Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed all regional governments to encourage freedom of expression to allow for denizens to freely air their views and grievances without being muzzled.
President Hassan also cautioned that regional authorities such as District Commissioners who fail to tackle issues at the local level risk being dismissed.
Hassan stated this while swearing in permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries at the State House on Tuesday April 6, following a minor reshuffle on Sunday.
The grievances are expected to be tackled at regional level and not the Central Government.
President Samiah Hassan remarked that whenever she tours various regions in the country, she is met with people with banners expressing various grievances which can be solved by the authorities.
She emphasised that while the authorities are required to tackle people’s challenges at the local level, they should not prevent them from expressing their views.
She pledged to deal accordingly with anyone who prevents the people from expressing their views on challenges being faced if it came to her attention that they are prevented from airing their views.
Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Dotto James was moved to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Dr Hassan Abbas remains the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports. Former Director of Presidential Communication Gerson Msigwa will now serve as the Government spokesperson.