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Back Kikwete on war on corruption - Bishop
2008-02-26 09:50:25
By Bilham Kimati, Moshi
Bishop Dr Martin Shao of the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) has called for nationwide backing for President Jakaya Kikwete`s anti-corruption crusade.
He made the appeal in a speech delivered on his behalf by Rev Godson Mosha at a fund-raiser at Kiboriloni Lutheran Church here on Sunday at which IPP Executive Chairman Reginald Mengi was the chief guest.
Bishop Shao said the crusade was noble but difficult and at times it meant the President making tough decisions along the way as he endeavoured to ensure good governance.
``We must give our President all the support he needs to win this war, most importantly by placing him in God`s hands through prayers to help him overcome the obstacles encountered when providing leadership for the nation`s prosperity.
We have seen how committed the President is in helping Tanzanians fight poverty and in advocating and defending justice for all,`` he pointed out.
The appeal drew instant support from the chief guest, who commended President Kikwete for his resolve to fight corruption and help wananchi benefit equitably from the resources the country is blessed with.
Mengi cited the recent turn of events that led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa and the overhaul of the cabinet, saying: ``The bold measures taken to restructure the government leadership proved that President Kikwete is clean.
Only a clean person can stand up bravely against corruption.``
He said the combination of personal conviction, the constitutional powers bestowed on him and his love for the nation, meaning caring for all his people, made President Kikwete take very tough and decisive measures for the welfare of the nation.
``Let us support the President because he is determined to help this nation make a difference,`` he added.
Welcoming the chief guest to address the congregation, Moshi Urban legislator Philemon Ndesamburo said 40m/- was needed to complete the construction of the church. That would include fencing the area and replacing furniture.
``We have all gathered here today to join hands in completing construction work which started in 1988. On behalf of my fellow worshippers, I would like to thank chief guest Reginald Mengi for accepting our invitation,`` noted Ndesamburo, who is also the Kiboriloni church’s construction committee chairman.
He extended similar thanks to a choir that had travelled all the way from Sinza in Dar es Salaam for the function as well as all other people who had helped in making the occasion a resounding success.
``The spirit of unity so massively demonstrated here can make the entire church community achieve various objectives,`` he said.
In his remarks, Mengi made a philosophical statement which vividly drew the attention of pastors Dalem Lyatuu, Vernice Mtei and Godson Mosha, who conducted the service, and the rest of the congregation.
He said being generous to the community in the sense of sharing wealth with others was much like fulfilling the responsibility of supplying that community with tap water.
“The Holy Scriptures enjoins us to care for one another.
Wealth shared in good faith is partly the fulfilment of God`s will. Some of us have received wealth and it ought to be shared for the comfort of humanity,`` Mengi pointed out.
``Giving to others is much the same as having a pipe taking water to a distant village. No one drinks water from a tap and eventually thanks the tap for the service,`` he added.
``People need to thank God for the blessings they receive instead of praising the tap (meaning the service provider),`` said Mengi, amid thunderous applause.
He said he has never heard of a generous person running bankrupt ``and that is all because the fountain that is the source of the comfort of others never dries up``.
``We all have every reason to thank God for the protection, guidance and good health He has blessed us with. In Scotland before end of January each year families get together for a national prayer that goes: `God, we know that there are people who need food but they don`t have it; there are people who have food but they cannot eat it.
Thanks God that we have food and we can take it`,” observed the chief guest, adding that life is a gift that one needs to thank God for.
The fundraiser saw the congregation contribute money, goats, bags of cement, chickens, bundles of sugarcane, pumpkins, ducks, food and an assortment of other items. The chief guest announced that the combined value of the collections surpassed the 40m/- target.
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