Tanzania will have new Katiba in 2014: Kikwete

President Jakaya Kikwete receives a letter of credence from the Comoro ambassador to Tanzania, Ahamed El Badaoui Mohamed Fakih, at State House in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanians will have their constitution before the end of this 2014, if all goes according to plan, President Jakaya Kikwete has said

Speaking at a sherry party at State House in Dar es Salaam on Friday, the President told diplomats and heads of international organisations that the constitutional review process was going on well and hopes of having the new Supreme Law this year were high.

He said the second draft constitution he received from the Constitution Review Commission on December 30, 2013 was due to be discussed in the Constituent Assembly next month.

The President said the assembly would deliberate on the draft and complete its work within 90 days before subjecting it to a referendum.

“If everything goes according to plan, Tanzanians will have their constitution before the end of this year.”

He also highlighted achievements for the country in 2013. “Indeed, 2013 was a relatively good year for the people of Tanzania. It was the year that many goals were attained despite a lot of challenges. People around every corner continue to enjoy peace and stability. Tanzania is at peace with itself and its neighbours.”

He also said the government would intensify the fight against narcotics and poaching.

He explained that Tanzania registered a strong economic growth of 7.1 per cent in 2013, with 2014 projections expected to be 7.3 per cent.

“Inflation rate, which was,in last few years worrisomely high, dropped from 12 per cent in 2012 to 5.6 per cent as of December 2013,” he said. “We have set our sights on a five per cent inflation rate by June 2014.” He hopes that 2014 will be the year of achieving great success.

“The Presidential Bureau and the Ministerial Delivery Units will be fully operational to follow up on the implementation of programmes and projects initiated under the Big Results Now and strategic plans outlined in the five-year development plan.”