CCM’s National Congress kicks off today 

THE country’s Capital—Dodoma, was by on Tuesday evening buzzing as businesspersons got enough time to mint cash, ahead of the ruling party’s meeting that kicks off today.

Those doing business in town had yet another reason to smile as they got an opportunity for a better part of on Tuesday when Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) cadres arrived from different parts of the country to attend the crucial party meeting.

CCM’s National Congress meets here today for the important two-day-meeting which will see Zanzibar President, Dr Hussein Mwinyi becoming the newly elected CCM Vice Chairman, replacing Dr Ali Mohammed Shein who is the retired President for the Isles.

Dodoma Central Business District (CBD) temporality became a sea of green and yellow by the day as preparations for the meeting started.

According to the ruling party’s Ideology and Publicity Secretary, Shaka Hamdu Shaka, Dr Mwinyi will officially be endorsed by the congress to become the party’s Vice Chairperson, as he paid tribute to the former Zanzibar President in his esteemed leadership within the party and government.

In his briefing to the media, Mr Shaka said that Dr Shein would be remembered for what he did during his tenure as he equally wished the new Vice Chairperson good work for the next five years.

The CCM’s general congress is scheduled to be held for two days at Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre.

As of yesterday evening, the city was in a festive mood and business was booming as party cadres continued arriving in the administrative capital ahead of the congress.

A survey by the Daily News in Dodoma concluded that most of the hotels, lodges and guest houses were almost fully booked by CCM cadres.

“CCM master minders from different Regions had already settled all bills from last week to yesterday,” said one of the hoteliers who preferred anonymity.

According to John Evans, one of the party cadres, CCM top organ’s meeting in Dodoma was the only opportunity to do business, insisting that the opposition parties had lost their prominence.

An entrepreneur, Joseph John said that the CCM top organ’s meeting is the opportunity for all entrepreneurs in Dodoma because they will sell their products.

Security had been heightened in the whole city as police officers were seen at every corner of the region doing their patrols and even on the roads officers from the traffic unit were witnessed being busy to ensure that every car was under control.