Six Staff Members Suspended From AICC – Tanzania

Arusha: Six staff members, including three directors, have been placed on temporary leave by the Arusha International Conference Center (AICC) until an investigation into the charges against them is conducted.

As per the media briefing provided by AICC Communications Division Head Freddy Maro today, Tuesday, April 8, 2024, the directors and senior officers were placed on leave of absence starting on April 3, 2024.

The individuals named in the statement are Mkunde Mushi, the director of meetings and marketing, Savo Mung’ong’o, the director of property and projects, and Victor Kamagenge, the director of finance and administration.

The others are Augustine Karadoga, Chief Accountant, Festo Mramba, Head of Human Resources, and Catherine Kilinda, Manager, Julius Nyerere International Conference Center (JNICC).

“The three directors and several senior officers have been placed on temporary leave while investigations into multiple charges against them, including breaking public organization operating guidelines, are conducted.

“Other procedures regarding this investigation will be issued later in accordance with the law, rules and procedures of the public service,” stated the statement.

Furthermore, the statement stated that this is how public institutions normally operate.

AICC’s new executive director, Christine Mwakatobe, was named by President Samia Suluhu Hassan a few days before to the implementation of these measures.

Christine replaced Ephraim Mafuru, who was named Director General of the Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB) by President Samia on March 15, 2024. Mafuru was appointed on February 9, 2023, and held that role for almost a year.

Mwakatobe oversaw Kilimanjaro International Airport Development Company (Kadco) for a year and a half starting on September 1, 2022, before to being transferred to AICC.

Seven months have passed since President Samia sent out a notice to senior executives of government agencies, requesting that they carry out their duties and conduct themselves in a professional manner in order to increase national production.

On August 19, 2023, President Samia made this statement to begin a working session of chief executive officers and board chairmen of governmental institutions and organizations. Board members, ministers, secretaries, and other executives were also present.

Instead of these companies remaining reliant on the government, President Samia stated that the CEOs of these companies need to adopt a new perspective, perform professionally, and eventually boost revenue and productivity for the country.

Speaking about the nation’s institutions and public organizations, President Samia also discussed how they have contributed to “eating pleasure when they don’t seem to be productive for the Government.”

The Minister of Personnel added, “Organizations have been a place to enjoy, which is why we were chatting; when we talk about these organizations, there is a war in my opinion.

“What’s wrong? Everyone wants to go from the government to the organizations. Good benefits and good pay, but the government is not productive; we must alter immediately, my brothers; we can’t continue this way.”

In order for the government to raise capital and help the institutions and organizations become more productive, President Samia has encouraged them to eliminate the reasons for their poor performance.