Days are gone where dishonest traders could collude with corrupt public servants to import superfluous sugar in the country as President John Magufuli will from now onwards endorse import permits for the sweetener himself.
Dr Magufuli pointed an accusing finger at some corrupt officials whom he blamed for issuing such permits even when the country had enough sugar stocks. The permits are normally coordinated by the Sugar Board of Tanzania (SBT).
“The Fifth Phase Government has maintained on several occasions on the need for industrialisation to boost the economy but there are some public officials out there who are frustrating the few existing factories.
You find, for instance, an officer issuing permits for sugar imports when local producers have the sweetener that is enough for the market for that period in time,” he observed, saying it was high time the country treasured local production.
“In fact some of the imported sugar is of inferior quality with health hazards to consumers; I thus direct that no permit will be issued without my approval,” President Magufuli stressed.
He made the remarks at the State House in Dar es Salaam during a party he hosted for journalists, information technology (IT) specialists as well as local musicians, actors and actresses who took part in his presidential campaign last year.
Also in attendance were Union Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, First Lady Janeth Magufuli and the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Nape Nnauye.
Also in attendance were the Minister of State in President’s Office (Public Service and Good Governance), Ms Angella Kairuki and Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union Affairs and Environment), Mr January Makamba.
The sugar industry has been facing a number of challenges in the past such as smuggling of the product into the country, dumping of the sweetener in the local market hitherto meant for transit as well as industrial sugar being sold for human consumption.
Demand for the sweetener in Tanzania stands at 420,000 and 170,000 tonnes per annum for domestic and industrial sugar, respectively, making it a total of 590,000 tonnes each year.
Yet local industries can only produce 300,000 tonnes, thus each year there is a shortage of 290,000 tonnes for domestic and industrial use. Of the 290,000 tonnes, 120,000 are for domestic use and 170,000 for industrial production.
In another development, Dr Magufuli pledged to implement all pledges he made in the campaign trail last year by the end of his first tenure in 2020.
“I appreciate the support I get from my fellow Tanzanians and ask them to continue praying for me to cleanse up-rooted corruption in this country, my focus is to drive Tanzania to middle-income economy as articulated in our plans,” he prayed.
He added that even within the government it is not easy. “There is rampant corruption that has to be dealt with. I think we have started slowly but the pace will pick-up.
It is better to take action against a few thieving officials for the interest of millions of people.” Dr Magufuli hailed former President Jakaya Kikwete for the job well done during his ten-year rule, noting that he has learnt a lot from Mr Kikwete and was still learning from him.
Source:Daily News:Sugar imports irritate Magufuli
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