ECONOMISTS have expressed optimism on the creation of Planning Commission and the Ministry of Planning and Investment in monitoring and evaluating the country’s development plans.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the ‘Daily News’, an economist-cum-investment banker, Dr Hildebrand Shayo, said President Samia Suluhu Hassan has created a Planning Commission and a Ministry of Planning and Investment under her office so that it can plan, monitor and evaluate short-term and long-term plans for the country.
Dr Shayo said while the country enters the fourth national development plan, the planning commission will help the government closely monitor and evaluate the plans that are going to be implemented.
He said the fact that the Ministry of Planning and Investments is under the Office of the President, it will help the Head of State to monitor more closely implementation of plans for the development of the country and the people in general.
He added that the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with strategic banks, including Development Bank (TIB), Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) and other banks will be able to find sources of access to funds to implement public projects and profits will remain in the country rather than using foreign banks.
“The planning commission in collaboration with strategic banks will be able to find sources of funds to implement public projects, including construction of schools, hospitals, markets and roads. In many instances, such projects are not attractive to foreign investors,” he said.
Moreover, he said that the Commission will facilitate the availability of local content financing, adding that the success of the commission and the new docket will largely depend on the political will on the part of leaders to carry out their duties by following the guidelines, rules and laws of the country.
Executive Director of Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) and Chairman of Daima Associates, Prof Samwel Wangwe said the creation of a planning commission will help the coordination of long and short-term development plans and make clear the national priorities in development plans.
Prof Wangwe said the Commission will help to plan and implement the Tanzania National Development Vision 2050 and its five-year national development plans.
Economics Lecturer at Mzumbe University in Morogoro, Dr Eliaza Mkuna said that the Planning Commission has been created at an opportune time when the country is preparing for development Vision 2050, adding that the commission will specialise in working on the country’s plans.
Speaking about the appointment of Minister Prof Kitila Mkumbo as Minister of State in the President’s Office Planning and Investment, Dr Eliaza described him as a perfect fit in the docket due to his experience.
“Prof Mkumbo is well known for offering his analysis on economic issues and community development…he is a perfect fit for the post,” Dr Eliaza said.
The Economist added that Mr Lawrence Mafuru also fits as Executive Secretary of the National Planning Commission due to his enough experience of work in the Ministry of Finance and Planning and in institutions that do similar work to the one he is currently assigned to.
Recently, President Samia Suluhu Hassan made minor restructuring of the cabinet, formulating the Ministry of Planning and Investment after enactment of the Planning Commission Act, 2023.
