PM calls for discipline in implementing development plans

**ARUSHA: **PRIME Minister, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has warned ministries and public institutions against abandoning approved development plans and seeking budget reallocations to finance activities that were not originally planned, saying such practices can undermine the efficient use of public resources.

Dr Nchemba said Tanzania must move away from reactive government spending and adopt greater discipline in implementing approved plans, arguing that the country now has stronger planning tools to accelerate economic and social transformation.

He made the remarks today in Arusha when opening and closing the 2nd National Planners’ Conference 2026.

He said the government had strengthened the link between policies, development plans and budgets to ensure that projects are implemented on time, within approved budgets and according to required standards.

He said weaknesses in the relationship between planning and budgeting could lead to delays, incomplete projects and wastage of public funds.

“You approve the budget in June, the financial year starts in July, and in that same July ministries start requesting reallocations. Some want to implement things that were not budgeted for, while others have budgeted activities they no longer want to implement,” he said.

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Dr Nchemba also cautioned planners against starting development projects before they had been properly incorporated into national and sectoral plans.

He recalled the construction of health centres in every ward, saying changes in priorities during implementation resulted in some regions being left with unfinished buildings after resources had already been committed.

He urged planners to anticipate policy changes and ensure that development programmes are properly designed and funded before implementation begins.

The Prime Minister said Tanzania’s development ambitions required a departure from “business as usual”, with planners expected to demonstrate greater determination, speed, accountability and discipline.

He said the country had historically been regarded as good at planning but faced challenges in translating plans into effective implementation.

Dr Nchemba said Tanzania had made progress through the launch of Tanzania Development Vision 2050 and its implementation frameworks, alongside long- and medium-term national development plans.

He called for greater public awareness of Vision 2050, saying knowledge of national development priorities should extend beyond government planners to the wider public.

Dr Nchemba cited Japan, South Korea and China as examples of countries whose economic transformation was supported by disciplined planning, accountability, hard work and transparency.

He also urged Tanzanians to prepare for the expected El Nino conditions and called on ministries, regions and public institutions to use forecasts issued by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority to guide their preparedness, response and mitigation measures.

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