24 DEDs demoted and 8 others arraigned in court

IN a bid to ensure workers’ accountability in various district councils in the country, the government has demoted 24 District Executive Directors (DEDs) and 8 others arraigned in court and other 24 have been reprimanded under workers’ disciplinary codes of actions since 2006 up to December 2012, the Parliament was told yesterday. The deputy Minister for Local government and Regional Administration Agrey Mwanri said that, among the 24 demoted district executives, one of them had his salary lowered adding that, the move is a deterrent to others who are fond of sabotaging government’s properties. The deputy minister was responding a question earlier asked by Ramadhani Haji Saheh (CCM) who wanted to know what actions has the government taken so far to the district executives who have been found responsible for the loss of money set aside for the intended development projects within their districts. Either, apart from the disciplinary actions so far taken against high ranking district officers, the government has also held 1,452 other workers accountable with various disciplinary actions for having found them guilty of violation of various workers’ rules and regulations under public service. Coupled by the increasing phenomenon, the government has taken various steps in order to prevent the habit. However, he said this is together with the legal actions against the offenders who are directly or indirectly found closely to be associated in one way or another. In order to strengthen the whole financial systems in line to curb the rampant theft which has been discovered in various district councils in the country, the government has introduced a system whereby all internal auditors will now be directly reporting to the government Chief internal Auditor. The deputy minister also noted that, the government has established the use of international standards in the preparations of the financial accounting systems, others are the establishment of a system which ensure financial supervision commonly known as EPICOR which is intended to curb the increased theft of money in district councils. Either he noted that, the government is insisting care to b e observed by auditors when carrying out their duties to look at the value of the money used for the various intended development targets for the district councils. He further noted that, through these steps, the government has been able to reform financial management systems in most district councils in the country, and this has been approved by the office of the Controller Accounts General (CAG) of 20-11/12 whereby clean audit certificates have increased from 72 in 2010/11 to 104. The unsatisfactory certificates were reduced from 5 in 2010/11 to zero and there was one bad certificate as approved by the CAG office in 2011/12. He has therefore issued a concern to councilors to continue maintaining a good relationship with the district executives to make sure that, they are all working in collaboration to ensure that government money and other public properties in the local government are well supervised. He further reminded them that, there are newly formed controlling systems of curbing with theft, and if used effectively would enable their council offices to maintain an up to date accounting record systems.

TEF frowns upon the Information minister’s budget speech,

THE Secretary General of Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) Neville Meena has expressed his disappointment over the budget speech of the Minister for Information, Youth, culture and Sports which was tabled yesterday in Parliament saying that, the Minister did not mention problems faced b y journalists in executing their jobs in the country. He said the budget has skipped to analyze important matters as what had happened to the TEF Chairman Absalom Kibanda and the fallen TV crew for Channel ten station David Mwangosi together with others whose fate has sparked a debate in previous parliamentary sessions. The TEF Boss made a concern in an exclusive interview with The Guardian yesterday in Parliament a moment after the Minister’s budget was tabled for discussion before the parliamentarians.  Later the Speaker of the National Assembly, Anne Makinda   stopped the sessions till later in the afternoon as in accordance to the house directives following some contravention of the laws governing house procedures.  He lamented that, apart from the issue of the two media practitioners whose fate is still a subject of debate among Tanzanians, he noted that, the budget hasn’t highlighted the challenges faced by Tanzanian journalists and the media fraternity in general. According to him, he wanted the minister should have stated the development of the two high ranking media personnel in its budget as an expression with a word of sympathy noting that was a major challenge that the media fraternity in the country experienced for the last one year, but there is no such statement in the budget. To the great dismay, he is surprised to see that, the minister in charge of the ministry Dr. Fenella Mukangara has highlighted other challenges which are not more severe and a threat in normal circumstances to the development of the media sector in the country. He further noted that, the budget has not also quoted any private media organization in the country and their  participation in the countrywide information dissemination, nor the way forward on how to develop the media sector in the country for the coming 2013/14 financial year. The TEF boss and other media stakeholders are surprised to have seen the minister’s budget speech has only focused the welfare of the National Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) and the ministry’s plans to develop the whole national broadcasting corporation through various loans by donors outside. It is as if Tanzania media industry is run by government and there is no private sectors, he queried. Quoting the main challenges in the minister’s speech, she noted that, her ministry through the information sector was faced by various challenges in the previous financial year of 2012/13 and among these are the violations of ethical rules by some registered media organizations in the country. She said that, some electronic media stations had violated ethical rules on broadcasting which the country are contrary to the policy of broadcasting and the regulations governing the legal policies set by the Broadcasting Act She also noted in her budget speech that, in 26th February this year, the ethical committee of her ministry suspended two radio stations namely Neema FM of Mwanza and Imaam FM of Morogoro for six months after having found them guilty despite of several warnings. Other challenges she mentioned in her budget is lack of study opportunities to higher learning institutions in the country and poor working environment to media workers. Either together with other impeding challenges it still performing its duties as usual.

