JK: Break out of ’local’ mentality, think big
 
2006-08-24 08:48:04
By Adam Ihucha and Paul Sarwatt, Arusha

	President Jakaya Kikwete

President Jakaya Kikwete has directed local government officials in the country to adapt to the African Renaissance Spirit that requires everyone to accept the need for change in leadership.

Renaissance, which he defined as a rebirth, refers to the rebirth of art and literature in Roman Empire between the 14th and 16th centuries.

’’Our country is poor by any standards. We now need to move fast in bringing about reforms in the form of development,’’Kikwete said during the official opening of a five-day retreat for local government leaders from all over the country.

’’The fourth phase government will give zero-tolerance to indecisive regional or district commissioners.

We need creative people because that is the most important element of any leader,’’ the President said in his two-hour speech at a hotel, some 25 kilometres northeast of Arusha.

He said every regional commissioner (RC), regional administrative secretary (RAS) and district commissioners (DC) should get involved in bringing about reforms in leadership for the common folks to feel changes in form of development.

’’We prefer results-oriented leaders, you must ask yourselves about the kind of legacy you would like the society to remember you for,’’ he said, adding, ’’I would like you all to be remembered for delivering services to the people.’’

Kikwete further said that RCs and DCs should serve as both leaders and administrators, if they are to earn respect from people.

’’You will for sure forgive me for borrowing an analogy from the army, where a leader is supposed to determine the direction his troops will go.

The administrator’s role is to utilise human and other resources to achieve his goal,’’ Kikwete said.

The President said the leaders must be facilitators and not hitches to people’s development.

’’We won’t entertain arrogant leaders; you must create good rapport with people. Listen to their problems and solve them’’.
 He, however, reminded the

• SOURCE: Guardian