Dar es Salaam:The recent availing of budget information on the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs’ website empowers citizens to
follow budget discussions and advise the government to address the citizens’ pressing needs, a statement issued in Dar es Salaam by Mr. Irenei Kiria, Executive Director of Sikika, has said.
Text of the full statement \”. The recent availing of budget information on the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs’ website empowers citizens to
follow budget discussions and advise the government to address the citizens’ pressing need. The budget books are public documents
which describe how much Tanzanian Shilling the government intends to mobilize and earmark for the various public institutions in Tanzania.
Although this vital information concerns every Tanzanian in their roles as tax payer and recipient of public services, citizens had no
access to these books in the past.
For several years, Sikika and other civil society organizations have repeatedly called for the government to publish the budget books
online together with a user friendly version. These calls have been answered as the Ministry of Finance uploaded the budget books volume
two, three and four and a user friendly ’Citizens Budget’ on the website www.mof.go.tz.
Sikika encourages all citizens to take the opportunity by visiting this website and reflect on critical questions like:
• Does the government prioritize health and education?
• How much does it transfer to the local governments?
• Is the distribution of public resources fair?
The budget can only serve its citizens if they express their needs. Therefore, Sikika calls everyone: make your voice heard! Tell your
Members of Parliament to ensure that the next budget 2012/13:
• reflects the country’s ambition to defeat morbidity and illiteracy, that it
• empowers service providers to deliver quality services, and that the
• available resources are shared equitably.
Sikika reminds both legislators and the government that they are acting on behalf of their citizens and, therefore, should listen
carefully to what they have to say since citizens will have the final say at the ballot box.
To make the next budget 2012/13 a truly informed citizens’ budget, the government must not forget to timely update its website 21 days before
the next budget session starts so that citizens and legislators have enough time to give their advice.\”