Africa-Press – Tanzania. CCM presidential candidate, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has pledged that if elected in the October General Election, her government will open international markets for Tanzanian meat and live animals, enabling pastoralists to benefit more from the livestock sector.
Addressing campaign rallies at Mlima wa Reli grounds in Mbalizi and Nane Nane grounds in Mbeya City yesterday, President Samia said the government has already begun constructing modern abattoirs across the country to ensure proper meat processing for both domestic consumption and export.
“Tanzanian meat is in high demand globally,” she said.
“We are working to meet international standards through the construction of modern abattoirs, livestock vaccination and record-keeping for traceability, essential requirements for global markets.”
She cited the nearcompletion of the Utengule modern abattoir in Mbeya as a clear example and announced plans for similar facilities in other regions.
“We are vaccinating our livestock and maintaining identification records to ensure our meat is accepted in international markets,” she added.
Dr Samia said Tanzania has significant opportunities in the global meat trade, and her government is committed to helping livestock keepers and investors take full advantage for economic growth.
In addition to livestock, President Samia also reaffirmed support for farmers, particularly in accessing subsidised fertilisers and agricultural inputs.
“We are providing subsidised fertiliser for various crops, but I strongly urge farmers not to sell it for profit. This support is meant to boost production, not for business,” she said.
She encouraged more farmers to register for the programme, assuring them that the government has the capacity to supply enough fertiliser.
Noting that about 85 per cent of Mbeya residents are farmers, the president said the government is also constructing roads and bridges to improve access to markets.
“Tanzania currently has enough food, we feed our- selves and export to neighbouring countries. We must maintain this momentum,” she stressed.
President Samia further promised to consider upgrading Mbalizi and Uyole to district council status once all legal procedures are completed.
At the rally, Uyole parliamentary candidate and Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Tulia Ackson, praised President Samia for her performance over the past four years.
She hailed the government efforts in expanding healthcare services, including the construction of hospitals, health centres and dispensaries with modern facilities in Mbeya Region.
Dr Tulia also commended the government for issuing over 7bn/- in loans to 3,000 youths, women and people with disabilities in Mbeya City through district council initiatives.
She thanked the president for continued investment in infrastructure, including roads and bridges, and said the government is also implementing major projects under the Tanzania Cities Transformation Programme (TACTIC).
Dr Tulia revealed that a new major bus terminal is being built in Mbeya City, expected to boost local business and economic activity.
She also noted the ongoing construction of the Soko Matola Modern Market, which is being developed at a cost of 6bn/-.
She urged the president to formally upgrade Uyole to a district council after the election and praised her for introducing the “4Rs” (Reconciliation, Reforms, Resilience and Rebuilding), which she said have brought positive changes to the country, including improvements to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Mbeya Rural parliamentary candidate, Mr Patali Shida Patali said social services in the constituency have greatly improved, with better healthcare, clean water and electricity supply.
On agriculture, he noted that 110,000 farmers in the constituency are now registered for subsidised fertiliser.
“Our food requirement is 200,000 tonnes, but last season we harvested 600,000 tonnes. That 400,000 tonne surplus is the result of gov- ernment support,” he said.
Leader of traditional chiefs in Mbeya Rural District, Chief Shayo Masoko declared support for President Samia’s candidacy and urged citizens to avoid hate speech and abusive language, which he said go against Tanzanian values.
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