‘NO MUSCLE CAN CRACK TZ’
ARUSHA ; PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has revealed why she has maintained silence on the DP World deal, insisting that no one has the power to divide or sell Tanzania.
Dr Samia, who was presiding over the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) 60th Anniversary here yesterday, said she opted to keep mum, despite the hullabaloo that greeted the DP World port deal, maintaining that she will not allow anyone to disrupt the country’s peace.
“I choose to remain silent and I will continue doing the same, but no one will have the guts and muscles of dividing and selling this country,” she stated, amidst a thunderous applause from ELCT congregants that filled up the Tumaini University Makumira (TUMa) hall.
President Samia was categorical that she would maintain her silence as she had decided not to speak on the issue, which has lately raised debate on various channels.
Earlier on, ELCT Head Bishop Frederick Shoo said the Institution was in full support of the government’s investment endeavours.
Equally, Dr Shoo commended the president for granting the clergy an audience of sharing their opinions and views on how best the country can explore on investment opportunities.
“We fully understand your vision and you have our backing as you’ve assured us that you’ll work on our views and opinions,” said the ELCT Head.
One of the deals that have put the country in the spotlight is an arrangement which featured a reputable Emirate firm seeking to triple revenue from Dar es Salaam Port.
So far, Tanzania has only entered into an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with the Emirate of Dubai on running the port of Dar es Salaam.
Dr Samia also used the occasion to appeal to religious leaders to play an instrumental role of being primary ethical brokers for their societies.
She said: “The government continues to count on religious leaders in treasuring our values, norms and traditions.”
According to the president, a nation short of ethics will not progress and attain development.
“While we strive to keep abreast with what is happening out there, we ought to be careful in not aping them,” she reminded the ELCT gathering.
The president also urged religious leaders to play a lead role of ethical, moral and spiritual commitment to protect the environment and God’s creation.
According to Dr Samia, the world was now grappling with Mother Nature’s fury because humankind chose not to be friendly with the environment.
“We chose to mess up with Mother Nature and it has retaliated in kind,” she said.
Dr Samia equally commended the ELCT for growing in leaps and bounds, sixty years on.
The Lutheran Church, which just started with 500,000 parishioners in 1963, has seen the number of its members ballooning to more than eight million, scattered across 27 Dioceses around the country.
For his part, National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA) Secretary General, Nuhu Mruma pledged religious leaders’ support to the government.
“As religious leaders, we will continue supporting the government and advise it, where need be,” he assured.
