Samia tells her ministers to embrace governance reforms

Known as the “4Rs” (Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms, and Rebuilding), the Head of State highlighted that the top priority for public servants should be to fulfil promises made to the people, including the implementation of significant reforms in different sectors.

She commended Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa for his track record of spearheading reforms in previous roles, particularly in the tourism sector, and expressed her confidence in his ability to bring about positive changes as the new head of the President’s Office-Regional Administration and Local Government Authorities (PRO-RALG) docket.

President Hassan insisted that the forthcoming local government elections slated for 2024 presented a significant task, and she had faith in Mr Mchengerwa’s capabilities to handle it effectively.

“Now I have appointed you (Mr Mchengerwa) to the PRO-RALG docket, and next year there is a task (local government elections), and I know you can handle it. That task looks equal to your capability; I know you can make it,” she expressed her confidence.

She also reassured her cabinet that the adjustments and changes were a normal practice in the country’s development process.

To the newly appointed ministers, she encouraged them to act on the concerns they had previously raised in Parliament and bring about the changes they had advocated for.

The Head of State stressed that these changes were not punitive measures but were intended to strengthen the country’s developmental journey.

She called for commitment to the public service and reminded officials that they were servants of the people.

She cautioned against arrogance and encouraged a gentle and knowledgeable approach to serving citizens.

“What I expect from you is commitment to your work. We are servants of the people. Now someone else gets an appointment and starts threatening others,” she cautioned.

“In serving people, good relationships are a matter of paramount importance; please, gentleness is not ignorance; gentleness is sometimes knowledge, so I ask you to calm down and serve the people,” she added.

On Wednesday, August 30, the Head of State reshuffled her cabinet and created the new role of Deputy Prime Minister through a statement read by the Chief Secretary, Mr Moses Kusiluka.

In the new changes, former Minerals Minister Doto Biteko was named deputy Prime Minister in charge of coordination of government affairs and minister for Energy. Mr Biteko becomes the third individual to serve in that position.

Mr January Makamba, on the other hand, has been shifted to the Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation docket from the Energy ministry.

Mr Makamba replaces Dr Stergomena Tax, who has been re-appointed the minister for Defence and National Service, replacing Mr Innocent Bashungwa, who becomes the minister of Works.

For Dr Tax, it is her second time serving as Defence and National Service Minister and the first female to hold the position since independence.

Ukonga Constituency legislator Jerry Silaa was also sworn in as the new minister for Land, Housing and Human settlement, whereas Ms Angellah Kairuki transferred to the ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources.

Dr Damas Ndumbaro, who served as minister for legal and constitutional Affairs, was sworn in as minister for Culture, Arts and Sports switching dockets with Pindi Chana. Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa becomes the minister for PRO-RALG switching from the tourism ministry.

The President also swore in various permanent secretaries who are expected to boost governance work as they resume office.

At the swearing-in event, the Vice President, Dr Philip Mpango, emphasised the importance of cooperation among appointed officials to achieve the productivity goals set by the President, particularly in the context of the 4Rs, with a greater focus on reforms.
The President of Zanzibar, Hussein Mwinyi, reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between positions at the union and regional levels to maintain and develop the country’s union.