SONGWE: President Samia Suluhu has urged the business community in Tunduma District town council in Songwe Region to continue paying taxes accordingly as her government continues to address the challenges they are sailing through.
She made the remark on Thursday when her convoy en-route to Dodoma stopped at Tunduma in Songwe Region.
Greeting Wananchi, the Head of State emphasized the critical role of tax revenues in funding the ongoing and upcoming local projects.
“Sometimes revenues are insufficient thus we resort to borrowing and paying interest. To avoid this, we must generate our own funds,” she emphasized.
The President has concluded her seven-day tour in the Rukwa, Katavi, regions.
Another strategic project is the construction of the 80-kilometer Mlowo-Kamsamba Road, which connects food basket areas with the Kamsamba Valley.
On his part, Minister of Agriculture Mr Hussein Bashe said Songwe Region is a significant food producer, as it has produced 1.6 million tons of food this year, against a regional demand of less than 4 million tons.
On his part, Songwe Regional Commissioner Mr Daniel Chongolo, noted that the Tunduma One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) has boosted revenue to 153bn/-, a 109 percent of the target.
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In the last financial year, the council targeted 145bn/-, said Mr Chongolo as he expressed his optimism that in this fiscal year, 2024/25, will collect 180bn/-.
RC Chongolo also announced that Momba District and Tunduma Council plan to construct a dry port and vehicle storage area using a loan solicited from the Ministry of Work.
The initiative, according to the regional boss, aims at decongesting the OSBP.
Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA)’s special seat MP from Songwe, Stella Fiyao praised President Samia’s 4Rs philosophy (Reconciliation, Resilience, Reform and Rebuild ) for uniting the region’s residents.
“Previously, we lived like enemies and we did not help each other, but your government, through this philosophy, has fostered collaboration,” she said.