PWANI-A team of 53 experts from the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) will dedicate two weeks, starting today (Monday), to conduct scrutiny of plans and budgets for public entities for the 2025/26 financial year, an essential task crucial for ensuring effective management of government resources.
Mr Joseph Mwaisemba, Assistant Director - Management of Non-Commercial Public Entities at OTR, emphasized yesterday that the budget scrutiny, involving 252 public entities and held at the Mwalimu Nyerere Leadership School in Kibaha, Pwani Region, is a crucial tool for ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently and effectively.
To achieve the intended objectives and in accordance with the provisions of Section 10(2)(c) of the Treasury Registrar Act, Chapter 370, and Section 17(a) of the Budget Act, Chapter 439, the OTR is mandated to analyze the plans and budgets of public entities under its jurisdiction.
The aim is to approve strategies and annual plans of these entities and incorporate them into the National Development Plan for effective management and funding.
“The thorough implementation of these guidelines will contribute to better control of public expenditure and achieve the desired efficiency,” stated Mr. Mwaisemba, who oversees the budget analysis process.
He further noted that successful implementation would foster increased participation from the private sector in investment and business activities, providing equal job opportunities for all.
Moreover, adherence to these guidelines is expected to enhance food security in the country and improve access to essential community services.
Expected outcomes (benefits for the government, OTR, and the relevant entities) include increasing returns on public investments through non-tax revenue collection, tax payments, service provision, and job creation.
The government’s investment in 252 institutions, public entities, and government agencies amounts to Sh83.4 trillion, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening various sectors of the economy and ensuring that essential services are accessible to the public.
In addition to increasing investment returns, improvements in governance, enhanced efficiency through the reduction of unnecessary expenditures, and the strategic allocation of resources to productive areas are also anticipated.
The government provides a Budget and Planning Guideline formulated under Section 21 of the Budget Act, Chapter 439.
This guideline aims to implement the National Development Vision 2025 (TDV 2025) and the Third National Five-Year Development Plan for 2021/22 – 2025/26, as well as the CCM Election Manifesto for the 2020 elections.
Priority areas include guidelines on the necessity of adhering to plan priorities, general instructions on preparing the Plan and Budget, and specific directives for public entities.
The criteria used in the analysis of plans and budgets include implementation of specific government directives provided in the annual budget and planning guidelines, performance measurement criteria for public entities concerning financial management, human resources, good governance, customer service, and the execution of core functions.
Expected outcomes include increasing returns on public investments through non-tax revenue collection, tax payments, service provision, and job creation.
Moreover, it is anticipated that there will be improvements in governance, increased efficiency through the reduction of unnecessary expenditures, and the allocation of resources to areas that significantly contribute to economic growth.
Mr. Mwaisemba called for close collaboration from board chairpersons, management, and staff of public entities.
“We need to work together to ensure that the government’s goals for establishing these entities are achieved, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to the development of our country,” he urged.
This collaborative approach is particularly crucial during this time when the government seeks to reduce dependency on development partners in executing its responsibilities.