Peace and tranquillity key for investments, says Samia

President Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday challenged Tanzanians to embrace peace and tranquillity, saying they were key in attracting investment for the country’s development.

She cautioned the public to be patient when inefficient appointees are sacked for reasons of improving efficiency in the government and meet expectations of appointing authorities.

The Head of State stressed on the need to entrench ethical values at the family and community level, instead of waiting to enforce them at the national level.

President Hassan was speaking in Zanzibar during the women’s conference to mark the Islamic New Year.

Speaking during the event, she said upholding peace and tranquillity was key to implementation of different development programmes.

“The prevalence of peace and tranquillity will support implementation of many development initiatives and attract businessmen and investors.

“If we scold and fight each other, those intending to come will change their mind because they are there listening,” she added.

Furthermore, President Hassan said she was pleased to hear the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) executive director (Gilead Teri) revealing during a television interview that Tanzania has welcomed a record number of investors in May and June, this year.

“When looking for the reasons behind this trend, it is because of the unrest in neighbouring countries. Such places are abandoned by investors in favour of countries with peace and tranquillity,” she said.

“Let’s honour the peace and tranquillity we have. We should share our differences because there is nothing that cannot be discussed. Let us share these issues in order to arrive at a consensus,” she said

Regarding the sacking of the sacking of underperforming executives, President Hassan said top government leaders have been monitoring performance of executives and act against nonperformers, but the actions were sometimes greeted with noises of disapproval.

She said changes usually were painful, especially when the victims are relatives, challenging citizens to be patient when such measures are taken for the interest of the nation.

“Otherwise, we should straighten ourselves at the family level…..Those entrusted with authority should not embrace negligence that include abandoning work for unproductive discussions.

“We top leaders don’t tolerate such issues because we are bound by our promises, locally and internationally. We want support from our assistants,” she added.

President Hassan asked Tanzanians to stop making noises and give the leaders time to build the nation.

He insisted that every citizen residing in Zanzibar shares equal rights.

“Those considered capable will be picked and they should be given the opportunity to implement their,” she said, insisting that entrusted executives should be strong and bold.

Regarding moral erosion, President Hassan directed the women to assess themselves and establish their strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

“The strength you have includes availability of teachers, government support and enough people attending events organised by the women,” she said.

The executive secretary at the Zanzibar’s chief cleric, Sheikh Khalid Ali Mfaume commended the Isles government for declaring the Islamic New Year a public holiday.

The Peoples Bank of Zanzibar (PBZ) managing director, Dr Muhsin Salim Masoud hailed government policies, saying they have significantly improved the bank’s performance in the country.