By Our Reporter
The Government has scrapped taxes on imported cement and raw materials used in its production in a move aimed at easing construction costs and making the building material more affordable, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has said.
The move comes amid concerns over rising prices of construction materials, which have increased the cost of building homes and other infrastructure for households and businesses.
Dr Mwigulu said the tax measures were intended to lower the cost of importing cement and manufacturing it locally, with the expected savings helping to stabilise prices in the market.
“We have scrapped taxes on imported cement and raw materials used to manufacture cement,” he said.
He was speaking on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Nyamikoma Primary School grounds in Kabita Ward, Busega District, where he addressed residents at the conclusion of his working tour of Simiyu Region.
The Prime Minister said the Government recognised the pressure that rising construction costs were placing on citizens and had taken steps to address some of the factors driving cement prices upwards.
The impact of the tax relief, however, will depend on how quickly lower import and production costs translate into prices paid by consumers.
In another directive, Dr Mwigulu criticised public servants who deny citizens services because they lack prior appointments, despite officials being available in their offices.
He said the practice was unfair to people who incur significant transport and other expenses to reach Government offices, only to be told to return another day.
“Some people spend more than TZS150,000, while others spend TZS200,000, just to reach public offices,” he said.
He urged public servants to treat citizens with consideration and ensure that administrative procedures did not become unnecessary barriers to accessing public services.
On healthcare, the Prime Minister directed health facilities to prioritise emergency cases, insisting that patients should not be kept waiting for registration before receiving life-saving treatment.
He specifically mentioned accident victims and pregnant women experiencing severe labour complications, saying delays in attending to such patients could put lives at risk.
“An injured person arrives needing immediate first aid. Take them for treatment first and register them afterwards. You should not keep someone who needs emergency medical attention waiting at the reception,” he said.
Dr Mwigulu also warned health facilities against asking patients referred to higher-level hospitals to contribute money for fuel for Government ambulances.
He said the Government had invested in purchasing ambulances and employing drivers to facilitate emergency transfers, directing facility managers to ensure the vehicles remained operational and available when needed.
On medicine availability, he called on security organs to monitor monthly allocations and expenditure on medicines, with reports submitted to enable action where misuse or financial irregularities were detected.
He questioned why patients continued to be referred to private pharmacies to purchase medicines despite reports presented to him indicating adequate stocks in Government health facilities.
The directive raises questions about the management and distribution of medicines at public facilities, particularly where reported availability does not appear to match patients' experiences.
The Prime Minister also cautioned authorities against impounding citizens' income-generating assets, including motorcycles, three-wheelers and motor vehicles, for offences punishable by fines.
He said enforcement agencies should collect prescribed penalties in accordance with the law without unnecessarily disrupting people's livelihoods.
“Disregarding people's capital undermines their development. Some of these assets are acquired through loans,” he said.
He urged authorities to recognise that such assets are not merely personal property but, for many citizens, essential tools for earning a living and repaying loans.