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Public welcomes new cabinet
2008-02-13 09:29:53
By Austin Beyadi
A cross section of Dar es Salaam residents interviewed yesterday soon after President Kikwete announced his cabinet commended him for reducing the size of the government and bringing in new faces.
They said the President`s move to merge some ministries and trim down the cabinet would help the country save money that would be spent on other development activities.
Speaking by telephone from Zanzibar, Prof Haroub Othman of the University of Dar es Salaam said the formation of the new cabinet was impressive.
``The new cabinet gives us hope of greater efficiency because it is small and cost effective,`` he said.
He said the President’s decision to detach the Deputy Attorney General from simultaneously holding the post of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs would add competence in organizing legal issues.
Kijo Bisimba of the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) commended the President for leaving out ministers accused of corruption.
Commenting on the same issue, Chairman of the Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) Augustine Mrema praised the President’s action. However, he said some of the appointed ministers were not clean.
Mrema hailed President Kikwete for trimming down the cabinet but said reducing its size alone would not help if the appointed ministers did not work diligently and honestly.
Mwangy Baraka, a resident of Mwenge in Dar es Salaam, said that Kikwete`s action was commendable as most people were happy with the new cabinet.
He said by removing those suspected of being involved in the BoT scandal, Kikwete had shown both his courage and resolve of having a clean government.
Giving his views, Karatu MP Wilbrod Slaa (Chadema) said what President Kikwete did was a reshuffle because he had returned almost the same faces.
Housing and Human Settlement Development, while the portfolio of Minister for Education and Vocational Training is now held by Prof Jumanne Maghembe. Prof Maghembe will be assisted by two deputies Gaudensia Kabaka (Higher Education) and Mwantumu Mahiza (Primary Education).
The new ministry of Communication Science and Technology will be led by Shukuru Kawambwa, with Maua Daftari being the deputy minister. Andrew Chenge and his deputy Dr. Milton Mahanga, have retained their portfolios in the ministry of Infrastructure.
The new minister for Information, Culture and Sports is Capt George Mkuchika while Joel Bendera is the deputy minister. Prof. Juma Kapuya becomes the minister for Labour, Employment and Youth Development. He will be assisted by Hezekia Chibulunje.
The new minister of Water and Irrigation is Prof. Mark Mwandosya and his deputy is Christopher Chiza. As for the ministry of Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives, the minister is Prof. Peter Msola while his deputy is Dr. Mathayo David Mathayo.
The former education minister, Margaret Sitta becomes minister for Community Development, Gender and Children. Her deputy is Dr. Lucy Nkya.
John Magufuli is now the minister for Livestock Development and Fisheries, assisted by James Wanyancha, while the minister for Natural Resources and Tourism is Shamsa Mwangunga and her deputy is Ezekiel Maige.
Lawrence Masha becomes the minister for Home Affairs. The ministry has been amalgamated with that of Public Safety and Security. Dr. Hamisi Kagasheki is the deputy minister.
The minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation remains under Bernard Membe.
His deputy is Seif Ali Iddi. William Ngeleja has been appointed as minister for Energy and Minerals. The deputy minister in that ministry is Adam Malima.
Mathias Chikawe has been elevated to the post of minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
The new minister for Defence and National Service is Dr. Hussein Mwinyi; to be assisted by Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi.
The former deputy minister in the ministry of East African Cooperation, Dr. Diodorus Kamala, has been elevated to full ministerial position. Mohamed Aboud Mohamed becomes the deputy minister.
Former Justice minister Mary Nagu becomes minister for Trade Industries and Marketing.
She will be assisted by Dr. Cyril Chami, who was previously the deputy minister for foreign affairs.
Giving his reasons for trimming down the cabinet, President Kikwete said the aim was to increase efficiency, cut down operational costs and accelerate development.
He said due to the rapid increase of schools established across the districts and wards, it became necessary to decentralize official duties to enable district education officers for both primary and secondary education handle issues in their respective areas, in contrast to the previous arrangement whereby their orders came from the ministry’s headquarters.
President Kikwete dissolved the cabinet following resignation of Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, who was implicated in the Richmond Development Company controversial power supply tender.
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