By The Citizen Reporters
Dar es Salaam.
President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday pulled off a major public relations coup with his much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, dropping six ministers and taking on board three new faces.The sweeping changes also saw two deputy ministers dropped and 10 new deputies brought on board.
The crackdown on the ministers was triggered by revelations of embezzlement of billions of shillings in the latest report of the Controller and Auditor-General (CAG).
The President scored precious political points with the bold move, which is expected to boost public trust in him in the belief that he is determined to get rid of the rot in government that was exposed in the report.
But a cross-section of Tanzanians interviewed by The Citizen on Saturday said Mr Kikwete should not stop there but pursue the matter to the end and ensure those implicated face the law. The new faces in the new cabinet are Dr Abdallah Omar Kigoda (Industry and Trade), Dr William Mgimwa (Finance) and Prof Sospeter Muhongo (Energy and Minerals).
The 10 new deputies include Mr January Makamba (Communications, Science and Technology), Mr Amos Makala (Information, Youth, Culture and Sports), Mr Stephen Maselle (Minerals), Mr George Simbachawene ( Energy) and Dr Seif Suleiman Rashid (Health and Social Welfare). Dr Charles Tizeba is deputy minister in the transportation docket.
Other new deputy ministers are Dr Binilith Mahenge (Water), Ms Angela Kairuki (Justice and Constitutional Affairs), and Ms Janet Mbene and Ms Saada Mkuya Salum (Finance).
The reshuffle and new appointments drew mixed views, some of which we can disclose.
Politicians
While commending the changes as a major step towards enforcing discipline in the management of public funds, leaders of political parties demanded that the process should not end with naming the new team. They want all the ministers implicated in misconduct to be dragged to court.
“Naming the new Cabinet is the first step,” said Mr Freeman Mbowe, chairman of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo. “What we are waiting to see now is legal action taken against ministers accused of embezzling public money.” The next step should be to take the accused ministers to court to prove their guilt, he added.
CCM Secretary General Wilson Mukama said President Kikwete’s move was a clear demonstration of the respect and trust he has for parliament. “This move to drop the six ministers is honourable of the president,” said Mr Mukama.
Business community
Mr Aloyce Mwamanga, president of the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Industry and Trade (TCCIA), said he was impressed by the choices the president made and expressed confidence that the new faces would serve the public responsibly. “I think the changes are very okay,” he said. “We have to appreciate the fact that the president has shown respect for parliament and wananchi.”
He wants the new ministers to be given time to prove their abilities.
Mr Evans Rweikiza, former managing director of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) said the changes offered yet another opportunity for the private sector to grow since most of the new ministers are not only directly linked to the sector but also are professionals likely to perform well.
“I must be frank that even the ministers left out in these ministries have done a great job in trying to improve the private sector,” he added. “It is high time the sector excelled further since the Cabinet is made up of professional, unspoiled and great brains.”
Dr Rweikiza added, though, that it was crucial that the president makes a wise selection of permanent secretaries in the ministries if his expectations are to be met.
Academicians
A senior lecturer in economics at the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof. Humphrey Moshi, commended the president for responding to calls by MPs to sack ministers blacklisted over embezzlement of public funds.
Prof Moshi was particularly impressed by the appointment of Prof Sospeter Muhongo to head the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. He described Prof Muhongo as a highly competent person with international research experience in the mining sector.
“I commend the president’s decision to put in place new political figures and his promise to make public figures accountable to citizens for their wrong doings,” Prof Moshi added.
Reported by Edward Qorro, Bernard James, Frank Kimboy, Felix Lazaro, Veneranda Sumila and Al Amani Mutarubukwa
Dar es Salaam.
President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday pulled off a major public relations coup with his much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, dropping six ministers and taking on board three new faces.The sweeping changes also saw two deputy ministers dropped and 10 new deputies brought on board.
The crackdown on the ministers was triggered by revelations of embezzlement of billions of shillings in the latest report of the Controller and Auditor-General (CAG).
The President scored precious political points with the bold move, which is expected to boost public trust in him in the belief that he is determined to get rid of the rot in government that was exposed in the report.
But a cross-section of Tanzanians interviewed by The Citizen on Saturday said Mr Kikwete should not stop there but pursue the matter to the end and ensure those implicated face the law. The new faces in the new cabinet are Dr Abdallah Omar Kigoda (Industry and Trade), Dr William Mgimwa (Finance) and Prof Sospeter Muhongo (Energy and Minerals).
The 10 new deputies include Mr January Makamba (Communications, Science and Technology), Mr Amos Makala (Information, Youth, Culture and Sports), Mr Stephen Maselle (Minerals), Mr George Simbachawene ( Energy) and Dr Seif Suleiman Rashid (Health and Social Welfare). Dr Charles Tizeba is deputy minister in the transportation docket.
Other new deputy ministers are Dr Binilith Mahenge (Water), Ms Angela Kairuki (Justice and Constitutional Affairs), and Ms Janet Mbene and Ms Saada Mkuya Salum (Finance).
The reshuffle and new appointments drew mixed views, some of which we can disclose.
Politicians
While commending the changes as a major step towards enforcing discipline in the management of public funds, leaders of political parties demanded that the process should not end with naming the new team. They want all the ministers implicated in misconduct to be dragged to court.
“Naming the new Cabinet is the first step,” said Mr Freeman Mbowe, chairman of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo. “What we are waiting to see now is legal action taken against ministers accused of embezzling public money.” The next step should be to take the accused ministers to court to prove their guilt, he added.
CCM Secretary General Wilson Mukama said President Kikwete’s move was a clear demonstration of the respect and trust he has for parliament. “This move to drop the six ministers is honourable of the president,” said Mr Mukama.
Business community
Mr Aloyce Mwamanga, president of the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Industry and Trade (TCCIA), said he was impressed by the choices the president made and expressed confidence that the new faces would serve the public responsibly. “I think the changes are very okay,” he said. “We have to appreciate the fact that the president has shown respect for parliament and wananchi.”
He wants the new ministers to be given time to prove their abilities.
Mr Evans Rweikiza, former managing director of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) said the changes offered yet another opportunity for the private sector to grow since most of the new ministers are not only directly linked to the sector but also are professionals likely to perform well.
“I must be frank that even the ministers left out in these ministries have done a great job in trying to improve the private sector,” he added. “It is high time the sector excelled further since the Cabinet is made up of professional, unspoiled and great brains.”
Dr Rweikiza added, though, that it was crucial that the president makes a wise selection of permanent secretaries in the ministries if his expectations are to be met.
Academicians
A senior lecturer in economics at the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof. Humphrey Moshi, commended the president for responding to calls by MPs to sack ministers blacklisted over embezzlement of public funds.
Prof Moshi was particularly impressed by the appointment of Prof Sospeter Muhongo to head the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. He described Prof Muhongo as a highly competent person with international research experience in the mining sector.
“I commend the president’s decision to put in place new political figures and his promise to make public figures accountable to citizens for their wrong doings,” Prof Moshi added.
Reported by Edward Qorro, Bernard James, Frank Kimboy, Felix Lazaro, Veneranda Sumila and Al Amani Mutarubukwa
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