The Tanzanian government’s citizen engagement initiative known as ‘Sema na Waziri’ has recorded 163 public grievances since it was launched in March, according to the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs.

The programme, which means “Speak with the Minister,” is designed to create a direct communication channel between citizens and government leaders, allowing people to present their concerns without going through lengthy bureaucratic procedures.

Speaking during a recent session, Minister Dr Juma Homera confirmed that out of the 163 complaints received, 60 cases have already been addressed, while 103 are still at various stages of review and resolution.He emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring that every citizen’s concern is taken seriously and handled fairly and efficiently.The initiative aligns with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s broader agenda of promoting responsive and accessible governance.The grievances submitted reflect a wide range of social and administrative challenges facing citizens across Tanzania.

Land disputes are the most common, followed by inheritance issues, workplace conflicts, predatory lending complaints, compensation claims for accident victims, and difficulties in accessing public services.These issues highlight ongoing pressure points within local governance and legal systems.Several individual cases were also highlighted during the session.

One involved a father seeking help to reconnect with his children after separation, while another raised concerns about pupils studying under trees due to classroom shortages in Iringa.

A further case involved residents living on land owned by the Tanzania People’s Defence Force, where settlement issues are restricted by national security regulations.The ministry noted that it works with multiple government agencies to ensure complaints are investigated and resolved in a coordinated manner.This approach is intended to reduce delays and improve accountability.

Overall, the programme has been welcomed as a step toward strengthening citizen participation and improving trust between the public and government institutions in Tanzania.