Don't frustrate investors, JK tells officials

BY GADIOSA LAMTEY

31st October 2014

                                                                                                                                             

President Jakaya Kikwete opens Public Service Commission 10th anniversary concert at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam yesterday. (Photo: Halima Kambi)

President Jakaya Kikwete has warned permanent secretaries and other heads of department in the public service against inconveniencing potential investors, saying the behaviour impedes the government’s efforts to attract more investments in the country. 

The president issued the warning in Dar es Salaam yesterday at the official opening   of Public Service Commission symposium which involved among others, permanent secretaries, other civil servants from public institutions and the central government.
According to the president, there have been many complaints from investors, especially foreigners who are being forced to extend a number of days in the country due to bureaucracy by top government officials in various ministries.

“There are some public servants who tend to be corrupt… We cannot boost our economy if you continue with such kind of behaviour, because investments help to boost the country’s economy, provide employments to the youth and increase government revenues,” emphasized.

He said civil servants are supposed to be facilitative and not obstructive, insisting that it could be possible if the rules and regulations governing the public service are observed. 

“The government has taken efforts to attract investors in the country... we have been traveling across the world to encourage investors to come and invest in our country, only to come here to encounter obstacles,” President Kikwete said.

He however said that there is a need for public servants to change their working style by observing rules and regulations to minimize complaints from the public.

The president said civil servants have a big role to play in bringing development in the country by delivering better services to the public and work on their requests and problems instead of using abusive language or soliciting bribes when serving them, noting that it is against civil service ethics.

He gave an example of a recent complaint, saying he had received a phone call from an investor when he was in Dubai, complaining that he had over stayed in the country for three months without completing the procedures of investing in the country.

“I was really shocked when I received such information and subsequently called the responsible minister to work on the concerns and give me a feedback,” he said.  

The president further directed the Commission to bring back the previous system whereby new employees were being oriented in order to know the standing orders and financial regulations of the government.

He also ordered them to ensure that complaints such as salary increments and promotions by public servants are addressed.

Minister of State President’s Office (Relations and Co-ordination), Stephen Wassira said the Commission which was established in 1955 holds a symposium for evaluation after every ten years.

He said during the symposium, three topics will be presented and discussed including experience, success and challenges in the 10 year of the commission’s existence.

Wassira said in the past ten years, the Commission managed to receive and work on a number of workers’ appeals, complaints and has also released four directives to enable employers, employment and disciplinary authorities to have correct interpretation of the rules, regulations and procedures in dealing with public servants issues.

Meanwhile General Secretary for Public Service Committee, Claudia Mpangala promised the government to work on matters raised and ensure that civil servants continue to be the mirror of the society.

She admitted that despite a number of successes, bureaucracy has been a great challenge since the establishment of the institution, but insisting that the problems will be addressed accordingly. saying the problems would be worked out. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN