H.E. FESTUS MOGAE COMMENDS TANZANIAN PROJECT DELIVERING PROGRAMME

Former President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Festus Mogae.

The Independent Review Panel (IRP) led by former President of the Republic of Botswana, Festus Mogae has noted that the Big Results Now (BRN) programme initiated by the government of Tanzania represents a key effort towards a best practice system for transformational change in the way the government operates.

Presenting the Panel’s independent report after evaluating the program in Dar es Salaam, Mr. Mogae commended significant strides achieved during Year One. The IRP convened for the first time in Dar es Salaam to review the performance of the BRN Programme.

Ministers implementing first wave of BRN projects presented their first year achievements and challenges on Thursday last week before the Panel, followed by a rigorous question and answer session with the Independent Review Panel (IRP) members.

In reviewing progress in the first year, the Panel noted that the NKRAs made commendable progress in the key initiatives outlined in the first year and appreciated the frankness with which some of the weaknesses of the programme were discussed.

They also recognized that the programme has only been in operation for little more than a year, and start-up issues faced should not be allowed to undermine continued implementation. Recommendations were provided by the Panel in addressing these weaknesses.

“While we endorse the pragmatism of some of the programme in focusing on “easy wins”, over time the Panel thinks it would be prudent to put an appropriate focus on activities that will secure large and more sustainable gains.” H.E. Mogae said.

The Panel emphasized that it is critical to sustain the BRN programme and for future Governments to continue its support, in order to realize its full impact. “BRN offers the opportunity over time to bring about fundamental improvements in the development programme in Tanzania,” added H.E. Mogae.

The Chief Executive Officer of the President’s Delivery Bureau (PDB) that oversees the BRN, Omari Issa said as part of commitment to transparency the annual review of the BRN will be part of their culture and that a detailed evaluation report from the Panel will be included in the 2013/14 BRN Annual Report, together with the results recorded in the first year and will be shared to the public in the near future.

BY HASSAN ABBAS, DAR ES SALAAM.