In a sharp critique of public service inefficiency, Arusha Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Paul Makonda, has called out on civil servants, councilors and public institution executives for their lackluster performance. Speaking at a press conference marking his first six months in office last week, Mr Makonda demanded accurate information and actionable plans from those entrusted with managing critical sectors in the region. He cited the inefficiency of some public institutions and officers as a major contributor to unnecessary disputes and delays in service delivery. One notable example was the prolonged land dispute involving the Catholic Church in Arusha. President Samia Suluhu Hassan intervened to resolve the over 20-year impasse by ordering the return of the seized parcel of land to the church. Mr Makonda ’s critique underscores the challenges facing Arusha as it strives to maintain its status as Tanzania’s tourism hub, while addressing gaps in infrastructure and public services. The RC also stressed his unwavering commitment to justice and accountability, assuring residents that his administration stands with those who have experienced mistreatment or delays in obtaining their rights. “Justice will prevail regardless of one’s status or background,” he assured in a televised live press conference through the country’s key media houses and radio stations. Recognizing Arusha’s crucial role as a gateway to the country’s iconic wildlife parks, Mr Makonda outlined efforts to rebrand the region and attract more visitors. Highlighting the need for adequate infrastructure, he revealed plans to construct a state-of-the-art conference facility in the city centre capable of accommodating 10,000 participants. “We already have 300 billion/- allocated for the project. It will also be able to host eight Heads of State simultaneously,” he announced. Addressing allegations linking him to the 2017 assassination attempt on opposition figure, Mr Tundu Lissu, Mr Makonda categorically denied any involvement, dismissing the claims as baseless. He noted that he was in Dar es Salaam attending a medical campaign at the time of the incident. The RC also expressed disbelief that Mr Lissu, a prominent lawyer, had not pursued legal action regarding the accusations. Despite some progress, Mr Makonda admitted that significant challenges remain, particularly in improving the region’s infrastructure and public services.
