TANZANIA: President Samia’s Speech Impresses Religious leaders in Tanzania

Sarah Pelaji

Following a speech by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan delivered in Parliament in Dodoma on April 22, 2021, various religious leaders in the country have stated that the direction of her presidency which is the sixth political regime since President Nyerere gives hope in strengthening the economy by restoring confidence in investors and the private sector.

Speaking to AMECEA online correspondent, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Bukoba Catholic Diocese Rt. Rev. Methodius Kilaini, described President Samia as a democratic President who wants fairness to all groups existing in the country. He said her speech has considered all sectors and individuals without discriminating any group.

“I have followed President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s speech. It is certainly full of wisdom, humility and a vision. She emphasized on uplifting the private sector. This is brilliant for the private sector are the main contributor to economic growth. That her government will restore confidence in investors by eliminating investment bureaucracy by setting predictable policies, eliminating design taxes, eliminating bureaucracy in obtaining permits and delaying access to investment lands,” he said.

Bishop Kilaini has made it clear that the country cannot prosper without economic strategies and among the economic strategies that the President will work on is to promote the private sector.

The economy will be built on a spirit of partnership between government and the private sector. That is why she has placed the Ministry under the Prime Minister to ensure that her government implements the investment plan.

He added that President Samia has demonstrated to the world that she is a president who loves justice for all and respects democracy as she has emphasized protection of the freedom of the media in the country.

“She is practicing democracy after announcing her intention to meet with all political parties in the country. If this is her direction I have no doubt that our country will heal, believing that soon our political competition will be based on innovation and good policies as democracy prevails,” he explained.

Bishop Kilaini was also impressed by President Samia’s statement on the Judiciary as she wants it to deliver fair sentences to the people.

She has also allowed the Parliament to criticize Government in parliamentary language and said she will accept Parliamentary proposals for the development of the country.

The Chairman of the Christian Community of Tanzania (CCT) Bishop Alinikise Cheyo described the president’s speech as historic in that it has touched the lives of Tanzanians in all fields, especially by showing the country’s economic orientation while showing his piety to God.

“It is a good, historical speech in which our President emphasizes various issues including maintaining the values of peace, by respecting democracy principles and treating people fairly.”

Bishop Cheyo was also impressed by her statement on economic growth that the country’s economy cannot grow if Tanzania mistreats Investors through unnecessary bureaucracy.

“We cannot grow our economy if investors close down their companies. If we impose restrictions to investors, we are holding them back; when they leave, our economy declines, employment opportunities reduce and cash flow shrinks. This is the biggest cry of Tanzanians that their pockets are empty. We religious leaders are obliged to pray for her to fulfill all her good plans to build a better Tanzania,” he insisted.

The chairman of the Muslim National Executive Council in Tanzania (BAKWATA), Sheikh Khamis Mataka said President Samia’s speech showed how she wishes the best for Tanzania. He appreciates that President Samia wants to uplift the agriculture sector after she said that the country’s agricultural productivity remained low despite the fact that 65 per cent of Tanzanians are farmers.

President Samia said the agriculture sector accounts for only 27 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 25 per cent of foreign currency despite enabling the country to sustain itself in food security and providing 60 percent of raw materials to the industries. This, according to her, is because of low productivity

She wants Tanzania to make more efforts in fighting against Covid 19 pandemic, saying her country’s Covid response would be science-based. On 18^th April 2021 she met with religious leaders and asked them to help Government through mobilizing their faithful to protect themselves against Covid 19 using all the directives from health sectors.

Among others, she wants discipline in the public offices. President Samia assured the nation that she will be strict about corrupt government officials. She wants discipline in Parliament while allowing the Members of Parliament to challenge her government especially the Ministers for the development of the nations.