakeholders involved in the process, even if retired, should be brought to book. 

"You have failed to manage the construction of the building and then you ask me for a dormitory!” he exclaimed. 

The Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE) is a constituent college of the University of Dar es Salaam in Iringa, Tanzania. The College was established in 2005 following the upgrading of the former Mkwawa High School in response to the growing demand for teachers in the country. 

Since its establishment in 2005, MUCE has achieved various remarkable milestones, including the increase in students’ enrolment, number of both academic and administrative staff along with their notable development to Master’s and PhD levels. 

Moreover, the College has undergone massive infrastructural development and established various short-term courses and one postgraduate programmes namely Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).