Former minister for Lands and settlement Mr John Chiligati
Dar es Salaam. Some of the nine former cabinet ministers and deputies yesterday shared out their thoughts, a day after they were dropped from the new cabinet unveiled by President Jakaya Kikwete.
Separately, the incoming ministers also shed some light into when and how they received the good news of their appointment to be part of the 50-strong team that will steer the second and last fourth phase government’s administration.
Former minister for Labour, Employment and Youth Development Professor Juma Kapuya said he was ready to continue serving his constituents outside the cabinet. “I won’t really comment on why the President overlooked me. He had his own criteria,” said Prof Kapuya who has been minister since 2005.
Prof Kapuya welcomed the new cabinet saying its composition was meant to steer the country into the future, singling out the division into two portfolios of the formerly huge infrastructure docket.
“The ministry had huge responsibilities, making it difficult to reach targets easily. With this separation, we are likely to see speedy changes,” said the MP for Urambo West.
Former minister for lands and settlement Mr John Chiligati whose docket will now be filled by former UN executive Prof AnnaTibaijuka, said he was not bitter and welcomed the changes.
“It was a rare opportunity to serve in the cabinet and now time is up for me to let others to step in. I thank the president for giving me the chance to serve.” He said he would concentrate on serving the people of Manyoni East and members of Chama Cha Mapinduzi where he works as its publicity secretary.
Mr Chiligati congratulated the President for appointing Prof Tibaijuka to replace him at the ministry. He said he was satisfied that the former UN-Habitat Executive Director would transform the living standards of many Tanzanians who live in poor shelters.
Dr Maua Daftari, who was the deputy minister for Communication, Science and Technology, said she had no “hard feeling” about being left out. “It is the same person who appointed me in the first place who decided not to re-appoint me.”
Meanwhile, newly picked ministers spoke of their excitement when they learnt of the president’s choice, with those who are making it for the first time saying the news was overwhelming as it was surprising.
The minister for natural resources and tourism Mr Ezekiel Maige said he had to postpone a planned trip to his rural home in Shinyanga when the news broke out.
“I was alone in my car driving to the Dar es Salaam office of the Rural Energy Authority (REA) when it happened. My radio was on and my name was called just as I halted at the Mwenge traffic lights junction,” said Maige, adding that he has put off the trip to his constituency until he is sworn in.
He admitted he was surprised at the changes in the ministry where he was deputizing Ms Shamsa Mwangunga who was rejected at the nomination stage for the parliamentary contest in Ubungo.
Prof Tibaijuka said she was following the president’s announcements on Television with her family at home when her name popped up. “Like many Tanzanians I was interested and keenly waiting to learn of our cabinet. So it was a good ending that I was among the lucky ones,” she said.
“Land and housing are among the pillars of social and economic changes in any country… I will work hard to meet his expectations and those of the public,” added Prof Tibaijuka.
First timer and now the new minister for Transportation, Mr Omar Nundu said the news reached him as a “thunderbolt.” “I was driving around my constituency and had no clue my name was being considered. I had not set my eyes that far and this just came as a completely sweet surprise,” said the Tanga Urban MP who has twice been as lucky. He was first cleared to run on a CCM ticket by the party’s National Executive Committee despite finishing third in the nomination race.
The minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office — policy, coordination and parliamentary affairs — Mr William Lukuvi was home watching the news and said it was a pleasant surprise to make a comeback to the position that he held between 2000-2005 before he was named Regional Commissioner.
“It’s only me who has enjoyed the political presidential appointments from the district to regional commissioner and deputy minister to full minister. I am happy I don’t let them down,” said Mr Lukuvi.