THE Civic United Front (CUF) flag bearer, Prof Ibrahim Lipumba has pledged to strengthen the economy and improve provision of education if elected in the forthcoming general election.

Prof Lipumba said that to strengthen the economy, his government will put much effort in improving the agricultural sector, as the majority of Tanzanians complain over the sector’s poor performance.

The CUF presidential candidate made the pledges yesterday when addressing a campaign rally at Bukoba municipality in Kagera Region. He appealed to the residents to vote for him as his party has the best manifesto where education sector improvement and economic growth are well addressed.

He said that Kagera Region is strategically positioned with a number of agricultural potentials, where it can trade in cereals with Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda.

“We will create an enabling business environment that will allow farmers to sell their food and cash crops in neighbouring countries,” he stated, alluding to setting up irrigation schemes as Kagera is blessed with a number of rivers emptying into Lake Victoria.

He expressed concern that Lake Regions with a population of over five million people uses little of its irrigation potential, underlining that the residents will generate good incomes through agro-sector improvements.

Kagera is blessed with various resources in agriculture, livestock and fish farming which if properly tapped could lift the majority of the residents out of poverty, he asserted.

“If elected, I will make sure you benefit with available markets in the East African Community (EAC). For our economy to grow, we need to facilitate exportation of our agricultural and other locally manufactured goods to regional markets,” the candidate affirmed.

He promised to settle wage and benefits arrears of public servants, which would rejuvenate the circulation of credit. A CUF government will ensure timely payment of civil servants, he emphasized.

He also glanced in the direction of teachers, promising to improve teachers’ working environment with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment spread in primary and secondary schools. A better working environment would boost teachers’ morale and thus improve learning performance, he pointed out.

“We will connect all schools with internet services to facilitate e-learning. My government will invest more in developing skilled manpower to accelerate the country’s development,” he stated.

He said that if elected, he will form a government of national unity (GNU) to allow Tanzanians from different political affiliations to contribute in the country’s development.

“One of our priorities will be to write a Constitution that will ensure justice and promote human rights,” the former presidential economic adviser intoned.

Prof Lipumba is contesting for the Union presidency for the fifth time, starting from 1995 when he garnered 6.43 percent of the votes.

The CUF chairman also vied for the post in 2000 where he obtained 16.26 percent of the votes and in 2005 he secured 11.68 percent of the ballots cast, coming third in 2010 with 8.3 percent of the votes.

About 29m Tanzanians are registered to vote in this year’s election, on the basis of data from the National Electoral Commission (NEC). In 2015, the electoral body registered 23m voters.

NEC has cleared 15 candidates to vie for the Union presidency, namely Dr John Magufuli (CCM), Leopold Mahona (NRA), John Shibuda (ADA-Tadea), Mutamwega Mgaywa (SAU), Jeremiah Maganja (NCCR), Cecilia Mbaga (DM), Prof Ibrahim Lipumba (CUF) and Philipo Fumbo (DP).

Others are Bernard Membe (ACT-Wazalendo), Queen Sendiga (ADC), Hashim Rungwe (Chaumma), Khalfan Mazrui (UMD), Seif Maalim Seif (AAFP), Twalib Kadege (UPDP) and Tundu Lissu (Chadema).

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