Ministry for Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, Stephen Wasira
(Left) and Finance Deputy Minister Mwiulu Nchemba (Right)
In Summary
Mwanza/Dodoma. Two Cabinet ministers yesterday
declared their intention to seek nomination as CCM’s candidate in the
forthcoming presidential election.
Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and
Cooperatives Stephen Wasira and Finance deputy minister Mwigulu Nchemba
said at different venues that they were eying the top post to serve
Tanzanians and improve their lives.
Speaking at a packed Bank of Tanzania (BoT) hall
in Mwanza, Mr Wasira said if nominated by his party and election on
October 25, his government will focus on four main issues.
He said the implementation of various policies
would be achieved through strong institutions that would work in the
public interest.
Mr Wasira added that his government would also consider motivation as the best way to boost hard work.
He said his government will also focus on boosting
and supporting creativity in building the economy and improving
people’s lives.
Mr Wasira said he has been working in the
government system since 1970 and that if nominated and elected, his
government will stand for accountability, equality and national unity.
“I would like to warn my fellow Tanzanians to
avoid supporting corrupt politicians. If elected, such people could sell
State House.”
Mr Wasira reminded CCM members to understand their
roles and responsibilities in nominating candidates, saying this year’s
General Election would be a tough competition following recent
corruption scandals in the country.
“This is going to be one of most challenging
election for the party because the CCM and the government has been
facing various challenges, especially those related to corruption
scandals,” he said.
Mr Wasira said that in order for the party to be
safe and able to overcome the challenges, CCM members must select a
clean candidate who has never been involved in corruption.
“CCM needs to pick a person who is not facing
corruption accusations...he or she must be conversant with this
country’s history. He or she must be able to know where the country
comes from and where it is going,” said Mr Wasira.
He added: “ I’m heading the Ministry for Agriculture, Food
Security and Cooperatives. If I were corrupt, I would have stolen and
sold your fertiliser. We should stop joking about corruption. When
someone condemns corruption, he or she should be sincere.”
On infrastructure, Mr Wasira said there could be
no development without building and improving infrastructure. He said
the country needs proper means of water supply, reliable electricity,
airports, roads, ports, railways and telephone communication for it to
develop.
“My government will give priority to
infrastructure so as to reduce production costs and enable consumers to
get products at affordable prices. This will help to improve people’s
economic status and boost development,” said Mr Wasira.
According to Mr Wasira, his government would
construct railways to enable easy transportation of cargo. He added that
by 2025, his government would make sure Tanzania produces a total of
7,000 MW of electricity from various sources.
On the health sector, Mr Wasira plans to improve
health services by making sure every Tanzanian has a National Health
Insurance Fund (NHIF) card.
He said there was a need to improve health services and that his government will give priority to the area.
“After, more than 50 years of independence, we are
still facing challenges in the health sector. I will make sure the
number of doctors and other health officials are increased along with
health equipment,” said Mr Wasira.
On education, he said there was a need to put in place a new system that will help to produce competent and skilled graduates.
“We need to establish a system that will consider
quality at all levels of education. There is a need to invest in
teachers and create good environments for teachers and students.” On the
economy, Mr Wasira said his government would focus on building a strong
and inclusive economy.
He said Tanzania economy would grow by 12 per cent
annually and that his government would ensure decent employment for all
qualified people.
Mr Wasira added that his government would revive
industries and ensure production in addition to developing agriculture
and improving fishing.
In Dodoma, Mr Nchemba who declared his intention
to vie for Presidential seat in Dodoma said it was high time CCM members
pick strong, focused and patriotic member for the top post in the
country.
Mr Nchemba, who was accompanied by his wife and three children,
said if nominated by his party and elected in October, he will fight
corruption, selfishness and ensure equality among Tanzanians.
He said if elected, he will make sure Tanzania is
moving to middle income country and that every Tanzanian will be
involved fully in various development programmes.
“It is high time Tanzania becomes economic
independent, this could be possible by involving the people in building
their economy, fighting corruption and ensuring equal distribution of
resources,” he said.
Mr Nchemba promised to bring major changes in the
economic sector by creating employment opportunities, improving
agriculture, trade and developing industries.
Moreover, Mr Nchemba responded to some CCM members
who were challenging him of lacking political experience saying a good
leader does not need many years of experience.
“ For those who think experience matters on this
are wrong, a person who stays on leadership posts for a long time, tend
to forget people’s problems, the first thing here is to understand needs
of the people, and this is what makes a good leader,” said Mr Nchemba.
He said former Prime Minister Moringe Sokoine
served the country for a short time but his name has been in books
because he was a strong and visionary leader.
According to Mr Nchemba, age and experience could
not stop him from pursuing his dream since there are many examples of
young leaders who successfully lead their countries.
“We all understand that Mwalimu Nyerere became the
first President of Tanganyika when he was only 40 years old...he was
just a secondary school teacher before taking the post,” said Mr
Nchemba.
Reported by Midraj Ibrahim and Aidan Mhando in Mwanza; and Fidelis Butahe, Sharon Sauwa and Habel Chidawali in Dodoma
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