Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE ruling CHAMA Cha Mapinduzi has pledged that within the next five years it will complete the construction of the electric Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, which passes through Itigi District in Singida Region.
The SGR project stretches from Dodoma to Tabora, Mwanza and Kigoma.
CCM presidential running mate, Ambassador Emmanuel Nchimbi, made the pledge on Wednesday while addressing supporters at a campaign rally in Itigi.
“When President Samia took office, she pledged to continue the construction of the modern Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), and today we are witnessing rapid progress on the project. The railway passes through Itigi, and once completed, the Itigi SGR station is expected to stimulate business, create jobs and boost the local economy,” he said.
Ambassador Nchimbi said the SGR is not merely a transport project, but a development engine linking the central and western regions of Tanzania, facilitating the transportation of agricultural produce, livestock and other goods at affordable prices.
He noted that the ongoing construction of the modern railway is among the major projects directly transforming the lives of people in the area. The envoy added that in the past four and a half years, the government has continued to implement the project at a remarkable pace, with progress made so far being encouraging, as the section passing through Itigi has reached its final stages.
He stated that construction work is progressing with high quality and emphasised that the CCM government has implemented robust strategies to ensure the project is completed within the planned timeframe.
The ruling party, he said, is also determined to implement other major projects across key sectors including health, education, water, agriculture, livestock, mining, manufacturing, transport and energy.
Ambassador Nchimbi stressed that CCM is committed to maintaining the development pace set by President Samia Suluhu Hassan over the past four and a half years.
In a related development, he said the party recognises agriculture as the backbone of the nation.
He revealed that the next government plans to establish affordable agricultural equipment rental centres, construct grain storage warehouses and strengthen irrigation schemes to enable farmers to depend on permanent water sources instead of rain-fed farming.
Furthermore, he said CCM plans to construct 16 new dispensaries and 10 new health centres in Ikungi District, as well as complete the construction of 19 houses for health workers.
On transforming the education sector, Dr Nchimbi said the party will build 11 new primary schools and seven new secondary schools, 140 new classrooms in existing schools and 21 teachers’ houses.
In Itigi District alone, he said, six new primary schools and four new secondary schools will be completed, alongside the construction of 18 new dormitories.
Ambassador Nchimbi further stated that the government is actively implementing major water projects, including the one connecting Singida to the Lake Victoria water system, which is expected to increase rural water access from 50 per cent to 80 per cent in Itigi and from 73 to 85 per cent in Ikungi.
Moreover, he said CCM will completely address the problem of unstable electricity supply by constructing a substation and distribution station in Itigi.
Dr Nchimbi added that since Singida holds a significant position in the industrial economy, the next government plans to establish sunflower oil, animal feed, meat processing and agricultural produce industries in Ikungi and Itigi districts.
Regarding the mining sector, he said the CCM manifesto places great emphasis on small-scale miners, noting that President Samia has already issued 835 new licences to small-scale miners in the region.
For his part, Minister for Finance and Iramba West Parliamentary aspirant, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, urged residents of Singida to turn out in large numbers to vote, stressing that CCM is ready to deliver.
He commended President Samia for demonstrating strong leadership and accountability in steering the nation’s development and for increasing funding for key projects including roads, schools and water infrastructure.
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