MPs irked by misuse of government vehicles

DODOMA: THE government has ordered accounting officers to ensure all government vehicles are parked by 6pm.

The Deputy Minister for Works Engineer Geofrey Kasekenya gave the order yesterday when responding to the question posed by Makete MP Festo Sanga on behalf of Arumeru West MP (CCM) Noah Saputu.

In his basic question, Mr Saputu wanted a response from the government on when it will ban its vehicles from parking in recreational areas such as bars after work hours.

Responding to the question, Engineer Kasekenya said the use of government-owned vehicles is governed by Presidential Circular No. 1, 1998 which also gives directives on how to cut down government spending.

Under the circular, all government-owned vehicles are required to be parked at designated parking areas by 6pm, except under special permits that allow them to be on the road after the allowed time.

The deputy minister said the government, through Public Service Regulations 2009, bars public servants from using government-owned vehicles for private purposes.

“Any public servant who violates such directives is required to be subjected to disciplinary action,” Engineer Kasekenya said.

He added: “I would, therefore, like to remind all accounting officers to enforce these directives.” In his supplementary question, Mr Sanga said despite the laws, rules and regulations, government-owned vehicles are still seen roaming in the streets, and others are parked in recreational areas, such as bars after the stipulated time, most of them during the night.

The MP said the government’s quest to cut down its spending cannot be realised, given the fact that some government-owned vehicles are seen roaming in the streets and bars during the night.

“This malpractice has now turned into a nuisance, and it is a misuse of public funds,” he said.

The MP also wanted to be informed where the government had reached on plans to lend vehicles to qualified public servants to cut down maintenance costs of the vehicles.

In his response, the deputy minister said the laws and regulations that govern the matter are in place, asking relevant authorities to supervise its implementation.

According to Engineer Kasekenya, Minister for Finance Dr Mwigulu Nchemba will clarify the government’s decision to stop purchasing vehicles for public servants when he tables the new government budget.

Kinondoni MP (CCM) Tarimba Abbas wanted the government to issue directives to traffic police to impound government-owned vehicles seen violating road traffic laws.

However, the deputy minister said the laws, rules and regulations were clear on the organs charged with the responsibility of performing the function.

When tabling the 2022/2023 government budget in 2022 in Parliament, Finance Minister, Dr Nchemba said Tanzania was spending 558bn/- annually on government vehicles.

He then proposed that the government should transform from the then-existing system by lending vehicles to qualified government officials.

According to the minister, by then the government had more than 15,742 vehicles, 14,047 motorcycles and 373 machines.