JPM urges court action for dissatisfied parties
However, being commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the president was quick to declare guaranteed peace and security in any part of the nation, be it Dodoma, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar or Pemba.
“Electoral bodies worldwide are independent and their decisions are binding and free from intereference. I shall remain silent on the Zanzibar issue and those in need of legal interpretation of the Zanzibar political standoff should go to court. Security organs are stable to make sure that peace and stability are maintained,” Magufuli explained.
The president made the clarification in Dar es Salaam yesterday when addressing the nation through the city elders and took the opportunity to garner support by the public for the ongoing crackdown on corrupt elements behind massive tax evasion and embezzlement of public funds.
Talking about the Zanzibar political impasse, the president referred to the controversy which emerged shortly after the October 25 elections whereby the main opposition party in the Isles, the Civic United Front (CUF), claimed that its candidate had won before the electoral body made the official announcement according to the law. As a result, ZEC chairman Jecha Salum Jecha announced nullification of the election on October 28, last year.
Of late, ZEC has declared March 20, 2016, the day for a rerun of the poll, but CUF has categorically rejected the idea, saying it would not take part in the election, demanding adherence to the results of the first election which local, regional and foreign observers described as free and fair.
Commenting on the government’s determination to fight corruption, president Magufuli said a few individuals who siphoned the country’s resources would not be spared and any obstruction to their (government) operation would be met forcibly.
“You trusted us and voted for us to become your leaders. We are determined to work diligently for a new Tanzania which is endowed with resources which should benefit all the people. In fact, we are supposed to be a donor country and not a begging one.
“Pray for us as we ‘pierce the boils’ (uproot corruption). There are a few individuals who will be hurt in the course of doing so, but these are the ones who benefited from public sweat at the expense of the nation,” Magufuli remarked.
As for investment opportunities, the president underscored the importance of sustainable peace and stability for both local and foreign investors to open up business for the country’s socio-economic well-being.
“Government support for investors, both local and foreign, is guaranteed. Tanzania cannot develop without revenue,” he emphasized.
He also recognized the contribution of the media in exposed ills in government and other spheres, calling on outlets not harp on blaming the government.
“This is our country which we should work together to develop for the benefit of the entire population.
We (government) read with keen interest what is reported in the media and take action accordingly. The media exposed the rot at the port and we acted promptly,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassa; Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa; Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Meck Sadiki; chairman of Dar es Salaam Elders Hemed Mkali, cabinet ministers and other invited government officials and the general public.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
No comments :
Post a Comment