Samia roots for stronger JKT
PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the Ministry of Defence and National Service to come up with a strategic plan to improve all National Service (JKT) camps across the country so that they can host all form six leavers for compulsory military training.
President Samia said the aim is to have well trained youths who will have true love, patriotism, respect, trust and integrity for their nation.
“I want to see the professionally trained youth so that they can serve their country with all their heart,’’ she noted.
The president further directed the ministry to look at how best to empower the National Service’s economic wing─ Suma-JKT to have access to loans, so that it can increase production thus boosting the country’s economy.
The Head of State issued the directives in Dodoma yesterday, when officiating the climax of the celebrations to mark 60 years of JKT since its inception on July 10, 1963 by the founding fathers of the nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume.
Addressing the well-attended event at the Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma, Dr Samia paid tribute to the army for discharging its duties efficiently, thus bringing positive contribution to the country’s economy.
According to her, the government will continue empowering JKT financially, so that it can fully depend on itself in carrying out its duties of training youths in patriotism, production and national defence.
President Samia further revealed a robust plan to link the National Service with the ongoing Build a Better Tomorrow (BBT) agriculture programme, so as to help youths passing out of the military training to employ themselves, instead of staying jobless in the streets.
BBT is the innovative government programme, which focuses on young men and women by giving them a three-month training programme after which, they are allocated land for agricultural purposes.
“We want to see JKT training becoming the main door for helping youths of the country to venture into other areas immediately after the training is completed,’’ added the president.
In his remarks, the Minister for Defence and National Service, Innocent Bashungwa said that JKT training had continuously helped the country to continue enjoying peace and tranquility as youths are trained to have love and patriotism for the country.
“We are continuing to improve infrastructures at all JKT camps so that we accommodate all form six leavers to join the compulsory military training,’’ he insisted.
At the event, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Jackob Mkunda paid tribute to the sixth phase government for continuing to empower the army with both financial and human resources, so that it continues discharging their duties efficiently.
And, the Chief of National Service (CNS), Major General Rajabu Mabele said since its inception in 1963, JKT had continued implementing its duties efficiently and that it had earned respect because of the various flagship projects that have helped to add value to the country’s economy.
He gave an example of Suma-JKT which was implementing several key projects and giving dividends to the central government as well as paying all statutory taxes thus contributing to state coffers.
The event to mark 60 years anniversary of the national service was attended by various government top leaders including Vice-President, Dr Philip Mpango, Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Tulia Ackson, Chief Justice Prof Ibrahim Juma and Attorney General Judge Eliezer Feleshi, among others.
The event was coloured by various entertainments including a military parade, music and traditional performances from different artists and showcasing of various services and products offered by JKT at its various camps, schools, colleges and its economic wing, Suma-JKT.
