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Kikwete: Stamp out graft in local governments
2006-02-17 07:11:44
By Ludger Kasumuni
President Jakaya Kikwete has repeated his directive to the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’1s Office (Local Governments and Regional Administration) to follow up allegations of corruption and embezzlement of public funds in local authorities.
Speaking at a meeting with the Association of Local Authorities of Tanzania (ALAT) in Dodoma yesterday, Kikwete said he had already directed the minister to investigate all the allegations of bribery and embezzlement of public funds by civic authorities.
’’Many local governments, which were supposed to be instruments of service delivery to the people have turned into instruments for enrichment of officials and leaders,’’ he said.
’’This is a flaw that we must address. Local governments must benefit the people.
Currently, there are so many complaints from the people about poor service delivery,’’ he added.
Kikwete listed six major complaints frequently raised by Tanzanians about local governments’ performance, that include the misuse and embezzlement of funds channelled by central government to local governments.
He said: ’’There have been mismanagement of funds channelled through the Roads Fund, Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), Primary Education Development Plan and Secondary Education Development Plan.’’
’’If the billions of shillings for local governments projects were to be spent carefully, people would see positive achievements,’’ Kikwete added.
He listed the second concern as faulty revenue collection system, which he said must be corrected.
He said the use of tax collection agencies is an ineffective system of revenue collection, adding, however, that there were allegations that some local government officers own the tax agencies.
He listed the third complaint as lack of accountability in local authorities arising from lack of adherence to the code of conduct and absence of diligence among officials.
The fourth complaint, he said, was inability by councillors to supervise local authorities to make them more accountable to people.
The fifth is about the failure to execute and implement properly local government responsibilities.
Another weakness identified by people, is poor enforcement of local government by-laws.
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