JPM offers employment to 1,500 servicemen

President John Magufuli

Dodoma. President John Magufuli yesterday announced employing the 1,500 volunteers to the National Service who have served in the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF) arm for about two years.

During the period they participated in the construction of government offices and civil servant houses at the Mtumba government city.

President Magufuli also promoted the project supervisor Charles Mbuge from rank of colonel to brigadier general and ordered the promotion of 100 other officers who took part in construction of 41 staff houses for State House servants and 10 office buildings that will house ministries.

“I want to know the actual figure of volunteer servicemen who participated in the project and if it does not exceed 1,500, then get them all employed,” he directed the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Venance Mabeyo.

“Consult with other security organs such as the Police Force, Prisons and Immigration Departments, the Tanzania Intelligence and Security Services and the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau to get them all employed,” Dr Magufuli added.

So far 8,883 public servants from ministries and public institutions have shifted to Dodoma at the cost of Sh143 billion, President Magufuli noted. He ordered all ministers to shift to the new government offices with effect from Monday, regardless of whether their buildings had been completed or not.

The decision to relocate capital of Tanzania to Dodoma, which was first proposed in 1973, is almost complete except for a few institutions. All cabinet ministers, except that of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, have already moved to the capital.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan have already moved to Dodoma. President Magufuli said he would also move soon.

“I have not yet moved because my mother is very sick. But I would shift as soon as possible,” said President Magufuli.

Sh23 billion was spent on the construction of the ten office buildings that will house 23 ministries, according to Mr Majaliwa.

The offices are located in the Mtumba government city, some 30 kilometres from Dodoma City Centre.

The city, which would take ten years to complete at the cost of about Sh10 trillion would also accommodate foreign missions, corporate offices and government staff quarters. Mtumba occupies an area of 617 hectares.