Africa-Press – Tanzania. SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Mr Mussa Zungu has assured the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) that Tanzania is safe, peaceful and firmly committed to democratic principles, reaffirming the country’s readiness to host next year’s IPU Assembly.
Speaker Zungu gave the assurance on Monday in Dar es Salaam during talks with a visiting IPU delegation led by the Director of Member of Parliaments and External Relations at IPU Headquarters, Ambassador Anda Filip, who was accompanied by Parliamentary Meetings Coordinator Tara Staub.
Speaker Zungu said Tanzania is fully prepared to host the upcoming Assembly in Arusha, emphasising that President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been a strong advocate of human rights and democratic governance.
“The purpose of the meeting with IPU leaders was to conduct an inspection of the conference venue and assess Tanzania’s preparedness. They have expressed satisfaction after evaluating the venue, its capacity and the overall friendliness and peace prevailing in the country,” Mr Zungu said when briefing journalists.
Ambassador Filip said the IPU has 136 member parliaments and that next year’s Assembly will take place in Tanzania.
The delegation’s visit aims to verify preparations and gather information for their official report.
He noted that, among other key agenda items, the Assembly will elect a new IPU President as the term of the current president, Dr Tulia Ackson, comes to an end.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Mr Zungu visited a special camp to provide free-of-charge 600 artificial limbs to people in need.
The camp has been organised by the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), in collaboration with the High Commission of India, the Jaipur Institute of India and the Tanzania Diabetes Association.
The initiative, supported by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, aims to restore mobility and economic productivity for beneficiaries who have lost limbs many of them due to road accidents involving motorcycles and cars.
Speaker Zungu noted that each artificial limb costs approximately 2.5m/-, and called upon eligible individuals to visit the camp and receive assistance.
Acknowledging the support, he praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her commitment to citizens’ welfare and expressed appreciation to the government of India for the humanitarian gesture.
Mr Zungu noted that demand for artificial limbs remains high, with more than 1,000 requests already submitted at the camp while the capacity is limited to 600 recipients.
He added that establishing such services locally at MOI would significantly reduce costs, especially as the country prepares to roll out Universal Health Insurance (UHI).
He also appealed to motorists to observe traffic regulations to help reduce the number of road accidents leading to disability.
Prof Kaushik Ramaiya, General Secretary of Tanzania Diabetes Association, said the initiative has greatly supported diabetic patients who have lost limbs and cannot afford prosthetic devices.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Isack Bitebo from Mwanza, expressed gratitude for the support, saying his mobility and quality of life have improved significantly after receiving the artificial limb.
