By Our Reporter, Dodoma.
The Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Dr Juma Homera, has called on the Law Reform Commission of Tanzania (LRCT) to accelerate the review and reform of various laws to facilitate the implementation of the Tanzania Development Vision 2050, particularly in investment and infrastructure development through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Dr Homera made the remarks yesterday in Dodoma during the inauguration of new Commissioners of the Commission, the opening of an induction programme for the new Commissioners, and the 102nd meeting of the Commission.
He said the Commission has a major responsibility to ensure that the country’s laws are aligned with national needs as Tanzania moves towards implementing Vision 2050, including creating an enabling environment in areas of justice, development, infrastructure and investment.
“The Commission has a very important task, especially as we move towards Vision 2050, in matters of justice, development, infrastructure and companies. However, there is significant work that needs to be done in the area of PPP,” he said.
Dr Homera said laws need to be reviewed and amended to enable the PPP framework to play a greater role in infrastructure development, including the construction of bridges, roads and airports, as well as expanding investment opportunities in the aviation and maritime sectors.
He noted that when President Samia Suluhu Hassan launched the National Development Vision 2050, she highlighted several areas that needed to be addressed to facilitate national development, including reviewing legal frameworks that could hinder the implementation of the Vision.
According to the Minister, the Ministry for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, through the Office of the Attorney General and the Law Reform Commission of Tanzania, has been tasked with reviewing laws that require improvement to ensure they are compatible with the implementation of Vision 2050.
He directed the Commission and the Office of the Attorney General to begin preparing proposals for legal reforms in collaboration with government ministries, institutions and stakeholders in the relevant sectors.
Dr Homera said such consultations would help gather specific views on challenges arising from existing laws before reform proposals are submitted to the Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs or the Attorney General.
He further urged the Commission to conduct in-depth research on laws that have attracted complaints from citizens, businesspeople and other stakeholders to determine whether they should be amended, improved or repealed if they are no longer relevant to the current environment.
Among the areas he identified as requiring research and review are laws governing companies, investment, PPPs, agriculture, health and the use of intoxicants, among many others.
Dr Homera also directed the Attorney General and the Chief Parliamentary Draftsman to establish a mechanism for reminding ministries and government institutions to ensure that their proposals for enacting or amending laws are submitted through the Law Reform Commission of Tanzania.
He said the move would help ensure that legal reforms are undertaken in a coordinated manner and in line with national priorities, rather than allowing each institution to conduct the process independently.
The Minister also urged the Commission, when conducting research on its own initiative, to involve the Ministry for Constitutional and Legal Affairs and the Office of the Attorney General to ensure a shared understanding of the work being undertaken and the recommendations being developed.
He further stressed the importance of the Commission setting specific timelines for each law review programme to ensure that reform proposals are submitted on time and contribute effectively to the implementation of Vision 2050.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Law Reform Commission of Tanzania, Justice Winfrida Korosso, said the Commission plays an important role in the development and improvement of Tanzania’s legal system in accordance with the Law Reform Commission Act, Chapter 171.
Justice Korosso said the Commission’s key responsibilities include reviewing laws or areas of law to identify defects, gaps and shortcomings; recommending the repeal of outdated or unnecessary laws; advising on the effective administration of laws and the delivery of justice; and assessing the implementation of laws to determine whether they are achieving their intended objectives.
She said the induction programme for the new Commissioners is intended to equip them with a deeper understanding of their responsibilities, enable them to exchange experiences with former Commissioners and prepare them to carry out their duties during a period when the Commission is expected to play a major role in legal reforms towards the implementation of Vision 2050.
For his part, the Executive Secretary of the Law Reform Commission of Tanzania, George Mandepo, said the Commission organised the meeting and induction training for the new Commissioners to provide them with the skills and tools necessary to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
He said the Commission is prepared to implement its mandate in line with the Tanzania Development Vision 2050, with its 2026/2027 financial year work plan focusing on research, legal reviews, evaluations and public education, in accordance with responsibilities approved by Parliament.
Mandepo added that the Commission is also ready to implement the directives issued regarding the review of laws to ensure they are aligned with the requirements for implementing Vision 2050.
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