The late President John Magufuli, who died in Dar es Salaam Wednesday last week, will be buried at the family graveyard in Chato, Geita Region.
This is in fulfillment of Dr. Magufuli's desire to be buried in his homestead and not to the site which was earmarked by the Government for the burial of National Leaders.
Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Job Ndugai also confirmed on Monday that Dr. Magufuli preferred to be buried in his homestead.
He said that Dr. Magufuli brushed the idea of being buried in the country's capital, Dodoma, maintaining that he would only be buried in his birthplace.
Geita Regional Commissioner Robert Gabriel told journalists yesterday that Dr. Magufuli will be buried at the family gravesite in Chato.
He said that according to the guidelines, funeral activities will be managed by the National Leaders, protocol team and family members.
"Dr. Magufuli will be laid to rest at his ancestral gravesite... Preparations are being made by the Government in collaboration with family members," he said.
He called upon Geita residents to turn up in huge numbers in areas earmarked for the public to bid Farewell to the fallen President.
Meanwhile, about 300 motorcycle riders in Chato District are set to receive the body of the Late President when it arrives here tomorrow.
The district bodaboda leader Mr. James Andrea said that they have already secured a permit from the Officer Commanding District (OCD) office.
"Bodaboda riders will be at the back of the motorcade but they will not take part in burial activities to avoid interfering with other procedures," he said.
He said that President Magufuli will be remembered by bodaboda riders following his commitment to transform the sub-sector.
A motorcycle rider, Mr. Dominiko Itanisa, said that their participation in receiving the body of the late president is meant to honour him for his determination to work for Tanzanians.
He said Dr. Magufuli invested a lot in transport infrastructure which have also enabled smooth operation of their activities.
Another motorcycle rider, Mr. Jumanne Michael, said that he will never forget Dr. Magufuli because whenever the President visited Chato he used to earn a lot of money as the number of people using such means of transport tended to increase.
In another development, hotel and lodge owners in Chato have admitted to be overwhelmed following the large number of visitors arriving for the funeral of Dr. Magufuli.
A guest house owner, Mr. Steven Bemeleza, said that all the rooms at his lodge are occupied but he has not hiked the price to allow more visitors to access the service.
He called upon other owners not to hike prices especially at this moment when the Nation is mourning the loss of its Great Leader. "It is wrong to hike the fees at this moment for personal gains," he said.
John Kagudule, owner of some hotels in Chato, said that although the district was facing high demand of accommodation, he cannot increase the charges as part of honouring the late President Magufuli who encouraged them to invest in the sector.
He said during his lifetime, Dr. Magufuli encouraged his people in Chato to invest in various sectors, thus he was a reason for the investment he had made.