By The Respondent reporter
Pwani. A team of 53 experts from the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) will dedicate a two-week scrutiny of plans and budgets for public entities for the 2025/26 financial year.
This initiative, which begins today (Monday) at the Mwalimu Nyerere Leadership School in Kibaha, Pwani Region, is vital for ensuring the effective management of government resources.
Mr. Joseph Mwaisemba, Assistant Director - Management of Non-Commercial Public Entities at OTR, emphasized that the review process, involving 252 public entities, is a crucial tool for ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently and effectively.
The scrutiny aligns with the provisions of Section 10(2)(c) of the Treasury Registrar Act, Chapter 370, and Section 17(a) of the Budget Act, Chapter 439, which mandate the OTR to analyze the plans and budgets of public entities under its jurisdiction.
The goal is to approve strategies and annual plans of these entities and incorporate them into the National Development Plan for effective management and funding.
“The thorough implementation of these guidelines will contribute to better control of public expenditure and achieve the desired efficiency,” stated Mr. Mwaisemba, who oversees the budget analysis process.
He further noted that successful implementation would foster increased participation from the private sector in investment and business activities, providing equal job opportunities for all. Additionally, adherence to these guidelines is expected to enhance food security in the country and improve access to essential community services.
Expected outcomes of this scrutiny include increasing returns on public investments through non-tax revenue collection, tax payments, service provision, and job creation.
The government’s investment in 252 institutions, public entities, and government agencies amounts to Sh83.4 trillion, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening various sectors of the economy and ensuring that essential services are accessible to the public.
In addition to boosting investment returns, the initiative is expected to improve governance, enhance efficiency through the reduction of unnecessary expenditures, and strategically allocate resources to productive areas. The government provides a Budget and Planning Guideline formulated under Section 21 of the Budget Act, Chapter 439, to guide this process.
This guideline is instrumental in implementing the National Development Vision 2025 (TDV 2025), the Third National Five-Year Development Plan for 2021/22 – 2025/26, and the CCM Election Manifesto for the 2020 elections. Priority areas include adherence to plan priorities, general instructions on preparing the Plan and Budget, and specific directives for public entities.
The criteria used in analyzing plans and budgets encompass the implementation of specific government directives provided in the annual budget and planning guidelines, performance measurement criteria for public entities concerning financial management, human resources, good governance, customer service, and the execution of core functions.
Moreover, the scrutiny is expected to result in improvements in governance, increased efficiency through the reduction of unnecessary expenditures, and the allocation of resources to areas that significantly contribute to economic growth.
Mr. Mwaisemba called for close collaboration from board chairpersons, management, and staff of public entities.
“We need to work together to ensure that the government’s goals for establishing these entities are achieved, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to the development of our country,” he urged.
This collaborative approach is particularly crucial at a time when the government seeks to reduce dependency on development partners in executing its responsibilities.
By scrutinizing the budgets and plans of public entities, the government aims to ensure that resources are effectively allocated to drive sustainable development and economic growth.
