Why police commissioner was appointed to ministerial position

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday tasked the newly appointed deputy permanent secretary in the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Benedict Wakulyamba, to ensure that the wildlife paramilitary force protects game areas while maintaining good relations with the surrounding communities.

At a swearing ceremony at the Chamwino State House in Dodoma, President Hassan said she deliberately selected Wakulyamba, who is a commissioner of police (CP), to oversee the formation of a disciplined and professional paramilitary force that fulfills its functions with little or no conflicts with nearby villagers.

There have been repeated conflicts between park wardens and game rangers and the members of the surrounding communities, which seem to have irked President Hassan. Wardens and rangers are charged with protecting national parks, game reserves, and forest reserves.

The latest incident was reported last month in Mbarali district, Mbeya region, where at least five people were injured by people who were suspected to be park wardens after letting their livestock into a reserved area.

The police arrested the three park wardens in connection with the incident, which was condemned by regional leaders.

Mbeya Regional Commissioner Juma Homera urged the police to take the suspects to court, as the government had not sent any of them to offend people.

In other incidents, members of the wildlife paramilitary force have been reportedly killed by suspected poachers.

“Commissioner Wakulyamba, you have one specific task ahead of you. Ensure discipline in the paramilitary force,” said President Hassan as she addressed the newly appointed officials who had just taken the oath of office.

“There are a lot of issues involving members of the paramilitary force charged with protecting reserved areas. We get frequent reports of killings. My expectation is for you to oversee their supervision as you come from a law enforcement background,” she added.

Other officials who took the oath of office yesterday include the top officials of the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (Rita).

President Hassan hinted that she removed the previous Rita’s top management due to endless infighting.

Yesterday, President Hassan also swore in Mr Rogatus Mativila, who was recently promoted to deputy permanent secretary in the President’s Office [Regional Administration and Local Governments], responsible for infrastructure development.

Previously, Mr Mativila was the chief executive officer of the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads).

President Hassan also swore in three new ambassadors, including the chief secretary, Dr Moses Kusiluka, who would continue in their current positions.

President Hassan stressed that the appointment of the new officials was a continuation of her government reform; she promised to ensure the machinery delivers as required by the ruling party manifesto.

Tanzania has 75 protected areas and 22 national parks.