Lowassa promises agro-processing industries for region
Chadema presidential candidate Edward Lowassa, addressing a campaign rally at Ilongelo and Kiomboi towns.
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Addressing a campaign rally at Ilongelo and Kiomboi towns, Mr Lowassa promised to abolish levies imposed on farmers whenever they sell their produce.
Singida. Chadema presidential candidate Edward Lowassa has promised Singida region residents that his government will construct agro-processing industries to help sunflower farmers and add value to agricultural products in the region if he wins the forthcoming General Election.
Addressing a campaign rally at Ilongelo and Kiomboi towns, Mr Lowassa promised to abolish levies imposed on farmers whenever they sell their produce.
According to him, his government will make sure that wananchi, especially sunflower farmers, benefit from farming.
“Our priority will be in adding value to agricultural products before they are exported to make sure that farmers reap maximum benefit from their sweat,” said Lowassa.
The opposition flag bearer also assured farmers that his government wouldn’t impose any ban on exportation of agricultural produce.
According to him farmers will be allowed to sell their producw anywhere they want wityhout government interference.
However, Mr Lowassa said, his government will be strict in regulating agriculture products prices. The former Premier said his government wouldn’t tolerate middlemen and dishonest traders who have been exploiting farmers farmers.
For his part, outgoing Singida South MP Tindu Lissu faulted CCM’s promise of disbursing Sh50 million as loans to villagers if it will win the election.
Mr Lissu accused CCM of making false promises in an attempt to woe voters ahead of each elections. For example, Mr Lissu said, in 2010 campaigns, CCM promised to disburse money to empower wananchi but the promise was never fulfilled.
“In 2010 President Kikwete promised to he would give you people money to empower wananchi but did you get anything?” queried Mr Lissu as he urged wananchi not to repeat the mistake of electing CCM on October 25.
President Kikwete in 2010 “unfulfiled promises” dominated Ukawa-Chadema-backed candidate Lowassa’s campaign rallies in Singida north and Iramba yesterday with wananchi accussing CCM of failing to honour pledges.
According to Chadema aspirant for the Singida North seat, Mr David Jumbe, Mr Kikwete promised Ilongero villagers that they would get clean and safe water, but that hasn’t been fullfiled to date. According to him CCM has also failed to honour Mr Kikwete’s promise to construct a tarmac road to link Singida North and other parts of the region.
“Farmers cannot transport their agricultural produce to the market because the roads aren’t passable in certain periods of the year,” said Mr Jumbe.
