{UAH} Allan/Pojim/WBK: Tempo must be upheld as alarming scams emerge - Opinion/Editorial | The Citizen

http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/oped/Tempo-must-be-upheld-as-alarming-scams-emerge/-/1840568/2983716/-/18rd9sz/-/index.html

Tempo must be upheld as alarming scams emerge - Opinion/Editorial

Only a month at the helm today, President John Magufuli has awoken us to the fact that the artificial poverty of resource-rich Tanzania stems from unchecked corruption, blatant violation of the law, wasteful expenditutre, and a happy-go-lucky culture. The unearthing of the Sh80 billion loss connected to untaxed containers and the dubious Sh12 billion bonds deal are tips of a frightening corruption monster.

Ironically, such shocking revelations give one the impression that this country could be a social and economic paradise - only if we shun the culture of greed and scandalous abuse of resources.

In his inaugural speech to the 11th Parliament, the President decried huge expenditure on mainly joyride overseas trips by public servants. He subsequently diverted much of the cash earmarked for a grandiose party at Bunge Grounds to purchasing beds for Muhimbili National Hospital wards.

He also cancelled colourful Independence Day celebrations, directing that the earmarked Sh4 billion be spent on expansion of the Morocco-Mwenge road. The President has endeared himself to millions disillusioned by a near-dusfunctional public service. Yet, while his engineering is crucial, it has to be reinforced by additional elements for tangible results. They include a Cabinet that we believe will comprise credible, similarly result-oriented individuals, incorruptible public servants, and supportive wananchi.

Governance and administration systems must be overhauled, and the process of recruiting and vetting of staff consolidated.

A big blunder has been to use impressive academic aspects of CVs as a major criterion for appointing individuals to key positions. The thrust must now be on vetting candidates thoroughly to determine their depth of patriotism and honesty, in addition to professional qualifications, competence, experience, dedication, capacity to deliver, and to discipline under-performers fearlessly.

The teeth of the anti-graft outfit, PCCB, must be sharpened further to dig deeper and bite ferociously.

The role of wananchi is pertinent too. They must subscribe to the 'Hapa Kazi Tu' motto, and stop perceiving government as the major facilitator of livelihood.

Tempo must be upheld as alarming scams emerge - Opinion/Editorial | The Citizen

http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/oped/Tempo-must-be-upheld-as-alarming-scams-emerge/-/1840568/2983716/-/18rd9sz/-/index.html

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