Public service week brings government services closer to citizens
DODOMA: THE 2026 Public Service Week highlighted a growing shift among public institutions towards bringing services closer to citizens through integrated platforms that combine service delivery, public education and on-site resolution of challenges.
Held from June 16 to 23 at Chinangali Park in Dodoma under the theme, ‘Stimulating Inclusive Accountability for Sustainable Services,’ the event brought together public institutions from across the country, enabling thousands of citizens to access a wide range of government services, information and support in one location.
Speaking on the participation of the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) and the public entities under its oversight, the Head of the Public Relations and Communications Unit, Mr Sabato Kosuri, said Public Service Week continues to provide an important platform for promoting accountability by taking government services directly to the people.
He said the OTR and its supervised entities used the exhibition to educate citizens about their mandates, collect public feedback, respond to inquiries and provide services closer to intended beneficiaries.
According to Mr Kosuri, the initiative reflects the government’s broader commitment to improving service delivery through digital systems that enhance efficiency, responsiveness and accountability across the public sector.
“These exhibitions have shown that public institutions are no longer waiting for citizens to come to their offices. Through OTR and the entities under its supervision, citizens were able to access services, receive information and get timely responses to their concerns,” he said.
The exhibition also demonstrated how improved public service delivery is translating into tangible benefits across different sectors. In civil registration services, the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) issued 750 birth certificates within a one-day turnaround, compared to the usual two days, while also fast-tracking the issuance of 10 death certificates.
RITA Legal Officer Ms Emmanuela Mwingira said more than 1,000 citizens also received education on wills, marriage registration and trustee board matters, noting that the outreach helped reduce delays and improve access to essential civil registration services.
The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) also recorded strong public engagement during the exhibition. Marketing Manager Mr Fredrick Kalinga said more than 1,500 people visited the TANESCO pavilion and received practical education on electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
He said visitors were also introduced to the NIKONEKTI electronic system, which enables new customers to apply for electricity connections more efficiently by reducing costs, waiting time and procedural bottlenecks. In addition, citizens received information on electric vehicles, electrical safety and customer support through the utility’s 24-hour toll-free line, 180.
“We used the exhibition to respond to citizens’ inquiries, receive feedback and address various challenges related to electricity services,” Mr Kalinga said.
The health sector also brought specialised services closer to communities. Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) provided free services to 260 people over eight days, including counselling, diagnosis and treatment of skin and eye conditions, as well as reproductive health and gynaecological counselling.
MNH Human Resources Officer Ms Hilda Kajia said the outreach enabled citizens to access specialist care without going through the usual hospital procedures. At the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), 720 citizens benefited from cardiovascular screening services, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and heart examinations.
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JKCI Administration Manager Mr Joachim Asenga said those found to be at risk received counselling, treatment or referrals for further medical care, underscoring the importance of early detection through regular health screening. He added that all services offered during the exhibition were free of charge.
The Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA) also attracted significant public interest, receiving more than 700 visitors, while 400 new clients initiated the process of formalising their businesses through the BRELA Online System, launched on April 8, 2026.
BRELA Principal Public Relations and Communications Officer Ms Theresa Chilambo said the system has improved awareness of business formalisation while eliminating intermediaries by restricting access to authorised company directors and shareholders.
The focus on accessibility and efficiency was equally evident in the water sector. The Dodoma Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (DUWASA) served 157 citizens and connected 26 new customers to water services during the exhibition.
Public Relations Officer Ms Halima Kambi said citizens were also introduced to the e-Mrejesho system, which enables online bill payments and submission of complaints without visiting utility offices, thereby, reducing costs and improving convenience.
Overall, the services delivered across the various sectors reflected the government’s broader efforts to modernise public service delivery through digital innovation, institutional responsiveness and citizen-centred approaches that reduce barriers to accessing essential services.
The 2026 Public Service Week was officially opened on June 17 by the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), Mr Ridhiwani Kikwete, and closed by the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Prof Riziki Shemdoe, on behalf of the Chief Secretary, Ambassador Moses Kusiluka.
