Wananchi tell visiting ministers: Leaders are no longer with us

Recent visit by three ministers in Dodoma unearthed the alleged bottlenecks in the leadership framework at ward and district levels, the weaknesses that the opposition parties happen to take advantage of to gain popularity.

Addressing government officials and political party leaders in the region to sum up the six-day tour yesterday, the three, Anthony Diallo (Livestock Development), Omary Yusuf Mzee (deputy minister Defence and National Service) and Christopher Chiza (deputy minister Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives) warned irresponsible leaders against their unwillingness to work closely with the people.

In their travel around to educate the public on budgetary overheads, the ministers had the opportunity to listen to complaints registered by members of the public.

One of the issues raised was the alleged disengagement of leaders in people`s development projects coupled with frequent visits to urban centres for personal duties.

The real drama started when the ministers allowed questions from the floor. Lucy Rutta CCM publicity secretary, Uhuru ward in Dodoma highlighted the growing split between the leaders and villagers.

``Some of the leaders fear the electorate such that they only find comfort when keeping away from them. The reason behind could be inefficiency among leaders giving room to the opposition to penetrate their influence among the villagers,`` Lucy explained.

For his part, Peter Chiwanga, CCM political committee member, Kikombo Ward said it was surprising to learn that some of the ward executives were totally unaware of what was happening in terms of community development projects in their respective areas.

``Worse still when a resident inquires about anything regarding underdeveloped project in the presence of a national leader, the person is put in trouble, intimidated and receive all sorts of threats from the leadership. This is absolutely wrong. We cannot build democracy that way,`` Chiwanga remarked.

Abdu Kajamkama and Idrissa Mgaza, both CCM leaders requested the government to respond quickly to claims by the opposition to rule out the possibility of the camp to spread out unfounded allegations.

They also spoke of the need for the government to intervene on the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities such as cement currently selling at 20,000/- a bag in the designated capital.

Responding to the issues raised, Diallo said the issue of inflation and the subsequent increase of commodity prices would not be resolved overnight.

``There are various mechanisms to cut down the cost and reduce the deficit in commodity prices.

One of the solutions is the formation or creation of voluntary consumer alliances to help control the prices,`` Diallo explained.

For his part, Mzee urged the leaders to respond swiftly to problems facing the people, instead of waiting for the arrival of national leaders.

``I don`t mean that you respond to every single claim by the opposition, but rather those arguments that will require proper clarification.

You need to work closely with the people and discuss issues not individuals when you meet,`` Mzee insisted.