CCM hall ready for crucial congress

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President Jakaya Kikwete

 President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday inaugurated an ultra-modern conference hall for the ruling CCM ready for the party’s grand
meetings that will culminate into the picking of its presidential candidate for the 2015 General Election.

 

He did not mince words, but held cadres and members inculpable for failing to be creative enough to use the resources the party has to ‘turn into money’ hundreds of plots that lie furrow in many parts of the country.

 

Only in Dar es Salaam, CCM has about 420 plots that serve as 'dead capital', he said, adding "the only activity that they are used for is car parking … we even don’t know where the revenue generated goes," President Kikwete who doubles as CCM National Chairperson said.

 

He added: "I think if we convert our resources into working capital, CCM will not be begging for money as it will have enough from its own resources … Of course we had Chimwaga Hall but we sold it. After selling it we had to hire Kizota Hall which in fact serves as a godown. We were spending about 800m/- to 1bn/- only for hiring the hall."

 

President Kikwete blamed regional and district party officials for not being creative enough, saying they are sitting on wealth which would have scaled up the party’s economy. 

 

"I am really made to wonder because in Arusha … a company known as Jitegemee Trading wanted to help, but the CCM leadership there could not come into agreement with the proposal. Up to now the plot has remained undeveloped,” he said.

 

The CCM Chairperson said that if the leadership would have accept the Jitegemee proposal, then money would now be coming after the property has been developed. He therefore urged party leaders to ensure that all plots are developed to generate income for the party.

 

"We need to have an inspector’s office through which all the plots will be know as some of them have been grabbed by dishonest leaders … We also need to make sure that all are developed. If we don’t have money, we can embark on a joint venture strategy as done by the youth UVCCM and women UWT wings and," he said.

 

Kikwete warned them to be keen with contracts entered so as to make sure that all parties involved benefits accordingly.

 

For his part, China's ambassador to Tanzania Lyu Youqing said sees the structure as a symbol and catalyst of urban development which in turn would create more job opportunities to Dodoma residents and the country at large.

 

According to the Chinese envoy, the ultra-modern convention centre has the capacity of accommodating 3,000 people. He said the building promotes urban development and that it will contribute to economic growth of the country.

 

“Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) had a dream to have the building … it has come true. The two parties, CCM and the Communist Party of China (CPC) have a long standing relationship which has been further enhanced by President Jakaya Kikwete,” he said.

 

The Ambassador also applauded the fourth phase government for steering successful economic growth that has now clinched 7 percent per annum.

 

Earlier, Managing Director of the China-based CRJE, which build the conference centre, Hu Bo said it took them seven months to complete the construction (design to construction) of the 11,000 square metre edifice.

 

“We are aware that the building will be used for the party’s general meeting slated for tomorrow. It’s exciting to be part in something that is such a wonderful tradition,” said Bo, adding that CRJE has been awarded as the best foreign contractor for the years 2009, 2011 and 2015.

 

According to him, more than 300 Tanzanians were employed at different capacities throughout the entire period of construction.

 

“We are confident that each job we are tasked with will be handled with the same care and attention to detail and dedication that has made CRJE a successful construction management company in the world,” he affirmed.

 

The managing director noted that the company came to Tanzania in 1970 to construct the Tanzania and Zambia Railway Authority (Tazara), the job that was completed in six years.

 

Some of the projects done by the Chinese company are construction of the Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro Hotel, Benjamin Mkapa Pension Towers and Mawasiliano Towers.

 

The ruling CCM is going down to business whereby it will pick its presidential candidate, from 38 applicants, between yesterday and Sunday who will contest with candidates from other parties come October 25, this year.

 

By  the time of going to Press there was no timetable issued for  CCM party  meetings to pick its flag bearers.