Minister: National legal aid policy in offing

SINGIDA: THE government is in the process of formulating a National Legal Aid Policy, aimed at establishing a strong foundation for improving and strengthening access to legal aid services for citizens across the country.

This was revealed over the weekend by the Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Dr Juma Homera, during the launch of free government-provided legal aid clinics in Singida Region.

The Singida clinic follows a similar initiative that was recently launched in Morogoro Region.

Dr Homera said the clinics, which will be rolled out to other regions, are designed to address various disputes, including marital, land, inheritance and gender-based violence cases, through government institutions such as the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) and the National Identification Authority (NIDA).

He explained that the policy will focus on key areas such as alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, the establishment and operation of Legal Aid Desks at the council level and strengthening collaboration with relevant institutions through formal agreements.

Other focus areas include enhancing the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), updating the Register of Legal Aid Service Providers and effectively utilising Government Advocates in the delivery of legal aid services.

“This policy will provide a strong foundation to ensure that citizens receive legal aid services efficiently and in a timely manner,” Dr Homera said.

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He emphasised that it is the commitment of the Sixth Phase Government under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan to ensure that all Tanzanians have access to legal aid services, with the goal of reaching all local government councils nationwide.

“Under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, we will work day and night to ensure that all regions are reached,” he said.

He added that following the Morogoro and Singida clinics, the programme will continue in other regions, urging citizens to turn out in large numbers to access the services when they reach their respective areas.

Dr Homera commended RITA for implementing the initiative to issue birth certificates within 48 working hours through the digital e-RITA system.

On her part, the Deputy Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Ms Zainab Katimba, said the Ministry has established a customer service centre accessible via phone number 0262-160- 360, which has significantly improved public awareness on reporting and addressing gender-based violence cases.

She noted that legal aid is a crucial tool in combating gender-based violence, as it strengthens justice delivery systems and contributes to building a safe and gender equal society.

“I, therefore, call upon all citizens to unite in opposing and eradicating gender-based violence, which disproportionately affects women and children,” Ms Katimba said.

Meanwhile, Manager for the Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Divorces at RITA, Ms Patricia Mpuya said the clinics also provide services such as birth registration and certificate issuance, marriage and divorce education, and the drafting and safekeeping of wills.

She said that since December 15th last year, RITA has received 122,000 applications for birth certificates, of which 110,000, equivalent to 91 per cent, have been processed, with certificates issued within 48 working hours.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Mohamed Amasi, said the clinic had helped him gain a better understanding of his fundamental rights.

Another resident, Ms Salma Ramadhani from Mangida Village in Singida District Council, commended the Government for establishing the clinic and appealed for the services to be extended beyond urban areas to village levels so that more citizens, particularly those with limited legal awareness can benefit.