FIGHTING dynamite fishing, purchasing a new ship to ply Lake Victoria and ending nuisance taxes imposed on coffee farmers and small entrepreneurs are among measures Dr John Magufuli is going to take to improve the lives of Kagera residents if he becomes president.
Addressing thousands of residents who flocked the Gymkhana Grounds here yesterday, the candidate said that there were about 26 different taxes that a coffee farmer was charged making the activity less paying.
The Union presidential candidate on CCM ticket noted that he will review such unnecessary charges and ensures that farmers reap dearly from coffee farming. He declared that he will make sure that Tanzania’s coffee gets better price than that produced in the neighbouring Uganda.
He blasted politicians who direct Kagera farmers to sell their produce to Uganda, saying that the move only meant to build the economy of another country. “I am going to ensure that coffee price goes up, this will be achieved by reducing tax burden currently imposed on you,” he said.
Dr Magufuli noted that fishing activities now employ about six million people in the lake zone and thus he was going to ensure that illegal fishing is contained to make the activity more sustainable.
He further pledged that under his administration, fish processing factories are going to be built while fishermen would also be loaned so that they can purchase modern fishing equipment.
The candidate also assured the rally that land conflicts that currently faces Kagera residents would instantly be dealt with and resolved once and for all. Dr Magufuli also reacted to remarks made by the opposition that CCM has done nothing, urging voters to measure such utterances by evaluating where the country was some years back and steps that have been made.
He said that the same people making such statements had been in the party for a number of decades and had also held top positions in the government circle. Dr Magufuli has also warned Tanzanians to be careful with politicians who capitalise on their poverty and bribe them to get top positions.
Addressing Bukoba rural residents at Maruku Secondary School grounds, Dr Magufuli noted with concern that due to the fact that they were poor, such people were giving out money to influence them. He reminded that if such politicians are voted into office, it was then apparent that the country’s resources would be used for personal interests.
“Tanzania can’t be a place where few people buy the majority, this is bad let’s join hands and say no to them as we look forward to building a new Tanzania, which is for all,” he noted. He also told the residents that he will ensure that coffee processing factories are built in the area to enable local producers get reliable market.
Earlier, the campaign team member who doubles as the party’s parents’ wing chairman, Mr Abdallah Bulembo, called on the hypocrites among CCM members to quit. He hinted that there were some party members who clandestinely back up their opponent, Mr Edward Lowassa, who is running for president on CHADEMA ticket with the support of three other opposition parties.
Mr Bulembo charged that he has all evidence that such members were behind Mr Lowassa while they still possessed CCM membership cards and put on the party’s uniforms.
“We can’t sail in the same boat with such hypocrites; it is time to kick them out and leave us continue with the fight,” he charged, adding that the party has great support from Tanzanians and he was optimistic that CCM was going to record yet another volcanic win.
He, for instance, pointed out that the recently held campaign rally in Bukoba by CHADEMA was supported by some CCM members. He warned that if such people can’t face the exit doors now, they would face expulsion after the party wins election.
Meanwhile, Dr Magufuli has promised that if he wins in the October polls, he will ensure that ranches in Kagera Region, which were illegally privatised, are repossessed by the people.
Speaking to Muleba residents at Kamachumu, Dr Magufuli said that the region had 52 ranches but a number of them were unlawfully sold to some business people, including foreigners, denying the residents of land to conduct pastoral and farming activities.
He said that the ranches were distributed by one of the candidates who was a minister in the previous government. He wondered that the same person who grabbed such lands and sold it without following procedures is the one going around preaching to pull Tanzanians out of poverty.
“I am going to make sure that the ranches previously owned by the people but taken away without following procedures are recovered and redistributed to them so that they effectively use them for their economic activities,” he explained.
Dr Magufuli said that it was illogical to see the residents lacking adequate areas to conduct their economic activities while some of the ranches were privatised and worse enough some of them are just idle.
He also promised that after clinching the top post in October, he was going to intensify war against dynamite fishing, insisting that if the vice if left unchecked would affect a number of people whose lives entirely depend on the activity.
In another development, Dr Magufuli yesterday promised that if elected, he will purchase a new ship to facilitate movement of people and goods across Lake Victoria. He said that the government has since the MV Bukoba tragedy that killed almost a thousand people in May 1996 been contemplating to bring another new ship.
Addressing thousands of residents who flocked the Zimbihile Grounds yesterday, the presidential candidate noted that all plans to buy the steamer were ready and will ensure that it is instantly purchased as soon as he reports to office.
“Now we have completed connecting the district with others by constructing standard roads, the area of focus is now to bring you ship. I am always pledging what I can implement and am sure I can’t fail,” he told his audience.
Dr Magufuli pledged that if he wins October polls he will construct 26-km road at tarmac level running from Muleba town to Rubya district hospital. He further promised to build a 5-km road at tarmac level within Muleba Town and also ensure that social services are improved.
The candidate also paid a visit to the grief-stricken family of the departed Muleba councillorship candidate Oswald Rwakabwa who died on Sunday evening. The deceased was allegedly killed by unknown person who knocked him down to death with a motorcycle.
Reports from the area indicated that it is the third time CCM candidate passes away just few days before polls. Dr Magufuli called on the family and Muleba residents to stay calm ‘’during this difficult time when they are experiencing great sorrow’’ and pray for the fallen CCM member.
Source: Daily News
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