Finance minister, Dr William Mgimwa

The government has said it is now set to implement the Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme after identifying project areas.

Speaking here recently Finance minister Dr William Mgimwa has said implementation of public-private partnership (PPP) projects in Tanzania is guided by two legislative instruments - the PPP Act No. 18 of 2010 and the Public Procurement Act (PPA) No. 6 of 2004 as amended in 2011.

The later was amended so as to incorporate institutions that provide guidance to public institutions to get private investors that are institutions.

Dr Mgimwa said the government is in the final stage of approving PPA regulations to complete the legislative framework required to implement public private partnership projects in the country.

The government will ensure that there is compliance with all legislative and regulatory requirements in approving and supervising PPP projects, he said, adding that it will conduct training and capacity building to all employees involved in implementing PPP programme this year.

In addition the government will select from the pipeline list, few PPP projects to be implemented as learning examples, he said.

It will implement the process by carrying out pre feasibility study of construction projects in roads, railways, ports, airports, water and office accommodation, he added.

PPP was initiated to provide room for the private sector to invest in public infrastructures and operate them with a view to offer public services at reasonable costs, he said.

Along with this, the projects are intended to address people’s economic and social needs, he added.

During the financial year 2011/12, the government established the PPP desks in each public institution and issued operational guidelines for the appraisal of projects, he said.

He encouraged ministries, independent departments, local government authorities, executive agencies and public corporations to seize the opportunity by entering into partnerships with the private sector in infrastructure construction projects in line with the law and regulatory framework.

Minister Mgimwa also revealed that during the period under review, the government has continued with implementation of various programmes aimed at fostering the social well being of Tanzanians.

The implementation of the programmes has shown positive results in the sectors of education, health and water.

In the education sector, the enrollment and completion rates have improved significantly at all levels of education, he said, adding that the net enrolment rates in primary and secondary schools were 94 and 35 percent in 2011 respectively.