Newly elected Tanzania National Assembly Speaker Job Ndugai has pledged to ensure that all MPs get fair treatment and that he would lead the House to deliver and support the government in bringing about development.

Mr Ndugai, who was sworn in as the seventh Speaker of the 11th Parliament Tuesday, vowed to work hard and diligently to deliver the fifth government’s expectations. He garnered a total of 254 votes out of 365 votes, which was equivalent to 70 per cent of the total votes.

“I would like to promise you that the 11th parliament will go down in history as a Parliament of its own, I will make sure every MP gets fair treatment according to the law and parliamentary standing orders,” he said.

Mr Ndugai was contesting for the position along with other seven contenders from different political parties. They include Mr Hashim Rungwe from Chama Cha Umma (Chaumma), Dr Godfrey Malissa from Chama Cha Kijamii (CCK), Dr Goodluck Ole-Medeye from Chadema and Mr Peter Sarungi of Alliance for Tanzania Farmers Party (AFP).

Others were Mr Hassan Almas from National Reconstruction Party (NRA), Mr Richard Lyimo of Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) and Mr Robert Kisinini of Democratic Party (DP).

Mr Ndugai, who served as the deputy speaker in the 10th Parliament, said the House had a big task ahead since millions of Tanzanians expected it to support development and offer oversight to the government.

“I would like to assure President John Magufuli that I will work hard and lead this Parliament to deliver and support the government in bringing about development,” said Mr Ndugai.

“I know the importance of this institution, I understand that people expect us to help in eradicating poverty, we must work together regardless our political affiliation so that our nation could move forward,” he said.

Mr Ndugai also asked for support from all former Speakers.

He asked all MPs regardless their political background and political ideologies to work together for the interests of the nation and wananchi in general.

Mr Ndugai promised all MPs that he will be fair and that every MP will be treated equally and by following requirements of the House Standing Orders.

The new Speaker also sworn-in MPs to flag-off the 11th Parliament that will serve for next five years to 2020.

Mr Ndugai becomes the seventh Speaker of the National Assembly after Ms Anne Makinda from 2010 to August 2015.

The first Speaker was Chief Adam Sapi Mkwawa who led the House from 1962 to 1973 and from 1975 to 1994. He succeeded Abdulkarim Yusufali Alibhai Karimjee who served as a speaker of Tanganyika National Assembly from January, 1956 to December 1962.

Other speakers were Chief Erasto Mang’enya who led the Parliament from 1973 to 1975, Mr Pius Msekwa from 1994 to 2005, Mr Samweli Sitta from 2005 to 2010.