Since the whistle for starting the campaigns was blown by the National Electoral Commission on 20th August 2010 for the coming General Elections slated for 31st October 2010 the exercise has been going on in earnest. Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) was the first to inaugurate its campaign blitz on 21st August 2010 in Dar es Salaam followed by CHADEMA a week later and other political parties have followed suit.
Indeed at the moment the wananchi are experiencing a very awesome political environment. Presidential aspirants are falling over each other in order to woo voters to their side and their respective parties therefore coming out with a myriad promises, some realistic and others a bit fanciful. The media is also having a field day, so to speak.
However, there is criticism that the media in general hasnt been up to the job because so far it is being used just as a mouthpiece of some politicians, by restricting itself to just reporting what is being said and happening while completely neglecting the analytical aspects of issues being raised at these campaigns. Its argued that by going into in-depth analysis of some pertinent issues, the media would greatly educate and therefore help the public to clearly understand what is being promised so that the voters may internalize issues accordingly and be able to vote wisely.
Take, for instance, the promises by the incumbent president that he has been making at his campaign gatherings regarding airport projects. President Jakaya Kikwete is seeking re-election for the second and probably last term in office and he is in competition with other candidates from various political parties. While campaigning in Kagera region Mr. Kikwete, amongst other things, is reported to have promised listeners to build an international airport in Kagera region. Similar promises have been echoed by the same aspirant while campaigning in Kigoma and Mbeya regions.
Mr. Kikwetes opponents are not taking this lying down either. They are also coming out with their own wish lists as well as challenging some of the incumbents promises as unrealistic if not superfluous, just meant to hoodwink voters. For example, while addressing a campaign rally in Shinyanga region, the presidential aspirant on the CHADEMA ticket literally ridiculed Mr. Kikwetes promises to build what he called white elephant airports. While I was coming here (Meatu District) I saw a few donkey-driven carts (mikokoteni) being used to transport goods! How can Kikwete promise to build new international airports for just a few well-to-do Tanzanians while the majority can hardly move from one point to another, chided Dr. Willbroad Slaa. Its ridiculous to even think of building such airports when Air Tanzania doesnt own even a single own aircraft. Who will fly to these airports? he asked.
Lets for a moment reflect on Mr. Kikwetes promises regarding building more international airports in the country during his second tenure assuming he will get the peoples mandate.
At a glance these promises dont only look superficial but also appear to be a bit far-fetched in the sense that they are untenable particularly in the short to medium term. This begs a vexing question. Did Mr. Kikwete categorically say that his administration will build completely new international airports in these regions to augment the existing infrastructure or did he actually mean to build (upgrade) the current ones to an international level?
Lets take Bukoba Airport for starters. This airport is currently undergoing a major facelift in terms of runway extension and upgrade of airport facilities. Once completed Bukoba Airport will be able to handle relatively bigger aircraft such as ATR42 (48 seats) from the current capacity of a 19 seater aircraft. Quite frankly, I dont see the rationale of putting up another big airport in Kagera region while the revamped airport hasnt even been put to use!
The same could be said of Kigoma Airport which is big enough to handle Air Tanzanias Dash-8-300 (70 seats) aircraft. Perhaps this airport could be upgraded to handle bigger aircraft such as B7373-200 and this capacity will suffice for this region for a foreseeable future. Not a brand new airport for Christs sake!
In Mbeya, there is a new and sizeable airport project namely; Songwe Airport, currently under construction and once completed this facility will be able to handle jet engine aircraft such as B737-300 or B757 aircraft. Surely contemplating another airport project within the next five or even ten years is tantamount to miscarriage of prudent allocation of scarce resources.
Byase Luteke
Indeed at the moment the wananchi are experiencing a very awesome political environment. Presidential aspirants are falling over each other in order to woo voters to their side and their respective parties therefore coming out with a myriad promises, some realistic and others a bit fanciful. The media is also having a field day, so to speak.
However, there is criticism that the media in general hasnt been up to the job because so far it is being used just as a mouthpiece of some politicians, by restricting itself to just reporting what is being said and happening while completely neglecting the analytical aspects of issues being raised at these campaigns. Its argued that by going into in-depth analysis of some pertinent issues, the media would greatly educate and therefore help the public to clearly understand what is being promised so that the voters may internalize issues accordingly and be able to vote wisely.
Take, for instance, the promises by the incumbent president that he has been making at his campaign gatherings regarding airport projects. President Jakaya Kikwete is seeking re-election for the second and probably last term in office and he is in competition with other candidates from various political parties. While campaigning in Kagera region Mr. Kikwete, amongst other things, is reported to have promised listeners to build an international airport in Kagera region. Similar promises have been echoed by the same aspirant while campaigning in Kigoma and Mbeya regions.
Mr. Kikwetes opponents are not taking this lying down either. They are also coming out with their own wish lists as well as challenging some of the incumbents promises as unrealistic if not superfluous, just meant to hoodwink voters. For example, while addressing a campaign rally in Shinyanga region, the presidential aspirant on the CHADEMA ticket literally ridiculed Mr. Kikwetes promises to build what he called white elephant airports. While I was coming here (Meatu District) I saw a few donkey-driven carts (mikokoteni) being used to transport goods! How can Kikwete promise to build new international airports for just a few well-to-do Tanzanians while the majority can hardly move from one point to another, chided Dr. Willbroad Slaa. Its ridiculous to even think of building such airports when Air Tanzania doesnt own even a single own aircraft. Who will fly to these airports? he asked.
Lets for a moment reflect on Mr. Kikwetes promises regarding building more international airports in the country during his second tenure assuming he will get the peoples mandate.
At a glance these promises dont only look superficial but also appear to be a bit far-fetched in the sense that they are untenable particularly in the short to medium term. This begs a vexing question. Did Mr. Kikwete categorically say that his administration will build completely new international airports in these regions to augment the existing infrastructure or did he actually mean to build (upgrade) the current ones to an international level?
Lets take Bukoba Airport for starters. This airport is currently undergoing a major facelift in terms of runway extension and upgrade of airport facilities. Once completed Bukoba Airport will be able to handle relatively bigger aircraft such as ATR42 (48 seats) from the current capacity of a 19 seater aircraft. Quite frankly, I dont see the rationale of putting up another big airport in Kagera region while the revamped airport hasnt even been put to use!
The same could be said of Kigoma Airport which is big enough to handle Air Tanzanias Dash-8-300 (70 seats) aircraft. Perhaps this airport could be upgraded to handle bigger aircraft such as B7373-200 and this capacity will suffice for this region for a foreseeable future. Not a brand new airport for Christs sake!
In Mbeya, there is a new and sizeable airport project namely; Songwe Airport, currently under construction and once completed this facility will be able to handle jet engine aircraft such as B737-300 or B757 aircraft. Surely contemplating another airport project within the next five or even ten years is tantamount to miscarriage of prudent allocation of scarce resources.
Byase Luteke