AfricaPress-Tanzania: CCM Presidential Candidate Dr John Magufuli has unveiled a grand plan for transforming Dar es Salaam city by improving its infrastructure and business environment to ensure productivity and economic growth.
Dr Magufuli said if elected in the October 28 polls, his government will focus on improving infrastructure in the city to facilitate businesses and influence investment in the region and the country at large.
The incumbent President Magufuli was addressing thousands of voters during his first campaign rally in Dar es Salaam. The historic campaign rally was held at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Temeke municipality.
According to Dr Magufuli, Dar es Salaam has a population of 6million people, and it is expected to grow to 10 million by 2030 and that there is need for the government to set up strong infrastructure that will enable business activities to take place in the city.
He said if re-elected in the coming general election, his government will get an opportunity to implement various development projects that are highlighted in the party’s manifesto.
He said the government is looking forward to constructing a number of flyovers in the city to ease traffic and facilitate business activities.
According to studies conducted in 2010, the government was losing a total of 4bn/- every day due to traffic jam.
He said plans are already in place for the construction of flyovers at the junctions of Morocco, Mwenge, Tabata, Fire area (Magomeni), and Uhasibu in Temeke District.
He added that the government will also finalise the construction of Tanzanite Bridge on Mzinga River.
The presidential candidate also pledged to continue with the construction of Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) for phase two, three, four and five in the city.
Moreover, Dr Magufuli promised to give special priority to new Dar es Salaam’s districts of Ubungo and Kigamboni, saying the two areas need special focus on infrastructure.
“I am aware of the challenges facing the new districts, we are going to construct tarmac roads and other infrastructure in these two districts, we are going to change this city,” he noted.
He added that Ilala District also needs special attention. He said the area needs improved infrastructures to ensure better social services and boost economic activities.
Dr Magufuli said for the past five years, Dar es Salaam has outshined other regions in tax collection, which has helped to boost the country’s economy. He said the city contributed 90 per cent of all revenue in form of tax.
According to Dr Magufuli, in 2015, the city contributed 11.9trl/-, which was 89.9 per cent of the total tax collected. In 2016/17 fiscal year, the region contributed 12.6trl/-, equivalent to 88.6 per cent of revenues in tax.
Dr Magufuli added that in 2017/18, Dar es Salaam contributed 13.6trl/-, which was 89 per cent of all tax collected. Also, in 2018/19, a total of 13.9trl/- was contributed, equivalent to 88.7 per cent of total tax collected.
In 2019/20 fiscal year, Dar es Salaam contributed 16.01trl/- to the government coffers, which was 89.7 per cent of the total tax collected.
Moreover, the incumbent president said that in the past five years, Dar es Salaam emerged the leader in contributing to the national income by contributing 16.2trl/- out of 94.3trl/- of the total national income.
In 2017, the region contributed 20.5trl/- out of 118.7trl/-, and in 2018, a total of 22.5trl/- was obtained from Dar es Salaam. The total national income for the said year was 129.04trl/- .
Dr Magufuli added that in 2019, Dar es Salaam contributed 23.9trl/- to the national income out of 139.9trl/- that was collected for the whole year.
“Dar es Salaam plays a big role in building up our economy, we therefore have major plans for this region, our focus is to improve the infrastructure and make sure we set up all required social services,” he noted.
Dr Magufuli said the improvement of Dar es Salaam port facilitated trade to the country and to six other neighbouring countries.
He said 25.91 million tonnes of cargo was cleared to neighbouring countries through the Dar es Salaam port.
He added that revenues increased to 951.02bn/- in 2019/20 and the dividend provided by Dar es Salaam port increased from 17.9bn/- to 480bn/-.
He said in the coming five years, his government, if re-elected to power, will continue with the improvement of social services such as power connection, on which in the past five years, over 660,000 customers were connected. He said a total of 317517 new customers were connected from 2016 to 2020.
On water projects, Dr Magufuli said his government will ensure availability of water in the city and other areas in the country, adding that in the past five years, a total of 583.2bn/- was spent on implementing 17 major water projects in the city.
