Samia backs child welfare

UNGUJA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed urban planning authorities to set aside and protect areas for children’s playgrounds while encouraging the private sector to invest in recreational facilities to support children’s development.

She issued the directive yesterday while officially opening a new children’s playground at Kizimkazi in Unguja.

The playground, developed and funded by Camel Oil, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, provides a safe and modern environment where children can play, learn, develop their talents and interact.

President Samia said access to safe and well-managed recreational spaces is essential for children’s physical, intellectual and moral development.

She said playgrounds should not be regarded merely as places for entertainment but as important investments in raising healthy, disciplined and responsible citizens.

“Through play, children learn good behaviour, creativity, discipline, respect and cooperation, which are important in building their character and ability to interact with others,” she said.

The President directed urban planning authorities in Zanzibar to ensure areas designated for children’s recreation are protected from other developments, warning against the loss of playgrounds after they being reserved for public use.

“I direct the urban planning authorities in Zanzibar to set aside special areas for children’s sports and play. Once these areas are designated, they must be protected so that after one or two years they are not taken over by other developments,” she said.

She also called for greater private-sector participation in developing children’s recreational facilities, saying additional investments would expand opportunities for children to play, learn and develop their talents.

Regarding the Kizimkazi facility, President Samia said she was pleased to see the project completed after laying its foundation stone in 2023, thanking contractors, residents and other stakeholders who contributed to its implementation.

She welcomed investors dealing in play equipment, children’s toys and other businesses related to children to utilise areas prepared for investment at the facility.

President Samia noted that the Kizimkazi playground was already contributing to domestic tourism, with people from different parts of Unguja visiting the facility, urging stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunity to expand investment.

She, however, cautioned that all activities conducted at the playground must be appropriate for children and consistent with their age and wellbeing.

She directed the management to ensure technology, music, exhibitions and other forms of entertainment introduced at the facility were used to benefit children and promote Tanzanian culture and values.

“This is a children’s playground, not an adults’ facility,” she said, warning against activities or displays that could negatively influence children.

The President commended Camel Oil for supporting safety improvements at the facility by placing sand around areas where children use play equipment, reducing the risk of injuries from falls.

She urged those managing the playground to maintain high safety standards and ensure play equipment remained in good condition.

President Samia further directed that revenue generated from the facility should, among other things, be used to finance regular maintenance.

She also appealed to parents and guardians to complement government investment by raising children in healthy, disciplined and morally responsible environments.

ALSO READ: Govt reaffirms commitment to child welfare

Camel Oil representative Bhoke Rioba said the modern recreational facility could accommodate more than 500 children at a time.

He said the facility was designed exclusively for children aged between three and 15, providing a safe environment for recreation, learning, talent development and social interaction.

The facility is equipped with modern play equipment and provides space for children to play, learn, interact, develop their talents and enjoy recreational activities safely.

Mr Rioba said the playground was designed to support children’s physical, social and creative development while providing a safe space for meaningful activities outside school.

He said the facility was intended to benefit both local children and other families visiting Kizimkazi, making it not only a recreational facility but also an attraction that could contribute to the area’s growing domestic tourism activities.

Zanzibar Minister for Social Development, Gender, Elderly and Children Anna Athanasi called for similar facilities to be established in underserved areas, particularly North Unguja and North Pemba, to ensure children in rural communities had equal opportunities for healthy growth and talent development.

The post Samia backs child welfare appeared first on Daily News.