DODOMA: THE World Bank (WB) has expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the 90 million US dollars (approximately 229.5 bn/-) citizencentric judicial modernisation and justice service delivery project, stating continued collaboration with the government of Tanzania.
The message was conveyed on Monday by the World Bank’s Senior Governance Specialist, Benjamin Mtesigwa, during a press briefing at Dodoma’s Integrated Justice Centre (IJC).
“This project is one of the projects that are being implemented successfully and we are indeed pleased with the progress,” Mr Mtesigwa noted.
A delegation from the World Bank Group is currently in the country for a weeklong working visit to assess the implementation of phase II of the project. Led by the Bretton Woods Institution’s Senior Public Sector Specialist, Christine Owuor, the team is expected to visit various areas in the country where the projects are being implemented.
The team began their working tour in the country’s capital, where they will spend two days. Yesterday, the team engaged in extensive discussions with the Tanzanian technical team of the judiciary before travelling to other parts of the country.
The Tanzanian team was led by the Chief Court Administrator (CCA), Professor Elisante Ole Gabriel. The government signed a concessional loan agreement totalling 90 million US dollars with the World Bank to implement the second phase of the citizen-centric judicial modernisation and justice service delivery project.
This project aims to improve the efficiency, transparency and access to selected citizen-centric justice services. The agreement was signed after the WB was fully satisfied with the successful implementation of the first phase, which brought several improvements to the country’s judicial system in terms of infrastructure and service delivery.
During the first phase, the WB approved an International Development Association (IDA) credit of 65 million US dollars (about 165.7bn/-).
Speaking during the meeting yesterday, Ms Awour said that the second phase was expected to be completed by June 2025.
“With 16 months from now, we want to ensure that all targets are met and, more importantly, to see how the WB can work together with the judiciary of Tanzania,” she noted.
She revealed that the WB delegation would have a series of discussions with the Tanzanian technical team and assured top officials in the Ministry of close collaboration and cooperation in joint efforts to enhance justice delivery for all. During the meeting, Prof Ole Gabriel assured the WB delegation of the right speed, velocity, and acceleration in implementing the projects, as well as maximum cooperation to ensure that the desired targets were met.
“We want to have Integrated Justice Centres (IJCs) in all zones countrywide, including another centre to be constructed in Pemba in the isles,” said the CCA, adding that his office would ensure that every penny in the project is well spent.
Since 2016, the World Bank has been assisting Tanzania’s Judiciary in improving the efficiency, transparency, and access to citizen-centric justice services.
In addition to the construction of Integrated Justice Centres (IJCs), the Citizen Centric Judicial Modernisation and Justice Service Delivery Project has also supported the introduction of mobile court services (justiceon-wheels) for rural and hardto-reach areas.
This initiative provides easier and faster access to justice services for vulnerable groups such as women and the poor.
During an interview, the Head of Judicial Reforms, Dr Angelo Rumisha, mentioned that in this phase of the project, the judiciary plans to construct nine additional IJCs in different regions across the country. In the first phase, he noted that six IJCs were successfully constructed.
He commended the World Bank for trusting Tanzania and providing additional funding for judicial reforms.
