MPs described as ‘really perfect choice’ for PM

FAUSTINE KAPAMA in Dodoma

THE appointment by President John Magufuli of Mr Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa as the new Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania has been described as “really perfect choice’’.

Several MPs interviewed, including former ministers, thanked God “for enabling the president to bring a person who ‘is cool-headed, hard working and committed’ in serving the people and believed that he would cope with the “Hapa Kazi tu” (Only work counts here) spirit. “Today’s choice is appropriate and perfect. I have no doubt about Mr Majaliwa’s appointment. He has that capacity and he will deliver,” the MP for Ismani (CCM), Mr William Lukuvi, said.

The immediate former Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, was among the persons widely tipped for the job. According to Mr Lukuvi, he had worked with Mr Majaliwa under the same roof in the Prime Minister’s Office, describing him as a truthful, honest, a good listener and man committed to fulfil his promises. Before his new appointment, Mr Majaliwa worked as Deputy Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (Education).

According to Mr Lukuvi, Mr Majaliwa was not the first Premier to be elevated from Deputy Minister to Prime Minister. “It should be noted that Frederick Sumaye was catapulted from Deputy Minister to Premier, the post he had consecutively served for 10 years. Even Mr Mizengo Pinda was appointed Premier having served in a full ministerial post for three years only.

Before that he was just deputy minister,” argued Mr Lukuvi. He argued further that deputy ministers were very conversant with government operations, the country’s challenges and policies and laws of the country due to their nature of operations and duties. Ms Jenister Mhagama (Peramiho-CCM) said that Mr Majaliwa’s records were self explanatory in that he has not been tainted by scandal while he has been diligent in performing his official duties.

The Peramiho lawmaker was immediate former Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office, Policy, Parliamentary Affairs and Coordination and the Chief Whip. “Mr Majaliwa is still young. I thank the president for appointing a young person -- and we have no doubt that he is a proper person who will cope with high speed of service delivery promulgated by the Fifth Phase Government,” she said.

The MP for Nzega Rural (CCM), Dr Hamisi Kigwangala, said that he was happy to find that President Magufuli has met the expectations of many Tanzanians of having committed leaders of Mr Majaliwa’s calibre who would assist him in running the government. “He (Majaliwa) is a perfect choice. I have no doubt on his capacity as prime minister. He is capable and will deliver.

He is possessed with wisdom. What is required is for all of us to support him,” he quipped. Ms Hawa Ghasia (Mtwara Rural), who was the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Local Government and Regional Administration, TAMISEMI, pointed out that Tanzania is lucky for having good leaders like Mr Majaliwa. “I know him (Majaliwa) very well.

He is hard-working and diligent. He is sober and he is a man who can make follow up of what he directs to be done. So we have got a good leader who is well committed.

The people should expect good results,” she added. However, the MP for Iringa Urban (CHADEMA), Reverend Peter Msigwa, gave a different opinion, claiming that it was a bad start for President Magufuli for bringing a low-profile leader like Mr Majaliwa whom he described as someone who would not be able to handle serious matters.

“I agree that we cooperated with him for some time when he was deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office dealing with education. But he has no muscles for handling the post,” he charged.

Meanwhile, PIUS RUGONZIBWA reports from Mwanza that the appointment of the new Prime Minister, Mr Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa, has been received with mixed feelings and views here with many referring to the new Premier as capable and right-placed.

One of the Mwanza City residents who is also the Regional Education Officer, Mr Hamis Maulid, said the new Prime Minister faced a number of challenges, the main one being to assist President Magufuli to overhaul the current education system.

According to Mr Maulid, the new PM, being an experienced teacher and deputy minister under the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for education has to make sure all education matters are vested in one ministry -- unlike in the present set up. “We have experienced different problems with the present situation where multiple organs are empowered to govern the sector.

My opinion is that all educational issues should be directed to the single Ministry of Education and not otherwise,” he pointed out. Other comments came from the Nyamagana Municipal Teachers’ Union of Tanzania (TCU) Chairman, Mr Lawrence Mkama, who said teachers believed that Mr Majaliwa would deliver to the expectations of Tanzanians. He said there is no doubt that President Magufuli has got a reliable assistant who was capable of making impact on the development plans of the country by implementing the election manifesto.

Mr Mkama recalled how the new PM fought hard to solve various conflicts between teachers and local government authorities and was optimistic he was now poised to address issues of the teaching cadre countrywide. Speaking over the phone from Rorya, the District CCM Chairman and Mara Regional Youth Commander, Mr Samuel Namba Tatu, said since Mr Majaliwa was not corrupt or tainted with graft allegations, he fitted into the position well.

“He needs to fit into the plans and focus of the president and strictly address the working culture in the public service, which is not promising,” he added. Meanwhile, ISSA YUSSUF reports that the Zanzibar Attorney General, Mr Said Hassan, has acknowledged the appointment of Mr Magufuli as the new prime minister, saying he was very hardworking and skilled person to fit into the ‘’Hapa Kazi Tu’’ philosophy.

“We wish him all the best in his new role. We ask God to guide and empower him so that he can perform to our expectations,” said the Zanzibar AG. Ambassador Amina Salum Ali said the new PM deserves the position as many Tanzanians have trust in him. “His name (Majaliwa) literary means gifted, which suits his personal habit as a hard working man”, she added.

The Deputy Secretary General of the Civic United Front (CUF), Mr Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, said that Mr Majaliwa is a good man. “I knew him several years ago when he was a District Commissioner. I have no doubt with his performance,” he commented.