Prof Muhongo puts Tanesco management on its toes
It was Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Khamis Kingwangallah who stole the show after storming Dar es Salaam’s Amana Hospital in Ilala District where he toured various departments.
Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office January Makamba reported to his office soon after the swearing in while Prof Sospeter Muhongo, who bounced back to the portfolio of Energy and Minerals is reported to have made an unannounced visit of Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) Ubungo Head quarters where he held a meeting with the management.
Confirming the impromptu visit of the minister, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals Badra Masoud said Prof Muhongo expressed dissatisfaction and anger in the manner Tanesco management was performing and ordered them to “put the house in order.”
According to Masoud, the Energy Minister is today expected to tour the Hale Hydro Power Station in Tanga Region.
In a complete breakaway from State House tradition of organising a fete after the swearing in of ministers and their deputies, this time around, the new appointees consummated their appointments with a glass of juice.
Previously appointed ministers and their deputies were allowed to be accompanied by their spouses and other family members to the swearing in ceremony and a ceremony worth millions would ensue.
After their swearing in, the Ministers and their deputies spoke to the media, vowing to continue with the spirit of hard work exhibited by President John Magufuli thus far and to also advocate for an un-bureaucratic and corruption free public sector.
President Magufuli has garnered confidence and commendations in Tanzania, across the continent and around the world for his austerity measures.
Speaking shortly after being sworn-in, the ministers and deputies were unanimous in their commitment to match the steps of the Head of State, his Vice president Samia Suluhu Hassan and his Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.
Announcing his 15 man team, late last week, President Magufuli lived up to his know status quo of strictness by cancelling the traditional induction ceremony for the cabinet saving a whooping Sh2billion that had otherwise already been allocated for the fete.
Prof Sospeter Muhongo who returns to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals said he will start where he ended.
“My immediate focus is to improve energy supply by adding to the power grid 10, 000 to 15, 000MW come 2025 to allow the nation to become a middle income country,” he said.
“Let’s stop politics and get down to business…there will be no business as usual under this administration,” he said.
“We want to improve power reliability by generating power from various sources including gas, coal, wind and hydro,” he detailed.
Further, the minister, who was forced to step down during the Tegeta Escrow Account power scandal earlier this year, said the ongoing Rural Energy Agency (REA) has to be refurbished to improve access and power to rural communities.
Minister for Lands, Human Settlement and Development, William Lukuvi and his Deputy Angelina Mabula said they are aware of pending land conflicts and stressed that the will take immediate action through land tenure reforms.
Lukuvi warned powerful business figures who according to him are ‘using their financial influence to illegally grab land’ to voluntarily turn themselves to responsible authorities or face the law when they are brought to justice.
“We will make sure available laws are fully enforced without favour,” Deputy Minister Mabula said.
On the other hand, Minister Vice President’s Office-Union and Environment, January Makamba said he will work effectively and deliver to expectation. His deputy, Luhaga Mpina, he is well placed to handle his new mandate and serve the nation.
He said there are numerous factories that operate without proper environment protection systems as required by law and as a result they are contributing to pollution and global warming.
“We expect to conduct campaigns to encourage tree planting and to advocate for a green revolution,” he said.
As for Deputy Minister Suleiman Jaffo who serves in the President’s Office Regional Administration Local Governments, Public Services and Good Governance Ministry, expressed commitment to root out recklessness, corruption and bureaucracy in all public offices under his ministry.
He said the annual controller and auditor general report has been revealing massive corruption and misuse of public office by civil servant and that all leaders who will be implicated would face the law.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Policy, Parliament, Labour, Youth, Employment and PwDs Jenista Mhagama, said the first responsibility ahead of her is to address the problem of youth unemployment.
She said youth unemployment is a pressing issue and that the government will undertake reforms to merge development plans to address the mass unemployment.
She was optimistic that the Members of Parliament will be cooperative in helping the government implement its targeted plans.
Stella Manyanya, the Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Education, Science Technology and Vocation, that is yet to be appointed a Minister, assured the public and other stakeholder that she will work around the clock with education development partners to improve the sector.
The deputy minister said bureaucracy will not be tolerated in her administration; “we will analyse all pending issues including unsettled teachers arrears, student challenges, books and desks as well as higher education loan facilities,” she said.
Others sworn in but who did not offer public comments include George Simbachawene who becomes the Minister of State, President’s Office, Regional Administration, Local Government, Civil Service and Good Governance.
Mwigulu Nchemba, former Deputy Minister, Finance, becomes Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries assisted by William Nashe.
Dr Harisson Mwakyembe, the former East Africa Cooperation minister becomes the Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs.
Dr Hussein Mwinyi retained his former portfolio as the Minister for Defence and National Service, while Charles Kitwanga became Home Affairs minister.
Nape Nnauye becomes the Minister of Information, Culture, Artists and Sports and Anastazia Wambura is his deputy. Makame Mbarawa becomes the minister for Water and Irrigation while Charles Mwijage becomes the Minister for Trade and Industries.
Ummy Mwalimu is now the minister for Health, Community Development and Social Welfare assisted by Dr Hamis Kigwangala.
Among the new comers include Dr Augustino Mahiga, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation who is to be assisted by Dr Suzan Kolimba as the deputy minister.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
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