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Commending Kikwete`s cabinet choice
2008-02-13 09:08:46
By Editor
We wish to congratulate the President for the specific steps he has taken in relation to latest developments, first by making the difficult decision of accepting the resignation of former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, then dissolving the cabinet as the Constitution demands.
Yesterday, by announcing the new cabinet set up, President Kikwete went even further by taking solid steps to streamline the new government.
He reduced the number of ministers and their deputies from 60 to 47.
By downsizing the cabinet, the President has manifested that he is receptive to the people`s wishes, who had persistently asked him to reduce the number of ministers and retire old faces.
It is our hope that members of the new cabinet will greatly support the President by implementing his government`s resolve of bringing about quality life for all.
Over and above reducing the number of ministers, the President`s choice has been made carefully.
There was a message that was given by the President while announcing the new set-up, that it was his intention to establish a solid foundation for the functioning of government.
These ministers, if at all they want to be just to the appointing authority and their country, are expected to work diligently and efficiently.
We expect that they won`t let him down, especially because the presidency is an institution, and they are the Head of State’s closest advisers.
We therefore hope that they shall be of big assistance to the President, urging them to work with new speed because of late; it seemed that we had somehow faltered.
It is also important that the ministers are reminded about what had led to the dissolution of the cabinet and the streamlining of government operations.
The reason was nothing other than to restore the good image of the government in the eyes of the wananchi, curb grand corruption in higher ranks and work on recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Richmond emergency power supply contract.
For that reason, the ministers and their deputies, despite the self-interests they inevitably must have, are compelled to act in utmost good faith, undertake the best judgement and honestly exercise the powers conferred upon them.
In line with leadership ethics, they must avoid high-handed, outrageous, infamous or disgraceful conduct.
They must realize that the Tanzanian people have woken up to new realities.
They want honest and committed leaders, and nothing short of that.
Moreover, the protection and furthering of national interests is their foremost duty. They should do their best not to put us in a similar situation as the one we have just experienced.
At this juncture, we congratulate President Kikwete for handling a delicate situation in a wise and adept manner.
Had this occurred in another country, things might have been different.
Finally, to the ministerial team, we remind them that the people expect them to perform wonders.
We happen to believe that the President has given us what we had wanted, so it is upon the ministers to deliver.
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