“We need to achieve much more“, says President at Independence Day

Tanzania has achieved much in the last 50 years in various spheres of development but still there is a long way to go, President Jakaya Kikwete said during Independence Day celebrations. "We need to achieve much more," he said. Speaking at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, the president gave the example of the transport sector. He said that there were only three tarmac roads in 1961 when Tanganyika attained its independence. "The only tarmac roads in the country were Arusha-Moshi, Korogwe-Tanga and Dar es Salaam-Morogoro. At that time all social services were located in areas with colonial interests while other areas were left with nothing at all," he said.

President Kikwete added that as the country celebrated 50 years of independence, Tanzanians could now ride on bikes throughout the country thanks to modern roads that now link nearly all major cities, municipalities and towns. He noted that the fight against poverty, diseases and ignorance which were the objectives of independence have to a larger extent been met. He added that the fight was still on but Tanzanians had all reasons to be proud for what they have achieved so far. President Kikwete said that unlike other countries where colonialists did a lot of good things, Tanganyika was left in utter poverty by British colonialists. "Our slogan is 'We dared, We succeeded and We are forging Ahead', but we have to be honest. We still have numerous challenges to overcome. But we should also know that British colonialists left our country very poor," he said.

President Kikwete hailed the role played by the founders of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) in 1954 under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, from where the idea of fighting for independence emerged. "Had it not been for the role played by the founders of TANU, may be we would still be under colonial rule to date. So as we celebrate this day, we should remember, recognize and honour their role," he said. Mr Kikwete congratulated the Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, for the wonderful preparations that led to the grand event at the Uhuru Stadium. (Tanzania Daily News)