Projects must align with value for money – PM

ZANZIBAR: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has urged local engineers to ensure that the projects they manage meet national and international standards and are aligned with the value for money being spent.

The Premier stated that it is the responsibility of engineers to assist the government in saving money by accurately estimating the required funds in relation to the value of the project.

“I would like to take this opportunity to urge engineers to continue adhering to the ethics and standards of this profession, not only to uphold the profession’s integrity but also to protect the nation’s funds allocated for project implementation,” Majaliwa said.

He made these remarks on Tuesday, while representing President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan at the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Civil Engineering Department at the Karume Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) in Zanzibar.

“Engineering is a profession with ethics that must adhere to standards. Among these ethics is ensuring that the projects you manage meet national, regional and international standards and align with the value for money spent.” PM Majaliwa also called on all employers in the country to establish systems for hiring local engineering graduates and to build their capacity while on the job.

He emphasised the importance of collaborating with training institutions to create opportunities for students to gain practical experience.

“This system benefits both the nation and employers, as graduates will be professionally and practically prepared,” he added.

Furthermore, Majaliwa urged training institutions in the country to ensure they produce graduates with the skills and knowledge needed in the job market.

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“By doing so, we will increase the number of specialised local professionals, thereby reducing reliance on foreign experts. Foreign experts should be used primarily to build experience and enhance the capabilities of Tanzanians,” he said.

On the other hand, Zanzibar’s Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Lela Mohamed Mussa, said that the government under President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has initiated a programme to provide funds to facilitate loans for engineering students and offer scholarships and practical training, with a focus on prioritising students in this field.

“Recognising the importance of engineering, the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government, through its Education Reform Programme, has started offering vocational training courses at the secondary level. This will motivate and provide a career path for graduates to join technical colleges, including KIST.

This will offer more opportunities for young people to enter the engineering field.” In addition, Minister for Education Science and Technology Professor Adolf Mkenda, noted that all ministries have collaborated to enhance engineering students’ training to increase the effectiveness of their education. Earlier, KIST Director, Dr Mahmoud Abulwahab Alawi reported that the institute has introduced various programmes aligned with government policies, including the Blue Economy Policy and improvements in the health sector.

“Both of our governments have been strengthening the health sector by building and renovating hospitals and health centres in various regions and districts and by providing modern medical equipment,” he said He added that, in support of these efforts, the institute has launched a programme in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering at the diploma level for the 2024/2025 academic year.

This will help produce specialised technicians for maintaining medical equipment as needed.

Dr Alawi also said that, as part of implementing the Blue Economy Policy, the institute has introduced a programme in Aquatic Product Processing Technology at the diploma level, with the first cohort expected to graduate in November 2025, providing opportunities for self-employment and job creation.