He noted that the government would allocate adequate sites for small-scale miners and ensure that they significantly benefit from the resource which is abundantly found in their area.

 

Speaking to Bukombe residents, the candidate affirmed that the government would not intervene at sites owned by the people. He said the government would play a centre role of providing them with mining licences and make sure that their gold gets reliable market.

 

Dr Magufuli insisted that the current poverty rate that stands at 28 per cent would be reduced only if available resources are properly utilised for the majority Tanzanians. He promised that under his administration, the government was going to ensure that available resources benefit people living in the area.

 

"You are living in the area which is blessed with minerals; your lives must be improved. We are going to ensure that we use available natural resource to improve your livelihoods," he said. He said that the area, which was under opposition Member of Parliament (MP), was less developed due to poor representation.

 

The candidate thus urged Bukombe voters to avoid repeating the same mistake they did in 2010, insisting that the ruling CCM was the appropriate party that would bring them true changes.

 

Meanwhile, Dr Magufuli insisted that he is going to recover mining sites which were illegally given to foreigners and other business moguls and ensure such sites are repossessed by the people.

 

Speaking at a campaign rally at Katoro in Geita Region, Dr Magufuli said that the government had already started recovering such sites in a move aimed at making residents also fully possess some mines.

 

The candidate said that during President Jakaya Kikwete's regime, over 20 mining sites were taken back to the people. He promised that under his leadership should he win the election in October, he was going to ensure that he takes back more sites to the people. "Gold is found in your region.

 

It is unthinkable to see only foreigners are benefiting from such resources while you are leading a poor life; that is not going to be tolerated under my leadership," he vowed.

 

Dr Magufuli, who was accorded grand reception with his motorcade being escorted with hundreds of motorcyclists and pedestrians who walked nearly three kilometres, pledged that Geita residents must have their lives transformed.

 

The aspirant called on the people to show up in large numbers on polling day so that the party can run away with a landslide victory. He also promised to construct a 7-km road within Katoro Town and improving health and other services.

 

Dr Magufuli further said that the Fifth Phase government will step in to improve cotton farming and ensure that farmers reap more from the activity. Meanwhile, Dr Magufuli has said that under his leadership, Geita Region is going to experience improved social services due to its significant contribution to the national economy.

 

He noted that water supply in the region currently stands at 34 per cent only, insisting that he is going to ensure that the region is going to be reliably supplied with the precious liquid.

 

Addressing thousands of Geita residents in the township, the candidate noted that being rich in gold, the region was significantly contributing to the national economy, thus it was also supposed to have improved social services.

 

He reaffirmed that as foreigners were benefiting from minerals found in Geita, he was also set to develop the region and enable local people to also reap from the region's wealth.

 

Dr Magufuli said that being born and brought the lake zone, he knew all problems the residents were facing thus it would be easier for him to solve such problems.

 

The 20-year experienced minister reiterated that under his leadership he was going to ensure every region possess at least a factory to, insisting that it was high time the country started exporting processed products instead of raw materials.

 

He told his audience that he is not running for president just to test but instead he was all out, basing on his experience and obedience to God, to diligently work for the people and build a new Tanzania.

Source : allafrica.com