VICE-PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday ordered that the Uhuru Torch be used to light all development projects across the country and ensure well implementation of the government’s policies.
Speaking at the launch of the Uhuru Torch Race in Songwe region yesterday, Ms Samia said the torch should shed light on the ongoing water, roads, schools, hospitals and many other projects under execution in various parts of the country. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, ministers and other senior government officials also attended the launching ceremony.
The Vice President directed the Uhuru Torch Race to focus on the fight against four main issues corruption, HIV/AIDS, uses of illicit drugs and malaria.
She added that the race should also remind both government leaders and wananchi to implement the government poli-cies that aim at bringing development to the people.
“The Uhuru Touch Race that we are launching here today should remind all Tanzanians to participate in various development activities, the torch must light every corner of this country with the purpose of bringing positive changes,” she said.
She said the torch should pass each part of the country to send the message to millions of Tanzanians.
On corruption, Ms Samia said the government has continued with its fight against the evil practices in the country, saying the government in collaboration with other stakeholders in and outside the country has been mercilessly fighting the problem.
“We understand that corruption is a bad omen that leads to poor implementation of development projects, leads to injustice and slows down the country’s development programmes,” she said, adding: “Reports from various institutions in and outside the country clearly show that Tanzania is doing great in the fight against corruption.”
Transparency International (CPI) shows that for the past three years—between 2015 and 2018—the government has improved by 18 positions.
The Vice President said in 2015, Tanzania was positioned 117 while in 2018 it has advanced to 99 position out of 180 countries. She added that in 2017 the Mo Ibrahim study indicated that Tanzania performed well in good governance with 58.5 per cent compared to 56.7 per cent in 2014.
REPOA and Twaweza studies of 2017 indicated that corruption has dropped in the country.
The Vice President insisted that the government continues fighting against corruption by strengthening its institutions and ensuring all corruption loopholes are tightened through legal measures.
“We have been making some amendments to our laws and ensuring all loopholes are sealed to stop the bad practices,” said Ms Samia.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Policy, Parliament, Labour, Employment, Youth and Disabled Jenista Mhagama said the Uhuru torch will run across the country as planned, ensuring that the intended key messages reach wananchi.
She said at the end of the race, her office will give a detailed report on each and everything as it has been directed by the Vice President. Ms Mhagama said that celebrations to extinguish the Uhuru torch will be carried on 14 October this year.
