Solicitor General saves over 600bn/-

DODOMA: THE Solicitor General’s office has saved a total of 602.52bn/- in the 2023/24 financial year that the government was required to pay to various creditors who had filed lawsuits both domestically and internationally.

Of this amount, 536.5bn/- was recovered by the office, which was due to be paid by the government to various creditors in local and international courts. Additionally, 66.02bn/-, 800.2 million US dollars (about 2.2bn/-) and 2 million Euros (about 6bn/-) were recovered after cases were resolved through out-of court negotiations.

Opening the first meeting of the Second Workers’ Council at the Solicitor General’s Office for the 2024/25 financial year, the Council Chairman and Solicitor General, Dr Ally Possi said that in the 2023/24 financial year, his office received 9,650 complaints.

“Of these complaints, 9,529 were at the national level, while 131 were international,” said Dr Possi.

He noted that more than 60 per cent of the complaints were related to land issues, highlighting the responsibility of the Solicitor General and the government as a whole to address the matter.

Out of these cases, 1,412 have been resolved, resulting in the government saving 536.5bn/- that would have been paid to various complainants both domestically and internationally.

Dr Possi said that during the year under review, 201 cases were settled through mediation, including 170 domestic mediations and 31 international ones. Additionally, 43 cases were settled through out-of-court discussions.

“As a result of resolving these matters through both court mediation and out-of-court negotiations, the office has saved the government from settling 66.02bn/-, 800.2 million US dollars (about 2.2bn/-) and 2 million Euros (about 6bn/-),” he said.

He said for the 2024/25 financial year, the Solicitor General’s office has established various strategies, including improving the welfare of employees at the headquarters and regional offices.

The office also plans to continue training its staff to become experts in mediation, negotiation and consultation, while enhancing the management of claims both domestically and internationally.

During the two-day meeting, council members will receive various training, including stress management, retirement preparation, inclusivity and engagement in activities both within and outside the office.

Dr Possi urged members to actively participate in the civic polls on November 27th this year as well as to register and fully engage in the upcoming general elections next year, emphasising that it is their constitutional right to participate in the electoral process.

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Earlier, the Vice-Chairperson of the Workers’ Council, Deputy Solicitor General Alice Mtulo, said that the employees of the office must continue to work diligently while adhering to the laws, regulations and procedures of service, as well as maintaining the welfare and image of their office.

Alice said that from July 2023 to June 2024, a total of 80 employees received training both locally and internationally, along with the enhancement of the office through the provision of 69 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment in regional and headquarters’ offices.

Additionally, 63 employees were promoted and the office received unqualified audit report due to its effective performance.