Yet Another Blunder in JPM Appointments

Dar es Salaam — President John Magufuli's appointment of 185 regional administration executives, announced on Thursday, was marred by confusion brought about by a mix-up of names, a situation that has raised concern among observers who see deep-seated administrative problems at the State House.

The Directorate of Presidential Communications released a list of 185 names of the city, municipal, town and district executive directors to the media on Thursday at 2pm, which showed that only 65 from fourth phase President Jakaya Kikwete's administration have been retained.

But one hour later the State House issued a clarification, saying the appointment of Dr Leonard Moses Massale was a mistake as he is the newly appointed DC for Ilemela in Mwanza Region. He had been appointed to the Dodoma Municipality, the position that will now remain vacant until a replacement is made.

An hour later, the State House issued yet another statement saying that some of those who were appointed last week as district administrative secretaries (DASs) have appeared in Thursday's list of district executive directors.

The administrative secretaries, who were appointed as DEDs after only a week of working as DASs include Mr Justin Joseph Monko who was the Musoma DAS, who was on Thursday appointed as DED for Liwale District Council; Mr Haji Yusuph Godigodi who was last week appointed as DAS of Kigoma District was posted to Kyerwa District; Joel Mwakibibi was re-appointed to Kigoma District. He was DAS for Biharamulo while Mr Msongwe, who was DAS Misenyi, has been appointed DED for Kasulu.

Leaders from opposition parties and analysts who reacted to the confusion yesterday said the repetition of goofing in naming appointees done by the highest office of the land that has all the resources it needs to conduct its activities, should not be taken lightly.

Dr Benson Bana from the University of Dar es Salaam said the confusion in appointments gives the impression that the President has incompetent staff.

He said according to the law, the President is not supposed to appoint DEDs of district councils. These are supposed to be appointed by the minister responsible for local governments.

"May be the minister appointed the district council's DEDs and sent the list of names to the President. And maybe there was a breakdown of communication during that process. We can only speculate, but something is definitely wrong somewhere," Dr Bana saying, adding that President's assistants should check and double check such lists before releasing them to the media.

The newly appointed DEDs are scheduled to take the Integrity Pledge at State House onTuesday next week.