PCCB saves Sh15.5 billion in development projects

Dar es Salaam. The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has saved a total of Sh15.495 billion in development projects between July 2023 and March 2024.

The revelation was made in parliament on Friday, April 19, 2024, when the President’s Office of Public Service and Good Governance tabled its budget estimates for the 2024/25 fiscal year.

The minister of State in the President's Office for Public Service Management and Good Governance, Mr George Simbachawene, tabled the Sh1.101 trillion budget, of which Sh922.76 billion is expected to be spent for recurrent purposes and the remaining Sh178.314 billion for the implementation of development projects.

Revealing the PCCB performance data between July 2023 and March this year, Mr Simbachawene said Sh14.458 billion out of the total rescued was in cash, while the remaining Sh1.037 billion accounted for controlled funds.

Contained data in the budget speech shows that the saved amount was higher in July, October, and September last year, as well as in February 2024, and amounted to Sh8.254 billion, Sh2.418 billion, Sh1.311 billion, and Sh1.22 billion, respectively.

“During this period, a total of 7,225 complaints were received by PCCB; 1,828 had their investigation completed, while 1,218 files had been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP’s) office,” reads the budget document.

“A total of 314 new cases have been lodged in different courts as 999 files returned with the DPP permits, while 321 other files have been closed,” reads another part of the document.

The document shows that while 453 cases are ongoing in different courts, the prosecution has won 175 cases and lost 84 others.

Regarding the budget, Mr Simbachawene said Sh33.545 billion has been allocated for the President’s Office, State House, Sh969.286 billion for the President’s Office, Secretariat of the Council Ministers, and Sh13.143 billion for the President’s Office, Ethics Secretariat of Public Leaders.

Other allocations include Sh58.315 billion made to the President’s Office, Public Service Management, Sh13.18 billion for the President’s Office, Public Service Recruitment Secretariat, Sh9.241 billion to the President’s Office, Public Service Commission, and Sh4.361 billion to the President’s Office Records Archives Management Department.

The Governance, Constitution, and Legal Affairs Committee chairman, Dr Joseph Mhagama, said the team has recommended the government carry out the human resources assessment through its electronic system to establish employees’ demands in public institutions.

The assessment should also identify institutions with surplus staff as well as those with shortages and adequately maintain the balance, according to the committee chairman.

“The government should improve the network system, including the distribution of working tools such as computers and other equipment for employees, especially those posted in rural areas, to facilitate effective implementation of data entry into the Performance Management and Improvement System in the Public Service (PEPMIS and PIPMIS),” he said.

Dr Mhagama said the government should transfer the ownership of leased aircraft from the Tanzania Government Flight Agency (TGFA) to Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL).

“The government should ensure the funds approved by Parliament for this office and its institutions are adequately available to facilitate the implementation of planned responsibilities,” he said.

“The government should also continue to strengthen the principles of good governance and improve the performance management systems in the public service, along with improving salaries and other employees’ benefits,” he added.

Furthermore, he said the committee has recommended the government continue overseeing and providing regular specialised training to enhance the performance of public employees based on professionalism and high skills.

According to him, the Public Service Commission should establish a specific time (speed truck) for the hearing and resolution of employee appeals.

Ms Janejelly James (Special Seats MP-CCM) said training for public servants was a fundamental right to enhance professionalism in their work.

However, she challenged that these training sessions were no longer being conducted as intended.

“Despite the presence of protocols in public service for employee training, including initial induction entry courses, nowadays things are not proceeding as intended,” she said.

She noted that orientation training for new employees was also not being given the attention it deserved, along with proficiency exam training to aid in transitioning from one position to another.

“Basic public service training is lacking, which is why the prevalence of corruption and ethical misconduct in public service persists,” she said, emphasising the importance of training for emerging leaders to produce efficient personnel.

Mr Luhaga Mpina (Kisesa MP-CCM) highlighted that there were numerous challenges in the implementation systems of public activities and the tools of good governance.

He stated that the government's implementation of activities did not align with the CCM election manifesto.

"The current events and occurrences indicate that our country has already abandoned the implementation and adherence to the concept of public service because there were many incidents of constitutional, policy, and regulatory violations happening openly," he said.

"As a nation, there is a need to rethink our public service systems and the implementation and adherence to good governance. We must not allow this situation to continue and affect our thriving country."

He touched on the situation where leaders are appointed without considering competition, which makes leaders appear weak and gives the President the task of appointing and dismissing, whereas these positions could have been advertised for capable Tanzanians to apply for.

"We have a public service system that even accommodates individuals that are not Tanzania’s citizens, despite this information having been released by law enforcement agencies," he said.