EUPHORIA has gripped Arusha residents ahead of President John Magufuli’s first visit to the city after his election.
The President arrives in the city this afternoon for a three day state visit of the region. During his visit, President Magufuli is expected to commission officers at the Tanzania Military Academy in Monduli on Saturday.
According to Arusha Regional Commissioner Felix Ntibenda, the plane carrying president Magufuli is due to touch down at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) at 1400hrs today and his motorcade will proceed to the regional State House in Arusha.
“All is set for the arrival of President Magufuli, I urge Arusha residents to turn up in large numbers to welcome the Head of State,” Ntibenda said.
The Regional Commissioner said security has been beefed up with extra security personnel manning the city which has for the last few days being experiencing spells of heavy downpour.
Magufuli’s Arusha visit will be the first since he assumed the top most office in November 5 last year. It will also be of particular interest to Arusha, a region which is an opposition stronghold.
Magufuli’s Arusha visit will be the first since he assumed the top most office in November 5 last year. It will also be of particular interest to Arusha, a region which is an opposition stronghold.
However, a cross section of Arusha residents interviewed by The Guardian said they are not aware of the high profile visit to the tourism circuit but was still upbeat over his arrival.
“I’m not aware of his visit to Arusha but we should count ourselves lucky this time,” mused Joachim Mlay, a businessman in the city.
Mama Lukumay, a vegetable seller at city market was equally jubilant of the visit saying it will help address key issues in the region.
“If he is really coming then we hope that the usual harassments we get from city militias will come to an end,” she said.
For the better part of last week, the city’s Uzunguni area was abuzz with activity with security personnel from the Police Force and the intelligence unit manning the area where the regional State House is located.
Of interest was also the refurbishment being done on the building that will house the Chief of Armed forces when he arrives today.
Sources privy to the president’s visit confided to The Guardian that the Regional Police Commander Liberatus Sabas was busy in meetings to ensure that the president has a pleasant stay in the region. True to the information, his phone was busy for the better part of yesterday and until we went to print he was not reachable for comments.
President Magufuli’s austerity measures have not only impressed Tanzanians but neighbouring countries as well with many praising his curb of frugality sparing the government huge sums of money.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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