BY EDITOR
12th December 2015
They must have been shocked because one would not have expected a group of perhaps not less than sixty people, going by the size of the previous cabinet, to spend a total of Sh2billion in a weeklong seminar for the purpose of familiarizing one another on ministerial duties.
This is not the first time the government would have taken newly appointed ministers to a secluded place for such a seminar as a similar meeting was held in 2006, as former president Jakaya Kikwete appointed his cabinet that comprised of around 60 people.
Holding such seminars might not make a profound impact on governance as expected or billed by the retreat philosophy of capacity building. What raises eyebrows is the amount of money allocated for the function, and even indeed its spending justification. Had it not been due to President’s Magufuli’s zero tolerance on haphazard spending of public monies, it was entirely unlikely that the public would know how much would have been spent to finance retreats for newly appointed ministers. By any standards spending Sh2billion for a seminar meant to focus on what one shall be doing in those functions is ridiculous.
On Wednesday Mainland Tanzania marked the 54th Uhuru anniversary by devoting its energies and patriotic sentiment to a cleanliness campaign that replaced customary military parades and pomp that would have cost more than Sh4 billion. Though the event is of great importance for the country’s history the decision taken by the President to relocate the money for expanding the often slow Morocco-Mwenge Road section was absolutely on the mark.
A quick survey of past government budgets shows a lack of financial discipline that had indelible effects on government plans. We reached a point when experts in budgetary matters concluded that the Government Budget was only indicative of intentions during the financial year, not a reliable plan for clear implementation.
An example was supplied by the President when he said that the government had just released about Sh120bn for development expenditure, at a State House meeting with members of the Tanzania National Business Council, under the aegis of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation.
We have often heard members of Parliament complaining about overspending by some government institutions while key ministries are engulfed with debts. Quite unfortunately such spending has been linked with unnecessary travels by government officials, seminars, workshops, associated out of station per diems, and similar preoccupations.
This trend has prompted graduates not only in Tanzania but throughout Africa to fight for jobs in the government. They know it is easier to get rich in the government than in the private sector.
In Nigeria, for instance, a graduate makes greater effort seeking placement in the public sector while resorting to the private sector only if they can’t find a slot in public offices. They know that is where it is likely one would soon be driving a Mercedes Benz if he or she is in the right department, with the right connections.
Yes, there are those who claim that public sector job security is high but not its incomes, while the truth is that in government one can get access to plenty of fast money.
President Magufuli is keen about taking up all promises he made during the polls campaign and he has proceeded with an undisguised penchant for instilling financial discipline in the government. Only on that basis do the people stand a chance of noticing a change in how the government puts to effect routine election promises relating to education, health, water, reliable power, infrastructure and industries as all of them require substantial financial resources.
Still, so far so good. With the austerity measures the President has started to embark on, we can say we are sure there is light at the end of the tunnel. However, these measures must go hand in hand with sealing lingering loopholes of corruption in various sectors.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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