Magufuli promises goodies as he launches presidential bid

The Chama Cha Mapinduzi’s presidential candidate Dr. John Pombe Magufuli’s presidential race kicked off in earnest in Dar es Salaam Sunday as he promised ‘total change’ in the running of the East African nation.

Dr. Magufuli launched his bid at the Jangwani grounds, just two days After being cleared by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to run for the presidency.

In his speech, he promised to shape the country’s future saying that many things had been left to fate, something he says need to be addressed with immediate effect.

Key highlights of the promises he made include changing the country’s education system to make it more competitive in the world as well as adapt to the changing dynamics of education, science and technology.

Magufuli further said to improve the quality of education, the welfare of the teachers must be taken care of despite economic challenges facing Tanzania.

He said that his administration, should he be elected Tanzania’s fifth president, will ensure that teachers are housed and their salaries leveraged with those of other civil servants as well as with those of the workers in the private sector.

He pointed out that the role of a teacher must be appreciated and rewarded appropriately if Tanzania is to realize the benefits of education.

Far from education, he also touched on the emotive issue of the welfare of the country’s security organs saying that police officers and the military, among other security agents, must be properly remunerated if they are to achieve the objectives of their work.

“Our security forces, led by the police, have for a very long time been remunerated very poorly. We cannot expect good results if they are not motivated enough,” said Magufuli in Swahili.

“The police cannot continue living in shanty-like houses yet other civil servants and public sector employees can afford better living conditions.”

He added: “If elected, I will take care of our police officers by ensuring decent housing and competitive pay packages.”

Dr. Magufuli went ahead to say that he will modernize the police force and equip the security sector as a way of ensuring the country, which neighbors Kenya to the north and whose coastline and that of Kenya and inter-linked, enjoys relative calm even as cases of terrorism and suicide bombing continue to threaten the world’s security.

On Agriculture and Tourism, Dr. Magufuli pointed out that Tanzania’s potential to become the powerhouse in East and Central Africa is unrivaled and hence a needy to exploit it.

“Tanzania is the second biggest producer of livestock after Ethiopia. There are approximately 20 million livestock here and if well taken care of and markets sourced, Tanzania can become the centre of attention and a global exporter,” he added.

“Our wildlife and nature beauty must also be guarded jealously. Tourism has been one of our strong points and cannot be ignored. I will ensure adequate resources are pumped to the sector that has already created thousands of jobs especially for the young generation.”

Job creation, women and youth empowerment

The high levels of unemployment, which is a global problem and especially very high in Africa, also came to play even as Dr. Magufuli, who has been in the government for over 20 years, launched his bid.

He noted that there is urgency to address the high rates of unemployment in Tanzania by, first, equipping the youth and women with necessary skills, allocating necessary resources to women and youth as well as promoting equity and equality across all genders and generations.

The CCM candidate said that his government, should he ascend to power, will ensure young people and women are given an opportunity to serve the nation and and facilitated well enough to start businesses as well as venture in other productive and income generating activities.

The youth and women issue has been a thorn in many countries and especially in the least developed and other third world countries.

Developing infrastructure

Dr. Magufuli, who is the current Minister for Infrastructure, said that developing a proper infrastructural network tops his agenda as this is a catalyst to economic growth and independence of Tanzania.

“Infrastructure is key to any economic growth and freedom for any nation. You have all seen what I have done as the Minister for Infrastructure; this job must be completed.”

He noted that during his tenure as Minister, road networks have improved and more plans put in place for more developments.

He said; “We have already contracted a German company to do some roads here in Dar es Salaam as a way of reducing the heavy traffic snarl up that has been experienced for decades.”

“I have also put in place plans to build superhighways with world-class flyovers as a means of addressing traffic and expanding our transport networks. We shall also construct highways linking provinces and districts across the country.”

“We will also expand our port and build another bridge to join the mainland to the island so as to become more competitive in business and address the long queues experienced at the ports and at the ferry.”

Dr. Magufuli is seeking to become the country’s fifth President and take over from Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete who has served for two five-year terms.