Tanzanian President John
Magufuli cancelled Union Day celebrations in the country, saying one million
U.S. dollars could be saved for a road project.
The President said in a statement
earlier this week that the money would be used to expand a road stretch from
Mwanza Airport in northern Tanzania to the city centre. The project is aimed at
easing traffic jams in Mwanza, a city on the shores of Lake Victoria.
“The money was earmarked to buy
food, drinks as well as paying allowances to those who will be involved in the
celebrations including parades and mass plays,” said the statement.
Tanzania will mark its Union Day
on April 26 to mark the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964 to
form the United Republic of Tanzania.
He also cancelled celebrations
marking World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 to cut what he termed as
“unnecessary government spending”, ordering the money saved be used to purchase
drugs.
There were jokes in Tanzania at the
end of last year that he might cancel Christmas. He didn’t, but came close,
barring the printing of Christmas cards at government expense.
The money-saving measures had
generated a lot of statements on Twitter.
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