Public on PM: He`s man of the people

Many people have praised President Jakaya Kikwete for re-appointing Mizengo Pinda as Prime Minister. They described the PM-elect as “a man of the people.”

In separate interviews with The Guardian, academicians, politicians, businesspeople and ordinary citizens, said Pinda is capable of tackling the task of supervising government implementation of development programmes.

Many pointed to his continued close touch with the grassroots, where the majority Tanzanians belong while others said he was a clean and humble person who was accessible to the ordinary people despite his status.

University of Dar es Salaam Vice Chancellor Prof Rwekaza Mukandala said President Kikwete has appointed the right person, who stood for the rights of the poor. He has also ably supervised the implementation of ‘Kilimo Kwanza’ Initiative which will benefit majority of the farmers in the country.

“The successes during the two years of his leadership have been acknowledged by many Tanzanians…I think the President has appointed the right person who is confident when responding to various issues raised in the parliament.” Prof Mukandala said the decision by the President to re-appoint Pinda to lead the government for the next five years was a good sign that he would continue to implement the various projects aimed at improving the living standards of the poor people.

Dr Emaria Mgonzibwa from Muhimbili Dental School said Pinda was a good person who doesn’t ignore other people. He listens and fulfils his promises on time.

“I remember last year we had a meeting with him on Tanzania Higher Learning Institutions Trade Union. We had a positive discussion with him and he promised to work on our problems,” she said.

A Businessman Daniel Lyimo said: “I can’t assess the performance of Pinda because he has served for a short time since he was appointed PM.”

Meanwhile the Head of Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (REDET) Dr Benson Bana said President Kikwete could not leave out Pinda because he had performed well in the past two years in reducing the government expenditure.

Residents of Arusha praised the appointment, urging the Premier to come up with new strategies to make Tanzania excel.

“This is the man we wanted. We want him to assist President Jakaya Kikwete to come up with a small but effective cabinet and in controlling public spending,” said Jackson Michael, a Mbauda resident.

A Ngaramtoni resident, Alice Laizer, urged Pinda to work to bring down the country’s inflation, so as to build a strong economy.

“It is time for top government officials to wake up and make the economy strong. People are seriously affected by the inflation. Our shilling is depreciating everyday. Pinda should work on these key challenges,” she said.

Laizer requested the government to come up with the best communication strategy that will make Tanzanians know how much revenue is collected on monthly basis and how it was used.

Echoing the idea, a Sakina resident Hanifa Sheweji said: “Communication with citizens is an important aspect in administration. It is high time the government kept the public informed on all aspects.”

Pinda, whose appointment was endorsed by Members of Parliament on Tuesday, will be sworn in tomorrow.