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IMF executive commends Dar`s governance record
2007-05-02 09:58:51
By Pastory Nguvu
The Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Murilo Portugal, has commended Tanzania for doing well in the area of good governance.
Portugal made the remarks on Monday in Dar es Salaam during a special meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Samwel Sitta, at the Speaker`s suboffice in the city.
``Despite the many economic challenges facing the country, Tanzania is still doing well. The IMF will continue maintaining the good relationship with this country,`` said the deputy IMF chief.
He applauded the move by President Jakaya Kikwete to make a follow-up on the Controller and Auditor General`s report which was presented to the seventh Parliamentary session last month.
The report detected serious weaknesses in the internal financial control system in the country’s overseas missions that have occasioned many cases of questionable expenditure.
``The president`s decision to have several meetings with account holders on matters regarding the Controller and Auditor General`s report of 2006 is a striking move because without doing that nothing would happen.
Through transparency and publicising the report there will be a step forward to deal with the matter,`` said Portugal.
On his part, the Speaker told the IMF deputy managing director that Parliament was going in the right direction in performing its duties.
``The Parliament of Tanzania conducts its duties in accordance with traditional procedures.
Among the tasks we carry out include overseeing government activities, making laws and approving the government budget,`` he explained.
He told the IMF deputy boss that in making some follow-up on government activities the National Assembly discussed the Controller and Auditor General`s report of 2006 and the House was happy with the president`s decision on the matter.
``The president took the initiative to call account holders to discuss the financial problems.
The MPs received the meeting well as it was something new for the president to declare that the government can’t tolerate such kind of weaknesses.`` said Sitta.
He said there was no such thing in past years as reports were presented and, despite the shortcomings, no further action was taken, which demonstrates government resolve to uphold transparency through its readiness to admit weaknesses.
During his visit Portugal was accompanied by IMF Director, Africa Department, Abdoulaye Bio-Tchane, IMF Country Mission Leader, Robert Sharer, and Senior Resident Representative David Robinson.
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