A programme aims to equip Tanzanian officials with the expertise required to manage and execute public projects more efficiently

Nearly 40 senior officials from Tanzania have gathered in Mussoorie (Uttarakhand) for a capacity building programme organised by India's National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG).

The two-week programme focusing on Project and Risk Management for Public Works will run from May 6 to May 17, 2024, and is being conducted in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India. 

This initiative brings together 39 senior officials from various key ministries and departments in Tanzania, including the National Roads Agency, Ministry of Energy, Tanzania Building Agency, and Tanzania Railway Corporation.

As an autonomous institution under the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), the NCGG is dedicated to fostering global collaboration and strengthening international ties, guided by the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' – "The world is one family." 

Through its programs, NCGG aims to provide a platform for knowledge exchange and policy dialogue while sharing best practices. This capacity-building initiative is designed to equip Tanzanian officials with the expertise required to manage and execute public projects more efficiently, focusing on project management and risk mitigation.

During the inaugural address, Director General of NCGG and Secretary of DARPG, V Srinivas, emphasized the evolving nature of governance and outlined the collaborative opportunities that lie ahead between India and Tanzania. He spoke about the transformative role of technology in enhancing governance and underscored the significance of progressive policies and digital governance in empowering citizens. 

His presentation highlighted India's vision for 2047, e-governance initiatives like Aadhaar Card, and innovative mechanisms like the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS).

The head of the Tanzanian delegation, George Nsavike Ndatta, expressed his gratitude to the Indian Government for their hospitality and the opportunity to engage in this knowledge-sharing exercise. He emphasized how this training will empower Tanzanian officials to design and implement projects that drive sustainable development. Associate Professor and Course Coordinator at NCGG, B.S. Bisht, elaborated on the program's comprehensive structure. The training covers topics like project selection and formulation, public-private partnerships (PPPs) in infrastructure, project risk management, and managing rural and urban housing projects.

Field visits to significant projects like the Dakpathar Hydropower and Irrigation Dam, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) sites in Uttarakhand, the Dwarka Expressway, and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will provide hands-on insights. Additionally, participants will explore urban development projects, culminating in a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal.

This collaboration gains significance considering the challenges Tanzania and other sub-Saharan countries face regarding urban waste management. The region is set to witness a 300% increase in solid waste generation by 2050, leading to substantial environmental and economic challenges. Currently, over 70% of this waste is openly dumped, creating a crisis requiring immediate attention. A Global Forum of Cities for Circular Economy (GFCCE), launched in 2022 with 19 member states, aims to foster a learning ecosystem to address these challenges.

The upcoming 5th GFCCE event, co-hosted by Tanzania's National Environment Management Council (NEMC) and the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), will further build the capacity of local officials on sustainable waste management. The data collected using CSE's toolkit for profiling and ranking African cities will aid Tanzania in developing a policy framework rooted in evidence-based decision-making.