AfricaPress-Tanzania: FORMER President Mzee Ali Hassan Mwinyi has described the late President John Magufuli as a man of action.
Speaking on Friday after the requiem mass held at Magufuli grounds in Chato district, Geita region on Friday, Mzee Mwinyi said the late Magufuli walked his talk in any promise he made.
He said during his lifetime, the late President Magufuli succeeded to build a good number of roads, connecting the country’s regions with tarmac roads.
“He was a man of follow-ups, who didn’t give up, who respected the poor and voiceless and who brought quick development to Tanzanians.”
“The late Magufuli did a lot of things that astonished the world. He improved investment and trade environment through a number of ways, including reviving the national carrier and restoring flight routes,” he said.
He said his down-toearth attitude earned the late President Magufuli high respect among ordinary people, especially small petty traders and food vendors.
“The departed Magufuli cared for ordinary people, including ‘machingas and food vendors (Mama Ntilie) by protecting their businesses all the time,” he said.
In the past, Mzee Mwinyi said petty traders used to be hunted like birds by council guards until the late Magufuli came to power when he came up with special arrangement to defend them.
Through the new arrangement that involved the use of identity cards, petty traders were allowed to carry out their activities without any interference.
Mzee Mwinyi also spoke of the courage that the late President Magufuli was endowed with, singling out the bold decision to transfer the government headquarters to Dodoma as one of the living examples. Mr Mwinyi also expressed his trust and hope on the newly sworn-in President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, saying she will definitely fulfil the dreams that the late President Magufuli had.
“He has gone, but left you for us. You were his close and immediate assistant, whatever he intended is what you intend. You know what has been done and what is going to be done. We all pray for you so that you can smoothly lead the country,” he said.
