Africa-Press – Tanzania. RULING Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) National Chairperson, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has directed party leaders and executives nationwide to ensure party offices become platforms for nurturing youth leadership and promoting strong moral values.
She gave the directive on Wednesday in Dodoma after laying the foundation stone for the construction of the party’s new national headquarters, a modern facility to be built in the Tambukareli area.
“These offices must serve not only as centres for administration but also as venues for meetings, debates, research, policy training and decision-making. They should be inclusive spaces where youth grow in leadership and ethics,” she said.
She said the headquarters, once completed, will represent the unity, resilience and identity of CCM both within Tanzania and beyond.
“This building will not just be about prestige; it must be a place where members, especially youth, find purpose, inspiration and opportunities to serve,” President Samia added.
Dr Samia said laying the foundation stone continues the vision started by CCM’s founding leaders, including the late Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
“This modern structure reflects not only the size and strength of our party but also its leadership role in Tanzania and Africa, especially in the southern region,” she said.
The CCM Chair ordered that the new party offices support the implementation of the CCM Election Manifesto by bridging the gap between citizens and government.
She instructed that they act as listening posts to gather public concerns and develop suitable policy responses.
Dr Samia opened a window for voluntary contributions from members and well-wishers toward the construction, expected to cost 34.13bn/-.
“This is not just a stone-laying event, it is the start of a new chapter in CCM’s history. I urge all members to be part of this by contributing generously to the new headquarters,” President Samia said.
She also told contractors and consultants to stick to the agreed timeline and quality standards, insisting the project be completed before CCM’s 50th anniversary in 2027.
Dr Samia tasked the Secretariat of the National Executive Committee (NEC) to closely monitor progress to ensure the project is completed on time and to a high standard.
At the event, CCM Vice-Chairman (Zanzibar) and President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, said the construction marks the start of a new historic journey for the party.
“This step will leave a lasting legacy for future generations, just as President Samia has done with many other national projects,” Dr Mwinyi said.
CCM Vice-Chairman (Mainland), Mr Stephen Wassira, said the new headquarters will fulfil a long-held dream of having a permanent home for party affairs.
“CCM was not created to be a temporary party. From the start, the call has always been ‘Kidumu Chama Cha Mapinduzi’ a sign of its permanence and purpose,” he said.
Mr Wassira added that although some may feel the project was delayed, its timing is right given the integration of modern technology in the building’s design.
“The building will stand as a symbol of CCM’s strength and its vision for the modern era,” he added.
Earlier, CCM Secretary-General Ambassador Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi said the project will feature a five-storey building.
He said that 8bn/- have already been raised through party investments and contributions.
Dr Nchimbi further said the CCM Board of Trustees has approved the construction contract, with Estim Construction Company as the contractor and Hub Consultancy as the project consultant.
Giving a brief history of CCM headquarters, Dr Nchimbi said discussions to build party offices began in 1983 and led to the completion of the Chimwaga premises in 1992.
However, these premises were later allocated to support the University of Dodoma (UDOM), now the country’s largest university.
After years without progress on a new headquarters, on June 26, 2024, CCM’s Central Committee proposed the construction of a new facility, a move unanimously approved on June 30.
President Samia then directed that construction begin immediately, aiming for completion by the party’s golden jubilee in 2027.
“This directive brought us here today. Given the progress already made, the building will be finished by 2027,” he said.
The new headquarters will include a large conference hall for 500 people, a smaller auditorium with 150 seats, offices for party leaders, a modern restaurant, parking space, and a helipad for helicopter landings.
Meanwhile, CCM is holding its Extraordinary General Meeting today at the JKCC in Dodoma. Key agenda items include approval of the CCM Election Manifesto for 2025–2030 and reviewing implementation reports of the 2020–2025 manifesto from both the Union and Zanzibar governments.
The meeting brings together about 2,000 delegates from across the country and 700 invited guests, including senior government officials, institutions and international observers.
The General Meeting follows the Central Committee session held on May 26 and the NEC meeting held on Wednesday.
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