Zungu calls for tougher action on public funds misuse

DAR ES SALAAM: SPEAKER of the National Assembly Mussa Zungu has called for tougher action against officials who misuse public funds, directing parliamentary committees working with the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) to strengthen oversight of government spending.

He warned that financial mismanagement could undermine the implementation of the country’s Development Vision 2025–2050.

Speaking during the opening of a three-day training session for Parliamentary Standing Committees in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Mr Zungu said the CAG serves as the eye of Parliament in overseeing how government funds are utilised.

The training, organised by the National Audit Office, brought together members of the Local Authorities Accounts Committee (LAAC), the Budget Committee and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Mr Zungu said the Development Vision prepared under President Samia Suluhu Hassan requires adequate financial resources and strong oversight to ensure public funds are used responsibly.

He warned that misuse of public resources could undermine the country’s long-term development goals and called on parliamentary committees to strengthen their oversight role.

The Speaker directed committees to publicly name and hold accountable individuals found misusing public funds and ensure that their recommendations are implemented promptly once endorsed by Parliament.

He further said that the 13th Parliament is prepared to amend rules and laws whenever necessary to facilitate national progress.

“We will not wait until September. We cannot delay development or government revenue collection simply because of procedural regulations,” he said.

ALSO READ: VP demands tougher controls to curb public funds misuse

Mr Zungu also announced that Parliament, through his office, will review the current procedure requiring CAG reports to be discussed before the budget session, with the aim of making the oversight process timelier and more effective.

Speaking earlier, CAG Charles Kichere said the training aims to equip parliamentary committees with the skills needed to scrutinise CAG reports effectively and to competently question government officials appearing before them.

To further strengthen accountability and good governance, Mr Kichere proposed discussions with the Speaker on the possibility of completing audit reports by December instead of March.

He said the adjustment would align Tanzania’s audit timelines with international standards and ensure reports are timelier and more relevant.

Regarding verification of government responses to parliamentary resolutions, Mr Kichere noted that there is currently no specific mechanism guiding how implementation feedback is monitored.

He proposed that his office receive formal implementation reports directly from the Clerk of the National Assembly, along with a defined timeline for verification.

Mr Kichere added that the number of financial audit reports has increased due to expanded audit coverage in areas where the government has invested public funds, particularly at local government level and in strategic national projects.