He said that exporting unprocessed products was one of the factors that made the country fail to fully benefit from its agricultural produces and natural resources.
Addressing Dodoma residents at a campaign rally on Wednesday, the candidate said that it was difficult to record economic development without setting up processing industries to add value to locally made products before exportation.
He told the residents that he would push for the establishment of grapevine factories in the region to make farmers have reliable markets and reap fairly from the activity. He affirmed that reducing the current poverty level, standing at 28 per cent, would depend much on how fully the country utilises its resources.
To achieve this, Dr Magufuli told voters that he was going to direct the creation of an investor friendly environment to attract investors. “It is illogical to see that we export raw leather and other produces and at the same time importing shoes made out of our leather; we can’t develop without having our own factories,” he noted.
He noted that if elected, he will push for revival or establishment of factories in every region to make sure that local produces are either value-added or are used to manufacture products for both domestic consumption and exportation.Available statistics show that the country exports nearly 90pc of its produces in raw forms, with the candidate insisting that no development would be realised if the situation is left unchecked.
The 56-year old no-nonsense politician and cabinet minister of 20 years said that he is eyeing creation of employment opportunities from the current nine per cent to 40, noting that the vision would be possible only by fully industrialising the country.
He further cautioned that all factories, which were privatised but have since ceased production should immediately start working -- otherwise they will be repossessed by the government straight away.
Dr Magufuli also warned unnecessary bureaucracy in government offices, directing relevant authorities that under his regime the ‘come tomorrow syndrome’ would be done away with.
Meanwhile, his running mate, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan, has promised the construction of three jetties for the Musoma Port should they be elected to the top posts of the land during next month’s general election.
Addressing a public rally at Mwisenge Grounds here yesterday, Ms Samia said jetties for the Musoma Port will be constructed at Ntama, Lushamba and Kiyamkwiki in the next five years.
“The election manifesto makes clear our plan to construct the jetties to facilitate smooth business operations in these areas, taking into consideration the strategic economic condition with the neighbouring countries,’’ she said.
Ms Samia said the jetties will ease transportation of goods as well as other services to the public to improve their welfare. The running mate told a packed rally that in the next four months, water problems will be history as a number of projects to ensure supply will be completed.
“In the next four months, the water hardships will be history; women will have time to spend their time for other activities instead of searching for water”, she assured the rally.
Ms Samia also pledged the completion of Musoma Dispensary, which will be equipped with the needed equipment, staff as well as medicine so that people can have reliable health services.
She promised to work on their request to make the Mwisenge Health Centre operate for 24-hours due to increasing demand as a result of increased population. Moreover, she said, the maternity and paediatric wards undergo a facelift to ensure quality services.
Ms Samia insisted on the need for municipalities to ensure that 30 per cent of tenders are given to young entrepreneurs in their areas as part of economic empowerment initiatives as well as serving as a means to check unemployment.
She said that Mwisenge Secondary School will be upgraded to a high school, adding that proper procedures should be followed to attain that end. Ms Samia also said they also plan to construct the Tanga- Arusha-Musoma railway line, the ultimate goal being to ensure reliable goods and passenger transportation in the country.
/Daily News.
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