JPM hammer to fall on corruption-hit councils

Dar es Salaam.  Posts of regional and district commissioner, traditionally  fancied and longed for as lucrative and pleasant, are certain to turn emotionally and physically taxing under the Magufuli presidency.

Some RCs and DCs overstretched the technicality of being  presidential representatives in their specific areas of jurisdiction to behave as though they were mini-presidents.

Now that regional administration and good governance is under the President’s Office,   those leaders, and local government executives, will  be too busy toiling to toe the  ‘Hapa Kazi Tu’ (Hard Work)spirit, and worrying about being axed, to  engage in trivialities like nursing a superiority complex.

The Fifth phase president,  who has curved a phenomenal niche as  the people’s  principal servants, is sure to focus considerable attention to the performance of grassroots leaders, in converting election cmpaign pledges into reality.

Hence the clear-cut options for  public servants under his close watch, between consistently dedicated, serious    work as a guarantror for survival  in service, or being tossed out if one doesn’t fit the delivery bill. Having set the tone in the early days of his presidency, by  a spirited drive to curb  corruption , embezzlement and wasteful expenditure, RCs, DCs, Regional Administrative Secretaries (RAS) and District Executive Directors (DEDs) are naturally expected to  follow suit.

They will have to confront the rot in local government where billions of shillings have been lost over the years through corruption, blatant theft and connivance with businessmen to profiteer through inflated tenders.

Lack of accountability is also rife in councils, with reports of the Controller and Auditor General and those of the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government revealing how billions are looted with impunity.

Numerous unfinished or substandard projects dot the country’s landscape despite billions having been sunk into them.

Since  the anti-corruption war is apparently a crucial component of Dr Magufuli’s administration, co-ordinating  it from his office is intended to fuel the mission.

Councils that had long cultivated  a happy-go-lucky  culture will  have to start by killing it, and then substitute it with one characterised by utmost seriousness, honesty, and a realisation that laxity and criminal behaviour will be sanctioned mercilessy.

Yesterday, commentators were tying the new cabinet line-up and the shift in the dockets to the declared goal to deliver local development through fighting corruption and putting the right people in charge of the main areas of social services delivery.

They note that Dr Magufuli’s warning that fumbling officials will not be transferred but sacked will most likely be effected now. Just as it is with the central government, local government executives will not sleep easy, as the president comes calling. Dr Magufuli has noted that throughout his campaigns, he witnessed firsthand how the people were denied satisfactory basic services like water, education and health, and  many public utilities were in a state of disrepair.

The president is also privy to the fact that despite being allocated billions in budget funds every year, poor cash flows has meant less than a quarter of the funds were released to the councils last financial year.

According to a political scientist from  the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof Benson Bana,  the president has set RALG to become the cornerstone of service delivery. “During his election campaigns, Dr Magufuli promised to work for the citizens and that would only happen when the important ministry of RALG is placed under his watch. He did not like to be informed by a third party but rather wanted to get involved himself in making decision,” he said.

Prof Bana believes that people will now see the status of RALG being restored, adding that the head of state will now be able to monitor development at local level.

According to him, RALG is very important in ensuring development at local level and specifically at primary level is achieved.

Its importance was also witnessed during the third government whereby President Benjamin Mkapa placed the sector under his office.

“At one time RALG was under Frederick Sumaye as the Prime Minister but president Mkapa decided to shift  it to his office  minister Brigadier Hassan N’gwilizi. In fact Sumaye failed to lead the ministry,” Prof Bana told The Citizen.

According to a former deputy chairman of an oversight parliamentary committee on Local Authorities Accounts, Mr Selemani Jumanne Zedi, RALG was yet to get an action- oriented leader. He says the ministers under this docket should also be prepared for the hard work ahead. “We expect to see high standards of accountability of local government authorities with regard to public funds and more funds being released as a  result of the president’s order to treasury. This time we expect to see projects done at higher standards,” said Mr Zedi, the Bukene constituency parliamentarian.

The ministry will be under two full ministers –Mr George Simbachawene and Ms Angela Kairuki whose deputy minister is Mr Jafo Suleiman. Executive Secretary, Agricultural Non State Actors Forum (Ansaf), Audax Rukonge, said the ministers need to tune their mind to working hard in order to move at the speed of their boss. “We cannot judge them from their past roles in their ministries but they must work hard. This is  a very important ministry, and as such, they must cope up with the president’s speed,” said Mr Rukonge , who has been engaging with RALG in his effort to support small farmers.

Mr Rukonge, who also supported placement of RALG and Good Governance under the President’s Office, expressed the hope that,  public financial discipline would  become  common practice.

“Controller and Auditor General (CAG) reports have established mismanagement of public funds at local government. Also in 2013, the World Bank demanded its money from the government after noticing the fund was not  being properly spent. This is the challenge that also needs to be addressed,” he said.

Commentators say a well-functioning RALG has huge impacts on the majority of Tanzanians, given  the nature of its activities and coverage which extends to the lowest level of administrative areas. It is under local government that most development projects are executed and decision making is made.

According to Mr Rukonge, a well-functioning local government authority will spur job creation, alleviate  poverty and create many opportunities in agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors, as well as improve health services and education.

“This ministry will have to work closely with the sectors that have huge impacts on the citizens,” he said.

Some academicians relate the decision to shift RALG to  the President’s office, to Dr Magufuli’s self-assigned task of  piercing  boils, in reference to corruoption and other aspects of social and economic rot.

University of Dodoma lecturer, Paul Losolutie said the president reckoned taking direct charge, instead of  placing it under the PMO,  would  keep the blame shifting game  at bay.

“This will mean RCs and DCs will be reporting directly to the president’s office which will ensure accountability,” he said.