- … President Samia says Lowassa embraced constructive, clean politics
- … He advised supplying Lake Victoria water to Mwanza, Shinyanga
- … He managed establishment of ward secondary schools countrywide
MONDULI, ARUSHA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged Tanzanians to honour the late retired Prime Minister Edward Lowassa for his tenacity, guardianship and his readiness to implement government directives.
President Samia made the call during the funeral ceremony of the late Lowassa at his home village of Ngarash in Monduli District, Arusha Region yesterday.
President Samia said that tenacity is one of the personal attributes that distinguished the late Lowassa from the rest, asking Tanzanians to continue honouring him, as he was a brave leader who managed to effectively implement whatever he was directed to.
“When he was serving as Minister for Water during the fourth phase government, he was directed by his bosses to ensure that water from Lake Victoria also benefits Tanzanians. Lowassa then advised the government on how to implement the directives, and today we are supplying Lake Victoria water to Mwanza, Shinyanga, Tabora residents. Later on we will do the same to Singida and Dodoma residents,” noted Samia.
According to President Samia, the late Lowassa did well in the management of regional water supply and sanitation authorities, something that Tanzanians have to learn that when they have been entrusted to serve in various leadership positions they must be ready to implement government directives with efficiency as Lowassa did.
She wanted them not to wait until someone pushes them to do what they are supposed to.
“Lowassa was also a good guardian not only for his family, but also for Monduli residents, his party -CCM, his government and even for opposition party-Chadema. He taught us that we can do politics without quarreling or insulting one another,” she said.
On top of that, President Samia disclosed that Lowassa will be honoured by his ability to manage the establishment of community secondary schools built in wards across the country.
According to her, before the establishment of ward secondary schools, there were only 828 ward secondary schools in 2004 compared to more than 5,000 last year.
She added that the number of students pursuing studies in community schools has increased from 265,000 by then to 2.8 million currently.
Samia told mourners and Tanzanians in general that during his presidential campaign through Chadema ticket in 2015, Lowassa carried the agenda of education, saying that was the only instrument that could liberate Tanzanians from poverty.
Another special Lowassa’s trait that Tanzanians have to embrace is his resilience.
President Samia said that even when Lowassa crossed from CCM to Chadema, he promoted his policies and philosophy of hope without insulting or mudslinging others, calling upon Tanzanians to also cultivate the culture of embracing constructive politics as Lowassa did.
“Lowassa taught us that we can differ in policies and attitude without shaking the foundations of our nation. Protecting and safeguarding the country’s foundations must come before party or individual interests,” she said.
