By Prosper Makene, Dodoma
As the sun rose over Dodoma, casting a warm glow over the parliamentary complex, President Samia Suluhu Hassan stood poised to address the newly elected Members of Parliament.
With a gentle smile, she began her speech, her words dripping with empathy as she paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the recent election-related violence. “Let us take a moment to remember them,” she said, her voice filled with compassion, as the chamber fell silent in observance of a moment of silence.
The President’s words were laced with compassion as she extended her condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. She assured the nation that the government would conduct thorough investigations into the incidents and work towards healing and reconciliation.
As she turned her attention to the newly elected leaders, President Samia congratulated them on their victory and urged them to serve the nation with dedication and integrity. She emphasized the importance of accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of the people.
The President highlighted the significance of women’s participation in leadership, noting the increased number of women in Parliament. She encouraged them to use their positions to champion the welfare of families, children, and society at large.
President Samia also addressed the youth, urging them not to be swayed by divisive politics and to prioritize national unity and development. She announced measures to support youth empowerment, including the establishment of a dedicated ministry for youth affairs and increased funding for youth entrepreneurship initiatives.
To empower women economically, the President announced plans to promote financing for women-owned businesses and strengthen economic empowerment funds. “We shall invest in the improvement of market infrastructure: safe and clean water, sanitation systems, health facilities, and day-care centers within markets, so that women can conduct business in an environment of dignity and safety,” she said.
The government aims to generate up to eight million jobs in various sectors by 2030. To achieve this, President Samia outlined plans to accelerate the formalization of micro, small, and medium enterprises, providing them with identity, training, and financial services.
In the water sector, the President reported significant progress, with access to safe and clean water increasing to nearly 90% in urban areas and over 80% in rural areas. She pledged to complete the construction of the National Water Grid, which will include major projects to transmit water from the country’s great lakes.
On healthcare, President Samia announced plans to complete the construction of regional hospitals, health centers, and dispensaries. She also pledged to strengthen the Muhimbili National Hospital and expand specialized services in zonal and regional referral hospitals.
In education, the President emphasized the importance of skills development, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. She announced plans to improve the infrastructure of pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools and increase access to higher education through the Samia Scholarship Fund.
The President’s vision for agriculture is clear: “farming is business, and the farmer is an investor.” She outlined plans to increase access to quality inputs, expand irrigation, and establish dedicated centers for hiring agricultural machinery.
On her speech, President Samia emphasized the importance of leadership that listens to the people and acts with integrity. She called on all leaders to work towards a brighter future for Tanzania, where every citizen has access to quality services, economic opportunities, and dignity.
