The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has emerged as a vanguard among government institutions, lauded for its exceptional financial contributions to the national treasury by mid-2023.
In a momentous event held at the prestigious Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), Chief Executive Officers and Board Chairpersons of various government bodies convened to acknowledge TCRA's outstanding achievement. The occasion also featured discussions with the Treasury Registrar on pertinent matters.
At the helm of TCRA's success story stands Dr. Jabiri Bakari, the Director-General, and Mr. Khalfan Salehe, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors. Their commendable leadership has propelled TCRA to unparalleled heights. The recognition certificates, conferred upon TCRA, underscore the entity's significant role in bolstering the national treasury. This commendation extended beyond TCRA, encompassing governmental parastatals, agencies, and regulatory bodies that have played an invaluable role in enhancing the country's financial stability.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan seized the occasion to praise these entities, underscoring the significance of diminishing reliance on the central government for financial support. She highlighted that government-owned institutions must actively contribute rather than solely benefit from the system and further urged these entities to operate independently, free from undue political influence. She articulated that irrespective of their mandate, whether service providers, manufacturers, or representatives of the government, every institution should yield tangible results.
With these government institutions accounting for 17% of national employment opportunities, President Hassan rallied them to actively partake in preserving existing jobs and generating new avenues for employment through necessary reforms.
Propelling this momentum forward, President Hassan disclosed that legislative amendments were underway to elevate the status of the Treasury Registrar's Office to that of a Public Capital Investment Authority. This shift recognizes institutions that have showcased exceptional financial contributions, exemplary services, and substantial operational and managerial improvements. These institutions were categorized into five groups, ranging from dividend providers to entities undergoing transformative reforms.
Mr. Nehemiah Mchechu, the Treasury Registrar, underscored TCRA's remarkable financial contribution of 272.4 billion Tanzanian Shillings. This feat not only solidified TCRA's commendable position but also set a precedent for other entities to emulate.
With oversight responsibilities for over 248 institutions, the government's majority shareholding exceeding 51% in these entities, Mr. Mchechu emphasized their pivotal role. Apart from overseeing performance, these institutions are charged with executing strategic initiatives, including mergers and consolidations, to effect positive transformations.
The strategic alignment of these efforts is expected to propel the nation closer to the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals set for 2050.While celebrating these achievements, the discussions pivoted towards strategies for stimulating economic growth and reducing reliance on government financial assistance. The event encapsulated a collective commitment towards fiscal independence and self-sufficiency, heralding a promising era of prosperity.