PM pledges move to Dodoma by September

Dodoma. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Monday said he will permanently move his office from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma in September.

Addressing residents during the commemoration of National Heroes Day, the Premier said he was setting the pace for the timely execution of President John Magufuli’s directive of moving the government to the capital before 2020.

He said he has already instructed the minister in Prime Minister’s Office, Ms Jenister Mhagama and the Permanent Secretary to make sure his residence, located at Mlimwa here, is readied speedily for him to move in by September.

“On that note, I order all Cabinet ministers to pack their bags with me. I know they all have houses and sub-offices here in Dodoma,” he said.

Currently, it is only one ministry, that of President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government) which is permanently located in Dodoma.

Mr Majaliwa also challenged Dodoma residents to make the best out of the mass shifting of the government offices and migration of officials from Dar es Salaam and invest in service provision.

He reiterated the remarks saying Dodoma is the place where the government belongs, and if more than 300 MPs can be accommodated in Dodoma at a go, then his government, which has only 30 ministers and deputies, can get ample space.

The decision to move to Dodoma was taken in 1973 by first President Julius Nyerere. The aim was to bring government services closer to the people owing to the centrality of Dodoma. But the move has dragged on for years.