…Appoints Mkumbo to head planninginvestment , docket
AFTER enactment of the Planning Commission Act, 2023, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has made minor restructuring of the cabinet, formulating the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
As part from the restructuring, she appointed Ubungo Member of Parliament Prof Kitila Mkumbo, as Minister of State in the President’s Office Planning and Investment.
According to a statement released yesterday by the Directorate of Presidential Communications, the Head of State appointed Dr Mwigulu Nchemba as the Minister of Finance. Dr Mwigulu was the Minister of Finance and Planning prior to the latest appointment.
President Samia has also appointed Dr Ashatu Kijaji to be the Minister for Industry and Trade. Before this appointment, Dr Kijaji was the Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade.
“Following the enactment of the Planning Commission Act, 2023 and the decision to transfer investment matters to the Office of the President, Dr Samia has made minor changes to the ministries and appointed leaders,” the statement reads in part.
She has also appointed Mr Lawrence Mafuru to become the Executive Secretary of the National Planning Commission. Prior to this, Mr Mafuru was the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Planning (Economic Management).
Dr Samia has also appointed Mr Elijah Mwandumbya to become Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance (Economic Management). Before this, he was the Commissioner, Department of Policy Analysis, Ministry of Finance and Planning.
The Planning Commission Act 2023 establishes the Planning Commission, which is under the President’s Office.
The commission is responsible for designing, planning, coordinating and managing development plans in order to have an inclusive system for monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of national development priorities.
The changes enable the government to have a joint system of sectoral plans especially on the sectors with interdependent responsibilities.
The sectors will also have a legal system and special organ for managing preparations and implementation of development plans, research and advising the government on national development priorities contrary to the current system where the responsibilities are being carried out by the Ministry of Finance and Planning.
According to the changes, the Planning Commission is led by the President as Chairperson, with six other members appointed by the President, including the Minister responsible for development plans and the Minister responsible for financial affairs.
In addition, the Act has been amended to allow the commission to have the positions of executive secretary and deputy executive secretary, appointed by the president.
The Act also made the main sources of funds for the operation of the commission come from the funds approved by the National Assembly through the annual budget and grants.
Also, as with other public institutions that depend on the government’s budget, the accounts of the commission will be audited by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG).
Meanwhile, President Samia Suluhu Hassan arrived in Malawi yesterday for a three-day state visit at the invitation of President Lazarus Chakwera.
According to a public statement released by the Malawi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the three-day state visit will consolidate the already strong Malawi-Tanzania bilateral relations which are based on historical ties and mutual interest to promote the living standards of the people of the two countries and a common interest in regional and global cooperation.
The statement said that President Samia will, among others, attend Malawi’s 59th Independence celebrations at the Bingu National Stadium today as special guest of honour. Yesterday, President Samia attended a national service of worship at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
She will also hold bilateral talks with President Chakwera and visit one of the areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Freddy before returning home tomorrow.