Tanzanian President takes cost cutting measures to EAC to address the financial crunch
The leadership of Tanzania’s President John Magufuli at the East African Community (EAC) has started being felt after cost cutting measures ordered two months ago start being implemented.
Among the measures announced on Wednesday that are taking immediate effect includes trimming the costs incurred in holding regional meetings and hiring of consultants.
Only two delegates will be allowed to travel on the EAC budget from each member state to attend technical meetings and no more than three secretariat staff will be allowed to attend plus the meeting should not drag beyond four days according to the new guidelines ordered by Magufuli.
“At least 25 per cent of the EAC meetings will henceforth be held via video conferencing, with the remaining held mostly in free-of-charge government-owned facilities” said Secretary-General Liberat Mfumukeko
The EAC procurement unit has been directed to negotiate for “corporate” conferencing and accommodation rates in each partner state reports The Nation.
The new rules restrict staff travel to no more than 50 percent of time away from their duty station and outlaws last minute booking of air tickets since it attracts extra costs plus limits per diem rates to amounts given by donors.
A Projections Coordination Unit will be set up by July to be a one stop desk and repository for information on all projects.
President Magufuli took over office as chairman of the EAC Heads of State Summit on March with a strict warning that the secretariat will cut all unnecessary expenses.
EAC has been experiencing financial problems with member states failing to give their contributions on time and also donors reducing their support.
