AfricaPress-Tanzania: LEKA dutigite! Let us feel proud, the mammoth crowd literally sang amid deafening applause.
CCM presidential candidate Dr John Magufuli, unarguably, felt the Kigoma pride and walked out of the Lake Tanganyika Stadium a proud man after yet another compelling campaign rally.
It’s normal in election times to witness passionate crowds but there is certainly more to JPM’s mesmerizing aura with electorates. Probably it is his track record, which speaks volumes.
His no-nonsense public service delivery has more than endeared him to Tanzanians and galvanised the ruling party. Such is Magufuli’s comparative advantage in the presidential race.
While his rivals need to prove their case at least through tempting manifestos, Dr Magufuli’s outstanding performance in his first term in office cements his quest for second term.
He boasts two key weapons; the promises he delivered in his first term and the new 2020/2015 CCM manifesto. While the fo mer explains why voters have been flocking his rallies, the latter encompasses fresh hopes.
He paraded both with excellence before the full packed soccer venue.
One of his government’s notable achievements has been massive improvements of the infrastructure sector, industriously picking up from where the previous regime had finished.
He underscored the pivotal role the sector plays in accelerating economic revolution in the country.
Dr Magufuli told the crowd that improving the nation’s roads, ports and airport infrastructure is critical for improving the country’s internal and external trade.
He cited revival of water transport in Lake Tanganyika as a key component for economic growth to Kigoma region and the nation at large.
The CCM presidential candidate insisted that if re-elected in the October 28 polls, his government will focus on building the economy of Kigoma Region and the entire western zone by boosting businesses at the port, reviving and strengthening oil palm cultivation.
Addressing a campaign rally at Lake Tanganyika grounds in Kigoma municipality, Dr Magufuli said his government is looking forward to implement various projects that will revive transport services in Lake Tanganyika.
He said at least 10bn/- have been allocated for the renovation of the oldest vessels in the country, MV Liemba while 6bn/- has been allocated for the renovation of MV Sangara.
The government has also allocated fund for the construction of two new vessels, one with the capacity to carry 600 passengers and 400 tonnes of cargo per day while another one is designed to transport 4000 tonnes per day.
“We are taking a new direction, our aim is to build a new Kigoma,” he said.
According to Dr Magufuli, upon completion of construction and renovation of vessels in Lake Tanganyika, the residents of Kigoma and Tanzanians in general will manage to engage in various businesses with neighbouring country and thus participate fully in the country’s economic growth.
He said the construction of new vessels and renovation of others are going in line with the construction of big port office and warehouse at Kigoma port.
Moreover, Dr Magufuli said his government is looking forward to expand Kigoma Airport, build a modern passengers lounge and runway lights.
“We are going to expand Kigoma airport so that it could accommodate big flights such as airbus and many others, we are changing Kigoma,” said Dr Magufuli.
On road construction, the Presidential candidate said his government is strategising to open up the region to international businesses through road network.
He said roads in Kigoma will be connected to an international road from South Sudan to South Africa through six countries.
He said over 500bn/- are set to be used in the construction of roads and other related infrastructures in the region in the coming five years.
Dr Magufuli said in the past five years, his government constructed over 15.13 kilometres of tarmac road, installed roadside lights and constructed drainage system in Kigoma municipality.
He said the project was implemented under Tanzania Strategic Cities Project, which is funded by the World Bank. He said the project cost stood at 31.19bn/-.
The project also involved other regions across the country, they include Mwanza, Tanga, Mbeya, Mtwara (Mikindani), Dodoma and Arusha.
On agriculture, Dr Magufuli said if re-elected, his government will continue with its effort to boost oil palm farming.
“Our aim is to see oil palm becoming a source of income to Kigoma resident and the nation at large, we are strategising for major changes in the agriculture sector in this region,” he noted.
The Kigoma region accounts for more than 80 per cent of the palm oil produced in the country and have the potential to make Tanzania one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of palm oil due to its soils and weather.
Yesterday, Dr Magufuli said plans were in progress to engage in massive cultivation of the crop.
Dr Magufuli said in the past five years, his government managed to implement major big project in the region and that the plans for implementing more are clearly stipulated in the party’s 2020-2025 manifesto.
“We are currently finalising the implementation of big water project from Lake Tanganyika and it has reached 95 per cent,’ he said.
Dr Magufuli added that upon the completion of the project, it will be able to pump 40million litres of water per day. However, the actual need of water for Kigoma is only 20million litres per day.
In enhancing education provision, the presidential candidate said the government built 383 classrooms, 38 teachers’ houses and employed 1728 new teachers in Kigoma region in the past five years. He promised to continue offering free education.
