It is an arid region and drought is one of the major problems facing residents of the region which is mostly inhibited by pastoralists. Thus, availability of pasture for livestock and water for human and livestock consumption is among the region's major challenges.

Pastoralists and farmers, who make a large number of the region's population, have to travel long distances searching for water.

The issue infrastructure, particularly roads in rural areas is another challenge that contesting political parties should come up with solutions in their policies.

During the dry season the roads turn into pools of dust whereas during rain seasons they get muddy.

Because of the bad roads, there are not many reliable motor vehicles in the regional roads. As a result, residents have no option but to depend on domesticated animals like donkeys and cows as major means of transportation for their crops and other products.

Mwanza: Population: 2.9 million (2002)

This is a famous region in the Lake Zone. Its regional headquarters at Mwanza was the second urban setting in the country to acquire city status after Dar es Salaam.

Leaders who would be elected this year are expected to improve the infrastructure outside the city centre as the city has poor feeder roads.

Mwanza residents said health services in Government hospitals are also very poor, threatening their wellbeing.

Nevertheless, the shortage of water is another challenge despite the region's proximity to Lake Victoria.

Tanga: Population 1.6 million (2002)

The economic potential of Tanga Region is in fishing, agriculture, tourism, mining, industry and commerce. It was once the leading sisal producer in the country though most sisal estates have now ceased operations.

The agricultural sector faces a number of problems, including inadequate utilization of fertiliser and other agricultural inputs.

Unfortunately, the Tanzania Fertiliser Company (TFC) put up in the region has been closed for a number of years now.

Farmers in the region, as elsewhere in Tanzania, practice shifting cultivation and bush fires are common. Farmers use very poor agricultural technology due to their low level of education.

Residents of the region suffer from poor health facilities, with most being forced to travel long distances to reach them.

Other problems differ from one district to another. Handeni, Muheza and Korogwe districts face acute shortages of water. One of its districts, Kilindi, has a very poor road infrastructure and an acute scarcity of water for pastoralists.

Residents of Pangani District have for many years called for the construction of a bridge across Pangani River. This problem has now been solved through the purchase of a new ferry which has already started to operate.

Ruvuma: Population one million (2000)

It is one of the regions comprising the southern highlands of Tanzania and is a major grain producer in the country with many of its residents being farmers.

Many people in the region are engaged in agriculture. They want the next government to do everything possible to ensure that they get farm inputs early. They also yearn for modern agricultural technology which could make them improve productivity.

They also yearn for reliable markets and good prices for their products.

The region faces the problem of poor healthy services, with most of its villagers being forced to travel long distances in search of health facilities.

Singida: Population one million (2000)

It is regarded as one of the poorest regions in Tanzania though there are many economic activities conducted by its residents. May be because of its arid conditions, agriculture is not well advanced in the region.

Like other central regions, it faces a chronic shortage of water for human and livestock consumption. The region is home to the Barbeig normadic community which refuses to abandon traditional lifestyles.

Water shortage, being the major concern, people in the area would want to hear from the political parties during these campaigns how they would address the problem.

Like other regions, it also has poor roads networks in many of its parts.