ACT Wazalendo blames CCM for rising poverty levels, Tanzanian government responds
ACT Wazalendo former party leader, Zitto Kabwe, speaks in a past event.
What you need to know:
- The Finance ministry’s Head of Communications unit, Mr Ben Mwaipaja, reacted to the claims, saying rising prices of commodities were a global issue and that since the government doesn’t have oil deposits, it is difficult to control fuel prices
Dodoma. The ACT Wazalendo has expressed concern over the challenging living conditions faced by citizens due to rising prices of goods, numerous taxes, levies, tariffs, and the difficult income-generating environment in the country.
Speaking when addressing separate rallies in various regions, party leaders who commenced a nationwide tour of the country on July 22, 2024, said instead of combating poverty, the CCM government was fighting the poor, which is severely disheartening.
In a quick response, however, a spokesperson from the ministry of Finance said the government was taking action, including subsidising fertilisers and building local production capacity of farm inputs to reduce prices of foodstuffs.
During its tour of the country, ACT Wazalendo is expected to visit Mwanza, Dodoma, Simiyu, Kigoma, and Ruvuma regions.
Addressing a rally in Kondoa, Dodoma Region, Party Leader, Ms Dorothy Semu, said the rising costs of living have adversely affected the citizens’ ability to get daily necessities.
“The prices of petrol and diesel in Dodoma Region have increased over the past three years, from an average of Sh2,040 in 2021 to Sh3,270. Bus fares have increased, and fertiliser prices remain unchecked, with subsidised fertilisers not reaching farmers,” said Ms Semu.
She said the high costs of living plunge citizens into poverty because they cannot afford to purchase food and pay medical, water, and electricity bills. “Citizens should show their anger by rejecting the ruling party in the polls,” she said.
In Busega District, Simiyu Region, the party’s secretary general, Ado Shaibu, said the collapse in the cotton price from Sh2,000 per kilogramme in 2022 to Sh1,060 last year has exacerbated pain and hardships.
He insisted that life hardship was severe for the people of Simiyu compared to many other places, as the region ranks second highest in poverty and dependence in the country.
Retired Party Leader Zitto Kabwe said in Kigoma Region that poverty was a chronic problem that has overwhelmed CCM.
He stated the vice was a major crisis in the Kigoma Region and other parts of the country.
“There are seven regions where over 30 percent of citizens live below the poverty line, meaning that they cannot afford to spend Sh1,700 per day. The regions are Kigoma, Tabora, Rukwa, Katavi, Shinyanga, Kagera, and Geita.”
The Finance ministry’s Head of Communications unit, Mr Ben Mwaipaja, reacted to the claims, saying rising prices of commodities were a global issue and that since the government doesn’t have oil deposits, it is difficult to control fuel prices.
“Fuel prices are even less in Tanzania as compared to neighbouring countries. Recently, the government has increased the price of maize purchased by the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) to Sh700 per kilo for the benefit of Tanzanian farmers,” he said, adding that in addition to subsidised fertiliser, long-term measures are underway to increase domestic fertiliser’s production.