Ngimwa: The government is keen with its shares invested in private organization

THE Government has set aside Sh. 150 billion for the development of the transport sector in the country giving priority to the development of the central railway line, the Deputy Minister for Transport Dr. Charles Tizeba said yesterday when responding the contribution of legislators to the transport ministry budget for 2013/14 financial year. He said the priority for the ministry is outlined in the national development vision of the 2025 which has intended to develop railway infrastructure which passes through the central corridor covering six regions which he said are economically viable for the country’s economy. However, he added that, the passenger train will not be departing from their stations without being checked to ensure safety for the passengers. However, he added that the activities will be supervised by Surface and Marine Transport Authority (SUMATRA) whom it has directed to do the work. He also said that, the government has received financial aid of Euro 35 million from the government of Netherlands for the expansion program of the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). He added that, the project is scheduled to start in this year’s financial year. He further noted that, the government will spend Sh. 13.3 billion in this 2013/14 financial year for the expansion program of Sumbawanga airport in Rukwa region. Contributing to the ministry’s budget, legislators questioned reasons why the government is not serious with the Air Tanzania Limited (ATCL) which was once being used by most Tanzanians for their flights inside and outside the country. A Member of Parliament for special seats Mkiwa Kimwanga (CUF), said that, Tanzania does not have a plane which it can be proud of and she also asked about the Boeing 737 which has been operating at a loss and what action has the government taken. She also wanted to know how the government is planning to revive the corporation into its former situation it was.  In another contribution an MP for Nzega Khamisi Kigwangala (CCM) said that, it is a shame for the government to have no its own plane in this current era of science and technology whereby Tanzania as a country need to show up in global economy and show up its products further outside kits boundaries. She wondered and noted that, many Tanzanians travels outside the country by using other country’s planes because there are no planes for ATCL which in early 1980s had international flights to Far East and Middle East countries. She said that, it is a shame to see Many Tanzanians uses Ethiopian Airlines and others to organize for their international flights. Another legislator Mhonga Ruhwanya (Chadema-Special seat), wanted to know what strategies has the government in place in order to save an ill-fated government organization ATCL. An MP for Mgogoni (CUF), Kombo Khamis Kombo, said that Tanzania government should emulate other East African countries such as Kenya and Rwanda which he said have successes to a certain extent in managing their air transport sector. He said adding that, it was a shame to see these countries which are fellow East African member states to have own planes that connects international flights, and that the government is surpassed by even air transport private countries such as Precision Air which are operating in the country and have connected their operations in international level.

The government to concentrate on ports rehabilitation.

THE Government has set aside Sh. 150 billion for the development of the transport sector in the country giving priority to the development of the central railway line, the Deputy Minister for Transport Dr. Charles Tizeba said yesterday when responding the contribution of legislators to the transport ministry budget for 2013/14 financial year. He said the priority for the ministry is outlined in the national development vision of the 2025 which has intended to develop railway infrastructure which passes through the central corridor covering six regions which he said are economically viable for the country’s economy. However, he added that, the passenger train will not be departing from their stations without being checked to ensure safety for the passengers. However, he added that the activities will be supervised by Surface and Marine Transport Authority (SUMATRA) whom it has directed to do the work. He also said that, the government has received financial aid of Euro 35 million from the government of Netherlands for the expansion program of the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). He added that, the project is scheduled to start in this year’s financial year. He further noted that, the government will spend Sh. 13.3 billion in this 2013/14 financial year for the expansion program of Sumbawanga airport in Rukwa region. Contributing to the ministry’s budget, legislators questioned reasons why the government is not serious with the Air Tanzania Limited (ATCL) which was once being used by most Tanzanians for their flights inside and outside the country. A Member of Parliament for special seats Mkiwa Kimwanga (CUF), said that, Tanzania does not have a plane which it can be proud of and she also asked about the Boeing 737 which has been operating at a loss and what action has the government taken. She also wanted to know how the government is planning to revive the corporation into its former situation it was.  In another contribution an MP for Nzega Khamisi Kigwangala (CCM) said that, it is a shame for the government to have no its own plane in this current era of science and technology whereby Tanzania as a country need to show up in global economy and show up its products further outside kits boundaries. She wondered and noted that, many Tanzanians travels outside the country by using other country’s planes because there are no planes for ATCL which in early 1980s had international flights to Far East and Middle East countries. She said that, it is a shame to see Many Tanzanians uses Ethiopian Airlines and others to organize for their international flights. Another legislator Mhonga Ruhwanya (Chadema-Special seat), wanted to know what strategies has the government in place in order to save an ill-fated government organization ATCL. An MP for Mgogoni (CUF), Kombo Khamis Kombo, said that Tanzania government should emulate other East African countries such as Kenya and Rwanda which he said have successes to a certain extent in managing their air transport sector. He said adding that, it was a shame to see these countries which are fellow East African member states to have own planes that connects international flights, and that the government is surpassed by even air transport private countries such as Precision Air which are operating in the country and have connected their operations in international level.

