Over 13bn/- allocated for Prisons projects
DAR ES SALAAM: PRIME Minister kassim Majaliwa has said that the government has set aside 11.5bn/- in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial years for purchasing 65 vehicles, including proceeding with construction of prisons’ buildings in six regions in the country.
The regions are Morogoro, Kigoma, Arusha, Tabora, Dodoma and Coast.
The Premier revealed that on Friday during the official closing of a training for prison officers at the Tanzania Correctional Training Academy (TCTA) at Ukonga in Dar es Salaam Region, calling upon them to use the skills acquired to improve their performance.
Majaliwa said that the government has provided vehicles to Prisons Department for administrative activities and transportation of inmates, noting that until May 22, this year the government had paid a total of 4.459bn/- for procurement of 23 vehicles of which 18 vehicle will be for administrative activities and five for services to inmates.
He noted that this financial year the Tanzania Prisons Service has set aside 6.691bn/- for procuring other 42 vehicles which will be used for administrative activities and transportation of inmates.
Meanwhile, in the current fiscal year, the government has set aside 2.769bn/- for proceeding with the construction of prisons’ buildings in Gairo and Kilosa in Morogoro, Kakonko in Kigoma, Kaliua and Igunga in Tabora, Karatu in Arusha, Msalato and Isanga in Dodoma and Kwa Mturuki Prison in Bagamoyo, Coast Region.
He said the projects are being implemented concurrently with the construction of new prisons at Kiabakari in Mara, Mpimbwe in Katavi, Sengerema in Mwanza, Kyerwa in Kagera, Kingurungundwa in Lindi and Mlolo Prison in Iringa.
The PM further said that the government has allocated 800m/- for commencing construction of Prisons offices in Geita, Kigoma, Lindi, Songwe and Tanga, and 225m/- for completion of the houses of prison officers and those for special anti-riot unit at Msalato, Dodoma.
Besides, the government has allocated 285m/- for improving water availability in five prisons of Ilagala in Kigoma, Mbarali in Mbeya, Kiteto in Manyara, Kingurungundwa in Lindi and Kongwa in Dodoma, he said.
Majaliwa said the completion of the projects will guarantee provision of better services, working environment, housing and safe place for prisons workers and detainees.
Mr Majaliwa said apart from executing different development projects and procurement of equipment for provision of services, the government has also been developing human resource.
He said in 2021/2022 financial year the government provided 1,241 employment posts for the Prisons Service and 734 others were provided in 2022/2023 fiscal year, but the latter were those who were on training.
He hinted that in the current fiscal year the government will provide 500 new employment posts to address the shortage of staff.
Likewise, Mr Majaliwa said in order to increase efficiency in Prisons Service the government has promoted a total of 8,337 rank and file officer and 3,540 prisoner officers.
“Today, we have witnessed 607 others graduating through a capacity building programme meant to build up their efficiency and promotion,” Mr Majaliwa said.
He said CCM Election Manifesto 2020/2025 Section 105 directs the government to empower the Prison Service and College for them to continue protecting, and protecting prisoners.
Mr Majaliwa said the government will continue allocating funds for development of the Prisons Service.
Equally, Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Hamad Masauni said the government has been allocating funds through various capacity building programmes in effort of strengthening the Police Services.
