World Bank impressed by Magufuli’s reforms

Dar es Salaam. The World Bank (WB) has said it is impressed by various measures taken by President John Magufuli to tackle runaway government expenditure.

The bank’s country representative, Ms Bella Bird, yesterday described the reforms as “satisfactory” during a meeting with the President at State House.

A statement released by the State House Directorate of Communication noted that Ms Bird paid the President a courtesy call, during which she reiterated the bank’s commitment to funding various development activities.

Ms Bella told Dr Magufuli the WB had supported Tanzania in the implementation of 29 development projects amounting to $4 billion .

Speaking shortly after the meeting, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Finance, Dr Servacious Likwelile, named some of the projects as the expansion of the Dar es Salaam Port, revamping of the central railway into a standard gauge as well as in the implementation of the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT).

Other projects include the Tanzania Social Action Fund, Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (Dart) road and the construction of a flyover in Ubungo.

President Magufuli has won praise in and outside the country over the measures he has taken to reduce government expenditure and increase revenue collection.

Three days after his inauguration, President Magufuli banned all non-essential travels by government officials. He ordered high commissioners and ambassadors to fully take over government engagements in the international system.

During his address to Parliament, he declared that it would not be business as usual on foreign travels. He restricted business class flight tickets to the President, Vice President and Prime Minister only.