Majaliwa: We owe the public dedicated service

By Sylivester Domasa

Members of Parliament congratulate Prime Minister-designate Kassim Majaliwa (C) in the National Assembly in Dodoma yesterday

 Prime Minister-designate Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa has promised to work with all parliamentarians “because we all have an obligation to the people of this country on both sides of the House to do so for sustainable development”

  

A surprise nominee, the Prime Minister-elect’s name did not appear in media circles that predicted the new head of government business.

 

A Member of Parliament for Ruangwa Constituency (CCM) in Lindi  Region  since 2010  was elected with a majority 258 out of 349 votes (  73.5 per cent) surpassing   the two-thirds required.

 

Majaliwa a former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Governments (Education)) was earlier yesterday nominated to the House by the President Dr John Magufuli as a leader of government business in the law making body. He is set to be sworn-in at Chamwino State House in Dodoma today by President Magufuli.

 

 Delivering his address in the National Assembly moments  after he was declared by House Speaker Job Ndugai, the Premier said: “I will go around the country to identify the actual problems facing the people.”

 

The 54-year-old leader said the nation and the government were facing many challenges to uplift the welfare of the people.

 

“I had no idea if I was going to be the President’s choice. I thank the President and   for your trust in me. I promise that I will   listen to you all parliamentarians without fear or favour,” he said in the House yesterday.

 

The  Clerk to the National Assembly, Dr Thomas Kashilila had announced that  Majaliwa scoped 258 out of 349 votes  (73.5 percent).

 

At least 91 votes were against his nomination ( 25.9 per cent ) of the total votes.

 

Outlining the PM’s profile in the National Assembly, the Attorney General, George Massaju said Majaliwa who is a teacher by profession went to Mnacho Primary School (1970-1976), Kigonsera Secondary School (1977-1980), Mtwara Teachers College (1991-1993) and the University of Dar es Salaam (1994-1998) for a Bachelor Degree and Stockholm University for Post Graduate Degree (1999).

 

He said Majaliwa was a former teacher and District Commissioner between 2006-2010 before being elected legislator and subsequently appointed deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office ( Regional administration and Local Government Responsible for Education.

 

“He is a hard working leader, he attentively pays attention to all people despite of their political affiliations, social and economic status,” he said, adding the nominated PM have his country at heart and will abide by  the  fifth phase government slogan dubbed ‘Work matters most here.’

 

Luhaga Mpina (Kisesa, CCM) and Kangi Lugora (Mwibara, CCM) commended the President’s choice,  saying Majaliwa can help speedy transformation of the country's economy.

 

The Isman MP William Lukuvi (CCM) explicitly hailed the President for nominating Majaliwa who has the ability to deliver. “We thank God for leading our President in the nomination.”

 

The lawmaker said the new PM had made positive strides in the ministry where he was responsible for the education sector.

 

Tanzania’s 11th Parliament consists of a total of 394 members. There were 369 registered lawmakers of which 264 come from election constituencies and the rest were Special Seats.

 

Majaliwa becomes the second prime minister   from the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government) after the immediate former Primer Mizengo Pinda.

 

Tanzania held  the General Election last month, CCM having won 182 seats  out of 264 seats in the Parliament.