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COMBATING CORRUPTION: State touts collective efforts

PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has said concerted efforts of all Tanzanians are needed to combat corruption, not just the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB).
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa

KILIMANJARO: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has said concerted efforts of all Tanzanians are needed to combat corruption, not just the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB).

He called on citizens across the nation to take responsibility in upholding moral standards while shunning acts of corruption, as everyone has a role to play in maintaining national integrity and justice.

Mr Majaliwa explained that unchecked corruption could significantly hinder the government’s ability to achieve its core objectives, which include sustaining social and economic welfare of the people.

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Citing Article 8(1) (b) of the Tanzanian Constitution, he said corruption threatens the nation’s goals of justice, equality, and sustainable development.

His remarks were made on Saturday in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, where he represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the closing ceremony of PCCB’s preliminary investigation training, held at the Tanzania Police School.

“This is not just the responsibility of PCCB. Every Tanzanian has a duty to participate in this fight and to help manage moral standards within communities y. Corruption is an enemy to justice and social progress, and it often leads to the diversion of resources intended for the public good. In the public service sector, corruption can disrupt fair competition, which ultimately impacts our country’s human resources potential,” said Mr Majaliwa.

He further said that corruption is a complex global issue, though in developing countries like Tanzania, it is often exacerbated by extreme poverty, a lack of awareness, and erosion of moral values.

“Corruption stems from the acts of promising, giving, receiving, or indirectly influencing decisions through intermediaries. We, as a nation, must take a firm stance in managing and combating this issue,” Mr Majaliwa added.

To strengthen this fight, Mr Majaliwa urged beneficiaries of the training to make community outreach a priority, especially in rural areas, where public education on the harmful effects of corruption is greatly needed.

“The PCCB commander should stress this point — we do not want employees confined to their desks from morning until evening. We expect them to be out in the communities, observing firsthand and reminding citizens of the importance of standing up against corruption,” he added.

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In addition to public education, the Prime Minister instructed the PCCB to enhance its speed and strategies in tackling corruption, with particular attention to high-risk areas, such as revenue collection, public procurement, employment processes in the public sector, land allocation systems, and the provision of community services.

“Further, the PCCB should continue rigorous oversight and management of funds allocated for development projects to ensure they achieve the intended objectives,” he said.

Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), Mr George Simbachawene, highlighted the government’s significant investment in equipping the PCCB for a stronger anti-corruption campaign.

He said that the government has allocated resources to acquire new vehicles, construct office buildings for PCCB at both district and regional levels, and recruit additional investigation officers. The measures are expected to bolster the PCCB’s capacity to carry out its mandate effectively.

“Given this tremendous support from the government, we have no excuse but to step up our actions in the fight against corruption. This is an investment that demands accountability from all of us, as we work tirelessly to prevent corruption from gaining a foothold in our nation,” Mr Simbachawene said.

He added, “My ministry and I are fully committed to making sure this investment yields meaningful results in curbing corruption.”

PCCB Director General Crispin Chalamila said that under President Samia’s leadership, the corruption watchdog had received 30bn/- over the past three years to fund the procurement of 195 vehicles, out of which 88 have been delivered.

“Today, we are officially receiving ten vehicles as part of the 88 already received. The process of procuring the remaining 107 vehicles is ongoing, and we anticipate receiving them soon. We pledge to take excellent care of these assets to maximize efficiency in our operations,” Mr Chalamila said.

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Regarding the preliminary investigation training programme, PCCB Director of Administration and Human Resources Management, Mr Ayoub Akida, reported that a total of 436 participants graduated from the program, among whom 175 are women and 261 are men.

These include 113 Assistant Investigators, comprising 79 men and 34 women. Mr. Akida noted that the training aimed to equip newly recruited PCCB officers with the necessary skills to carry out their duties effectively.

He added, “This training is vital to preparing our new officers, as they will be responsible for enforcing anti-corruption laws, conducting investigations, and educating the public on preventing corruption in our communities. We believe that this cohort will contribute significantly to achieving our mission to eliminate corruption.”