Dar es Salaam— The Government, through the Ministry of Finance, has conducted a capacity-building session for media editors aimed at enhancing their understanding of supply chain management in the public sector a move expected to improve the accuracy and depth of public information on government spending and service delivery.
The training, held this week, is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry to engage key stakeholders in public communication.
It seeks to equip media professionals with the knowledge needed to effectively report on how public resources are managed particularly through procurement, storage, distribution, and use of goods and services.
Officiating the training on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Natu El-Maamry Mwamba, Deputy Permanent Secretary Ms. Jenifa Christian Omolo said that the collaboration between the Ministry and the media is crucial in building public trust and transparency.
“I’m pleased to see the growing partnership between the Ministry and the media. Your participation reflects a shared commitment to educating the public and enhancing accountability in government operations,” Ms. Omolo said.
She highlighted that over 70 percent of the Government’s 2024/25 budget amounting to TZS 35.2 trillion out of TZS 50.29 trillion will be spent on procurement of supplies, construction contracts, and service delivery to citizens.
“This underscores the critical importance of supply chain management in ensuring taxpayer funds deliver real value to the public,” she said.
According to Ms. Omolo, the training covered core areas of the supply chain, including procurement, storage, distribution, usage, and disposal all of which, if poorly managed, can lead to significant losses or reduced service quality.
Dr. Frederick Mwakibinga, Commissioner for Public Procurement Policy at the Ministry of Finance, added that effective media reporting plays a vital role in helping citizens understand how government resources are planned, acquired, and utilized.
“Every stage in the supply chain from identifying needs to the delivery and final use of goods and services — must be well managed. Lapses at any point can result in resource wastage or failed service delivery,” Dr. Mwakibinga said.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continued collaboration with journalists, saying the media is a key partner in communicating the government’s efforts to strengthen procurement transparency and efficiency.
Mr. Ben Mwang’onda, who chaired the session on behalf of the participating editors, expressed gratitude to the Ministry for the initiative. He said the training would serve as a bridge between the Government and the public in conveying accurate, timely, and impactful information.
“Through this engagement, we can deliver more informed reporting to citizens, which strengthens public oversight and promotes accountability in how national resources are managed,” said Mr. Mwang’onda.
Mr. Benny Mwaipaja, Head of the Government Communication Unit at the Ministry of Finance, emphasized that the Ministry will continue to work closely with the media in educating the public on government programs, policies, and reforms.
“These efforts are part of a broader agenda to increase public awareness and ensure citizens are informed about the work being done on their behalf. We welcome continued collaboration with the media in achieving this goal,” he said.
