PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has called upon religious leaders to step up advocacy against moral decay, including battling drug abuse which is a threat to the country’s workforce development.
Mr Majaliwa made the statement on Thursday while addressing Eid al Adha special reception (Eid Baraza) on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan held at the national level at the Prophet Mohammed VI Mosque in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam.
“We have been witnessing surge in drug abuse in our society which threatens manpower sustainability especially among our youth; let us jointly step up efforts to end moral decay, to secure our country’s generation from getting lost,” Mr Majaliwa noted.
He said with that regard, the government has been taking strict measures to prevent importation, transportation, distribution and uses of drugs in the country by improving monitoring and surveillance.
Recently, President Dr Samia, while gracing the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Arusha Region, noted that the country has made success in controlling drug trafficking by 90 per cent.
Speaking yesterday, Mr Majaliwa said the government is committed to ensure zero drug penetration in the country. He said the government has set special security station in all mass entry areas such as airport, bus station and ports which can be used by drug dealers as their supply points.
Highlighting achievement from the surveillance improvement, Mr Majaliwa said so far the government has successfully cleared over 179 acres of cannabis in Arusha Region, while also tracking all drug penetration routes.
Mr Majaliwa said despite the fact that the government has highly prevented the importation of drug in the country but still, there was an increase in local drug production, the situation that demand concerted efforts from religious leaders and citizens at large, to end such malpractice.
Furthermore, he urged religious leaders to keep on preaching against same sex relationships that threat human dignity and local cultural value, saying there no room for such malpractice in the country.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister used the platform yet again to clarify on the government’s decision on inking the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with the Emirate of Dubai as the blueprint for bilateral tie between the two countries in area of shipment with the Dar es Salaam Port, being a priority to upgrade its efficiency.
He said since the National Assembly approved the IGA recently, opinions across the country have emerged regarding to the benefit the country will reap from the agreement.
Premier Majaliwa said the government has been regularly providing clarifications in order to clear out any doubts, frustration and fear. He insisted that the ports are not for sale.
Instead, he called on members of the public to support the government, assuring the citizenry that it was treading carefully while approaching the issue that has lately hit the headlines.
The Prime Minister further allayed fears on the credibility of the DP World an Emirati multinational Logistics Company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“This is reputable firm, credited for handling 190 ports in 68 countries around the world,” the PM assured.
According to Mr Majaliwa, DP World boasts of requisite expertise in running logistical related activities.
Mr Majaliwa said the country is surrounded by eight land linked countries including Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) , Zambia and Uganda, which rely on the Dar es Salaam Port as they gateway to their cargo.
He said that the port efficiency is still low and hence the DP World investment plan is geared towards meeting huge demand from which, the country will create more employment opportunities while increasing increase revenue generation.
While adjourning the 11th session of the 12th Parliament in Dodoma on Wednesday, the Premier, who was, appealed to Tanzanians to remain united while expressing their views and opinions on the prospects of the agreement.
He also said throughout the implementation of the envisioned project, Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) will be responsible with the management of all ports in the country as stipulated in the Ports Act number 17 of 2004.
Nevertheless, he urged Muslims across the country to showcase love and solidarity by celebrating the Eid Al Adha with the needy including orphans and widow spreading joy to the entire nation.
Earlier, Acting Muft Ally Khamis urged Islam leaders across the country to set special financial programme which will allow nationals who went to Hajj for pilgrimage to also explore economic opportunities via marketing the country made goods.
