Analysts calls for timely issuance of budget allocations

A CROSS SECTION of analysts have lauded the National Assembly for endorsing the 44.4tri/- budget and urged the government to ensure timely issuance of budget allocated for development projects in the coming financial year 2023/24.

They also urged the government to ensure effective observation of recommendations by the reports of the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) in order to meet target set in the development plan.

Their views have come just a day after the parliamentarians unanimously approved the national budget amounting to 44.4tri/- for the next fiscal year that has been targeted to carry on implementation of flagship development projects.

From a total budget, 14.08tri/- is for the development expenditure, which covers funds for various projects both in Central and Local Government Authorities.

A list of priorities that are the government’s plan for next year include continuation of implementation of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP), the Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), roads at tarmac level and various bridges.

Commenting on the matter, an Economist-Cum Banker Dr Hilderbrand Shayo, told the ‘Daily News’ on Tuesday that the government should also ensure value for money in all projects to be implemented.

“A critical dimension in the expenditure is the lag between entering a commitment and associated cash payment, my prayer is to get value for money in each allocation approved and aim at making impact bearing in mind good governance in the utilisation of approved funds,” he said.

The Head of Research and Analytics at Aplha Capital Imani Muhigo was optimistic that the government shall work fully in improvement of the business environment as well as encouraging investments, especially of domestic origin.

Speaking on the budget, a lecturer at the Tumaini University Dar es Salaam College (Tudarco) Rachel Yusuph called for effective imbursement of the allocated budget for the country to register the intended development.

She commended the government for setting up priorities that aim at accomplishing the flagship development projects that will help in quickening people’s economic advancement.

“Parliamentarians have shown their full support to the government on execution of development projects and programmes for the coming financial year, their remaining part is to ensure effective supervision of all projects that have received an allocation,” she said.

Expounding, the academician hailed the government for its plan to start issuing education loans to students selected by the government to join colleges that provide priority programmes such as science, health, technology and education.

The government has decided well to abolish tuition fees for Form Four graduates who have been selected to join technical training colleges such as Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Arusha Technical College (ATC), which offers national prioritised courses.

This initiative aims to increase the number of experts required for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

For his part, an economic commentator Lusekelo Mwaipungu, said apart from endorsing the government’s expenditure plan for next year, the parliament should continue keeping an eye on each project in ensuring value for money.

“The government’s budget has been increased every year, the aim is to improve service delivery and smooth operation of day to day activities, it’s crucial to ensure all votes are spent on the intended purposes,” he said.

He was seconding the opinion that were issued earlier  by the University of Dar es Salaam Head – Department of Finance, Dr Tobias Swai, who said the budget presents solutions to the issues that were causing a long-term cry to investors and individuals.

“Although it also has its other side of the coin the same, carrots bought by the budget are more than the sticks,” Dr Swai explained.