Committees urged to defend Zanzibar’s budget priorities

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR Minister for Finance and Planning Dr Juma Malik Akili has called on parliamentary committees to work closely with the Treasury, not just as overseers, but as partners in protecting national priorities.

He urged members of the Budget Committee and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to work closely with his ministry in safeguarding and defending government priorities before they are approved by the House of Representatives.

Dr Malik made the call recently while opening a two-day training session for committee members at ZURA Maisara, organised by the Office of the Accountant General. He said the government has undergone major reforms over the past five years and remains committed to pushing even deeper changes aimed at improving people’s lives.

These reforms, he noted, have also reshaped how government budgets are prepared and implemented.

According to the minister, Zanzibar last year implemented a budget of about 6.9tri/-, a significant increase compared to previous years, with a strong focus on development projects. “Sixty-three per cent of the budget was directed to development projects, compared to 37 per cent for recurrent expenditure,” Dr Malik said, noting that the results of this prioritisation are now visible across the country.

He added that preparations for the 2026/27 budget and the next five-year planning cycle have already begun, with a strong emphasis on implementing the CCM Manifesto (2015–2030).

Dr Malik stressed that revenue collection remains the backbone of government operations, calling on the committees to help identify new and effective revenue sources to reduce losses caused by outdated systems.

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“Help us find solutions to stop revenue leakages and improve collection,” he said, acknowledging that weaknesses in existing methods have cost the government significant income.

The minister also highlighted ongoing reforms shifting from a cash-based system to an electronic and accrualbased accounting system, aimed at improving transparency, tracking government assets and aligning Zanzibar’s financial management with international standards.

He expressed confidence that the training would strengthen cooperation between the ministry and the two committees, particularly during budget formulation, implementation and evaluation.

Meanwhile, Accountant General, Hamad Saleh Hamad said the seminar focused on key aspects of the Public Finance Management Act of 2016, particularly public financial control, expenditure management and adherence to standards in public institutions.