Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Judiciary of Tanzania has recorded a new history following the completion of the construction of six Integrated Justice Centres (IJCs) in the country, making Tanzania the first country in Africa to provide integrated justice services under one roof.
This was revealed by the Chief Justice of Tanzania, Prof Ibrahim Juma, at the inauguration ceremony of the IJCs held in the capital city of Dodoma where the President Samia Suluhu Hassan was the guest of honour.
Prof Juma explained that the integrated facilities would also enable Tanzania to increase the scoring of justice services in the scales of citizens to be satisfied with the quality of services, we deliver.
“These centers will also support the evaluation of the Judiciary of Tanzania on international standards, for example Doing Business Report, a survey that assesses social attitudes in various economic and social issues including the rule of law and justice (Afrobarometer),” he said.
The Chief Justice said that the launch of the justice centres was a major investment with a multiplier effect in achieving the five key objectives set out in the National Development Vision 2025 and that the event was an important step in the long journey of the judiciary to bring justice close to the people.
“Today is the day when the concept of the primary responsibility of the government, to enable the arm of the judiciary in facilitating delivery of justice is emerging. These centres are indications of the burden of the Judiciary to build court infrastructures under empowerment of the Government,” he said.
According to him, such a burden has been demonstrated by the willingness shown by the Government to seek a World Bank Loan to enable the Judiciary to acquire modern buildings and move the levels of justice closer to the people.
The Chief Justice mentioned some of the benefits that would be available to the people following the launch of such centres as reducing the costs and time spent on citizens in pursuing justice services as well as running costs of administrative and judicial activities.
He said that the centres would also assist in the management and monitoring of the provision of judicial services to be delivered timely and in a day-to-day manner unlike the current situation.
According to the Chief Justice, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the centres would reduce operating costs through the use of systems that would reduce the use of ink, paper, files, pens and other materials which have had a large budget in operation.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, explained that the construction of the centres is an implementation of the ruling party CCM manifesto, where he thanked President Samia for the government to ensure that the IJCs are completed.
He pointed out further that the inauguration of the centres comes as the nation prepares to celebrate 60 years of independence, where Tanzania has made great strides in various fields, including the Judiciary of Tanzania.
“Today we celebrate 60 years of our independence with modern courts and the best courts that are not only the best in Tanzania but also a role model in the African continent,” the minister said.
He added, “This country, Tanzania which was far behind when we gained independence in East and Central Africa, today it is a leader, today it is a beacon, today it is a role model. Congratulations to President for this success,” he said.
The special inauguration ceremony was held at one of the IJCs buildings built in Dodoma City, to represent other centres that have been built in the regions of Arusha, Mwanza, Morogoro and Dar es Salaam with two centres (Temeke Zone and Kinondoni Zone).
Giving some details regarding the implementation of the project funded by the Word Bank, the Chief Court Administrator, Prof Elisante Ole Gabriel, told the President that the construction of the six justice centres has cost a total of 51,534,041,969/-.
He said that the construction of the Dodoma centre, which has been completed by 100 per cent has cost 9,297,560,024/-, Arusha Center, which is completed by 100 per cent at the cost of 8,293,338,999/-, while that of Morogoro, which has also been competed at the cost of 9,113,440,179/.
Prof Ole Gabriel said that the construction of Mwanza Center, which has reached 76 per cent has so far at the cost of 8,561,314,505/-, the Kinondoni zone centre, which is complete by 100 per cent has cost 7,040,671,427.00 and that of Temeke, which is special zone for determining family related cases has cost 9,227,716,835/-.
“In these centres, there will be justice services at all levels of the judiciary, namely the Primary Court, the District Court, the Resident Magistrate’s Court and the High Court, where in some buildings there will also be a designated area for the Court of Appeal,” he said.
According to him, such centres also include the services of other stakeholders in the justice chain, such as the Director of Public Prosecutions, Solicitor General, Prisons, Police, Social Welfare and Independent Advocates.
