DODOMA: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa said yesterday that the government values the contribution of religious institutions in preserving the country’s peace and unity, expressing commitment to continue forging cooperation in executing various development programmes.
He asked the religious institutions to continue working with the government in pushing forward development agenda, saying apart from providing spiritual teachings and guidance, they also play a big role in providing social services and promoting economic growth.
The Premier was speaking during the climax of the Council of Pentecostal churches in Tanzania (CPCT) meeting, which took place at Miyuji Bible College in Dodoma.
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“We thank the religious institutions for supporting the government efforts to bringing development to the citizens. Religious institutions have been part of the solutions to various challenges that face the people of Tanzania. The institutions have been supporting the government in addressing various challenges in education and health sectors as well as helping in alleviating poverty in the society,” explained Premier Majaliwa.
According to Premier Majaliwa, religious institutions have been part of the solution to social challenges such as poverty, poor education and health problems.
He emphasised that the government values the presence and contribution of religious institutions in preaching peace and stability in the country.
He added: “The secret to all of this is due to the good teachings and preaching on ethics, solidarity, love, tolerance and unity.
The government alone could not do all this,” he emphasised.
He revealed that the government will continue to work with religious institutions in addressing various challenges and implementing a number of projects for the benefit of Tanzanians.
“I would like to use this opportunity to ask religious institutions to continue working closely with the government in addressing a number of issues under the slogan ‘Wherever there is unity, the Lord commands blessings,” he noted.
On his part, the CPCT Chairman, Dr Barnabas Mtokambali stated that the council, through its member denominations, will continue to collaborate with the government in developing the education and health sectors by establishing and running hospitals, health centres, schools, and various colleges.
“This not only reduces the heavy burden on the government in serving the large Tanzanian community, but also helps to alleviate the major problem of youth unemployment,” he said.
He added that CPCT will continue to collaborate with the government in promoting good morals through teachings to counteract the global trend of moral decay.
“The Council has been at the forefront in opposing acts such as same-sex marriages, homosexuality and irresponsible parenting which leads to an increase of street children, outdated customs like female genital mutilation and superstitious beliefs that result in the killing of people with albinism,” he said.