The Arusha District Commissioner (DC), Mr Felician Mtahengerwa, has issued a stern warning to the city’s councilors, stating he will not tolerate delays in the implementation of development projects for which funds have been allocated but were stalled due to bureaucracy. In a recent town hall-style meeting with the councilors, attended by members of the public, the DC emphasized that the responsibility of explaining unimplemented projects ultimately rested on his shoulders and he was unwilling to lament such failures. He further reminded the councilors that they are ultimately accountable to the people, who judge their suitability for leadership based on their performance. The DC warned that with the next elections fast approaching, the councilors could face consequences at the ballot box if they failed to deliver. “You know what the punishment for non-performance is,” he said. The DC highlighted several health and road construction projects that remained unexecuted despite funding, attributing the delays to corruption, which he described as the “10 per cent motivation.” He cautioned the councilors against being swayed by civil servants, noting that while these individuals were not directly accountable to the public, they could undermine the Council’s decisions by exploiting the councilors’ weaknesses. Directly addressing the City’s Mayor, the DC warned him to remain vigilant, suggesting that dishonest civil servants could undermine his efforts. However, he also offered a message of hope, urging the councilors to seize the remaining time before the next general election in October 2025 to improve public perceptions of their performance. Arusha, often referred to as Tanzania’s tourism and diplomatic capital, serves as the headquarters of the East African Community (EAC) and numerous other regional organizations, including the Pan[1]African Postal Union (PAPU). The city has long aspired to uphold a reputation for being both smart and efficient.
