Africa-Press – Tanzania. IT is now official: the department of Information Services has been handed over to the Ministry of Information, Communications and Information Technology.
The handing over ceremony took place on Monday at the department’s office in Dodoma formally under the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports by the Permanent Secretary in the newly-established Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports, Dr Hassan Abbasi.
Dr Abbasi handed over the department to the Permanent Secretary of the newly reformed ministry, Dr Zainab Chaula. At the colorful event, Dr Abbasi said that he was grateful that the Information Department had been shifted strategically by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in the quest to increase efficiency in the sector.
On September 12, the president appointed Dr Ashatu Kijaji as the new minister in the reloaded ministry, replacing Dr Faustine Ndugulile, whose appointment was revoked.
Dr Abbasi said that the decision by the president to unite the information and broadcasting sectors was strategic in ensuring that professionalism was highly guaranteed.
“Five years ago, I was confirmed to be the Director of Information Services, and one year ago, I was appointed Permanent Secretary. Today I am handing over the office to Dr Zainab Chaula and I wish to assure you that the office is in safe hands because we save the same government,” noted Dr Abbasi.
According to the PS, when he was appointed to be the Director of Information Services and Chief Government Spokesperson in 2016, there was not even a single vehicle in his department, however, within two weeks two vehicles were obtained and he insisted that he was leaving the office with four vehicles.
Speaking at a similar occasion, Dr Chaula asked all workers in the ministry to observe professionalism, so as to bring the desired results.
She asked all journalists from across the country to write stories that could help the country instead of instigating chaos that was likely to ruin the country’s peace.
“I will make sure that I protect and be the best guardian to all, as well as cherishing the legacy left by Dr Abbasi,” she insisted.
