By Our Reporter
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has ordered regional and local government authorities to step up revenue collection, curb unnecessary spending and ensure public funds are directed towards priority development projects.
The President issued the directive on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, during the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed Regional Commissioners and the Regional Administrative Secretary for Pwani at Ikulu Ndogo, Tunguu, Zanzibar.
President Samia said councils should strengthen their own-source revenue collection and use part of the money to finance development programmes instead of relying heavily on funds from the central government.
“Every leader responsible for an area should strive to ensure things move forward in that area; not everything should come from the government Treasury,” she said.
She said implementation of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) 2025 Election Manifesto and the National Development Vision 2050 required leaders to take greater responsibility for delivering results in their respective areas.
The President directed councils to identify revenue sources that were not being effectively collected and channel the additional funds into priority projects, particularly in health and education.
President Samia also challenged councils to improve the implementation and management of the 10 per cent loans provided to women, youth and people with disabilities.
She commended councils that were performing well but urged those lagging behind to strengthen the programme.
The loans, she said, should be channelled to groups with viable income-generating projects, while councils should maintain proper records of beneficiaries, financed projects and repayments.
The President said stronger monitoring was necessary to ensure the loans achieve their intended purpose and benefit more citizens.
President Samia also directed Regional Commissioners to improve the management of small traders, saying weak enforcement had contributed to some traders returning to informal trading areas.
She instructed councils to use locally collected revenue to expand existing markets and build new ones, while improving transport links to the facilities.
The objective, she said, should be to make formal markets accessible and commercially attractive enough to encourage traders to move into designated business areas.
On land management, President Samia directed Regional Commissioners to strengthen planning and control of land use to reduce conflicts between farmers, pastoralists, communities and protected areas.
She said better land-use planning was critical to preventing disputes and ensuring land was allocated and used in an orderly manner.
President Samia also ordered regions to begin preparations early for the 2028 Form One intake.
She said authorities should identify infrastructure, staffing and other requirements in advance to cope with the expected increase in student numbers.
The increase will be linked to changes in education policy that will result in Standard Six and Standard Seven graduates joining Form One at the same time.
The President further urged regional and council authorities to prepare early for the forecast El Niño rains and strengthen environmental protection and urban cleanliness.
On waste management, she directed councils to award contracts to companies with the equipment and capacity required to provide efficient services.
She cautioned against awarding contracts to firms that lack the capacity to meet the required standards.
The ceremony also saw the swearing-in of Jumanne Abdallah Sagini as Mbeya Regional Commissioner, Alexander Pastory Mnyeti for Geita, Stanslaus Haroon Nyongo for Pwani and CP Salum Rashid Hamduni for Mwanza.
Other Regional Commissioners transferred to new regions include Martine Reuben Shigela to Manyara, Said Mohamed Mtanda to Simiyu, Abubakar Mussa Kunenge to Songwe, Beno Moris Malisa to Tabora, Adam Kighoma Malima to Lindi and Queen Cuthbert Sendiga to Morogoro.
Richard Marcellino Kayombo was sworn in as Pwani Regional Administrative Secretary.
The Regional Administrative Secretaries transferred to new postings are Balandya Mayuganya Elikana to Mbeya, Dr Fatuma Ramadhan Mganga to Mwanza, Pili Hassan Mnyema to Shinyanga and Rodrick Lazaro Mpogolo to Singida.