PCCB warns of resource leakages in projects
SINGIDA: RESOURCE leakages, project delays and weak supervision continue to threaten the successful implementation of government-funded projects in Singida Region, the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) have warned.
The anti-corruption watchdog said Public Expenditure Tracking Surveys (PETS) have also revealed limited stakeholder participation in some projects, increasing the risk of failing to achieve value for money despite continued government investment in development programmes.
Speaking in Singida on Wednesday during the opening of a stakeholders’ workshop on the management and implementation of development projects, Singida PCCB Bureau Chief Sosthenes Kibwengo said the findings point to persistent weaknesses that continue to affect project quality, increase unnecessary costs and reduce the expected benefits for wananchi.
He said most of the identified challenges continue to recur despite repeated directives from leaders, underscoring the need for stronger management and supervision of development projects.
“This responsibility is even greater for us as leaders present here, whose duties go beyond that. The results of the development project monitoring exercise that will be presented show that we have not fully fulfilled this responsibility. There are weaknesses in our management and supervision,” Mr Kibwengo said.
Citing Article 27 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977, he said every citizen has the authority and responsibility to protect national resources against exploitation and misuse, adding that public leaders bear an even greater responsibility to ensure development resources are properly managed.
ALSO READ: PCCB nabs 137 over bank cards fraud
Mr Kibwengo said the workshop was organised to strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders in overseeing development projects, prevent resource leakages and misappropriation, minimise implementation delays and enhance stakeholder participation to ensure government projects deliver value for money.
Launching the workshop, Singida Regional Commissioner, Halima Dendego said a significant portion of the government budget is allocated to financing development programmes and projects because they are key drivers of economic and social development.
She said the projects have enabled wananchi to access improved services in sectors including health, education, water and infrastructure, making it essential for all stakeholders to ensure public resources are utilised efficiently, transparently and with a high level of accountability.
The workshop brought together regional and local government leaders, project implementers and other stakeholders to discuss ways of improving the management and implementation of development projects across the region.
