AT least 12.4bn/- has been offered by the government as loan to women and youths in various councils across the country from July, 2016 to January, 2017.
He was speaking during an interview with TBC1 on the performance of his office in reaching and addressing Tanzanian problems.
Presenting the government 2016/2017 budget last year, the Minister for Finance and Planning, Dr Philip Mpango, told the Parliament that the government has allocated 5 per cent of each council revenue to support youths and women.
“The government has allocated 5 per cent of revenues from each council for youths.
Also another 5 per cent will be deducted from each council’s revenues for women,” he said.
Eng. Iyombe said on Thursday evening that so far 12.4bn/- has already been offered as loan to youths and women who wish to establish and boost businesses.
However, the PS added that the money is provided as a loan and not for free as some people may be thinking.
“I would like to clarify this matter, some people think the government is providing money for free, that is not true, this is a loan and whoever qualifies is entitled to it,” he said.
On revenue collection, the PS said the government has successfully managed to instal Local Government Revenue Collection Information management System (LGRCIMS) and I-tax to 172 councils out of 185 in the country.
The new technology enables councils to collect revenues effectively.
Eng. Iyombe said the installation of electronic system helps the government to collect revenues as required.
He said since the installation of the new devices, many councils have managed to tap all revenues and that there is no longer revenue loss.
According to Eng. Iyombe, councils that used to collect 20m/- a month from its sources is now collecting up to 500m/- in the same period.
“We are also looking forward to instal the system to the remaining 13 councils, some of these are new and thus they were not involved in the first round,” he said.
Last year, the minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), Mr George Simbachawene, said that the President’s Office had helped district councils to connect and instal the LGRCIMS and I-tax, which would enable councils to collect revenues effectively.
He directed all councils to start collecting revenues by using electronic system by July 1, 2016.
Mr Simbachawene said the new system was set to boost revenue collection and enable councils to finance their own development projects.
He cited the example of Arusha, noting that, the new system had helped the district council to increase revenue to 10.5bn/- during the 2015/16 from 5bn/-of 2012/2013 while Mtwara Mikindani Municipal Council boosted its revenues from 600m/- in 2013/2014 to 2bn/- in 2015/2016.
On Thursday, the PS admitted that with the modern technology it has been easier for the government to monitor councils revenue collections, allocation of funds and identify losses.
“I can monitor the whole system while seated in my office in Dodoma, this system enables me to see what is happening in various councils without getting there physically,” said Eng. Iyombe.
According to Eng. Iyombe, information technology and application of modern technology has enabled the government to stop embezzlement of public funds in various councils across the country.
No comments :
Post a Comment