SINGIDA: As the Central Government releases funds for the implementation of various development projects in councils across the country, the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in Singida Region, through frequent surveys, has uncovered indicators of resource leakages and delays in project implementation.
However, PCCB in Singida Region has taken several initiatives, including organising workshops involving key stakeholders, to address the challenges and promote greater transparency and accountability in the execution of development projects.
Speaking in Singida on Wednesday during the opening of a stakeholders’ workshop on the management and implementation of development projects, Singida PCCB Bureau Chief Sosthenes Kibwengo said that through Public Expenditure Tracking Surveys (PETS), the anti-corruption watchdog had also established that there was limited stakeholder participation in some projects and a risk of failure to achieve value for money.
Public Expenditure Tracking Surveys (PETS) are tools used to trace the flow of public funds and other resources from central governments down to frontline service providers, such as schools and health facilities.
At the workshop, which was attended by Singida Regional Commissioner Ms Halima Dendego, Mr Kibwengo noted that most of the identified challenges continue to recur despite frequent directives from leaders, a situation that affects project quality, increases unnecessary costs and reduces the expected benefits for citizens.
Citing Article 27 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977, he said it gives citizens the authority and responsibility to protect national resources against exploitation and any form of misuse.
“This responsibility is even greater for us as leaders present here, whose duties go beyond that. The results of the development project monitoring exercise that will be presented show that we have not fully fulfilled this responsibility. There are weaknesses in our management and supervision,” he noted.
Regarding the workshop, Mr Kibwengo said the event was organised in Singida to ensure that the Government achieves value for money in the implementation of development projects by preventing the leakage or misappropriation of resources, avoiding project delays and strengthening stakeholder participation.
“If we succeed in achieving this, I believe that the next time we are fortunate enough to meet, we will be discussing new challenges rather than repeating the same shortcomings that our leaders have continuously issued directives to address,” he stated.
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Launching the well-attended event, which brought together local government leaders, project implementers and other development stakeholders, RC Dendego said a large portion of the Government budget is allocated to financing the implementation of development programmes and projects, which are key drivers of economic and social development.
Through these projects, the Regional Commissioner added, citizens access improved services in sectors such as health, education, water, infrastructure and others.
In this regard, Ms Dendego said it was the responsibility of every stakeholder to ensure that public resources are utilised efficiently, transparently and with a high level of accountability.
“Likewise, each one of us should perform our duties with professionalism and integrity to ensure that the intended objectives of development programmes and projects are achieved effectively and on time,” she added.
She expressed optimism that the presentations made during the workshop would help stakeholders gain a deeper understanding of the various challenges and shortcomings arising in the implementation and monitoring of development projects.
According to her, the event would also serve as a reminder to stakeholders of their responsibilities in identifying and addressing such challenges in a timely manner to ensure that the projects deliver the intended outcomes for citizens.