Govt saves over 186bn/- through legal victories, consultations

ARUSHA: THE government has saved over 186bn/- following a series of legal victories and consultations coordinated by the Office of the Solicitor General between July 2024 and April this year. Speaking in Arusha yesterday, Solicitor General Dr Ally Possi said his office conducted 209 legal consultations during the period, of which 180 were domestic and …

ARUSHA: THE government has saved over 186bn/- following a series of legal victories and consultations coordinated by the Office of the Solicitor General between July 2024 and April this year.

Speaking in Arusha yesterday, Solicitor General Dr Ally Possi said his office conducted 209 legal consultations during the period, of which 180 were domestic and 29 international.

These consultations helped avert government losses amounting to 16.9bn/- and 63.3 million US dollars (approximately 169.5bn/-).

Dr Possi made the remarks before welcoming the Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Damas Ndumbaro, who officiated the opening of a week-long training programme for Government Attorneys.

He further reported that 21 cases were concluded during the period under review, and the government secured victory in 16 of them- a success rate of 76.2 per cent.

He noted that the savings were a direct result of both legal representation and timely consultations which prevented potential liabilities.

Out of the 209 consultations, 15 involved construction contracts, 4 involved investment matters, 5 were on procurement procedures and 20 covered various other issues.

Dr Possi added that the Office of the Solicitor General continues to play a vital role in reviewing notices of claim and facilitating out-of-court settlements.

“From July 2024 to April this year, our office handled 754 notices of intention to sue the government, in accordance with the ninety-day legal notice requirement,” he said.

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To strengthen legal capacity across government, Dr Possi said the office has intensified training for Government Attorneys, focusing on professionalism, legal proficiency and contract analysis.

These efforts are aimed at improving legal services in support of national interests, especially in contract management and investment facilitation.

“It is our belief that through this training, Government Attorneys will become more professionally mature, technologically equipped and capable of fulfilling their responsibilities with integrity and patriotism,” he noted, citing alignment with the National Development Vision 2025.

On his part, Minister Dr Ndumbaro praised the Office of the Solicitor General for its strategic role in safeguarding government interests.

He said the budget allocation for the Ministry has increased, reflecting the importance of the work done by Government Attorneys.

“Our goal is to ensure these professionals continue to assist the government in fulfilling its daily mandates and delivering on national development goals,” said Dr Ndumbaro.

He affirmed that the training was being delivered by a highly competent panel of legal experts, both local and international, to align Tanzania’s legal practice with global standards.

“These training have come at the right time,” he added.

“As the government pursues Vision 2025, there is a need for a sound legal framework that supports economic growth and good governance.”