Local News

TASAF efforts impress JK

PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete presents a book to Chief Secretary Ambassoddor Ombeni Sefue on behalf of Ritered President Benjamin Mkapa during the launch of Third Phase of Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) at Jamhuri grounds in Dodoma

PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete has urged the people to expose corrupt elements and those misusing financial and other resources of the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF).

Officially launching TASAF III, which is worth more than 408bn/-, President Kikwete stressed that the money and other resources were meant for development of public projects for the benefit of this and future generations.

"If we expose corrupt elements and deal with them we are going to build a strong foundation for development of the nation. This will give us the capacity to end poverty, hunger and disease," he said.

President Kikwete said funds for public projects under TASAF need proper management and high level of control and monitoring at all levels. The 10-year TASAF III will be implemented in two phases of five years each in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar to address challenges of fighting poverty.

The president said TASAF III would focus on education, health and water and many families were going to be assisted to be more self-reliant. Out of the total 408bn/- TASAF III funds, he said, the government would contribute 45bn/-, World Bank 330bn/-, the government of Spain 9bn/-, UK 24bn/- and the US 1.4bn/-.

"We also expect public support in their respective areas by contributing towards the projects," he explained.
He said TASAF III has been made possible due to the huge success recorded in TASAF I and II in all projects.

He praised former president Benjamin Mkapa for the idea of starting TASAF which has contributed immensely in alleviation of poverty. President Kikwete said since 2000 TASAF has been the driving force in the government's efforts to bring about development to the people who were also being involved in identifying priority projects in funding.

He said TASAF II was funded by a concessionary loan of 322bn/- from the World Bank. He said a total of 11,572 projects received funding from TASAF II, out of which 4,294 were for social services, 1,405 involved construction and 5,875 for special groups.
 
The president also said that TASAF II's pilot social programme of giving money to poor families (money transfers) to poor families  implemented in Bagamoyo, Kibaha and Chamwino districts was successful. About 13,000 targeted groups from 6,000 poor families and those living in hardship conditions were given subsidies totalling 1.5bn/-.
 
The families also received capacity building training which made it possible for the targeted group take part in various activities such as taking children to schools, dispensaries and health centres for vaccination.  President Kikwete listed some of the challenges faced in TASAF II as inadequate funds, low supervisory capacity, leadership and lack of personnel.