DAILY NEWS REPORTER
Instead, Dr Magufuli has ordered that 2bn/- that were allocated for the Union fete to purchase drinks, food, preparation of a military parade and other entertainments during the celebrations be used to expand the Mwanza- Airport road beginning at Ghana Quarters.
A statement from the Directorate of Presidential Communications in Dar es Salaam evening said the road would help to ease the perennial gridlock that has so far been affecting normal business in the rapidly expanding Lake Victoria-side city.
This is not the first time the head of state is scrapping the country’s national celebrations. Towards the end of November, last year, Dr Magufuli cancelled the Independence Day celebrations on December 9 for the first time since 1961. Instead, he ordered that the day be used for a countrywide clean-up exercise to curb cholera.
He later directed that funds amounting to 4bn/- earlier allocated for the celebrations should be used for the expansion of the Mwenge-Morocco Road. Dr Magufuli instructed that the construction work on the 4.3 kilometre should start immediately to ease traffic congestion along the route.
The expansion of the road is currently ongoing. Since he took power after winning the October 25, 2015 general election, the president has introduced a swathe of austerity cuts and crackdowns on public corruption.
They include the suspension of unnecessary foreign travel by government officials, allowances for seminars and meetings as well as lavish cocktails and dinners by public institutions, among others.
Instead, the head of state directed that the money should go for delivery of social services. Meanwhile, former Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga yesterday flew back home after a three-day vacation at Lubambangwe area in Mlimani village, Chato District.
Mr Odinga, who is Kenyan opposition leader, arrived in Chato District on Saturday with his wife, Ida, to visit his family friend, President John Magufuli, who is in his Mlimani village for a retreat.
Speaking at Chato Secondary School’s sports ground before boarding a helicopter back home, Mr Odinga extended his profound appreciation to Dr Magufuli, his close friend, for warmly welcoming him and his wife in his village, further thanking Chato residents for their hospitality.
The CORD party leader also said he believed in Dr Magufuli’s leadership to Tanzanian people in tackling the various challenges and problems bedeviling the country. “I believe that Dr Magufuli is a leader with a clear vision who knows what it takes to ensure that Tanzania gets rid of poverty and strengthen his country’s development,’’ he said.
On Sunday, Dr Magufuli and First Lady Janeth attended mass at the Roman Catholic’s Virgin Mary Parish. They were also joined by Mr Odinga and his wife, Ida.
In his greetings during the church service, Mr Odinga thanked Tanzanians for maintaining close and friendly relationships with Kenyans, recalling how the late Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, took a leading role in the struggle to liberate African countries, including Kenya.
Mr Odinga went on to reveal that his friendship with Dr Magufuli dated back to when the two were serving as Works Ministers in their respective countries.
In another development, Dr Magufuli promised to provide desks and text books to pupils of three primary schools in Chato District who turned up to bid farewell to his visitor, Mr Odinga. The primary schools are Chato, Kalema and Kitela
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