UNGUJA: ZANZIBAR’S Second Vice President, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, has opened a seminar for Members of Parliament from Zanzibar, stressing the importance of strengthening oversight and accountability in the implementation of the Constituency Development Fund.
Speaking at the event held in Unguja, Zanzibar today, the Second VP said the Constituency Fund has significantly contributed to improving social services, including access to clean and safe water, electricity, education, roads and the growth of business activities within communities.
Commenting on the fund which was established to involve citizens in designing and implementing development projects that address the real needs of their constituencies, he stressed the need for Members of Parliament to ensure full public participation so that projects are productive and sustainable.
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Additionally, he highlighted the importance of collecting views on the proposed amendments to the Constituency Development Fund Act of 2009, following directives issued after the presentation of the 2023/24 implementation report to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG).
“The Office of the Vice President has been tasked with coordinating the collection of views from the Zanzibar side and for this I urge you to use the seminar as a platform for open and professional discussions aimed at improving the fund’s framework,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Engineer Hamad Yussuf Masauni, said the seminar marks an important step in enhancing MPs’ understanding of the implementation and management of the Constituency Fund.
He said the proposed improvements are intended to ensure that the law and guidelines governing the fund align with practical realities, while enhancing transparency and efficiency in the use of public funds.