CCM presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan has vowed to prioritise early childhood development (ECD) initiatives across the country as part of broader health sector initiatives.

Addressing a campaign rally in Uyui District, Tabora Region, the leading candidate announced that the government is rolling out a new program to construct well-equipped classrooms dedicated to early education nationwide.

“Early childhood education is critical. We are building these facilities because many parents previously had no opportunity to start their children’s schooling early,” she stated.

“Some parents were focused on farming and livestock keeping, while others lacked access to nearby schools. Going forward, every new school will include early childhood education facilities,” she explained.

More than 8.2bn/- has during this year been invested in strengthening the health sector in the region, with the construction of rural and urban roads lined up, she said, noting that expansion of electricity access and clean energy shift projects were being pursued.

She also pointed at 15 sizeable projects that have already raised water access in the region to 60 percent of requirements, while the Lake Victoria water supply initiative envisages building a one million litre tank at Ilolangulu ward to improve supply. 

Building a bridge at Loya is also on the list to boost local connectivity, she said, affirming that as the population grows, so too does the demand for essential services like water, electricity, health and education. 

“That is why we are expanding water supply, connecting villages to power, building more classrooms for both primary and secondary schools, and establishing vocational training colleges to equip young people with practical skills,” she stated.

She similarly assured tobacco farmers in the region that those who have not been paid by some companies will soon receive their dues. More licensed purchasing companies are joining the business and will help to resolve payment delays, she explained.

In campaign stops in Urambo District, the president said that tobacco farming support had significantly increased, raising total earnings from less than $10m in 2021/22 to over $50m in the past harvesting season. The government was seeking new markets for the crop, she further noted.

She appealed for unity among CCM members, avoiding divisions and remaining solidly behind the party’s candidates before and after the polls, while Igalula parliamentary candidate Juma Mustafa said that a total of 127.8bn/- was allocated for development projects in the constituency during the past few years.

Shafini Sumar, his counterpart for Uyui constituency, applauded the government for the Lake Victoria water sourcing project as it had improved supply in the constituency. All villages in the constituency access electricity power, while the area awaits further investment in road construction, he stated.

In Urambo, parliamentary candidate Margaret Sitta praised government efforts in expanding water supply and improving livelihoods, urging that the Usoke–Sikonge road be built to strengthen economic activities in the district.