Local residents surrounding the Mbalali Estate are set to receive a long-awaited redistribution of land, following a pledge by CCM presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan during a campaign rally on Friday.

Samia assured residents that the estate, recently acquired by the government, will be divided among small-scale farmers and surrounding communities. She emphasised that the land will not be allocated to political leaders or elites, but rather to ordinary residents to enhance local livelihoods.

“We are in the final stages of verification before distributing the plots to the people. This estate is not for leaders, it is for the local residents,” Samia told cheering crowds.

Highlighting the government’s achievements over the past five years, Samia noted that more than 10bn/- has been invested in water projects, leading to the construction of 30 shallow wells and 23 deep wells across Mbarali District. In addition, the government has pumped 51.5bn/- into a major water supply project at Rujewa, now 35 percent complete, which she said will permanently address the area’s water challenges once finished.

Health services have also been prioritised, with 5bn/- allocated to build Mbarali District Hospital, alongside the construction of four new health centres and nine dispensaries to bring healthcare closer to rural residents.

In education, Samia outlined the construction of 35 new primary schools and 14 secondary schools to improve access and reduce overcrowding in classrooms.

On infrastructure, she reported that the government has invested 11bn/- in road projects, including rehabilitation of 465 kilometres of rural roads to improve year-round access. Feeder roads in neighbourhoods and additional tarmac stretches in Chimala, Kapunga, Ubaruku, and Madibira are also planned under her leadership if re-elected.

Electricity access has expanded significantly, with 641 hamlets out of 712 already connected to the national grid, bringing new opportunities for small businesses and households.

Samia also called on residents to protect Ruaha National Park, stressing its importance in sustaining water flows and supporting power generation through hydropower projects. She further announced that plots at the Usangu Ranch will be allocated to pastoralists, ensuring equitable use of land resources.

Looking ahead, Samia reaffirmed her commitment to building a self-reliant Tanzania by completing ongoing infrastructure, education, health, and water projects. She pledged more investment in local roads and expanded water and energy supply to drive development in Mbarali and across the country.

“Together, we must continue building a strong, self-reliant nation where every citizen shares in the use of our natural resources and public investments,” she said.

Mbarali constituency parliamentary candidate Bahati Ndingo highlighted major improvements in water supply and irrigation infrastructure recorded in the district over the past three years.

Bahati said that in 2021, when President Samia Suluhu Hassan assumed office, only 55 villages in the constituency had access to clean and safe water. That figure has now risen to 86 villages, marking significant progress in rural water access.

He further noted that a 26bn/- water project is currently underway in various parts of the constituency to expand supply and ensure reliable access for communities.

On agriculture, Bahati explained that Mbarali has seen a major boost in irrigation facilities, with a total of 80.7bn/- invested in irrigation schemes.

 The projects, she said, have heightened irrigation capacity, increased farm productivity, and strengthened the constituency’s role as one of Tanzania’s key food-producing areas.