KIKWETE’S PICK FOR NEW CAG DRAWS WIDESPREAD PRAISE

The appointment of Prof Mussa Assad as the new Controller and Auditor General (CAG) has been warmly received by a broad cross-section of Tanzanians who agree he is qualified to execute the demanding duties of the office.

A statement from State House says his appointment came into effect on November 5 and he will be sworn in today by President Jakaya Kikwete.

In September this year, The Citizen revealed that three names were at the table of President Kikwete to pick and fill the vacant position of CAG, and one of them was Prof Assad’s.

The 53-year-old Prof is taking over the topmost position at the National Audit Office of Tanzania (NAOT) from Mr Ludovick Utouh who leaves behind a string of achievements.

Many will remember Mr Utouh for being a steadfastly dedicated man who served the nation well. It is essentially during his tenure as CAG that reports from his office started to be issued for heated debates in Parliament.

It was during his tenure–and with the express approval of President Kikwete – that CAG reports, which started to be published almost immediately after their compilation, became public documents.

Now according to observers who spoke with The Citizen yesterday, Prof Assad was the right choice for the office, describing him as a principled professional and a no-nonsense person, qualities needed for a good CAG.

Up to his appointment, Prof Assad was teaching at the Accounting Department of the University of Dar es Salaam’s Business School (UDBS).

The Dean of UDBS Prof Wineaster Anderson said it was an honour for the school and university to produce a CAG and said she is confident that he will perform in his new responsibilities.

“Well, he is no Ludovick Utouh, but since Mr Utouh did a wonderful job people would want to compare the two... many of us at UDBS believe he’ll do a great job as CAG. He is a principled academician. When you trace his work, especially consultancies, you will see that he is qualified for the job,” she said.

Furthermore, up to his fresh appointment, he was the chair with the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA), his vice chairperson at the board, Mr Yona Killagane, said that he is confident that Prof Assad is the right man for the demanding job.

“He is a qualified professional accountant; well experienced across Africa…He has also good interpersonal relationship to get things done within the timeframe…I have high confidence in Prof Assad,” he said.