President John Magufuli of Tanzania on Tuesday placed restrictions on foreign travel by government officials and cuts in tax exemptions, signalling the potential start of fiscal belt-tightening measures by his government. A statement from the president’s office said that “the president had put a halt to all foreign trips by government officials with immediate effect. “If there is an urgent need for foreign travel by a public official, approval must be granted by the president himself or the Head of Civil Service.” The directive is against the backdrop of abuse of public funds by some officials reputed for making frequent foreign trips and flying in first or business class at taxpayers’ expense in a country that is one of the biggest per-capita aid recipients in Africa. The statement said Magufuli, 56, had instead, ordered government officials to visit villages and other rural parts of Tanzania to address “grievances and problems of the people”. I think this is a good step in the right direction or what do YOU think? Share your views.
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