Resource drain, project delays and insufficient oversight continue to jeopardize the successful completion of government initiatives in the Singida region, the Bureau for the Prevention and Combating of Corruption (PCCB) has warned.
The Anti-Corruption Agency stressed that research on government expenditure tracking (PETS) has also revealed insufficient stakeholder participation in some projects, which increases the risk of not achieving economic efficiency, despite continued government investment in development programs.
Speaking at the opening of a stakeholder workshop on management and implementation of development projects in Singida, PCCB Head in Singida, Sosthenes Kibwengo, noted that the findings indicate persistent shortcomings that continue to degrade the quality of projects, increase unnecessary spending and reduce the expected benefits for citizens (wananchi). He stressed that many of the identified problems are recurring, despite repeated guidance from management, which underscores the need for more effective management and control of development projects. «This responsibility is especially great for us, as the leaders present here, whose responsibilities go beyond that. The monitoring results of the development projects that will be presented show that we are not fully coping with this task. There are weaknesses in our management and control», Kibwengo said.
Referring to article 27 of the 1977 Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, Kibwengo emphasized that every citizen has the duty and the right to protect national resources from inefficient use and exploitation. He also noted that government leaders have an even greater responsibility to ensure proper management of resources aimed at development.
The workshop was organized to strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders to monitor development projects, prevent waste and theft of resources, reduce delays in implementation, and increase participant engagement so that government projects bring economic benefits. During the opening of the seminar, the Commissioner of the Singida region, Halima Dendego, noted that a significant part of the state budget is allocated to finance development programs and projects that are the main engines of economic and social progress.
These projects have enabled citizens to access improved services in areas such as healthcare, education, water supply, and infrastructure. Therefore, it is crucial for all stakeholders to ensure efficient, transparent and accountable use of public resources. The workshop brought together heads of regional and local authorities, project executors and other participants to discuss ways to improve management and implementation of development projects throughout the region.
