Magufuli promises leaner, efficient cabinet

Katavi/Same. CCM presidential candidate John Magufuli yesterday pledged a leaner Cabinet that would be responsive to the needs of the people, especially the ordinary Tanzanians.

He said he would not spare non-performing ministers in his administration should he be elected to lead the country in the October 25 polls.

He was addressing hundreds of Mpanda residents at Azimio grounds during his second campaign rally after Sunday’s unveiling of the CCM Election Manifesto in Dar es Salaam.

He arrived at Mpanda Airstrip at around 10am and headed to Mishomo where there is a huge refugee camp and promised to improve road infrastructure, electricity, water and abolish current practice of the government buying farmers’ crops on loan.

He told residents of Majalila Village that the government has already done a feasibility study on 194km Mpanda-Uvinza road, but in his capacity as minister for Works, he said the government would start with building 30km.

He also used the same platform to allay fears among residents in the area who are of Burundian origin that they would live in peace and no one would disturb them.

Earlier, when introducing Dr Magufuli to the residents, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, who is member of the CCM Central Committee (CC), said the party did’t make a mistake in nominating Dr Magufuli since he was the right candidate for the post.

Mr Moshi Kakoso, CCM’s candidate for Parliamentary seat in the area, assured the residents that he had already told Dr Magufuli all challenges facing the area that if he becomes President should address them

Meanwhile Dr Magufuli’s running mate, Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan, yesterday launched the incumbent’s party’s campaigns upcountry, promising Same and Mwanga districts that if CCM retains power, it would end water blues before the end of 2016/ 17 financial year.

She said she knows the problems facing people and reassured them that if they elect CCM, even problems facing women especially in the health sector would be dealt with.

Adressing a rally in Hedaru, Same District and thereafter in Mwanga Division in Mwanga District, Ms Hassan said the project to end water woes was in the pipeline and that the government would channel water to its people trough Nyumba ya Mungu Dam.

On loans, Ms Hassan reiterated that with the increase of youth and women who are jobless, the CCM Manifesto stipulates that every district would be issued with Sh50 million that would help in the provision of loans.

“These loans will help the youth to engage in self-employment and increase enterpreneurship opportunities to women who are facing several problems,” she noted.

Her first political rally drew many CCM members and supporters who turned up to hear what plan the ruling CCM has for them. As Ms Hassan traverses Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Manyara and Dodoma regions, CCM presidential candidate John Magufuli begun his campaign trail in Katavi Rregion.

The two are seeking to popularize their party and drum up support ahead of the election scheduled for October 25.

The opposition coalition—Ukawa, whose presidential candidate is Chadema’s Edward Lowassa, is yet to kick off its campaign.