[Tanzania] Let’s team up against graft, poverty - Kikwete

from IPP Media

By Privatus Lipili,

President Jakaya Kikwete has appealed to the church to step up the campaign against graft and extreme poverty to enable the country to register escalating rounds of economic growth.

Addressing delegates to the Central Committee of the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) in Dodoma yesterday, President Kikwete commended the church for providing a wide range of social services, but challenged the clergy to join the government’s war against corruption and intensify the efforts against poverty.

He applauded the role the church plays in the country’s socio-economic development, in which poverty eradication features prominently.

Kikwete noted that both the church and the government have similar complementary roles of improving the lives of people materially and morally.

He appealed for the church’s co-operation in the war against poverty.

He told church leaders to start social groups that will be involved in small scale income generation activities to empower their flock economically.

The President, challenged them to get involved in forming and expanding social groups among the faithful that will help to construct and tertiary institutions school leavers.

The President reiterated his stand on war against corruption, saying the Prevention of Corruption Bureau (PCB) must investigate and prosecute all graft-related cases.

He said his government is determined to root out corruption. He added that he had spent the first months in office reminding civil servants to observe work ethics.

The government, he said, had also directed PCB not to succumb to threats from any quarters.

’’I’ve already directed PCB to work in accordance with the law. They should not bow to threats from anybody because I, as their boss will not give in to threats.’’

He said that the war against graft will not succeed without the co-operation of key actors such as religious leaders.

He appealed to the leaders to stamp out vices that threaten the social fabric of the nation.

He also expressed his determination to see agriculture in the country grow, saying it was critical to economic prosperity.

He noted that the sector provides employment to the majority of rural dwellers.

The President said the government plans to improve amenities such as water, hospitals and transport network, which in turn should spur economic growth.