‘Serve citizens with diligence’

• Samia says people-centred public service is key

ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed newly sworn-in leaders to uphold integrity, work collaboratively and serve citizens with diligence and fairness as they discharge their responsibilities in advancing the country’s development agenda.

The Head of State issued the directive yesterday at Tunguu State House in Zanzibar, after swearing in two Deputy Permanent Secretaries and witnessing four other senior public officials take the Public Leaders’ Integrity Oath.

Leaders who were sworn in include Dr Latifa Mohammed Khamis, who was appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office responsible for Union Affairs, and Ms Prisca Lwangili, who was appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office – Public Service Management and Good Governance.

The four officials who took the Public Leaders’ Integrity Oath were the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) Director General Ms Asha Dachi and Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) Director General Mr Ephraim Mafuru.

Others were Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) Director General Mr Salum Mnuna, the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) Conservation Commissioner Mr Massana Mwishawa.

President Samia said the appointments reflected the government’s confidence in the leaders and tasked them to provide quality and people-centred public services.

She directed the Vice-President’s Office to strengthen the management of Union affairs and ensure that emerging issues between the two sides of the Union are resolved through dialogue and cooperation to safeguard national unity.

She also called for enhanced environmental conservation efforts, directing leaders to work together in addressing environmental challenges that threaten sustainable development and the wellbeing of citizens.

President Samia also instructed the President’s Office – Public Service Management and Good Governance to strengthen the management of public servants and create a conducive working environment to improve efficiency and service delivery.

In the transport sector, she directed authorities to expedite the implementation and management of strategic railway, road, port and maritime projects, while exploring opportunities to expand the operations and commercial viability of Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL).

She also tasked the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs with strengthening access to justice by expanding legal aid programmes, so that more citizens can obtain timely legal services.

On trade promotion, President Samia instructed TanTrade to intensify efforts to promote Tanzanian products and improve the management of trade exhibitions.

She further directed TANAPA to strengthen the protection and management of wildlife resources and national parks, noting their critical contribution to tourism and the national economy.

For the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), the President called for improved professionalism, operational efficiency and higher-quality content to reinforce its role as the national public broadcaster and a reliable source of information.