Dr Samia tasks new RCs to serve Tanzanian citizens rather than rule over them
ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has challenged newly appointed Regional Commissioners (RCs) to take full ownership of the regions they have been assigned, describing them as her army and urging them to serve citizens rather than rule over them.
The Head of State made the statement in Tunguu, Zanzibar, when administering the oath of office to the newly appointed Regional Commissioners noting that their appointments reflected the trust placed in them to oversee government activities and address challenges facing their respective regions.
Elaborating, the President urged the commissioners to consider themselves as the president of their regions, saying every challenge affecting their areas from inadequate financial resources and environmental destruction caused by heavy rains to other problems facing residents should be treated as their responsibility.
“Every issue that happens there is yours,” President Samia said, stressing that the RCs have not been appointed to become kings of their regions but to serve the people.
She challenged each commissioner to regard the region and its people as their own responsibility and demonstrate that commitment through action.
“We are not sending you there to enjoy yourselves. Go and work for the people. The problems of the region you have been assigned are your problems,” she said.
Moreover, President Samia said the government had also decided to transfer some Regional Commissioners from one region to another to give them broader experience and prevent them from developing a sense of ownership or kingdoms in particular areas.
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She reminded them that they are public servants who can be deployed anywhere in the country.
“I have been receiving reports about various challenges and misconduct involving some officials in their previous areas of assignment, so these transfers also provided an opportunity for some officials to leave behind problems associated with their former stations. Consider it an opportunity to change,” she noted.
She added; “If you knew you had bad behaviour where you came from, where you are going is a new opportunity. Correct yourself and serve the people as required.”
She called on both mainland and Zanzibar Regional Commissioners to work diligently, cooperate with stakeholders and ensure that government responsibilities are effectively carried out for the benefit of citizens.
