No to civilian army outfit dealers said President Magufuli

PRESIDENT John Magufuli yesterday made an impromptu tour of Ukonga Prison in Dar es Salaam, ordering an immediate stoppage of the sale of military uniforms by civilians.

The president condemned the involvement of civilians in trading the uniforms, directing all people dealing in the military attires to cease the business and immediately surrender their consignments to respective forces.

“It is impossible to have private dealers supplying uniforms to our armies ... it just can’t be,” ruled the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Dr Magufuli issued the order after receiving complaints from prison wardens over the procurement of their uniforms from private dealers, contrary to the rules and principles guiding the armed forces.

According to a statement issued by the State House Communications Directorate last evening, the head of state directed the relevant authorities to take to task all those involved in the shoddy deals relating to uniform supply to prison officers.

He further directed all armed forces in the country to end their business contracts with civilians on renting or selling buildings that belong to the forces for whatever business, ordering all the properties of the military forces to remain under the relevant forces.

The move comes amid widespread outcries by prison wardens that majority of them were compelled to seek shelters outside the barracks, contrary to the country’s regulations governing the armed forces. They decried the accommodation challenge as among the serious impediments to the work efficiency.

Dr Magufuli further directed the Prison Force to use the prisoners effectively and productively in wealth creation, denouncing the current system under which prisoners are using government resources without producing.

Meanwhile, President Magufuli has issued 10bn/- to the prison department for the construction of new houses for prison warders at Ukonga Prison in Dar es Salaam.

He assured the Prison Officers and wardens of the government’s commitment to continue improving their welfare and working environment as it does to other forces in the country.

Source: Daily News