FORMER Prime Minister Cleopa Msuya has praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her efforts to spur the country’s economy through implementation of strategic development projects.

Msuya made the remarks in Dar es Salaam at the weekend during a special interview with journalists ahead of 60 years of the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

He recalled President Samia’s statement that she would continue the strategic plans she had pursued jointly with her predecessor and that she would implement more projects that are important for development.

 “She has truly implemented what she said. She is working on the major projects to this day. She made major changes in liberalization, people's rights, and so many other things. I had a chance to meet her once and I told her that the only problem standing in her way in the next polls is not at the lower level but the problem may arise from the people around her at the top. She has done a great job and she has tried to make people understand her,” he said

 The former premier emphasized on the importance of enacting mechanisms that build public awareness on the advantages of the union for the present and future generations.

 “We should concentrate on the positive side of the union. A special team should be formed and tasked to analyse and present positive outcomes of the union for the mainland and the isles. For example, when the Isles had no electricity, the mainland already had access to power. Therefore, Unguja became connected to power from Dar es Salaam and Pemba got connected with electricity from Tanga Region,” he said.  

 “Yet, just recently, someone asked how the mainland and the isles can split resources and I asked what resources they were referring to. If the Julius Nyerere Hydro Power Plant produces electricity, both the isles and the mainland are guaranteed to have electricity for the development of both sides. This is a positive thing instead of leaving the aisles to fend for itself to generate power at enormous costs. Unity is compulsory and vital to address the problems and spur development of people on both sides through an acceptable approach.”.

 The former finance minister also said that Tanzanians should be proud of the union which has lasted for 60 years with a generation that has lived within the union and those who lived before it was formed.

 “Our key task is to strengthen the union as a platform and see how it can bring benefits to the people of both Zanzibar and the mainland. The example of electricity supply serves to show you that. We need to create systems that continuously educate the public on the union and its advantages,” he said.