Africa-Press – Tanzania. CCM presidential candidate Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has unveiled plans to transform Katavi Region into a key western corridor for regional integration, driven by major investments in rail, port and road infrastructure.
The investment aims to strengthen connectivity between Tanzania and neighbouring countries of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi and Zambia.
Addressing a campaign rally at the CCM Azimio Stadium in Mpanda Municipality yesterday, Dr Samia said the CCM government, if re-elected, will complete and expand strategic infrastructure projects among them the Karema Port, Kaliua–Mpanda railway and key trunk roads to open new trade routes and boost regional commerce.
She said the 47bn/- Karema Port on the shores of Lake Tanganyika will serve as a gateway for cargo and passenger movement between Tanzania Zambia.
The project, she said, is progressing alongside the construction of four new cargo ships on Lake Tanganyika. “By 2030 we want to see major trade from the DRC flowing through this port,” she said.
On rail connectivity, Dr Samia said design work for the 210-kilometre Kaliua–Mpanda line has been completed, reducing travel time from seven hours to about three.
She added that road construction is also advancing, including the 250-kilometre Mpanda– Vikonge–Luhafwe–Mishapu– Uvinza–Kanyani road, now 15.7 per cent complete. “I promise that we will speed up this strategic route,” she assured.
Other priorities, she said, include the Mpanda–Ugala– Kaliua road and construction of major bridges such as the Mpanda River Bridge linking Mpanda and Nsimbo districts and the Ugalla Bridge. Several smaller bridges at Mawe Mlimani, Kasokola and Ilembo will also be built to improve rural access.
Dr Samia said the Ministry of Works will review compensation claims from residents affected by earlier road projects and ensure all legitimate cases are settled.
She also highlighted the upgrading of Mpanda Airport with a new terminal, saying improvements in air transport complement wider investment in road and rail networks.
In agriculture, Dr Samia said the CCM government will continue providing fertiliser and input subsidies and build irrigation schemes at Mwamkulu and Usense to boost production. Warehouses and an international produce market will also be built in Mpanda to expand trade with Rwanda, Burundi and Kenya.
She said industrial hubs will be established in every district, supported by 24-hour power supply, to add value to crops and create jobs.
“In the past five years we started five large and 20 medium-size factories here, creating 5,828 jobs. We will keep that momentum,” she said.
In fisheries, Dr Samia pledged to develop aquaculture along Lake Tanganyika through new dams, cages and fish-processing facilities, alongside a modern abattoir for Mpanda Municipality.
She also cited four beekeeping collection and processing centres established under the Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) programme.
She said electricity has reached every village in Katavi and the next phase will focus on connecting remaining hamlets.
On water, she announced that the Majimoto project will be improved and extended to Kibaoni, with 1.5bn/- allocated for a filtration system to ensure clean supply.
On health, Dr Samia said two district hospitals have been built in Mpimbwe and Mlele, equipped with X-ray and ultrasound machines.
“In the next five years, we will increase medical supplies and equipment so that services remain close to citizens,” she said.
She also promised to recruit 5,000 health professionals within the first 100 days if re-elected and complete the VETA campus in Mlele to equip youth with technical skills.
CCM Secretary-General Dr Asha-Rose Migiro commended Katavi for its resilience and progress.
“Since Dr Samia took office, every effort has translated into visible results. She listens to the people and uplifts women and youth,” she said, urging voters to turn out in large numbers on October 29.
Katavi constituency candidate Thomas Maganga called for completion of the Inyonga–Majimoto–Kibaoni road and the Majimoto water-filtration project.
The Parliamentary candidate for Iramba West Constituency and Minister for Finance, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, said that the government has sufficient financial reserves amounting to over 16trl/- stressing that those claiming the government has run out of money and is therefore printing cash are spreading false information.
Dr Nchemba said that the process of printing money takes about two years to complete and that no country in the world has its own moneyprinting machines.
“As of today, Tanzania holds foreign reserves of approximately 6.7 billion US dollars, equivalent to over 16tri/-. There have been deliberate efforts by some individuals to mislead the public. I urge Tanzanians to recognise that this is not a mistake, these individuals are intentionally working to undermine our country,” he said.
He added, “The process of printing currency takes about two years, so how could a government start printing money right before elections? Do they think we use a photocopy machine?” Dr Nchemba remarked.
For More News And Analysis About Tanzania Follow Africa-Press
