Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba has assured Tanzanians that the country remains free from Ebola, while the government continues to strengthen disease surveillance, border monitoring and public awareness to guard against potential outbreaks.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday during the Prime Minister’s Questions session, Dr. Nchemba said Tanzania had maintained its Ebola-free status despite reported cases in some neighbouring countries.
His remarks came in response to a question from Special Seats MP Asha Salum Moto, who sought clarification on the government's preparedness to contain the disease should it cross into the country.
“Tanzania remains safe. We thank God for that. However, because we are part of a connected region, we cannot afford to be complacent. We are continuing to take all necessary precautionary measures to protect our citizens,” Dr. Nchemba said.
He said the government had intensified public education campaigns on infectious diseases, strengthened screening and monitoring systems at border entry points and encouraged citizens to promptly report suspected cases to health authorities.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of adhering to guidance from health experts, noting that early detection and reporting remain critical in preventing the spread of epidemic diseases.
Beyond public health, Dr. Nchemba used the parliamentary session to outline progress in several key development sectors, including transport infrastructure, irrigation and agricultural marketing.
Responding to a question from Kigamboni MP Haran Sanga, he said the government was investing heavily in strategic railway and transport projects to support rapid urban growth and improve the efficiency of economic activities.
According to him, the ongoing construction of ring roads in major cities and implementation of strategic railway projects are part of broader efforts to modernise the country’s transport network.
“As our financial capacity improves, we will continue exploring opportunities to expand urban rail transport systems in fast-growing cities,” he said.
On agriculture, Dr. Nchemba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding irrigation farming, describing it as a cornerstone of efforts to increase productivity, strengthen food security and accelerate economic growth in line with the National Development Vision 2050.
He told Parliament that hundreds of irrigation schemes had either been revived or expanded, while investments in water infrastructure were being scaled up to support farming, livestock keeping and domestic consumption.
“For a country where more than 65 percent of the population depends on agriculture, irrigation remains one of the most effective tools for increasing production, raising incomes and ensuring food security,” he said.
The Prime Minister also addressed concerns over delayed payments to farmers of cash crops, including tea, tobacco, cotton and cashew nuts.
Responding to a question from Mafinga Urban MP Dickson Nathan Lutevele, he said the government was working with stakeholders across agricultural value chains to improve market access, strengthen processing capacity and ensure farmers receive payments on time.
He noted that efforts to attract investment in agro-processing industries would help create more reliable markets, add value to agricultural produce and boost earnings for farmers.
The assurances come as the government continues to pursue a dual agenda of safeguarding public health while accelerating investments in infrastructure and agriculture, sectors regarded as critical to Tanzania’s long-term economic transformation.
