Church leaders encourage Samia amid criticism

Leaders of the Anglican Church of Tanzania have encouraged President Samia Suluhu Hassan to continue working diligently, regardless of the many criticisms directed at her.

The Primate of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, Rev. Maimbo Mndolwa, expressed these sentiments yesterday during the inauguration of the church’s Economic Centre building in Dodoma.

“Just as I believe the President is being met with ‘hammers’ of criticism, truly, at the end of the day, we are the ones that use the roads, board aeroplanes, and use the ships as well,” he said. He also directed words of encouragement to fellow clergymen and the Bishop of the Central Tanganyika Diocese in Dodoma, Reverend Dr Dickson Chilongani, for his management and completion of the Sh8 billion building.

“Where work is steadfast, doubts are necessary, but victory will arise when we stand with God,” he said.

The launched building comprises commercial spaces, a conference hall with a capacity of accommodating 300 people at once, and a parking area for 34 cars on the lower level and 15 cars on the upper level.

It is also equipped with modern fire suppression systems, facilities for people with special needs, elevators, and soundproofing equipment in the conference hall to avoid disruption for other users of the building.

On her part, President Hassan remarked that the government recognises the contribution of religious institutions in fostering spiritual growth, building a nation of righteous and God-fearing people, and aiding in citizen services.

“Religious institutions are an important partner for the government,” she said.

The President said the recently launched building owned by the Anglican Church of Tanzania will help grow the church’s economic activities as well as contribute to economic and social progress in the Dodoma region as a whole.

The President encouraged the church to promote moral values and condemn wrongdoing.

She urged the education of both the youth and the adults who misuse the church for unethical purposes, urging the faithful to address this issue.

She referenced the well-known saying, “Service to mankind is service to God.”

President Hassan also urged the Central Tanganyika Diocese to urge its congregation to seize various opportunities arising from the government’s relocation of its activities to Dodoma.

The Bishop of the Central Tanganyika Diocese in Dodoma, Reverend Dr Dickson Chilongani, stated that the construction cost of the economic centre building is Sh8 billion, and it has already secured tenants.

“We obtained Sh2 billion from our friends at Trinity Church Wall Street in New York, Sh3 billion came from local initiatives, and Sh3 billion is a loan from a bank,” said Rev Chilongani.

“The projections indicate an annual income of Sh1 billion,” he said.