FUEL PRICE SURGE: Premier calms Tanzanians

DODOMA: THE government is rolling out a series of proactive measures to mitigate the fallout from surging global oil prices and shield consumers and businesses from a spike in transport costs, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said yesterday.

Speaking yesterday in Dodoma during an inspection tour of the Ntyuka–Mvumi Kimombo road, Dr Nchemba said the government is closely monitoring global fuel trends and holding daily consultative meetings with key stakeholders to address emerging challenges.

“It is true that there will be effects from this global situation, but I assure you that the government is alert and continuously assessing the situation to take appropriate and sustainable measures,” he said.

He added that the government is prioritising two key areas, ensuring the availability of fuel and preventing price increases from significantly affecting the cost of goods and services.

“Every day we hold meetings with different sectors to ensure, first, that fuel does not become scarce and second, that rising prices do not negatively affect the cost of products and services,” the Prime Minister stressed.

Dr Nchemba said the government is working closely with service providers through continuous consultations and technical assessments to ensure timely and effective interventions.

At the same time, he called on wananchi to play their part in safeguarding national interests, including protecting public resources and maintaining peace.

“As a government, we are committed to ensuring that all citizens benefit from national resources by dealing firmly with theft, exploitation and other practices that deny wananchi their rights,” he said.

The Prime Minister also commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her continued efforts to drive development, particularly through infrastructure projects.

“I congratulate President Samia for fulfilling the longstanding dream of Mvumi residents to have a tarmac road,” he said.

He added that the government continues to allocate substantial resources across key sectors and urged public servants to ensure that services are delivered efficiently and that public funds are used for their intended purposes.

On the health sector, Dr Nchemba cited the 6.5bn/- budget allocated to Dodoma Region, stressing that the funds must translate into tangible services for citizens.

“Reports may indicate that medicine availability has reached 85 to 90 per cent, but when citizens go to hospitals, they are still asked to buy medicines elsewhere. This is not acceptable,” he said.

“We want to see real impact, when the government allocates funds, wananchi must directly benefit,” he emphasised.

In her latest address, President Samia Suluhu Hassan directed immediate measures to reduce fuel consumption across government institutions and urged citizens to remain calm as global oil supply disruptions push prices upward.

Speaking after swearing in newly appointed leaders at Chamwino State House, Dr Samia said the ongoing global crisis, linked to tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, has disrupted oil supply chains and triggered rising fuel costs worldwide.

She, however, said that Tanzania remains relatively better positioned, with fuel prices still lower compared to several neighbouring countries, despite the global pressures.

The Head of State announced cost-cutting steps within government operations, including reducing vehicle convoys and introducing shared transport for officials, while cautioning traders against unjustified price hikes on food and other goods, particularly for stock purchased before the current fuel price increases.

“Within the government, we have many vehicles and frequent travel. We must now reduce this,” she said.

“Even in my office, when I travel, officials will no longer follow in separate cars. They will use shared transport to cut down fuel use.” She urged ministries, departments and agencies to adopt similar measures to ensure efficient use of resources during the current period of global uncertainty.

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On the international front, President Samia said that recent developments in key oil transit routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, had begun to improve, offering hope for stabilisation, although she cautioned that the situation remains fragile.

Addressing the business community, she warned against using the fuel situation as a blanket justification for increasing prices of goods already in storage.