DODOMA: THE National Assembly has given the green light to a budget of 3.3tri/- for the Ministry of Defence and National Services for the 2024/25 financial year.
The budget focuses on nine key areas, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) by providing them with cutting-edge equipment and integrating advanced technology.
Tabling the budget, which consists of 3tri/- for recurrent expenditures and 317.4bn for development expenditures, the Minister for Defence and National Service, Dr Stergomena Tax, reassured lawmakers of the prevailing defence, peace and security.
Dr Tax revealed that in the upcoming financial year, the ministry will enhance the defence force with state-of-the-art military equipment, training, and human resources, noting that President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the ministry to adopt technology to address changing technological patterns that present challenges in defence and security, she said She added that they will maintain a friendly and conducive working environment, ensuring the safety of national borders and the continuation of peace.
Dr Tax emphasised that the ministry and its departments are committed to providing a safe working environment, improved remuneration packages, health benefits, and residential buildings for all army personnel.
According to Dr Tax, in the upcoming financial year, the government will improve infrastructure in various military areas and closely monitor institutions and parastatals in the military sector.
She assured the Parliament of the defence forces’ participation and engagement in the national strategy for the country’s vast national interests. Regarding the National Service JKT, the minister stated that they are continuing to expand its infrastructure to accommodate all students required to attend the patriotism and skills-oriented training as mandated by law.
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Furthermore, she stated that the government will evaluate the National Service recruits’ training manuals to ensure they meet current market demands and achieve the intended goals.
Dr Tax explained that through the national service training, the ministry will develop a strategic programme outlining needs, budget and implementation timeframes to ensure that the infrastructure can accommodate all youths attending the training as scheduled.
“The ministry will strengthen bilateral and mutual relationships with the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), continental and regional defence and security organisations, and diplomatic issues,” she affirmed, adding that the ministry will expedite cooperation with civilian authorities during emergencies and disaster management.
The minister said the government is committed to resolving conflicts between the defence forces and communities, hence they have evaluated land allocations in various areas and will soon begin compensating affected parts.
She added that her ministry will continue collaborating with other ministerial sectors to develop technologies to address challenges, such as a bomb that, when detonated, scares away elephants in residential areas.
Minister Tax told the House that in the 2024/25 fiscal year, the ministry plans to generate 87.6m/- from the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), National Service and the ministry.