Sunday, July 13, 2008

Will Tanzania’s capital

ever shift to Dodoma?



Dodoma, Tanzania is the seat of government. The Parliament (Bunge) buildings are very futuristic with beautiful grounds and well guarded. The building with the spire is where Parliament convenes. The wall surrounding the complex has vey interesting and unusual ironwork, arched frames and training Bougainville.



The future of Tanzania in determined behind these walls. The city becomes very crowded when the President, staff and members are in town.

Photo: Chama Cha Watanzania Archives.



By KARL LYIMO
lyimok@gmail.com

Shifting the capital of Tanzania from Dar-es-Salaam to Dodoma is one of the longest government projects in the country’s 47-year post-independence history. It must also be one of the most erratic wishy-washy affairs.

The project was initiated by the late President Julius Nyerere in 1972, who liked Dodoma for its central location. The hope was that, centrally-basing the government and related public institutions — including diplomatic missions, international organisations and Tanzania’s development partners — would speed up national socio-economic development.

AFTER YEARS OF FALSE STARTS, THE project’s implementation seemed to take off in 1993. But, not for long. Successive governments under Presidents Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Benjamin Mkapa never particularly distinguished themselves in keeping the project rolling.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Kama Bunge liko Dodoma kwa nini ishindikane kuhamia kwa serikali nzima? Rais akiamua kuhamishia Ikulu iwe Dodoma sijui kama kuna waziri yeyote atapinga hilo. Watamfuata Rais na wengine wote watafuatia....