Government must make Mtumba investment count
DAR ES SALAAM: THE directive by Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba requiring ministries and government institutions to relocate their operations to the completed Government City in Mtumba, Dodoma, is timely and necessary. It reinforces the country’s commitment to establishing Dodoma as the administrative capital while ensuring that public resources are used efficiently.
Having invested approximately 700bn/- in the construction of the modern administrative complex and supporting infrastructure, the government must ensure that the facilities serve their intended purpose. Continuing to rent office buildings in Dar es Salaam when adequate government owned premises are available in Dodoma would amount to unnecessary expenditure and poor management of public resources.
The relocation should, therefore, go beyond physically moving offices. It should mark a decisive shift towards more efficient, coordinated and accessible public administration.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan deserves credit for overseeing the completion and inauguration of this landmark project, which was financed through domestic resources. It demonstrates the government’s capacity to mobilise local resources for strategic national development priorities.
However, the real measure of success will be the benefits citizens derive from the investment. The President’s emphasis on integrating government systems and using installed technology to reduce bureaucracy is particularly important. Citizens should not be forced to travel long distances or visit multiple offices to access services that could be provided through interconnected digital platforms.
Equally, the Prime Minister’s directive to improve public transport between Dodoma city centre and Mtumba deserves immediate attention. An administrative centre cannot function effectively if public servants and citizens struggle to reach it. Reliable and affordable transport must therefore accompany the relocation.
The government must also ensure proper maintenance of the buildings, roads and other facilities, alongside environmental protection and the development of designated green spaces. These measures will safeguard the investment and preserve the city’s attractiveness.
More importantly, the relocation process should be orderly, with clear timelines and accountability mechanisms to prevent unnecessary delays and continued expenditure on parallel offices. Ultimately, Mtumba Government City should not simply become a collection of impressive buildings. It must evolve into a modern administrative hub characterised by efficiency, transparency, technological integration and improved public service delivery.
The message is clear: Having invested heavily in building the new Government City, the country must now invest equally in making it work.
