MAGUFULI TOASTED ON 100 DAYS IN OFFICE

President John Magufuli at work at State House in Dar es Salaam, on his first day in office, November 6, 2015.

As President John Magufuli chalks his first 100 days in office today, a section of politicians, academicians, religious leaders and the general public have saluted his achievements so far.

Most of those interviewed by the ‘Daily News’ said President Magufuli is a man of his word and has walked the talk without mincing words They prayed the efforts continue into the next five years.

“In such a short time, Dr Magufuli has achieved what many leaders have failed to achieve, especially in straightening public institutions that were dominated by corruption and increasing revenue collection to unprecedented levels,’’ one of the commentators said.

Former Prime Minister, Judge (retired) Joseph Warioba said President Magufuli has started on good footing, noting that within the first 100 days in office, he has started delivering on the promises he made to the public during his election campaigns and when launching the 11th Parliament when he defined his government’s direction.

Judge Warioba said Dr Magufuli embarked on delivering on his promises to the public by starting with sensitive areas, especially in the areas of revenue collection and fiscal control. “Tanzanians are now benefiting because public funds are being channelled into areas that directly affect the ordinary people such as health and education, which is now free,” he said.

Among the many achievements, Judge Warioba said he is impressed with two issues that Dr Magufuli is tackling without fear, namely corruption and restoration of discipline and efficiency in the government machinery.

“This is a good beginning.... Dr Magufuli has directed his efforts to checking mismanagement of public offices and restoring confidence in public institutions. With support from the public, I believe we will witness a lot of positive changes in future,” Judge Warioba remarked.

A senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dr Benson Bana, said Dr Magufuli has recorded tremendous achievements in his first 100 days in office than any other president apart from the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

Dr Bana said the president has restored public confidence in the government, which is now working for the best interests of the ordinary people, which he noted has not been the case for a long time.

“He’s brought hope to Tanzanians and restored public confidence in their government. He is talking and walking the talk. We have seen increased revenue collection, control of government spending and discipline in public servants for the first time since the Nyerere’s era,” he explained.

He added that Dr Magufuli has directed public funds into priority areas such as education, health, the judiciary and infrastructure, which have direct impact on the lives of common people. “He has suspended more than 100 public servants as investigations continue on allegations of mismanagement of office... all this within 100 days in office. He follows up on his directives.

The Dar es Salaam Regional Sheikh, Alhad Mussa Salum, said Dr Magufuli’s 100 days in office have been a blessing to Tanzanians, restoring as they did, public confidence and hope in their government.

“In just 100 days, President Magufuli has managed to control government expenditure, has addressed mismanagement of public funds and graft and increased revenue collections, which has been directed to providing public services such as free education, improved health service and the judiciary system,” he explained.

Former Vunjo Member of Parliament Augustine Mrema said he first noticed Dr Magufuli’s ‘star’ during the elections campaign, which prompted his support to the president despite insults from the opposition party members.

The Acting Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Commissioner General, Mr Alphayo Kidata, said his institution is set to assist the president to fulfil his promises to the public. He reported that in the last two months -- December 2015 and January 2016 -- revenue collected surpassed the target.

December’s target was 1.2 trillion but the revenue authority collected 1.4 trillion, while in January, actual collection was 1.060 trillion/- against the targeted 1.045 tri/-.

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mzee Ibrahim Kaduma compared President Magufuli with Mwalimu Nyerere, saying like the founding father, the president is an advocate of the poor in the country and will do anything possible to free them from the chains of poverty so that they can enjoy fruits from the abundant natural resources in the country.

The Chairperson of Opposition ACT-Wazalendo, Ms Anna Mghwira, praised Dr Magufuli for his achievements, noting that the president’s notable diligence is an indication that Tanzania will also get a new constitution.

She however called on the president to address what she described as the heavy cloud hanging over Zanzibar regarding the political stalemate after results of the October 2015 general election were nullified following claims of irregularities.

Daily News