CCM to curb flood woes

• Promises construction of two major dams, large-scale irrigation infrastructure

RUFIJI: CCM presidential candidate Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan has pledged to control recurring floods in the Rufiji Basin, by constructing two major dams and large-scale irrigation infrastructure to protect communities and boost food production.

She said the project will involve building Mbakimtuli and Ngorongo dams, together with 13,000 hectares of irrigation schemes, drawn from the existing 60,000-hectare Rufiji Basin irrigation zone.

“We will construct two large dams and develop irrigation schemes across 13,000 hectares. A flood-control barrier will also be erected to end the anxiety that comes with heavy rains,” she said.

Dr Samia told a campaign rally at Ujamaa grounds in Ikwiriri, Rufiji.

District yesterday, that a contractor has already been identified and work will begin once the 245bn/- floodcontrol project is fully mobilised.

The project also includes 90 kilometres of access roads and several culverts to enhance connectivity across the flood-prone basin.

She said if re-elected, her government will continue investing in water infrastructure to ensure every citizen has access to safe and clean water.

“Our goal is to bring water close to every household. We are planning a national water grid so that clean water becomes accessible to all Tanzanians,” she said.

Dr Samia said the ongoing investments in rural infrastructure roads, bus terminals, street lights and markets are designed to stimulate night-time business and enhance economic activity in emerging townships like Rufiji.

“When I was coming here, I was happy to see that nearly every half-kilometre of this town is now lit. This means people can safely do business even at night,” she said.

She said the government’s focus remains on empowering citizens in villages, improving livestock health and supporting smallholder farmers.

Dr Samia further said that livestock vaccination is being provided at subsidised prices half-price for cattle, goats and sheep and free for poultry to strengthen animal health and unlock export markets.

“Tanzania now has growing demand for meat and live animals abroad, but to qualify we must have records showing our livestock are vaccinated. That’s why the government has started nationwide animal vaccination,” she explained.

Dr Samia said the sixthphase government will continue to direct investors to give back to the communities where they operate, either through social projects agreed with local councils or through youth employment.

“Investors must give back to communities. They must also create jobs for young people, and that’s why we are building more vocational schools,” she said.

She said the CCM government if re-elected, will also maintain subsidies on agricultural inputs, including fertilisers and pesticides, to raise productivity in key cash crops such as cashew nuts, sesame and pigeon peas.

“We have invested heavily to ensure farmers produce more cashews and sell them through transparent auctions. Here in the Coast Region, you have increased output significantly,” she said.

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She added that Rufiji’s food production has grown from 87,829 tonnes to 112,118 tonnes, in the last season, while cashew output rose from 2.5 million to 4.2 million kilogrammes last season due to fertiliser subsidies and improved extension services.

Dr Samia said the cashew auction will officially open on October 30, immediately after the General Election, urging farmers to take their produce to warehouses for sale.

In the fisheries sector, she said the government had supplied two large passenger boats that helped reduce illegal fishing from 70 per cent to 30 per cent.

Fish production both freshwater and marine has increased from 610,000 to 900,000 tonnes. “We will build a fish-processing factory and five fishfarming ponds in Utete, Mbwara, Mkongo, Ngorongo and Ikwiriri,” she said.

Rufiji parliamentary candidate, Mohamed Mchengerwa commended Dr Samia for transforming the district’s health and education services, saying that under her leadership the country has built 129 new hospitals, renovated 48 old ones and constructed 1,413 dispensaries, including 42 in Rufiji.

“In Rufiji alone, we have received nine new health centres and 22 new secondary schools, up from only four. Seven schools now offer Alevel studies,” he said.

He also thanked the president for supporting rural infrastructure projects, including the Muhoro Bridge, the 17bn/- Bibi Titi Mohamed Bridge and over 20 kilometres of new tarmac roads.

Mr Mchengerwa requested consideration for creating a new Rufiji Region to ease access to administrative services for residents who currently travel nearly 400 kilometres to Kibaha.

In Mkuranga, Dr Samia said her government if re-elected will continue strengthening education and health services by completing hospitals, dispensaries and health centres while expanding specialised care closer to citizens.

She added that VETA colleges and university branches will keep increasing, alongside TASAF and 10 per cent empowerment loans.

Farmers, fishers and livestock keepers will continue receiving subsidies to boost production and income. Mkuranga parliamentary candidate Mr Abdallah Ulega said the district has seen 64 new industries built within four years, creating jobs.

He requested tarmacking of the Mkuranga–Kisiju road to promote tourism and noted the number of primary schools has grown from 130 to 169.

Dr Samia, who had at the end of last month conducted campaign rallies in parts of Kibaha District, concluded her Coast Region campaign yesterday with rallies in Rufiji, Kibiti and Mkuranga, marking the end of her coastal tour ahead of the October 29 General Election.