Boosting Zanzibar Government Driver Skills with NIT Partnership

ZANZIBAR: IN a move aimed at safeguarding public assets and improving efficiency, the Office of the Zanzibar Treasury Registrar has announced plans to strengthen professional cooperation with the National Institute of Transport (NIT) to enhance the skills, discipline and professionalism of government drivers. The initiative follows the Treasury Registrar’s intention to establish a structured partnership with NIT to improve the competence and conduct of drivers serving the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government (SMZ). Zanzibar Treasury Registrar, Mr Waheed Muhammad Ibrahim Sanya, made the remarks during a meeting between officials from his office and NIT management held in Dar es Salaam. “The partnership aims to improve the use, control and maintenance of government motor vehicles, ensuring public assets are properly safeguarded, well maintained and utilised in line with the principles of accountability and value for public money,” Mr Waheed said. He explained that the Office of the Treasury Registrar was established under Act No 6 of 2021, which mandates it to oversee investments of public institutions and manage all public assets under the SMZ, including both movable and immovable property such as government vehicles. Mr Waheed stressed that effective management of public assets requires strong systems, clear professional guidelines and skilled human resources to ensure assets are efficiently used, well maintained and have a longer lifespan. “My office is responsible for issuing guidelines governing the proper use of public assets and currently has draft guidelines on the use, control and maintenance of government vehicles. These are aimed at reducing unnecessary damage and controlling maintenance costs,” he said. ALSO READ: PM warns errant government vehicle drivers Given NIT’s expertise in the transport sector, including motor vehicles, Mr Waheed said the institute is a key partner in achieving these objectives through structured and sustainable training programmes for government drivers. Speaking at the meeting, Head of Legal and Services Unit at the Treasury Registrar’s Office and Senior State Attorney, Mr Mustapha Omar Abdalla, said the discussions were intended to lay the foundation for close collaboration in providing specialised professional training to government drivers. He said the partnership is expected to facilitate short courses and seminars to enhance drivers’ skills, noting that many drivers begin work immediately after receiving driving licences without adequate training specific to government vehicle operations. “This often leads to improper vehicle use, rising maintenance costs and, in some cases, risks to road safety,” Mr Mustapha said. “Our goal is to ensure government vehicles are properly maintained and used efficiently, while drivers fully understand their responsibilities,” he said. On her part, Deputy Rector of NIT responsible for Planning, Finance and Administration, Dr Zainab Mshana, said the institute offers a wide range of transport-related training programmes, including aviation, road, railway and maritime studies. She noted that NIT has extensive experience, adequate infrastructure and qualified experts, enabling it to deliver high-quality training that meets both national and international standards.