THIS northern Tanzania seaside city, once the country’s second largest after Dar es Salaam, with its port a throbbing outlet for the economic-viable sisal exports, is set to regain its lost glory, thanks to the pledge by CCM Union presidential candidate, Dr John Magufuli, to transform the city into an industrial and business hub it had once been.
“I envision a city that is once again bustling with much economic activity and a strong metropolitan," stated Dr Magufuli when addressing a well-attended campaign rally in Muheza, about 38 kilometres from Tanga City, yesterday.
The presidential hopeful on the ruling party ticket said he remembered the days when Tanga used to be the country’s melting pot, attracting Tanzanians from all walks of life due to the region's vibrant economy.
Dr Magufuli told the rally that his government would come out with good plans and appropriate strategies to ensure the success of the plan. ‘’Having worked in the government for 20 years, I would be able to deliver on the promise,’’ he added.He also pledged to address the chronic water problem in Muheza Town by fully utilising the Zigi River source. Meanwhile, addressing a rally in Pangani, Dr Magufuli said his government would continue to invest in infrastructure development to ensure the whole country is connected to a reliable road network.
He told the rally that construction to bituminous standard of the more than 170 kilometre-road connecting Tanga, Pangani, Saadani to Bagamoyo will start next year while feasibility study and detailed design for the construction of a bridge across Pangani River had also been completed.
The presidential candidate reiterated his plans to woo investors to invest in fish processing plants along the Tanga, Dar es Salaam and Mtwara coastline to promote the fishing industry in the country. “We should be able to process our abundant fish locally to fetch more foreign currency instead of exporting it in raw form," he remarked.
Addressing thousands of Tanga residents who thronged the Tangamano Grounds here, Dr Magufuli once again pledged to transform Tanga Port and the railway infrastructure so that the city lives up to its billing. He noted that revival of the infrastructures should generate more employment opportunities for the residents.
In another development, the ruling party presidential candidate vowed to act tough and take to task corrupt officials, insisting that he would oversee formation of a special court to deal with them.
The Tanga rally was not without drama as a number of people fainted and had to receive first aid treatment due to suffocation at the fully packed grounds. The crowd was described as one of the biggest to have attended a campaign rally in the city in recent years.
A number of artistes, including Diamond Platinumz, Ali Akiba, Chege & Temba, Yamoto Band and Mzee Yussuf of Taarab music fame, were also in attendance to colour the event.
Meanwhile, CCM Union presidential running mate, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan, yesterday started her second leg of her campaign trail in Nyasa District, Ruvuma Region, claiming there is a plot to threaten and scare people from voting during the general election.
The CCM presidential running mate, who travelled more than 160 kilometres from Songea to Tingi village to speak at a campaign rally, said that some people plan to intimidate voters, especially women, from going to vote during the October 25 polls. She encouraged the public to go to polling stations and vote for CCM without fear because the government will protect them from any kinds of threats.
"We are privy to information that some people plan to threaten voters, especially women, so that they don’t turn up at polling stations to vote. I assure you that the government will provide maximum security and protection; so do not fear.
Go and vote for Dr John Pombe Magufuli, “Ms Samia told the cheering crowd. Ms Samia was welcomed by songs and banners saying ‘’Mama Samia, we promise you our votes on October 25, 2015’’.
She said Dr Magufuli has been diligent, hard working and has never entertained corruption or corrupt officials in all the ministries he has been assigned to. "He is a public servant who stands for and protects interests of the public.
He has built the country's road network and once I tell him about the Tingi Road, he will put it in plans to have it upgraded," she explained. On the 50m/- for each village that will be allocated by the fifth-phase government if elected, Ms Samia said they have decided to use the money to establish small industries, according to the needs of the village instead of handing the money to village community banks (VICOBA ) and SACCOS, which might not reach the targeted group, women and youth.
Ms Samia also revealed that all villages in Ruvuma Region are among villages that will be covered in the Second Phase of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), whose implementation is set to be completed within the next one and a half or two years if her party is voted into power next month.
She added that her government will also establish coffee processing industries and maize mills to add value to the crops mostly cultivated in the region to fetch better prices. She also promised more agricultural inputs in the region, having being told that there is an input scarcity.
"The feasibility study for Mbamba Bay has been completed. Vote for Dr Magufuli in the forthcoming elections and Mbamba Bay road will be built to bituminous standards," she added. Earlier on her way to Tingi, Ms Samia stopped to greet the public at Kingirikiti village where she promised remaining challenges that were not completed in the Fourth Phase government will be completed in the Fifth Phase government.
The Nyasa Constituency parliamentary candidate, Ms Stella Manyanya, pledged at the rally that she will be knocking at the CCM presidential running mate's office often to make sure the development promises are fulfilled.
Ms Samia will address campaign rallies in Ruvuma Region before travelling to Mtwara Region later today where she will be holding more campaign rallies in rural areas.
/Daily News.
No comments :
Post a Comment