Kigoma to get modern port, railway: Lowassa

Kigoma. Chadema presidential candidate Edward Lowassa yesterday promised to build a new and modern port in Kigoma in order to revive the economy in the region bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.

Addressing a campaign rally at Mwanga Centre grounds, Mr Lowassa said if he wins the election, his government will make sure that Kigoma is connected with other regions by a modern railway line as well as roads to make it accessible throughout the year. Mr Lowassa said the ruling party CCM has failed to construct a modern port in Lake Tanganyika despite the fact that the feasibility study for the project was completed over ten years ago. “Ours will be a government that implements projects rather than just planning,” said Mr Lowassa.

He also promised Kigoma residents that he will address power and water woes that have become chronic in the region.

“Since I could address water woes in the Lake Zone regions by starting plans to use water from Lake Victoria when I was minister, I will surely address your problem by using water from Lake Tanganyika,” he said amid cheers.

Mr Lowassa also promised Kigoma wananchi that he will revive industries, which include fish processing factories in order to create jobs for the youth.

The former PM also promised security and defence forces that he will improve their welfare to enable them to undertake their duties superbly.

He also urged migration officers to stop harassing wananchi who live close to international borders. Mr Lowassa said he had learnt that it was common practice for immigration officers to harass such wananchi ahead of elections.

“Whether you are a Tanzanian by birth or through naturalization, you are entitled to vote. You should vote for a candidate of your choice, not out of fear of losing your citizenship,” Lowassa said.

Mr Lowassa added that Ukawa has instructed former home affairs Minister Mr Lawrence Masha to investigate claims that some Tanzanians have been threatened that their nationality would be nullified if they voted for opposition.

While in Mpanda on Friday, Lowassa promised to address land conflicts in the country if he gets elected Tanzania’s next president.

Mr Lowassa, who was speaking during a campaign rally at Kashaulili Primary School grounds in Mpanda, promised to form a special commission that will investigate the cause of the problem and come up with proposals on how to address it.

The opposition coalition flag bearer, who is on the sixth day of his campaign trail, said for a long time he has been disappointed with conflicts between wananchi and investors or herders against farmers with regard to land ownership and use. “To be frank, land conflicts and its effect on wananchi especially the poor has been troubling me. But I want to assure you we will find the lasting solution to this problem once we win this election,” he told thousands of wananchi who attended the rally.

Mr Lowassa gave an example of a conflict between Sumbawanga residents and Efatha ministry which has lasted for over two years. According to him there was no need to delay finding solutions to such conflicts.