Never again!

• PM warns against economic saboteurs

DAR ES SALAAM: PRIME Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has called on Tanzanians to unite and ensure that the violence and unrest experienced during and after the October 29th General Election will “never happen again.”

Dr Nchemba also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding Tanzania and its natural resources, warning that the nation must remain alert to groups seeking to destabilise the country.

Dr Mwigulu made the remarks yesterday, during a meeting with media editors at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam.

He condemned the incidents, which led to the loss of lives and destruction of public property, labelling them as “economic sabotage.”

In his remarks, Nchemba reflected on the tragic events that unfolded during and after the election period, saying it has left deep scars on the nation.

He highlighted the significant costs, both human and material that Tanzanians had to bear.

“My plea is for all of us, each with our own conscience, to declare that such an event should never happen again in our land. It is not a blessing; it creates wounds that will not heal and it costs us dearly,” Dr Nchemba said.

The Premier pointed out that the damage caused by the unrest had extended beyond just lives lost and infrastructure destroyed.

“The destruction of transportation networks and public service facilities, like hospitals, is economic sabotage. These facilities are funded by Tanzanians themselves and damaging them harms our economy,” he stated.

Dr Nchemba also urged Tanzanians to be vigilant against those seeking to disrupt the peace and stability of the country.

He warned against allowing external forces to manipulate the situation stressing that Tanzania remains a safe and prosperous nation that must be protected from those wishing it ill.

“Tanzania is not a poor country. There are those who desire it and there are those who are sent to cause harm. Let me assure them that we will protect our country at any cost,” he said, stressing that the nation’s resources belong to its people.

“Those who do not wish Tanzania well are hoping for negative developments to continue. Reject them and refuse to be used to commit wrong deeds against your country,” he said.

Equally, the Prime Minister stressed that Tanzania’s future depends on national unity and a strong commitment to protecting the country’s interests.

“Let us not be used by evil forces that seek to destroy our livelihoods. The resources of this country are for Tanzanians, and we have never been a nation that fails. We must unite and safeguard our nation,” Dr Nchemba urged.

The government is also focused on creating an environment conducive to private sector investment and development.

Dr Nchemba urged Tanzanians to adopt a culture of respecting the private sector and facilitating investments that would drive the country’s growth.

He reiterated that anyone coming to invest in the country should be supported swiftly, as such initiatives are vital in the fight against poverty.

The Prime Minister’s comments came amidst growing calls for national unity and accountability following the unrest that marred the October polls.

As the country moves forward, the government is determined to address the issues that led to the violence and ensure that such incidents are never repeated.

With strong leadership and public cooperation, Tanzania hopes to continue making progress towards its long-term development goals.

The Prime Minister also called on citizens to reject any efforts aimed at undermining Tanzania’s economy or sabotaging its progress.

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He warned that the best way to address past wrongs was by ensuring they were not repeated.

“The solution to the wrongs of the past is not to let them happen again,” he said firmly.

Dr Mwigulu used the opportunity to rally support for the government’s ambitious development plans, particularly the “Vision 2050.”

He said that the current government is the first to implement the first phase of this vision, which aims to transform the lives of Tanzanians.

The Premier acknowledged that the task ahead is mammoth and the nation must work harder than ever to achieve its goals.

“For the vision to succeed, we need extra effort. We need to fasten our belts and work together to lift many Tanzanians out of poverty,”

Dr Nchemba urged, calling for greater collaboration among all sectors of society, including the media.

Dr Nchemba also recognised the critical role the media plays in this national effort.

He thanked the media for their dedication and patriotic work, particularly in their coverage during the election period.

The government, he said, is committed to supporting the media’s role in nation-building by providing ongoing training to improve their skills.

Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Professor Palamagamba Kabudi also echoed Dr Nchemba’s call, reassuring journalists that the government would continue building their capacity.

So far, 3,200 journalists have been accredited and Prof Kabudi emphasised that plans are underway to review and improve the Media Policy of 2023.

“We aim to ensure the media policy better serves the needs of the Tanzanian people, while also promoting professionalism in the industry,” Kabudi stated.