Debt, workforce issues hamper SIDO’s operations

DODOMA; THE Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) has a total of 4.05bn/- in land accumulated debts for several years, the House was told here yesterday.

The debts are from business levies in areas owned by the State-owned public entity, a situation that has resulted in debt stress, according to the Chairperson of a parliamentary committee on Industries, Trade, Agriculture and Livestock, Mr Deodatus Mwanyika.

Mr Mwanyika made the revelation in the august House yesterday when tabling a report on the implementation of the committee’s responsibilities for 2024.

“The debt is a result of business levies instead of services levy on the areas that are used to by small Industries.

The House was further informed that SIDO had scarcity of 179 workers, something that was impeding provision of quality services to members of the Public.

“ In looking for immediate solution, the organisation had been capitalising on recruiting persons on contract basis as well as using volunteer students countrywide as it continues requesting permits for employing Permanent staff.

An analysis by the parliamentary committee, said Mr Mwanyika, indicated that lack of sustainable and permanent sources of income was an impediment to SIDO in its endeavors to help women and youth to improve their individual income.

Therefore, the MPs suggested that the government should increase budget for the financial strapped SIDO so that it can properly implement its duties.

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So far, the committee chair told lawmakers, an assessment of the report show that the government had made tremendous strides on the performance of Industries, Trade, Agriculture and Livestock sectors.

However, the committee was concerned by shortage of edible oil in the country following a decision by farmers to stop production of sunflower because of lack of markets.

The House advised the government to intensify massive campaign to sunflower farmers as well as to repair and establish new factories so as to refrain from depending on imported oil.

The committee assessment further found out that sugar production in the country was still low, something forcing the government to import the product from outside the country to cover the deficit.

Because of the deficit, Mr Mwanyika advised the government to intensify efforts to attract investment on sugar factories so as to hike production.

Generally, the committee noted, the country was facing acute shortage of Industries producing various important products.

“Lack of important Industries forces the government to use foreign currency to order products from outside the country, lack of employment opportunities among the young generation as well as lack of markets for raw materials produced locally.