VP urges integrity among secretaries
ARUSHA: VICE-PRESIDENT, Emmanuel Nchimbi, has urged personal secretaries to uphold high standards of discipline and professionalism required in their role, as they are the face and gateway of their institutions.
Dr Nchimbi made the remarks while opening the 13th conference of the Tanzania Personal Secretaries Association (TAPSEA) in Arusha on Thursday.
The conference, attended by more than 5,000 participants, is being held under the theme: “Innovation, accountability, integrity and efficiency are among the strong foundations of sustainable development in workplace performance.” Dr Nchimbi said the conduct of office personal secretaries can either inspire confidence or discourage visitors and fellow employees depending on the quality of reception and services they provide.
“Use your positions as office personal secretaries to support your institutions by working with professionalism, discipline and a spirit of helping others,” he emphasised.
He also urged personal secretaries to continue safeguarding confidential information obtained in their workplaces and warned those with a tendency to leak sensitive information to stop immediately.
Dr Nchimbi commended TAPSEA for encouraging its members to pursue higher education, noting that professionals in the field now have opportunities to obtain degree and postgraduate qualifications at institutions across the country.
According to him, office personal secretaries have evolved from their traditional role as record keepers to becoming key contributors to policy decision-making, planning and implementation of development strategies within institutions.
“These institutions should continue producing competent professionals in this field for the benefit of our country,” he said.
Regarding employers who deny or fail to sponsor office personal secretaries to attend such conferences, Dr Nchimbi directed ministers responsible for public service affairs in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar to address the matter to ensure employees enjoy their right to participate.
Since TAPSEA was expected to elect new leaders today, the Vice-President urged members to ensure the election remains free and fair.
“What causes problems in institutions is the distortion of justice and transparency. Do not create grievances; every candidate should be treated fairly, and voters should also be treated fairly. Avoid all attempts to undermine justice,” Dr Nchimbi stressed.
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He further informed participants that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had directed that they be taken on visits to some of Arusha Region’s wildlife conservation areas.
Meanwhile, Minister of State in the President’s Office for Public Service Management and Good Governance, Mr Ridhiwani Kikwete, said the government plans to provide 45,000 jobs across various sectors during the 2026/2027 financial year, including opportunities for the TAPSEA cadre.
He further revealed that during the same period, 5,865 public servants would have their service structures adjusted, while 234,921 others would be promoted.
“I urge public servants to continue working hard. However, employers who refuse to allow office personal secretaries to attend such conferences or fail to sponsor them should change before disciplinary action is taken against them,” he said.
Minister of State in the President’s Office for Constitution, Legal Affairs, Public Service and Good Governance in Zanzibar, Dr Haroun Ali Suleiman, said TAPSEA has played a significant role in strengthening unity between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar through professional cooperation.
TAPSEA Chairperson, Ms Zuhura Maganga, said office personal secretaries now have opportunities to pursue higher education at degree and postgraduate levels in several institutions, including the Public Service College in Dar es Salaam and the University of Dar es Salaam, enabling them to attain internationally recognised professional standards.
