Government, watchdogs vow to fight graft

 

IN a bold move to fight corruption, abuses against human rights, ill-acquired wealth, unprofessional manners and promote good governance, the government has launched a countrywide campaign that will bring to book all wrongdoers.

This was learnt in government and National Audit Office of Tanzania (NAOT) report that was being discussed on developing an action plan programme, to monitor implementation of the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) reports tabled annually in the National Assembly. 

 

It was learnt that the CAG reports have been consistently exposing how public entities have been conniving with dishonest officials to deny the government multi-billion shillings in revenues and taxes.

Speaking at the Prevention and Combatting of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) HQs in Dar es Salaam launching ceremony yesterday, CAG, Professor Mussa Assad, said the discussions with the government are ongoing without giving more details.

“We normally carry-on the recommendation which had not been executed in our previous reports, but there is fear that change of government can influence some change in execution of some recommendations.

We are discussing with the government on this and I am optimistic we will succeed,” he told members of the press in the ceremony.

In attendance were Minister of State, President’s Office Public Service Management and Good Governance, Ms Angellah Kairuki, Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Laurent Shirima, PCCB Director General, Mr Valentino Mlowola and Tanzania Commission as well as Human Rights and Good Governance Chairman, Mr Bahame Nyanduga.

In the same development, PPRA CEO noted that while there has been concern on implementation of reports published by the authority, positive signs have been there, adding that the new government is now working on their recommendations.

“We are monitoring implementation of reports issued by the authority and most of them are in various levels of implementation,” he said. The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority and the Controller and Auditor General had released a series of reports, which as a result had implicated various senior government officials, including some ministers losing their titles.

PCCB Director General, Mr Mlowola said in this 2016/17 financial year, his office has received a sum of 46 corruption related cases from PPRA and CAG. “There are 34 cases from PPRA and 12 from CAG and all the cases are at different levels of investigations.

Those who will be implicated will face the wrath of the law,” he pointed out. Mr Mlowola who is also chairing the 2016 Human Rights and Public Ethics Day to be marked on December 10, this year, said that the level of corruption in the country and across the world is worrisome.

“It is serious and we need a collective approach to wrestle corruption in the community,” he said. Launching the campaign, Ms Kairuki said the aim of the drive is to help scale up public awareness on the impacts of corruption to individuals, community and national economy.

The minister said the government has resolved to bring all the watchdogs under the president’s office to forge collaboration in fighting corruption and promote ethics, human rights, accountability and good governance.

“The government is well committed to promoting good governance, human rights and public ethics but fight corruption,” she insisted.

She explained that the month-long campaign would feature a series of mass awareness programmes including seminars, dialogues, exhibitions and charity walks.

On his part, Mr Nyanduga noted that this year’s campaign would need mass support from individuals, communities and other stakeholders.