In a significant move aimed at bolstering revenue collection and fostering targeted urban development, the Dar es Salaam City Council (DCC) has unveiled plans to establish a comprehensive database of business people and taxpayers. The initiative, set to commence this week, seeks to address existing gaps in the city's revenue management system, promoting transparency, curbing corruption, and improving service delivery.
The lack of a centralized database has posed challenges for the city's financial authorities in accurately assessing the number of taxpayers and their respective obligations. This information gap has inadvertently led to revenue leakage, with unidentified taxpayers and businesses potentially evading their financial responsibilities. Mr. Jomaary Satura, Director of DCC, highlighted the need for a robust database, citing the prevalence of revenue loss due to inadequate information.
Mr. Satura emphasized that the sprawling urban landscape of Dar es Salaam, comprising 36 wards and 159 streets, has made it difficult for the finance and business departments to effectively monitor tax compliance across all areas. The database initiative, anticipated to span two weeks, aims to remedy this by centralizing tax and business-related data, thus enabling authorities to accurately track payments and enforce regulations.
One of the primary outcomes of the database implementation will be the reduction of corruption opportunities within the council. Unscrupulous individuals, including both council members and business owners, have exploited the lack of proper documentation to engage in illicit activities. With a comprehensive database, these loopholes are expected to be significantly curtailed.
Additionally, the database will not only serve revenue-related functions but will also facilitate targeted urban development. By aggregating data on the various localities within the city, authorities will be better equipped to allocate resources for infrastructure projects and essential community services. This approach ensures that development efforts are tailored to the specific needs of each area.
Mr. Satura underlined the necessity of the database in eliminating the issuance of counterfeit licenses and receipts. The integrated system will have the capability to access accurate information, thereby thwarting any attempts at forgery or misrepresentation.
The significance of the database extends to the council's revenue projections. DCC aims to collect 89 billion Tanzanian Shillings (TZS) in the upcoming fiscal year, a marked increase from the 81.5 billion TZS collected in the previous year. However, with the streamlined data management system, DCC anticipates surpassing the targeted revenue collection, potentially exceeding 100 billion TZS.
The surplus revenue generated beyond the set target will be directed toward vital development projects, including the construction of modern markets, road infrastructure, and essential social services. This allocation aligns with DCC's broader vision of fostering holistic urban development and improved living standards for the city's residents.
Ms. Tabu Shaibu, the Government Communication Officer for Dar City, emphasized the indispensable role of data in propelling development. She urged the collaboration of business entities and citizens, highlighting that accurate data is pivotal for informed decision-making and sustainable progress.