PRIME Minister Mizengo Pinda has warned that the state might be forced to use the Tanzania People's Defence Forces (TPDF) to contain rampant smuggling of sugar in Mara Region.
The PM sounded the warning after receiving reports that some dishonest police officers were colluding with unscrupulous traders to smuggle tonnes of sugar outside the country via the Sirari border with Kenya.
"I have reports that police officers are escorting sugar trucks by making and even receiving calls from traders.
"They put road blocks for their own good. If you ( police force) have managed to fix us, we will use the TPDF and deploy military personnel along the road," the PM said when addressing a huge public rally in Bunda town on Monday evening.
Smuggling has fuelled sugar crisis in the lake zone region, hence worsening people's living conditions, according to Mr Pinda.
Sugar price is said to have soared from 1,500/- to 3,000/- per kilo in many parts of Mara, including Musoma town in recent days. Official price set by the government is 1,700/- per kilo.
Mr Pinda noted that there was no reason for the country to face a shortage while factories have capacity to produce sufficient sugar for local consumption.
"Our factories have enough sugar to meet the local demand and have surplus," Mr Pinda stressed.
He ordered regional leaders to sit with the police force and chart strategies to stop smuggling of sugar.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister directed Mara regional leaders to revoke licences of traders smuggling the commodity.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has urged Tanzanians to maintain national unity that has prevailed in the country for decades.
"Our differences in colour, education, political ideologies or religions should not make us shun our national unity," the PM said.
He said Tanzania is one of the most peaceful countries in Africa and had become a haven for refugees fleeing their war-torn countries.
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