JK leads hundreds in Kigoda’s burial

Handeni. Hundreds Handeni residents turned up yesterday to partcipate in the burial of their immediate former MP, Dr Abdallah  Kigoda, who died earlier this week at the Apollo Hospital in India.

Dr Kigoda was also the Minister for Industry and Trade.

Various government and religious leaders attended Dr Kigoda’s burial ceremony led by President Jakaya Kikwete and presided over by Mufti Abubakari Zuberi.

Reading a eulogy for the departed minister, the Principal Secretary in  the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mr Mussa Uledi, said Dr Kigoda was hard-working to the extent that he delayed going for treatment even when he was advised to do so.

“He would say, ‘I have to finish this work first’,” said Mr Uledi.

National Assembly Speaker Anne Makinda said the Parliament and the nation at large have lost a good advisor on economic affairs.

She describe  Dr Kigoda as a person who didn’t have to be pushed to execute his duties when he was the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and the Economy until he was appointed minister.

Leaders from various political parties were given the opportunity to read their messages of condolence. Chadema Deputy Secretary General Salum Mwalimu said the political fraternity has lost a fighter and a humble person even towards the people under him.

Earlier in the day, before his body was transported to Handeni for burial, Vice President Mohamed Gharib Bilal yesterday led scores of mourners in Dar es Salaam to pay their last respects to the departed minister.

At the KarimJee grounds where city residents and top government officials thronged, Mr Kigoda was described as a highly distinguished economist who used hid profession to serve his country.

However, due to time constraint, his family requested that only top government officials should speak on behalf others before the body was transported to Handeni.

Among those who attended the farewell was Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, former presidents Benjamin Mkapa and Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Cabinet ministers, MPs, foreign dignitaries and heads of private and public institutions.

Home Affairs minister Mathias Chikawe said the nation has lost a great advocate of development who used his profession as an economist to help his country move forward.

 “At personal level, he was a good friend, we met way back in 1972 during  the National Service, and we become close ever since,” said Mr Chikawe.

Visibly grieved by the death, deputy minister for Industry and Trade Janet Mbene described Dr Kigoda as ‘independent minded and creative’ in improving nation’s economy and his death was a great loss. “He used participatory approach…he was very smart in grabbing and utilising good ideas from his juniors.” 

officials and he always stressed on professionalism,” said Ms Mbene

Family representative, Ms Aisha Kigoda said it’s a great loss to their family, and urged Tanzanians to join them in praying for him to rest in peace.

(Reported by Rajabu Athumani and Burhani Yakub and Janeth Mesoampya)