DODOMA, June 29 -- THE government has allayed fears over the rise in the national debt-to-GDP ratio to 40.7 per cent, explaining that the current level is largely due to borrowing used to finance mega projects aimed at boosting economic growth and improving the living standards of citizens.

The Chief Government Spokesperson, who is also the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Mr Gerson Msigwa, said this in Dodoma yesterday, acknowledging that the issue of national debt has been widely discussed and has raised concern among some members of the public.

He said those discussing the matter often fail to explain how the loans have enabled the government to implement various development projects, inclu...