Dr Tulia: Tanzania is ready for IPU’s 153rd Assembly

DAR ES SALAAM: IPU President Dr Tulia Ackson has declared that Tanzania is ready to host the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), following preparations by the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania in collaboration with the government ahead of the event, which is expected to bring together more than 2,000 delegates from across the world in Arusha next month.

In an exclusive interview with Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) in Dar es Salaam recently, Dr Tulia, the former Speaker of Tanzania’s National Assembly, said Parliament has put in place a good procedure for cooperating with the government in coordinating the historic event, including logistics for delegates.

“Truly, the country [Tanzania] has prepared to welcome the world. It has prepared in the sense that the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania is under the leadership of our Speaker, the Honourable [Mussa] Zungu.

In her assessment, the IPU leader said when delegates arrive in Arusha, they will be able to see the attractions that Tanzania has, insisting that it is not just about food attractions.

“…not just food attractions that we have, meaning they must necessarily see the difference. There are others who have been here before, and also here, we will teach them our cultures, we will teach them the way we manage matters here in the country,” she said.

Dr Tulia said awareness about the event is high in Tanzania, with people talking about it everywhere.

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“Perhaps before, it wasn’t a very easy matter at the beginning of the IPU; some even didn’t know about it, but now even the Prime Minister mentions it, talks about the IPU, why? Because it supports the state of readiness to receive guests.

“But we have also seen the government communicating with various partners. During that period, many flights will come directly, and they will be given permission. Others come from rich countries; they will come here in private jets. All resources are at work to ensure that those who come in private jets…” the IPU boss said.

She informed all delegates planning to attend the conference that visas will be issued on arrival and, more importantly, free of charge at Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha Airport.

“So I would like to take this opportunity, as the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, to welcome the world to Tanzania, and Tanzania is ready to receive all of you. We are ready and we are excited.

“We believe you will all be excited to come for your first time, second time, third time. We are ready for you. And you might want to know that visas will be on arrival, but at the same time, you will have free visas to visit Tanzania.

“Welcome to Tanzania, we are all ready and excited to see you there,” she concluded.