Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba has directed a swift and comprehensive review of the national assets and liabilities declaration system, saying the current framework does not sufficiently cover public servants working in high-risk areas where corruption remains widespread.
Dr. Mwigulu issued the directive on Thursday during a meeting with leaders and staff of the Ethics Secretariat for Public Leaders at their offices along Tambuka Reli Street in Dodoma.
He said the reforms must introduce a tiered system that includes officers in sectors where public resources are most vulnerable, stressing that some groups handling sensitive functions are currently not categorized as public leaders and therefore fall outside the declaration requirement.
“The supervision of public ethics still requires major improvements,” he said. “There are areas where public funds continue to disappear. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been very clear on this, and we must strengthen control so that national resources benefit all citizens.”
The Prime Minister instructed the Ethics Secretariat to reinforce integrity oversight from legislation to implementation and to work closely with other institutions, including the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), to ensure all submitted declarations are thoroughly verified.
“Identify sectors with serious corruption records and give them priority,” Dr. Mwigulu emphasized. “Declaration forms must reflect accurate and truthful information. Everyone must fear mishandling public assets if you do not investigate, the citizens will.”
He cited procurement processes, contract signing, and revenue collection points as examples of areas where corruption risks remain high, urging tighter supervision to close existing loopholes.
Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), Ridhiwani Kikwete, underscored the government’s commitment to building a strong culture of integrity, noting that the Ethics Secretariat carries a key responsibility in promoting ethical leadership and safeguarding public trust.