LEADING presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan is persuaded that current development achievements and future prospects embody the enduring vision of self-reliance set out in post-independence years by founder president Julius Nyerere.

Addressing a campaign rally at Mwenge grounds in Butiama yesterday, she praised the country’s paramount leader whose ideals of unity, self-reliance and people-centred development anchor the nation’s efforts in striving for progress.

Nyerere’s values are central to government policies, committed to advancing core principles of freedom, hard work, responsibility and national cohesion, she stated, observing that “when we speak of Mwalimu Nyerere, we speak of true patriotism and the philosophy he built for our nation, unity, self-reliance, freedom and duty, for development focused on the people.”

“Those are ideas that shape our policies, our vision and our plans for the future,” she stated, citing ongoing development efforts including major infrastructure and social investments as reflecting the practical realisation of Nyerere’s dream to build an inclusive and self-sustaining nation.

The relocation of government headquarters to Dodoma, completion of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) and major water supply projects in Same, Mwanga in Kilimanjaro Region as well as Korogwe in Tanga Region and Morogoro Region, all of these projects strengthen national independence and economic resilience, the candidate declared.

“The dream that Mwalimu cherished, good governance, people’s empowerment and social progress are being fulfilled, and we are determined to take them even further,” she emphasized, paying homage at the late leaders’ grave at Mwitongo in the vicinity of Butiama, ahead of commemorating 26 years of his death at a London hospital October 14, 1999 since his passing.

She reaffirmed plans for setting up the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere University of Agriculture and Technology (MJNUAT) in Butiama, to help produce skilled professionals capable of transforming the sector through modern research, technology and innovation.

She similarly highlighted plans to establish a 200bn/- fund within the first 100 days of taking office to support smallholder traders, seeking to provide formal recognition to informal businesses.

This initiative is aligned with Nyerere’s vision of empowering citizens through opportunity and productive activity, she said, insisting that small traders need to be able to grow their businesses, access finance and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy.

Butiama residents need to honour Nyerere’s legacy by turning out in large numbers on October 29 to vote to protect the unity, peace and prosperity that Mwalimu Nyerere devoted his life to building.

While in Mugumu, Serengeti District, the president encouraged greater investment in the construction of tourist hotels, saying the government is determined to promote tourism as a pillar of development via foreign exchange earnings.

Mugumu will soon have an airfield to further enhance transport connectivity and attract more tourists to the Serengeti area, in stepping up efforts to attain the government’s goal of receiving eight million tourists by 2030.

She deplored gender discrimination in leadership, citing murmuring that the parliamentary candidate for the area is a woman, asserting that in just four years as Union president she has accomplished a great deal in driving progress. ‘Women are loyal and highly capable leaders,” the candidate insisted.

Dr Wilson Mahera, the parliamentary candidate for Butiama, said that building MJNUAT in the district is a remarkable achievement that will open up new opportunities for local residents and boost the national drive for agricultural transformation.