President Samia directs councils to ease loan access, bolster development initiatives
What you need to know:
- President Samia called for close monitoring of loan disbursement and recovery, especially by ward councillors.
Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan urged local government authorities to streamline access to loans, ensure funds reach genuine beneficiaries, and intensify revenue collection to accelerate national development.
Addressing residents of Bariadi District during her ongoing tour of Simiyu Region, President Samia called for close monitoring of loan disbursement and recovery, especially by ward councillors.
“There are many young people being trained at VETA. Once they graduate, they will rely on these loans to start their lives. That’s why recovery is crucial,” she said.
She also reminded councils that the funds for women and youth must be directed to the right recipients.
Tanzania suspended loan disbursement two years ago to allow a proper review. According to report, errors were discovered including loans given to non-existent groups and poor recovery.
“We brought in banks to help and resumed lending. Now I ask you to ensure loan repayments are made,” she emphasized.
Other issues raised were complicated loan application procedures that discourage deserving applicants.
“Some people genuinely need the loans, but the application forms are too complex. When they fill them out incorrectly, you reject them, yet they are the ones most in need,” she noted, calling for simplified forms and clearer processes.
Irrigation and agricultural reform
President Samia also highlighted the strategic importance of irrigation to the region’s economic resilience.
She directed the Minister for Agriculture to expand the National Irrigation Commission’s footprint in Simiyu to support a major project currently underway.
“This large-scale irrigation initiative will not only benefit Simiyu but will also extend to Dodoma. The commission’s office must be based here to accelerate project implementation,” she said.
Value addition in the cotton sector
Shifting focus to agriculture, President Samia underscored the need for local value addition, especially in the cotton sector.
She called for domestic processing of cotton to reduce reliance on imports.
“Instead of exporting cotton only to import shirts later, we must process our cotton here in Tanzania,” she said, stressing the potential for job creation and increased revenue through local manufacturing.
Infrastructure and water projects
Outlining key priorities for the region, President Samia cited the construction of the Itembe Bridge, improvement of internal roads, and installation of streetlights to support extended business hours, especially for youth entrepreneurs.
She also announced the launch of a major water project aimed at ending persistent water challenges in Simiyu, a move she described as crucial for both households and farming.
In the livestock sector, the Head of State encouraged pastoralists to take full advantage of the new vaccination initiative she launched, noting its potential to improve animal health and open up access to broader markets.
