Africa-Press – Tanzania. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, has called on Tanzanians to uphold love, unity, and cooperation for the greater good of the community and the nation at large.
Speaking during the climax of the 61st Union anniversary celebrations held at Kilombero grounds in Arusha Municipality on Saturday, Dr Biteko reminded citizens of the values upon which the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar was founded by the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and the late Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume — namely unity, peace, cooperation, and mutual respect.
He urged Tanzanians to preserve and build on these foundations in order to honour the Union.
“Let us work together to develop Arusha. Remember, leadership is temporary, and we will one day leave our positions. Therefore, let us leave a good legacy for future generations,” said Dr Biteko.
As the nation heads towards the General Election in October 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the importance of tolerance and respect among citizens, advising political leaders to campaign based on issues rather than exploiting religious or other differences.
“Let us not misuse our diversity for political gain. No one should seek votes by sowing division in churches or mosques. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has sworn to protect the Union with utmost vigilance,” he stressed.
Dr Biteko also urged citizens to safeguard the country’s peace, noting that without peace, there can be no business or development.
Highlighting the achievements of the sixth-phase government under President Samia’s leadership, Dr Biteko said numerous projects have been implemented in Arusha Region over the past four years, including the improvement of road infrastructure, such as the Arusha-Namanga road linking Tanzania and Kenya.
He also cited Arusha’s strategic development plans, including hosting the headquarters of the East African Community (EAC) and other international institutions like the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Moreover, the Deputy Prime Minister commended the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) for its commendable work in implementing power projects.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that electricity reaches all citizens.
To promote clean cooking energy, Dr Biteko distributed 500 gas cylinders to food vendors, encouraging them to become ambassadors for clean energy in their communities.
Meanwhile, Arusha Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda said the region had already received 1,000 gas cylinders and stoves for distribution to small-scale food vendors.
He revealed that the government plans to support small traders through a special fund of 10bn/- and requested that the Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, officiate its launch in Arusha.
He further said that President Samia is committed to boosting Arusha’s development through various projects aimed at spurring economic growth, including a 70-kilometre bypass road, a modern railway linking Dar es Salaam to Tanga, and an inland dry port with a capacity to store 600 vehicles.
Arusha Urban Member of Parliament Mrisho Gambo also expressed gratitude to President Samia for major developments in the constituency, including a mega water project, the construction of five new secondary schools, several primary schools, and a 286bn/- modern stadium.
He also appealed to the Arusha Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (AUWSA) to fast-track the installation of water meters in remote areas.
Presenting a report on the Arusha Water Supply and Sanitation Project, AUWSA Chief Executive Officer Engineer Justine Rujomba said the project, funded by the government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) at a cost of 520bn/- is now producing over 200 million litres of water daily against a demand of 139 million litres.
Engineer Rujomba noted that the project has significantly boosted water access, increased customer connections to 100,000, enhanced wastewater treatment capacity, and created over 2,000 jobs, including for women.
Additionally, Engineer Japhari Msuya, Project Manager for the Njiro Electricity Substation Expansion, said the new transformer with a capacity of 90MVA has raised the station’s capacity to 210MVA, strengthening power supply in the northern regions and opening up economic opportunities in tourism, industry, and trade.
Representing the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Union Coordinator Mr Tumsifu Mwasamale congratulated Arusha Region’s leadership for effectively organizing the Union celebrations, which this year were directed to be conducted among citizens.
Dr Biteko concluded his five-day working tour in the region by inspecting, inaugurating, and planting commemorative trees at development projects across Monduli, Longido, Arumeru, and Arusha Urban Districts, as part of the 61st Union anniversary activities.
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