Minister stresses institutions to consult OSG in legal decision  

DAR ES SALAAM: MINISTER for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Ambassador Pindi Chana, has called on all government institutions to consult the Office of Solicitor General (OSG) before making legal decisions to avoid inevitable losses to the government.

The Minister made the remarks on Wednesday when she visited the OSG as part of her routine visitation of all the offices under the Ministry where she has lately begun working.

“The time has come for our institutions, local governments, and others to work with the OSG, particularly in litigation-related issues, so they can receive the Solicitor General’s advice on the best course of action before the issues are addressed,” she said.

However, she requested that the office (OSG) be prepared to welcome all government institutions and provide them with the necessary guidance so that they can follow the process when they require help to close potential legal dispute loopholes.

“Therefore, as government lawyers, I advise you to be ready at all times to receive questions, opinions, and guidelines regarding the proper procedure so that our institutions can work professionally,” she emphasized.

According to her by doing so, the government will avoid losing funds that would have been used for execution of a number of development projects.

She also used the podium to commend OSG for continuing to educate individuals and public institutions on numerous steps that may be taken to defend both individual rights and the overall interests of the government.

Along with that, she also applauded them for resolving a large number of claims and proceedings in a very short period of time opened against the government in various parts of the country and abroad and being able to save billions of dollars that would be used as compensation.

The Solicitor General, Dr Boniface Luhende, encouraged the government to increase the office’s budget in order for it to operate more effectively while also applauding the effectiveness of his office in settling several legal disputes quickly.

He noted that the OSG continues to welcome individuals and organizations for all legal advice in order to avoid future confrontations.

Dr Luhende further expressed his office determinations to ensure it dispenses justice to build trust among investors over Tanzania’s state of justice delivery, hence attracting more investments for economic growth.

“We, as the office tasked with overseeing civil cases and arbitrations brought against or on behalf of the government, play a significant role in ensuring that justice is served in order to foster trust among investors in the nation’s various economic sectors and thereby promote the wellbeing of the country,” he noted.

The OSG was established in 2018 with high expectations from the government that the Office of the President will enhance and strengthen the government’s ability to litigate civil cases, including human rights and constitutional matters, in courts of law and undertake arbitral proceedings in tribunals; enhance effective supervision of civil cases in courts of law, including human rights and constitutional matters; and carry out the general coordination of the conduct of civil litigation and arbitral proceedings on behalf of the Central Government.