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JK`s simplicity impresses foreign NGO boss
2007-03-22 08:53:37
By Adam Ihucha, Engarenanyuki
The simplicity, sense of humour and ease with which President Jakaya Kikwete interacts with people have greatly impressed an international development worker.
The director of an International development partner organization known as OIKOS has described the President as a wonderful modern day statesman who was readily willing to come down to earth and who enjoyed intermingling with common folks.
``Kikwete is down-to-earth statesman, with full of sense of humor. He compromises himself in every way possible in order to interact with common people,`` said Annie Francis, OIKOS East Africa Director.
President Kikwete met Annie, the OIKOS boss, at Engarenanyuki ward some 80km, north of Arumeru District headquarters, where he went to inaugurate an irrigation scheme funded by the organization.
``What`s your name and where do you come from?`` President Kikwete asked her immediately after they met in the middle of the crowd as he intermingled with common wananchi during the irrigation scheme inauguration.
``My name is Annie Francis; I am the East Africa regional director for OIKOS, which is an Italian organisation that funded this irrigation scheme by 80 percent,`` she responded in fluent Kiswahili.
``Oh, thank you very much for your generous support and job well done” Kikwete said in appreciation, amid applause from the crowd.
Briefing the President on the project, Annie said the total cost of the irrigation scheme which started late last year is about 56m/-, and will benefit a total of 16,000 people in Engarenanyuki.
She said the place is very fertile, conducive for tomatoes and onions, where a single acre can produce 10 and 12 tons respectively.
The major irrigation scheme has a life span of 20 years.
It taps its water in a potential wetland, and will enable farmers in the area to extend their irrigated farms from the current 2100 to 3000 hectors, Annie said.
Addressing a rally, President Kikwete directed Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives deputy minister Christopher Chiza to ensure that the irrigation scheme enjoys government support to ensure its success.
OIKOS is an Italian non-profit volunteer organisation that works internationally on environmental problems in the big cities, and on defence and reintegration of woods.
The organisation is understood to be especially active in the Mediterranean.
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