AfricaPress-Tanzania: WHEN Former Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda decided on September 21, 2011 to officially announce the upgrading of Sirari town into a township authority, it was envisaged that the move would not take so long to be implemented and the costs could be justified to create a master-plan, which would reflect the new status of the town.
Mr Pinda was on a working tour of the region when he made the decision which at that time was considered by local residents here as a national one, but nine years on the resources, however, have not yet been prepared for implementation.
Senior ruling CCM leaders who gathered here on a regular indoor crucial meeting to address the issue recently blamed some government officials who have become indifferent to implementing the scheme that could allow Sirari residents be free to make policies at local level which are consistence with the central government.
Worse still, the leaders said the announcement lacked the concerted backing of key national political leaders so that deadlines to upgrade the township have come and gone without anybody taking tangible measures including setting budget to improve infrastructure that can accommodate the government set up.
According to Chama cha Mapinduzi Secretary for Tarime District, Mkaruka Kura the idea of decentralising the town has a history going back to fourth phase administration days, but experience has shown that the process is moving at snail’s pace particularly when seen against the economic difficulties and unwilling government officials.
He said the political climate in the country as of now under the stewardship of President Dr John Magufuli can equally make it possible for quick implementation of the new Sirari township authority project which has been accorded little priority by the opposition held Tarime District council.
”The upgrading of the historical Sirari town into a township authority will be a fundamental mode of administration which will empower grassroots communities to bring about development by themselves and free to make policies at local level which are consistence with central government without interference by outside
authorities,” he noted.
For his part, the party’s youth wing (UVCCM) leader in Tarime District, Mr Godfrey Francis said the authority will be able to get qualified and motivated workforce recruited based on meritocracy and be democratic with leaders elected democratically once the idea to decentralise the Sirari town into a township authority is implemented.
”The objectives of decentralisation are confined to improving service delivery while at the same time strengthening local accountability including distributional aim and political awareness, whilst reducing distance covered by inhabitants to
access public offices situated at distant district levels,” he said.
He noted that Sirari town has all it takes to making a township authority including an upgraded infrastructure system that has seen the introduction of banking system branches, improved health system following the construction of a modern health center notwithstanding its population of over 100,000 inhabitants.
According to Laurent Nyablengeti a CCM cadre in Tarime town, reasons for decentralising the town were belittled by some elements acting on political interests a tendency that has denied local residents here better opportunities to participate in decision making to implement policies.
