PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has assured residents in the southern regions of the government's commitment to controlling invasive wildlife, particularly elephants.

Addressing local residents at the CCM Tunduru grounds, the president admitted the animals have been causing widespread significant disruption, affirming that efforts are underway to increase the number of game rangers conducting patrols.

This will help to check cases of the animals entering farms and houses, while  

drones will be more available to redirect the large beasts back to conservation areas, she said.

This will address frequent complaints from residents, she said, expressing concern on the recurring invasions. “We are aware of the issue and are implementing various measures, including adding more game officers,” she remarked..

Local leaders had earlier said that around 400 households have been affected by elephant invasions, appealing for energetic efforts to prevent the incidents.

The president said Ruvuma was mineral-rich, thus the move to establish a minerals auction market, lessening the worry of the minerals being smuggled out, meanwhile as the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO) has acquired machinery for core processing of minerals.

She urged residents to choose CCM candidates in the local government polls in two months, stressing that strong leadership is essential for positive change. Young people and women need to engage actively in the electoral process, she said.

She similarly stated that Mbamba Bay will be the centre of operations for Lake Nyasa ports in Ruvuma, Njombe and Mbeya regions, namely Liuli, Manda, Kiwira, Lupingu, Itungi, Ndumbi, and Matema, as it will feature two berths for ships of up to 5,000 tonnes. There will also be a 20,000 square metre facility for 3,000 tonnes containers, she said.

The port will offer passenger services like healthcare, customs offices and a one-stop centre for the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), positioning it as a vital trade and transport hub.

In Namtumbo, the president had appealed to voters to elect qualified local leaders while encouraging capable individuals to seek various positions.

She stopped  at Litola, Rwinga and Mchomoro villages in the ongoing six-day tour of the region, inspecting progress and laying foundation stones for various development projects.

"Some people vote, while others do not, and later, when a leader is chosen, they complain that the leader is incompetent or incapable. If you had voted, you would have selected the leader you wanted. Let's all participate in electing our leaders," she stated.

Emphasizing the importance of unity and transparency in the electoral process, Samia highlighted how fair elections foster development and community cohesion.

She explained that strong leadership is essential for positive change, urging young people and women to engage actively in the electoral process.

"Choose leaders who represent your interests," she said, encouraging citizens to strengthen democracy and cooperation in development initiatives.

Namtumbo MP Vita Kawawa hailedo the president for allocating funds for various development projects, pointomh at 13 new dispensaries, improvements to the district hospital, and acquisition of medical equipment valued at 2.5bn/-.

He similarly praised educationo sector efforts, citing 13bn/- allocated for building new schools, with 207 new classrooms and four new schoolso built, while three new primary schools, from kindergarten to seventh grade, were built.

This was done with additional funding for dormitories at the modern VETA vocational training center, taking up 553m/-.

In the water sector, 17.2bn/- had been allocated, significantly easing the burden on mothers who previously traveled long distances for water,the MP noted, as 9bn/- had been used so far. There is need for 6bn/- to finance another water project, he added.