Shein tells errant officials game soon over
 
2007-05-04 09:24:25
By Lydia Shekighenda

VicePresident Ali Mohamed Shein has reminded errant public officials who misuse public resources to take heed of serious warnings issued by President Jakaya Kikwete.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday when officiating at the Tanzania Accountability Conference, he said there would be no leaving of any stone unturned as bad elements would be hunted down, flushed out and dealt with.

He said accountability in the collection and use of public resources was one of the areas of particular concern of the fourth phase government.

Dr. Shein said the government had been looking for possible ways to eradicate the serious problem of misuse of public finances and other resources.

He said the National Audit Office was among the instruments that dealt with the problem in collaboration with other stakeholders.

``The measure of success for the National Audit Office will be in terms of high visibility of its accountability in collection and use of public resources in all sectors,`` he said

He said accountability was essential to the running on an efficient and effective manner of an organization or government.

``To practise accountability is to recognize that each individual stands at the centre of a circle of influence,`` he said.

Earlier, President Kikwete called upon government officials to act ethically and in accordance with stipulated rules when deliberating on the Annual Audit Report for 2005/2006 meetings.

He warned that stern action would be taken against any errant public officials.

Members of civil society organisations who attended the conference commended the government for its efforts to make the Controller Auditor General Report a tool of accountability.

Civil Society Organisations representative Prof. Ruth Meena said that such a step would help ensure that government funds were spent for intended purposes.

• SOURCE: Guardian