By Staff Writer, Addis Ababa, 11th Oct., 2017
Its almost two years
now since the Tanzanian reform minded President, John Pombe Magufuli took oath
of office in November, 2015. Since then he has promised nothing more than strong
focus on delivery.
President Magufuli who is also branded at home and abroad as “the bulldozer” for his uncompromising
stance on transforming the way the Tanzanian economy is managed, is now on spotlight
in many fronts.
At home, his followers
akin his policies and unwavering crusade against corruption and inaction with those
of the founding father of the Tanzanian Union, Mwalimu
Nyerere whose ethical
leadership and care for the poor is unmatched.
At the international
arena, where he is generally rare as part of budget cut measures, Magufuli is
believed by many including ordinary citizens as a typical visionary
leader who is keen to transform his people.
 |
| Magufuli meets Dangote at a past event |
Two years later today,
Magufuli who is known for his emphasis on transformation policies than mere
political phantasm; just like the world football stars Christiano Ronaldo or
Lionel Messi, he too, has so far scored many (political) goals.
Politics of
Development
In the political front
Magufuli is a world brand; leaders to commoners from Canberra to Cranville city, from Mexico to
Moscow many admire him and put pressure on their own leaders to do some of the
things "the Magufuli way."
“Dear Tanzanians,
please allow us to borrow your Magufuli at least for a week. In return we shall
give you our President, His Deputy Ruto (William Ruto the Vice President of
Kenya), six Cabinet Minister and if you wish we can even add more; ten Kenyan MPs,”
went viral some of the astonishing comments in Kenya social media pages.
Standard
Gauge Keeps Neighbours at Bay
The trending story
right now in East Africa is how Magufuli is set to build an electricity standard
gauge fast train that’s half the amount Kenyan authorities spent in raising a
similar but diesel based standard gauge railway.
 |
| The President visits SGR launch section |
That notwithstanding, President
Magufuli’s transformation effect is felt at the then defunct national carrier;
Air Tanzania. Within a year he has so far brought home two modern Bombardier passenger planes
and is set to add two more and a Boeing Dreamliner by end of 2018.
“If I pay you extravagantly,
I will not be able to construct new roads, new standard gauge railway, bring
new Bombardier or offer the free education for all,” remarked the President at
a forum in Dar es Salaam where he emphatically rejected additional allowance to
gluttonous, as some believe, ward councilors.
Politics
or impressive policies?
If you read Tanzanian social
media, you will approve how busy Tanzanians are in analyzing Magufuli policies and
politics. Some would approve his leadership style, but others, especially members
of the opposition, would look like they want more.
Credit due, Magufuli’s
focus on economic transformation especially collection of taxes, viable
investments as well as strict anti-corruption drive are paying dividends.
Despite some attempts
by local politicians to lure the public that collections have gone up in the
first quarter of Magufuli’s second budget, released data by the Tanzania
Revenue Authority (TRA) confirmed yesterday that those who want to stay-and-wait to
challenge Magufuli’s performance have to reconsider their strategies.
“Revenue increased from
TZS 1.205 billion to TZS 1.345 billion as far as statistics from the month of August
and September, 2017 respectively are concerned,” said a statement from the
Tanzania Revenue Authority release on Tuesday afternoon.
Similar stories...
http://tanzania-24.blogspot.com/2017/09/tanzania-how-president-magufuli.html
http://www.zikoko.com/post/8-reasons-why-tanzanias-john-magufuli-is-africas-most-beloved-president
http://tanzania-24.blogspot.com/2017/03/un-top-boss-commends-president-magufuli.html
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