Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday reaffirmed her government’s support to Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s) that will enable the organizations to undertake their duties efficiently.
Speaking during the NGO’s Annual General Meeting held in Dodoma, the president acknowledged the contribution of civil organizations emphasizing her administration is committed to collaboratively address various challenges including tax exemptions.
“Regarding to tax exemptions, for charitable organizations, we have already completed the preparation of a handout on how non-governmental organizations will benefit … work on the handout is at final stages,” she said.
The Head of State hailed the organizations for complimenting state’s effort to address the unemployment crisis in the country.
There are 11,603 registered NGOs in the Mainland Tanzania. Of the figure, 4,663 organizations are active contributing to around 17, 836 direct employments.
“This is the first benefit of non-governmental organizations in the country,” she said enquiring what would have happened if the government had not allowed NGOs operation in the country.
The government underscored the contribution of NGOs in improving health, education, water, environment, agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure, energy, as well as empowering citizens socially and economically.
In recognizing the importance of NGO’s the government in 2001 enacted a policy and in the same year enacted a law that was amended twice in 2005 and 2009 to regulate all activities conducted by the Non-Government Organizations in the country.
Chairperson of the National Council of NGOs (NACONGO) Dr. Lilian Badi has called on the government to help resolve challenges regarding tax exemptions facing NGOs.
Equally, Dr Lilian told President Samia that the civil organization are spending days trying to obtaining permits from regional secretariats and local government authorities to implement various projects and interventions.
“The acquisition and renewal of work and residence permits for foreign nationals working in non-governmental organizations, is still a challenge, ” said Dr Lilian at the Annual General Meeting held in Dodoma on Thursday.
