The Commander-in-Chief of Tanzania’s armed forces, President John Pombe Magufuli, has commended the performance of the Tanzania People's Defence Forces (TPDF), saying they were ready for any warfare.
The commander-in-chief also assured the force that he would review TPDF's remunerations, while promising to utilize the force in nation building.
"We feel safe and secure by the force’s presence. It is very clear that we are ready for any war," said President Magufuli yesterday while winding up a seven-day Land Force Command Military Exercise in Monduli.
Donning military fatigues, President Magufuli said the drill exhibited by army troops during the exercise was a clear indication of how TPDF was ready in the case of war.
"I’m thrilled with what I have seen today. I commend you as you continue safeguarding our borders and territory," the president said.
According to him, TPDF had gained global acclaim for its role in safeguarding and upholding peace and security.The president singled out peace missions that TPDF had carried out in Darfur, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Lebanon as testament to how strong and vigilant the force was.
President Magufuli, who was on several occasions nostalgic about his days in National Service, where he served under force number R 2727, also promised to revive the Tanzania Automotive Technology Centre, a military research and innovation centre based at Kibaha in Coast region, which is also referred to as Nyumbu, noting that it was not well utilized by previous regimes.
"I must admit that Nyumbu was not well utilized in the past, which is why I'm determined to capitalize on it in developing the country," pledged the president.
Magufuli said he yearned to see the army become self-dependent in the manufacture of military uniforms, adding that the move would cut unnecessary expenditure of having to order from overseas.
He said he would make better use of the force in the construction of roads and other infrastructure.
Meanwhile, President Magufuli assured soldiers that he would review their remuneration, saying he was satisfied with their dignified service to the nation.
In the same vein, the commander-in-chief authorized enrolment of some National Service and militia youths who participated in the military exercise, which was greeted with thunderous applause from the men and women in uniform.
For his part, Minister for Defence and National Service, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, assured the president that TPDF was ever ready to protect the country, irrespective of budgetary constraints it faced.
“We fully understand how expensive it is to manage such a force, but that will not stop us from ever vigilant in safeguarding our borders,” he said.
The seven-day military exercise aimed at beefing up the soldiers’ readiness in a state of war, according to the minister.
The Land Force Command Military exercise involved the infantry, support weapons, tanks and reserve forces.
The president will wind up his three-day official visit to Arusha by commissioning officers at the Tanzania Military Academy in Monduli today.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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