Lack of transparency in budgeting irks legislators, CSOs

CSOs that advocate for transparency in governance processes in order to ensure accountability and efficient use of resources are not the only ones frustrated with the impenetrability in some of Zanzibar’s systems.
Members of the House of Representatives of Zanzibar have also decried the lack of openness in the Isles’ budgeting processes which they say is only sanctioned almost entirely within the government corridors. 
“The current budget process neither involves civil society organisations nor general public, not the Members of the House of Representatives,” Omar Ali Sheikh, the chairperson of the House’s Public Accounts Committee, said. “It is prepared by Finance department, after that every ministry starts preparing its budget before discussion with the respective House committees. We are being given a draft of the budget to review after it has already been prepared by the Finance department.”
The legislators complained about the implications of this lack of transparency.
“Effective budgeting involve citizens,” said Hon Salmin Awadh, the representative for Magomeni constituency. “Yet our entire previous budget process did not do that. It is important that we sit back and determine how citizen can participate in this crucial process.”
Hon. Hija Hassan Hija, of Kiwani constituency said it is no wonder the government budget never meets the needs of Zanzibar’s citizens. “This process needs to be reviewed thoroughly and urgently.”
The Minister in the President’s Office, Dr Mwinyihaji Maka however defended government and said that this matter too would be resolved.  “We used to have a lot of misunderstandings with CSOs,” Dr Maka said. “It was as if each side was afraid of the other. But we discussed things in dialogues and now we have established a good relationship. We are partners, and it will be the same over this issue of budgetary transparency. We shall reach a consensus.”