PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has mourned the demise of Lawrence Mafuru as leaving a huge gap in the government due to his exceptional ideas and skills to solve challenges.

At a moving funeral address for the late Planning Commission executive secretary who died when undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital in the Indian capital, she said the late technocrat had long been called upon as a leader to take up and advise on some of the country’s most pressing challenges.

He was for a long time a leader in solving various challenges, helping the government to yield immediate answers or changes in the work of public agencies and the nation at large, she stated.

His sudden passing has left a void in the relevant department, with many reflecting on the roles he played in shaping the nation’s development agenda as a man of vision and action.

“He played a pivotal role in solving complex issues, bringing immediate and impactful solutions that made a real difference in both the public service and the nation,” she said, recalling his initiatives at a critical moment in the last few years when the country faced a severe dollar shortage.

The planning commission executive was instrumental in solving this issue through his work on a committee formed to address the crisis, she said, citing others in the committee as including Treasury Registrar Nehemia Mchechu who chaired the panel.

The committee worked tirelessly, coming up with a plan to increase the availability of dollars and it was incredibly effective, the president intoned, highlighting Mafuru’s significant contributions in the construction sector.

His leadership brought about meaningful change during a time of crisis, she said, hinting at what the government did when facing challenges in managing construction projects, where the president called a meeting in Zanzibar to find a solution.

“It was Mafuru who stood up and presented an innovative idea that pushed us forward. His contribution was so impactful that we were all left astonished by his foresight and creativity,” she solemnly declared.

Praising the late economic administrator for his courage, she was fulsome in acknowledging his readiness to offer constructive advice whenever he identified gaps or inefficiencies in government operations.

“Mafuru was never afraid to speak up and suggest solutions, even when others hesitated. His honesty and commitment to making things better were unmatched,” she asserted.

Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, the Planning and Investment state minister in the President’s Office, affirmed his late colleague’s lasting impact on the government's social and economic development vision.

“Mafuru made significant contributions that have positively shaped our country’s progress. He was a strong advocate for an inclusive economy and always ensured that national development plans prioritized the well-being of all Tanzanians,” he said.

His dedication to fostering a more inclusive and prosperous future for Tanzania will be remembered for years to come, he added.