Former CCM chief Chongolo handed a new job

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has made minor changes to key administrative positions, including regional commissioners, regional administrative secretaries, district commissioners, and municipal directors, appointing former Secretary General of CCM, Daniel Chongolo, as the Regional Commissioner of Songwe.

Mr Chongolo resigned from his position as the Secretary General of the ruling party after writing a letter to the party's chairperson, President Hassan, who approved his request.

This move raised many questions and prompted the party to launch an investigation into the reason behind his resignation.

Mr Chongolo, who served as CCM Secretary General for approximately 942 days, succeeding his predecessor, Dr Bashiru Ally, who is currently a nominated Member of Parliament, now assumes the responsibilities of leading Songwe region after he was appointed by President Hassan on March 9, 2024.

According to a public statement issued by the Chief Secretary, Dr Moses Kusiluka, the move is part of efforts to improve government performance, with President Hassan making these minor changes, including appointing a new Managing Director of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Company.

In the new appointments, President Hassan has appointed Colonel Patrick Sawala, former District Commissioner of Tandahimba, as the Regional Commissioner of Mtwara; Mr Paul Chacha, former District Commissioner of Misungwi, as the Regional Commissioner of Tabora; and Mr Daniel Chongolo as the Regional Commissioner of Songwe.

The President has also made some transfers, whereby Colonel Ahmed Abbas Ahmed has been transferred from Mtwara region to become the Regional Commissioner of Ruvuma and Ms Halima Dendego from the Iringa region to become the Regional Commissioner of Singida.

Mr Peter Serukamba has been transferred from Singida region to become the Regional Commissioner of Iringa, and Ms Batilda Burian has been transferred from Tabora region to become the Regional Commissioner of Tanga.

Additionally, President Hassan has made transfers of regional administrative secretaries, district commissioners, and municipal directors across various regions in the country, effective March 9, 2024.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new regional commissioners will be scheduled later.

This reshuffle comes as President Hassan seeks to streamline governance and enhance performance across various regions, with particular attention on the appointment of Mr Daniel Chongolo as the new Regional Commissioner of Songwe, amidst other changes in regional leadership roles.