16 October 2006, by Powernell. Tanzanian president Kikwete has moved ten key ministers and eight deputy ministers to new workstations. One of them are Dr Ibrahim Msabaha, the minister of Energy and Minerals, and Lawrence Masha, the deputy of Energy and Minerals. The private sector is convinced that the Ministry of Energy was the main target: "The minister and his team have failed to find workable solutions in the energy sector, and this has been compounded by dubious energy contracts," said Louis Accaro, executive secretary of the Tanzanian Private Sector Foundation (source: The Citizen, 16 October, 2006). But... not a single member of the Cabinet was dropped...

Comment of opposition

The Citizen has approached chairman James Mbatia of the opposition NCCR-Mageuzi for comment. Mbatia saw a link between the changes and the ongoing power prices, particularly the recent failure by Richmond to deliver emergency power generators. "With the Richmond crisis that was under the supervision of Mr Msabaha and his deputy Mr Masha, the Cabinet changes (...) raise many doubts and questions," said Mbatia. More importantly, he said, the reshuffle could adversely affect the sustainability of the Kikwete government. He said the move would also affect three crucial aspects of good administration – continuity, stability and the efficiency of government. "Many of these ministers were still learners, familiarising with their new offices and duties. Posting them to new workstations with completely different responsibilities means that they are to start afresh. This is serious matter of concern to us. If there is a scandal within his ministers, Mbatia said, the president should have strengtened his credibility by sacking the ministers involved instead of taking them from one point to another (source: The Citizen, 16 October, 2006).

New minister of Energy and Minerals

I couldn"t agree more. If a minister doesn"t do a good job in a certain ministry, why would he do a good job in another ministry? In the editorial of today"s Daily News it is suggested that this reshuffle is used "to realign team players in relation to their skills and experience." It is possible that a minister is not skilled enough to run one ministry, but skilled enough to run another? Or is the president just trying to keep everyone aboard? Is that in the country"s interest? We will see. Minister Msabaha leaves the ministry of Energy and Minerals to become the minister for East African Co-operation. His deputy is going to Home Affairs, swapping places with the deputy of Home Affairs. The new minister of Energy is Mr Nazir Karamagi, the current minister of Industry, Trade and Marketing.
Related articles
For a complete list of the ministers and deputies that change place, see The Guardian, 16 October, 2006: Kikwete reshuffles Cabinet
For the comment of the government-owned newspaper, see the editorial of Daily News, 16 October, 2006: JK makes right move
 
Click here for the ElectricityTanzania Weblog