THE Director of Tanzania Information Services and Chief Government Spokesperson, Mr Mobhare Matinyi has announced a second phase of a special programme that allows Regional and District Commissioners and District Executive Directors to inform citizens on what the government has done in their respective areas to foster development.
The second phase of the programme will cover Manyara, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Tanga regions whereas the public will have a chance to air their views and comment on the development projects.
“The government is doing a lot, especially in-terms of executing development programmes, but in most cases majority of people are unaware of what is happening within their localities,” he said.
The programme was launched early last month by Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Mr Nape Nnauye alongside the Deputy Minister responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government, Festo Dugange.
Mr Matinyi devised a novel strategy to streamline and expedite information sharing, especially focusing on implementation of development projects being undertaken by the government countrywide.
He said it is of paramount importance for the citizens’ engagement through information sharing for open government and effective development.
The government spokesperson said it was imperative for the citizens to be well informed of implementation of all development projects being undertaken by the government in their localities, adding that this will significantly help to strengthen the quality of policymaking and the service delivery with improved social accountability.
“Regional Commissioners (RCs), District Commissioner (DCs) and District Executive Directors (DEDs) as well as the public in the localities in each region will speak out on the development and implementation strategies in their respective areas” he insisted.
Launching the programme, Mr Nnauye underscored the need for the scribes to tell good news about the country’s implementation of development projects.
Mr Nape said it is imperative for the citizens to be well informed of implementation of development projects being undertaken by the
government in their localities as well as give them an audience to air their views.
“The public has to be informed on how their taxes and revenues are being spent for development projects in their localities thus, MAELEZO must take the noble cause to provide positive content to the media and ensure massive coverage,” said Mr Nape.
“The citizens must be given an audience to express their opinion or views about development projects that are being carried out by the government in areas. These projects are crucial for their wellbeing and socio-economic welfare,” he said.
Minister Nape said the government allocates a lot of money for development projects in all sectors including education, health, and agriculture in both urban and rural areas but in most cases the citizens are not aware of what is going on in their areas just because they are not being informed.
He called upon the regional and local authorities to effectively utilise the programme so as to make the public informed.
The special programme first phase covered Dodoma, Morogoro, Coast Region and Dar es Salaam regions.
Deputy Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO RALG), Dr Festo Dugange directed the regions and local authorities to offer full support and information to make the programme work.
