Devolution key to Vision 2050
DODOMA: THE government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening devolution of power to local government authorities, saying empowered councils are critical to ensuring citizens participate in decisions affecting their development and accelerating the implementation of Development Vision 2050.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PMORALG), Dr Jafar Seif, said on Wednesday that devolution was not merely an administrative policy but a foundation for bringing decision-making and development closer to citizens.
He made the remarks in Dodoma when opening the 16th Annual General Meeting of the Tanzania Local Government Reforms Association (TOA), stressing that local governments were closest to the people and therefore needed strong leadership and capacity to deliver services effectively.
“Development of our nation depends on empowering citizens at the grassroots level. We therefore have a responsibility to continue strengthening the foundations of devolution in practice so that citizens can see tangible results in their daily lives,” Dr Seif said.
He said the government was strengthening systems for implementing and managing devolution, particularly financial management, noting that development funds were now being channelled directly to lower-level government institutions, including schools, health facilities, ward and village offices.
Dr Seif said Vision 2050 envisaged a modern economy, a prosperous society, quality social services and greater use of technology and innovation, adding that achieving the goals required strong local governments guided by effective leadership, accountability and proper planning.
“This is how we should understand Vision 2050. It starts now, and it starts with us,” he said.
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He urged local authorities to strengthen development planning, properly manage public resources and increase citizen participation, saying feedback from wananchi was essential in assessing government performance and ensuring development efforts remained responsive to their needs.
Dr Seif said the meeting’s theme, “Devolution in Local Government Authorities is a Strong Pillar of Development Vision 2050,” should be treated as a practical guide for implementing national development priorities.
He called on councils to strengthen domestic revenue collection, invest in productive projects, improve services according to community needs and ensure proper use of public funds.
Meanwhile, TOA Chairman Albert Msovela said the organisation was strategically positioned to support implementation of Vision 2050 through local government authorities and ongoing reforms.
He said TOA would continue promoting citizen participation through the Opportunities and Obstacles to Development (O&OD) approach in development planning, which had contributed to improvements in revenue management, service delivery, environmental protection and resolution of citizens’ grievances.
Mr Msovela said Tanzania’s abundant natural resources, including land, minerals and tourism attractions, provided a strong foundation for achieving greater development and improving services under Vision 2050.
