Tanzania: Magufuli reveals why he keeps changing mineral ministers

Dar es Salaam. President John Magufuli yesterday explained why he has changed ministers responsible for minerals three times in three years citing his deep dissatisfaction with the share the country gets from exploitation of its abundant minerals like gold.

In the latest mini reshuffle, the president appointed Mr Dotto Biteko as the new minister for minerals replacing Ms Angellah Kairuki who is going to serve in the newly created Ministry of Investment. Mr Biteko has been promoted from a deputy position in the same ministry.

Prior to Ms Kairuki, the docket was under Prof Sospeter Muhongo.

The appointment of Mr Biteko makes three the number of ministers who have served in the ministry since President Magufuli took office three years ago. The first was Prof Sospeter Muhongo, who was removed from the then Ministry of Energy and Minerals, following recommendations by a special presidential committee formed to investigate the export of gold and copper concentrates.

Speaking during the swear-in ceremony of the newly appointed ministers, permanent secretaries and other officials yesterday, President Magufuli said he wondered why Tanzania which leads in the production of gold in East Africa it is not the top exporter of the precious metal despite all the steps that have been taken to ensure that the mineral sector contributes its fair share in the national economy.

“This is the case despite having passed a law aimed at specifically achieving that. There must be some weakness somewhere and the mineral ministry cannot escape from being responsible for this,” said Mr Magufuli.

“Has the ministry of minerals asked themselves where is the gold produced by artisanal miners sold and how much does the government get from it? This was the fundamental question that the minister in charge must answer and nobody else.”

President Magufuli said the minerals law, among other things, demanded the establishment of mineral centres. But he was not aware as to how many have been established so far by the responsible ministry. He said if the mineral centres had been established, all gold would have been sold through them and it would have been easy to monitor the trade.

Mr Magufuli directed the new minister of minerals Mr Biteko to see how he can partner with the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) so that the latter can buy gold.

“We need to have gold reserve as well at the BoT. Gold is money,” he said.

President Magufuli said he will be keeping an eye at the ministry and will not hesitate to take action until he sees the country enjoys its rightful share from its abundant mineral resources.