KILIMANJARO: Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Mwigulu Nchemba, has called for full transparency in the management of development funds, saying taxpayer resources must not be treated as confidential.
Speaking during a tour of Kilimanjaro Region, Nchemba said all development projects and their budgets should be publicly disclosed at regional and district levels to enable proper oversight and accountability.
“Development projects are not secret and development funds are not secret. These are taxpayers’ funds,” he said while laying the foundation stone for the 25.7-kilometre Bomang’ombe–Kikavuchini tarmac road.
He directed regional and district authorities to closely supervise projects and ensure funds are used strictly for their intended purposes. He warned that there would be “zero tolerance” for misappropriation of public money.
The Prime Minister cited a case in which 343 million Tanzanian shillings allocated for a development project were allegedly misused, including payments made without a formal contract. He said responsible officials would face action.
Nchemba also stressed respect for judicial decisions, stating that disagreements with court rulings should be addressed through legal channels rather than disregarded. He made the remarks while addressing a land dispute raised by residents during the tour.
