KATAVI: PRIME Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has directed leaders at all levels of government to ensure that citizens’ complaints are properly received and addressed through a clear and measurable system, in order to prevent the practice of ignoring, delaying, or taking public concerns for granted.
Dr Nchemba emphasised that leaders, from council to regional level, must submit monthly reports detailing the number of complaints received, those resolved, and those referred to higher authorities for further action.
The directive was issued yesterday as the Prime Minister addressed residents of Majalila in Tanganyika District Council during his working visit to Katavi Region.
During the visit, Dr Nchemba inspected ongoing development projects and laid foundation stones for several initiatives, including the 28 Towns Water Supply Project in Shanwe, Mpanda, and the construction of the Kwagira– Karema Road, which stretches for 112 kilometres.
At the public rally, the Prime Minister questioned why citizens’ problems sometimes remain unresolved despite the presence of leadership structures from village to regional levels.
“How do we fail to address citizens’ problems through this system when government offices exist even at village level? We have village executive officers, ward executive officers and divisional officers. Why should a citizen from a village be forced to look for the Regional Commissioner to resolve a problem?” he asked.
Dr Nchemba also directed the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) to conduct thorough investigations into the use of funds allocated for development projects in the areas he visited.
He called for detailed reports on all funds received, how they were spent, and the individuals responsible for managing the projects to ensure accountability and eliminate potential misuse of public resources.
On the availability of medicines, Dr Nchemba said the government has allocated over 1bn/- for the purchase of medicines and medical supplies for hospitals, health centres, and dispensaries.
However, some patients are still being told that medicines are unavailable at health facilities and are instead directed to private pharmacies.
He described the situation as unacceptable, ordering investigations to determine the flow of funds, the types of medicines procured, and whether they are reaching patients as intended.
Regarding land disputes, Dr Nchemba stressed that the government will not tolerate depriving citizens of land under the pretext of development projects or investments without fair compensation. He said whenever land is required for development purposes, prompt and fair compensation must be provided to safeguard citizens’ rights.
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The Prime Minister further warned that the government will not tolerate acts that exploit or oppress citizens, particularly those with low incomes.
He reiterated that anyone found abusing authority, delaying citizens’ rights, or benefiting improperly from public resources will face strict legal action, noting that the government exists to protect the rights and welfare of all citizens.
On development initiatives in the district, Dr Nchemba said the government has allocated over 6.8bn/- for various water projects, including the one for which he laid the foundation stone.
On road sector, he noted that the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) has received more than 15bn/-, while the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) has received over 3bn/- for road improvements.
On rural electrification, he said the district has implemented projects extending electricity to all 55 villages, with a total of 61bn/- already disbursed for the initiative.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Reuben Kwagilwa, said the sixth-phase government has achieved significant progress over the past four years, including constructing more than 143 modern administrative buildings nationwide.