‘Make Dira 2050 deliver real change to citizens’

KIBAHA: THE government has challenged Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of public entities to ensure the ambitions of the National Development Vision 2050 are translated into measurable results that improve citizens’ lives and strengthen Tanzania’s economy.

Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), Mr Ridhiwani Kikwete, issued the directive on Friday during the closing ceremony of the third phase of the Executive Induction Training Programme for CEOs of public entities held at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School in Kibaha, Coast Region.

The programme is organised by the Office of the Treasury Registrar in collaboration with the UONGOZI Institute to strengthen leadership capacity, promote good governance, improve public service delivery and ensure Dira 2050 translates into tangible development outcomes for Tanzanians.

He said the success of Dira 2050 would not depend only on the quality of policies and development plans, but on the ability of public institutions to become effective drivers of economic transformation through improved service delivery, efficient systems, innovation and stronger cooperation with the private sector.

Mr Ridhiwani said public entities must ensure their strategic plans, annual work programmes and institutional priorities are aligned with Dira 2050, which officially commenced implementation on July 1 this year.

“Implementation of Dira 2050 must become part of your daily decisions and responsibilities. Your institutional plans, strategies and programmes must support its objectives if we are to accelerate national development,” he said.

He warned that failure by public institutions to operate under a common national agenda could slow progress towards achieving the country’s longterm development aspirations.

“If CEOs are not aligned with the implementation of Dira 2050, ministries will pursue their own priorities, institutions will implement separate agendas and, ultimately, the intended national outcomes may not be achieved,” he cautioned.

The minister said public sector leadership would no longer be measured by the number of policies and plans developed, but by the ability of institutions to implement those plans, eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, improve productivity and provide quality services to citizens.

“The time has come for this training to produce visible results. Your leadership will not be measured by plans alone, but by your ability to implement them, remove unnecessary bottlenecks, improve service delivery and enhance institutional productivity,” he said.

He urged CEOs to create a business-friendly environment by reducing unnecessary procedures, embracing digital solutions and strengthening partnerships with the private sector, noting that the efficiency of public institutions directly affects investment decisions, economic competitiveness and job creation.

Mr Ridhiwani further directed public entities to uphold professionalism, accountability and integrity while ensuring proper management of public resources, including finances, human capital and government assets.

“By carrying out your responsibilities with professionalism, accountability and efficiency, you will deliver positive results that will contribute to achieving the national vision,” he said.

He added that the success of the induction programme would not be judged by certificates awarded, but by improvements seen in the performance of institutions led by the participants.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Dr Fred Msemwa, said the training came at a critical time as Tanzania begins implementing an ambitious development agenda aimed at expanding the size of the economy through Dira 2050.

He said achieving the vision requires innovative, accountable and forward-looking leaders capable of transforming national aspirations into measurable social and economic outcomes.

“Visionary leadership will be essential in positioning public entities to facilitate investment, industrialisation and sustainable economic transformation,” Dr Msemwa said.

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Meanwhile, Treasury Registrar Nehemiah Mchechu said reforms being implemented in public entities had started producing improvements in service delivery, operational efficiency and institutional performance.

Through the Office of the Treasury Registrar, the government oversees 308 public entities and companies in which it holds minority shares, with a combined investment portfolio valued at 92.3 tri/-.

Mr Mchechu said the institutions represent strategic assets in achieving Dira 2050, calling for continued reforms to strengthen accountability, innovation and financial sustainability