Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi has challenged public servants in his office to abandon a “business as usual” approach, demanding greater accountability, innovation and measurable results in the delivery of government services.
Mr Ndejembi issued the directive yesterday during his first visit to the Office of the Vice President (Union and Environment) at Mtumba in Dodoma, where he met ministry leaders and staff.
He said public servants should rethink how they perform their duties and ensure that government plans are translated into tangible benefits for citizens.
The Vice President said officials must recognise the responsibility entrusted to them and use their positions to deliver quality and value-driven services to Tanzanians.
He urged staff to become more innovative, develop practical plans and focus on outcomes rather than simply implementing activities as a routine requirement.
“Every public servant must understand the responsibility entrusted to them and ensure their work produces meaningful results for citizens and the country,” he said.
Mr Ndejembi also directed officials to step up efforts to strengthen the Union between Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar by developing sustainable measures to address challenges affecting the Union.
He called for increased public education on the opportunities available through the Union, saying citizens needed greater awareness of how the Union contributes to national development.
The Vice President said sustainable solutions were necessary to ensure that challenges facing the Union were addressed before they became more complex.
On environmental matters, Mr Ndejembi called for a shift from short-term campaigns to sustainable interventions capable of producing lasting results.
He cited tree-planting and cleanliness campaigns in cities and towns, urging ministry officials to establish systems and provide the necessary resources to ensure such initiatives continue beyond campaign periods.
He also directed the ministry to develop a specific plan to help communities move away from economic activities and daily practices that contribute to environmental degradation.
The directive comes amid growing pressure to balance economic activities with environmental conservation, particularly as urbanisation and human activities continue to place pressure on natural resources.
Earlier, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President (Union and Environment), Hamad Masauni, congratulated Mr Ndejembi on his appointment by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Mr Masauni assured the Vice President of the ministry's cooperation in implementing responsibilities under the Office of the Vice President.
Presenting a report on the office's operations, Permanent Secretary Dr Richard Muyungi said the institution has four departments, eight units and two institutions.
He said the structures are responsible for implementing various government programmes, including matters related to the Union and environmental management under the National Development Vision 2050.
Mr Ndejembi's first visit to the office signals an emphasis on performance, accountability and innovation as the government seeks to turn its development plans into outcomes that can be felt by citizens.