D-by-D national policy in pipeline, govt says

DODOMA: THE government is in the process of drafting a comprehensive National Devolution Policy aimed at speeding up the transfer of powers, resources and decision-making from the central government to local authorities.

Deputy Minister in the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Ms Zainabu Katimba yesterday informed the august House that the policy builds on the 1998 Local Government Reform Paper, which laid the foundation for decentralising authority.

She explained that the existing framework has already increased citizen participation in planning and improved delivery of social services like education and health at the local level.

Ms Katimba added that the draft National Devolution Policy is currently under discussion across different government levels.

Once finalised and implemented, it will strengthen devolution and ensure more sectors actively take part in its execution, improving governance and service delivery nationwide.

She was responding to questions from legislators, who raised various issues pertinent to decentralisation by devolution policy (D-byD).

In a basic question, asked on her behalf by MP Esther Matiko, (Special Seats, Chadema), Agnesta Lambert Kaiza (Special Seats, Chadema) inquired which areas should be prioritised to ensure active participation of other sectors in the decentralisation by devolution process.

Ms Matiko, asking a supplementary question, raised concerns that some ministries plan to withdraw key departments like Agricultural and Land Officers from Local Government Authorities.

She noted that these officers were originally placed under local authorities to enhance direct service delivery, urging the government to prevent any such move.

ALSO READ: PM: Expedite decentralization-by-devolution policy

The lawmaker also claimed there were challenged related to the current fiscal policy, which requires local authorities to remit all collected revenue to the Treasury before funds are disbursed back.

“The delays and shortfalls in returned funds hamper local authorities’ daily operations,” said Ms Matiko, who sought assurance from the government that it would ensure timely and full return of funds as budgeted.

In response, Deputy Minister Katimba said the government recognises the constitutional basis for devolution under Articles 145 and 146 and that is why it is currently preparing a comprehensive D-by-D policy to guide the process.

She stressed the government’s efforts to strengthen local authorities’ capacity to make decisions, plan and monitor development independently.

Ms Katimba explained that PO-RALG coordinates national policies to ensure alignment and implementation at the local level.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering local councils, echoing the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s vision of citizen participation in governance.

Ms Katimba said the government encourages local authorities to increase their own revenue generation as part of fiscal decentralisation policy, while working to ensure central government funds are disbursed promptly to support local projects.

Moshi Rural MP Prof Patrick Ndakidemi expressed concerns of potential shortages of skilled professionals, such as engineers, in local authorities and inquired how that affects the implementation of D-by-D.

Responding, Deputy Minister Katimba said there were enough professional cadres in the LGAs and assured that the government has regularly been recruiting new staff to fill these gaps and improve service delivery at the local level.