The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Subsidiary Legislation, Ms Cecilia Daniel Paresso, has emphasized the importance of public involvement in drafting and reviewing by-laws for Local Government Authorities (LGAs).
She said citizen engagement is vital to creating awareness and ensuring effective enforcement of local laws.
Ms Paresso made the remarks on February 10, 2026, in Dodoma, while leading a training session for her committee on three key local government laws and their connection to subsidiary legislation enacted by LGAs.
“Citizen participation in the making of by-laws is essential. It builds ownership and understanding, which are crucial for effective implementation of these laws at the local level,” Ms Paresso said.
During the session, Ms Paresso and committee members urged the Prime Minister’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO–RALG) to review outdated by-laws, updating or repealing provisions that are no longer relevant or enforceable.
Representing the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office–RALG, Prof Riziki Shemdoe, Deputy Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Mr Kaspar Mmuya, assured the committee that citizens would be actively involved in drafting by-laws.
“Engaging citizens ensures that by-laws reflect community needs and improves understanding and compliance,” Mr Mmuya said.
He added that PMO–RALG will also conduct a comprehensive review of existing by-laws to ensure they remain relevant and practical, updating or repealing those found outdated.
During the training, committee members reviewed key legal frameworks, including the Local Government (Urban Authorities) Act, Cap 288; the Local Government (District Authorities) Act, Cap 287; and the Local Government Finances Act, Cap 290.
The session aimed to strengthen the committee’s capacity to oversee the development and enforcement of by-laws that enhance governance and accountability at the local level.
The initiative aligns with the government’s broader efforts to promote decentralization, strengthen governance, and ensure local laws are practical, enforceable, and well understood by the communities they serve.