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Well done, UK tells Kikwete
2006-05-26 09:51:19
By Guardian Reporter
Britain is impressed with President Jakaya Kikwete’s performance and has consequently pledged to support the government in realising its goals.
This was said yesterday by Hilary Benn, Britain’s Secretary of State for International Development when he met President Jakaya Kikwete in London.
President Kikwete had stopped over on his way back home from a successful tour of Asia, Europe and the US.
The President, who returned home yesterday was given a rousing welcome on his arrival at the Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, was received by the Vice President, Dr Ally Shein and Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, among other senior government officials.
Benn promised his government would support Kikwete’s initiative to solve water problems.
According to Benn, London is impressed with President Kikwete’s commitment to achieving the goals the government has set.
In their talks, President Kikwete and Benn dwelt at length on bilateral issues.
Benn, promised his government would co-operate with President Kikwete’s government to solve water problems in the country.
President Kikwete told Benn that Tanzania faces many problems that include poor water supply for a large proportion of the population.
’’If you asked Tanzanians what their priorities are they would start with water. When commissioning projects, none is hailed more than a water project,’’ President Kikwete told his host.
During the talk that was also attended by the British Secretary charged with African affairs, Lord Triesman, Benn commended Tanzania’s contribution to the recently signed peace accord in Darfur, Sudan.
He also commended Dar es Salaam’s contribution to the British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Commission for Africa through retired President Benjamin Mkapa, who is a member of the commission.
He said the commission would make a difference in shaping the continent’s future.
Benn hailed Tanzania’s fight against corruption and said the efforts being made would be used by his country to initiate a dialogue about the vice on the continent and use the country as a case study in good governance and accountability.
During the stop-over, President Kikwete also held talks with Prince Aga Khan.
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