Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Tanzania’s New Cabinet - 22% smaller

As you may be aware... Tanzania went through what could have been a political "sunami"!
Following the resignation of then prime Minister (Edward Lowassa) who was implicated in the "Richmond" corruption scandal, the president dissolved the cabinet, and wasted no time in nominating the then little known Mr. Mizengo Peter Pinda to succeed Mr. Lowassa. The Parliament moved swiftly to confirm Mr. Pinda and he (the newly-elected PM) was sworn in last Saturday in Dodoma.

Well... it is late afternoon here (4p.m.Monday Feb. 12) and the President of the U.R of Tanzania (Hon. J.K. Kikwete), just finished announcing his new cabinet of 26 ministers (instead of 29) and 21 deputies (instead of 31); Total = 47. Quick math page this size at approximately 22% less than the former cabinet

Notable missing:
- Mama Zakia Meghji
- Basili Mramba
- Bakari Mapachu
- Dr. Juma Ngasongwa
- Anthony Diallo
- Joseph Mungai – requested to retire
- Mzee Kingunge Ngombale Mwiru (70 yrs old)– requested to retire

Notable new: George Mkuchika

Basis for this cabinet:
- Government responsibilities to its people
- Election manifesto
- Effectiveness of the cabinet

Some notable changes:
- Planning combined with Finance: - Minister: Mustapha Nkulu
- Interior combined with public safety – Minister: Lawrence Masha
- Science & Technology – now with telecommunications & IT development
- Infrastructure to deal primarily with roads, transportations etc
- Deputy chief Justice No longer deputy of the constitutional affairs
- Stephen Wasira – moved to TAMISEMI (regional admin) under PM’s office

Other highlights:
- Finance, economy & planning: Mustapha Nkulu
- Energy & Minerals: William Ngeleja (Deputy Adam Malima)
- Defense: Hussein Mwinyi
- Land: John Chiligati
- Labor: Prof. Juma Kapuya
- Water & Irrigation: Mark Mwandosya
- Agriculture: Prof. Msolla
- Community dev, gender & children: Mama M. Sitta
- Livestock & Fisheries: John Magufuli
- Interior & public safety: Lawrence Masha
- East African affairs: Dr. D. Kamala
- Trade & Industries: dr. Mary Nagu (deputy Cyril Chami)
- Foreign affairs: Bernard Membe
- Sports, Broadcasting & Culture: George Haruna (Joel Bendera – Deputy)
- Infrastructure: Dr. Chenge

well... I am not a journalist and I know I have missed lots of names... but at least you get the gist of it
what do you think? You may blog in swahili OR english

ned