ZANZIBAR, Sept. 2 -- PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has challenged regional and local government leaders to maximise locally collected revenues and channel them into development projects, warning that the central government cannot finance every development need.

She made the statement shortly after administering oaths to newly appointed Regional Commissioners and Regional Administrative Secretaries in Tunguu, Zanzibar, urging them to take full responsibility for driving development within their areas of jurisdiction.

Elaborating, President Samia said the country has only four years remaining to deliver on the promises contained in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) manifesto and the national development vision, making it imperative for...