MWANZA: THE Minister for Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Paul Makonda has said that the citizens of Mwanza region must continue to safeguard peace, unity, and solidarity in order to create a favorable environment for the implementation of development activities.
Mr Makonda made the remarks on October 15, 2026, during a wrap-up meeting in Mwanza City.
He noted that peace is a crucial foundation for development, emphasizing that while citizens may hold differing views, they should not allow these differences to become sources of conflict or hatred.
Mr Makonda was in Mwanza region for a four-day visit, representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan on an official tour to inspect development projects.
Mr Makonda said that government officials, political parties, religious leaders, and elders have a responsibility to collaborate in strengthening peace and educating the community on the importance of maintaining stability.
“I urge religious leaders to use your positions to promote love, reconciliation, and good morals, rather than delivering messages that could incite hatred or instill fear among the public,” he said.
Furthermore, Mr Makonda emphasized that the use of social media should be guided by a sense of responsibility, calling upon leaders and citizens alike to refrain from disseminating information that could disrupt peace and social cohesion.
Furthermore, he said that challenges within the community should be addressed through dialogue, consultation, and adherence to established procedures, emphasizing that political, religious, or social differences must not become a cause for jeopardizing peace.
Additionally, Minister Makonda noted that citizens should be heard and provided with responses regarding their challenges through leadership structures, spanning from the grassroots level up to the highest levels.
He urged leaders to remain close to the citizens so that problems can be identified early and resolved before they escalate into major issues.
Regarding water access, it was explained during the visit that the government is continuing its efforts to improve this service in areas facing shortages. These efforts include surveying for groundwater and making preparations for the drilling of wells.
For his part, the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr Salum Hamduni, remarked that Minister Makonda’s visit served as a vital opportunity to listen to the grievances of the citizens and identify challenges that require urgent government intervention.
Mr Hamduni stated that the feedback, advice, and directives provided during the visit are already being acted upon, with the regional administration establishing a process to relay them to the respective District Commissioners and relevant officials for implementation. He said that the visit has provided fresh impetus for government leaders and officials to enhance accountability in overseeing development projects and improving social services.
Mr Hamduni noted that the region is actively implementing various projects covering infrastructure, healthcare, and education, highlighting that the projects visited by Minister Makonda across six districts are valued at 253 bn/-.
He urged district commissioners, council directors, and heads of public institutions to ensure that government directives are implemented in a timely manner and with due regard for the needs of the citizens.
He added that visits by national leaders should serve as a catalyst for resolving citizens’ challenges, rather than merely being routine meetings that yield no tangible results.
Mr Hamduni emphasized that cooperation between the government and the public is crucial to ensuring the efficient implementation of projects and guaranteeing that allocated resources benefit the intended recipients.
The post Makonda wraps up Lake Zone tour after inspecting projects worth 253bn/- appeared first on Daily News.