THE government has reiterated that it will defend the country’s peace at any cost.
It has also declared zero tolerance for politicians who intend to cause a breach of the long cherished peace in the country.
“We do not restrict political parties;
but we do not allow violence through them as there is no freedom without
boundaries, thus we will not allow violence, we want people to work,”
stressed the Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa.
The premier issued the statement
yesterday while addressing religious leaders and elders of Rukwa Region
after his arrival in the region for a two-day official visit. He said
the government wants Tanzanians to rest assured on the security in the
country and continue with their daily routine without any worries, which
made the issue of maintaining peace extremely crucial.
“The issue of maintaining peace is a
very necessary one ... so religious leaders and elders should cooperate
by rejecting acts of violence and inflammatory remarks because once
violence occurs, Tanzanians have no place to run to for refuge,” he
observed.
Mr Majaliwa urged religious leaders to
keep on praying for the nation as he instructed religious leaders in the
region to hasten the formation of the defence and security committees.
Earlier, Rukwa Regional Sheikh, Rashid
Akilimali, said religious leaders would not be engaged in disruption of
peace, cautioning politicians against inciting violence. Sheikh
Akilimali urged politicians to avoid being the source of breach of the
peace.
“Politicians should stop playing with
peace that we have enjoyed in our country for many years; they can learn
from other countries that have been affected by civil strife,” he
appealed.
Meanwhile, the Regional Elders
Secretary, Colonel (Retired) John Mzurikwao, called on the premier to
assist them in payment for farm inputs to agents and land dispute at the
Efatha farm.
The premier said the agents will be paid
once the government has completed the debt verification process.
Meanwhile, Mr Majaliwa has warned people who will be caught violating
the law and invade Mfili Forest which is the main source of water for
Nkasi District, saying they will be fined 70m/-.
For that course, he handed over a
guidebook on forest law to Nkasi District Commissioner (DC), Mr Said
Mtanda, which will guide him into taking stern measures against
violators. The premier said violators must be punished as many areas in
the country lacked water due to deforestation.
“We cannot allow people to destruct
water sources; community members must preserve them. Anyone who will be
caught grazing cattle, cultivating or conducting any social activities
in the forest will be punished according to the laws,” he cautioned.
Earlier, Mr Majaliwa visited the Mfili
Dam expansion construction project which will have capacity to store
248,067 litres for 82,689 residents.
Nkasi District Executive Director, Mr
Julius Kaondo, said the Ministry of Water and Irrigation has dished out
500m/- while the Prime Minister’s Office has dished out 500m/-.
According to Mr Kaondo, among the
challenges facing the completion of the project was shortage of power
supply, in which he requested the government to give their council
222.576m/-, which is the total cost of connecting electricity to the
project area.
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