MBEYA: PRIME Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa on Sunday said the government continues to recognise and appreciate the contribution of religious institutions in boosting development of various sectors in the country.
Mr Majaliwa said the authority has been collaborating with private sector including all religious institutions in providing social services to citizens and accelerating national development at large.
Mr Majaliwa reaffirmed the government’s stance in collaborating with religion institutions during the ordaining ceremony of the Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mbeya, Mr Godfrey Mwasekaga, which was held at Sokoine Memorial Stadium.
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“It is undeniable truth that religious institutions complement the government’s efforts in providing various social services including education, health, agriculture, water and finance. The government would not be able to provide all the services alone,” he said at the occasion, while representing President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Mr Majaliwa said the government under President Samia, appreciates the Roman Catholic Church for supporting its efforts in ensuring prosperity of citizens through provision of the social services.
He expounded that the Roman Catholic Church in Mbeya and Songwe regions collaborate with the government in providing health services in 15 areas of medical care, including two hospitals namely Igongwe and Mwambani at Rungwe and Songwe District Councils respectively.
He said the church also has three health centres, where one is located in Songwe and two health centres in Mbeya. More significantly, he said the Roman Catholic Church has ten dispensaries, out of which seven are in Mbeya and three are in Songwe.
He said the government will keep on cooperating with other faith leaders from all religions. Furthermore, he urged the faith leaders to put more focus on securing youths spiritually against all the social evils including drug abuses, theft and rape, which can impede their prosperity.
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He said the government understands the spiritual leaders’ roles on shaping citizens to morality and God-fearing spirit.
For his part, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mbeya, Mr Gervas Nyaisonga, who doubles as the Tanzania Episcopal Conference’s (TEC) president said that the Roman Catholic Church also appreciates the government’s contribution in fostering the country’s development.
He said the church will keep on providing the social services in line with national development plans.
“The church congratulates the government for implementing various development programmes aiming in simplifying citizens’ livelihoods,” he said.
On top of that, Archbishop Nyaisonga extolled the government for prohibiting same sex relationship in the country.
“Keep on with such tone, the Church also is firm condemning the social vice,” he said.
The ordaining ceremony which concurrently held with celebration of 125th Jubilee of the Roman Catholic’s evangelism was led by Cardinal Polycarp Pengo.
