Minister of State in PMO (Policy, Co-ordination and Parliamentary Affairs), William Lukuvi

The government has said the country’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations held during the week ending December 9th 2011 cost a whopping Sh 27 billion.

Responding yesterday to MPs’ contributions when debating the budget speech of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Minister of State in PMO (Policy, Co-ordination and Parliamentary Affairs) William Lukuvi said it was not true that Uhuru celebrations cost Sh 65 billion as it was reported before.

“Earlier we estimated that the celebrations would cost Sh 80 billion because we had planned the event to be marked at district as well as at regional levels,” he said.

Lukuvi promised to give more clarification on Monday on activities undertaken during the week when responding to MPs’ questions during Question and Answer sessions.

Speaking on government plans to shift to Dodoma, Minister Lukivi said the plan has not been cancelled, and at present the government has embarked on improving the infrastructure.

He said about Tsh 32 billion has been allocated for the objective of improving infrastructure, with government headquarters blocks slated to be built at Chamwino and Ihumwa on the outskirts of Dodoma town.

The minister of State said the master plan of the block for government headquarters has already been designed by a South Korean firm. “The policy stands and we are implementing it step by step,” the minister declared.

On trimming down government expenditure, Lukuvi said implementation of this resolve has begun by doing away with fuel guzzlers like Land Cruiser VX and VX cars. The government has also ordered government officials to reduce unnecessary trips inside and outside the country.