Legislators hail government's efforts to strengthen ports activities

LEGISLATORS have pressurized the government to continue its commitments in order to reform the activities at the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) which they said is the main source of revenue collection serving five landlocked countries. Contributing to the budget estimates for the 2013/14 financial year yesterday in Parliament, various legislators have hailed efforts currently being undertaken by the ministry to reform the port and advised the government to be serious bearing the fact that the port is the pillar of the economy of the country which facilitates transportation of goods.  Kombo Khamis Kombo (CUF) said that, the expansion of the port can increase the government’s revenue, however, he said that the problem of corruption among workers of the port shows a negative attitude and bad image to the institution. He has however asked Minister for Transport Dr. Harison Mwakyembe whose efforts have shown a tremendous development within a short time to strengthen his strategies to ward off the impeding phenomenon. Following the recent action by the Ministry against untrustworthy workers who were sacked from the port, the CUF legislator also wanted to know if some of the workers who were terminated by the minister were taken to court or if were investigated by the PCCB institution. Another legislator Susan Lyimo (Chadema-special seat) said that countries like China and Singapore succeeded to increase their economy to a higher level by largely depending on their ports available in their countries. However, she said that, it was surprising to note that, the Dar es Salaam port does not have enough spaces for storage facilities at the dock an aspect which cause overloaded of containers and other goods. In view of this, she has therefore advised the government to work on the issue in order to perform better. She has objected the government’s decision to embark on its decision to build a new port at Bagamoyo saying that this is a loss of money, and instead has therefore advised the government to use the available money to expand the existing ports of Mtwara, Tanga and Dar es Salaam which needs refurbishments that would maker them increase their capacity.

Kigoda dismisses claims by opposition camp, asks for physical evidences

THE Minister for Trade and Industries Dr. Abdalah Kighoda on Wednesday this week dismissed claims by opposition camp which it raised against relatives of the ruling CCM Members of Parliament allegedly to be owners of the company earlier entered into a joint contract with a National Development Corporation (NDC) to generate wind electricity power in Singida region. Winding up his speech for his ministry’s budget estimates for 2013/14 financial year, Dr. Kigoda said that, it was not true that owners of the private company namely Power Pool East Africa Company Ltd mentioned in their statement are relatives of the ruling CCM party. To verify the truth over the matter, Dr. Kigoda has however asked the opposition camp in Parliament to produce evidences to clear doubt and if possible should they cross check the registration particulars of the company from the national Business Registration Licensing company (BRELA) in order to prove their allegations. Earlier, a spokesperson of the opposition camp, Highness Samson Kiwia  (Chadema) claimed in a statement he issued in Parliament in which they wanted to know how the company was involved in the whole process of power generation and came to acquire such a huge funded contract project. Relatives of the CCM MPs who the opposition camp alleged in their statement to be owners of the company are Maswa Kagoswe, Isack Joseph Mwamanga, Emmanuel Kasyanju, Prosper Tesha, Lennard Tennende and Athumani Ngwilizi. According to Highness, their involvement was a planned mission organized by the said CCM MPs (whom he didn’t disclose in his statement )with a view to benefit through cheating the amount of money which currently is being processed by the government as a loan amounting to $ 136 million (equivalent to Sh. 210 bn/). The money will be received from Exim Bank of China which has agreed to disburse it on relief condition and that the government has already issued a letter of support to the bank by the ministry of Finance. Apart from claiming of their relationship, the opposition camp also wanted to know whether the government had done an in-depth investigation by vetting the owners in areas of their technical ability and the legitimacy of the said company if it has enough experience in power generation activities before approval by the government to undertake such a huge project. The opposition camp doubts about the experience and the skills the company has whether it has ever done such a project elsewhere in the country, he queried while warning the government should not involve itself into another Richmond saga.  The project which is expected to generate total 300 megawatts is yet to start, but initially the company was expected to generate 50 megawatts to be supplied 12 kilometers away in eastern direction of the Singida town Council. According to the details made available about the project, it was supposed to commence during 2012/13 financial year. In early 2012, the managing director of state-run National Development Corporation (NDC), Gideon Nasari, confirmed the parastatal has entered into a contract with a private firm, Power Pool East Africa Company Ltd for wind power generation. In the deal, NDC holds 51 per cent stake while a privately owned company, Power Pool East Africa Ltd, with 49 shares, under the agreement the private firm will service the loan for 20 years. The demand for power in Tanzania is growing by more than 50 MW a year, fuelled partly by an expansion of mining undertakings in parts of the country. Currently, hydro is the major source of electricity in Tanzania. The wind farm in Singida will mean that power-dependent industries will soon be provided with electricity generated locally. The wind farm will benefit the local economy, providing 200 jobs during the construction phase and a handful of jobs when it is up and running. Wind power on a commercial scale is not common in sub-Saharan Africa, despite the existence of constantly blowing and consistently strong winds, especially along the top of the rift valley, the mountain plateau which runs through east Africa from Ethiopia to Malawi and Mozambique. Singida project seeks to be the country's first wind energy power project. The project is a result of the government push for diverse energy sources, as drafted in its recent policy on renewable energy.

Energy Ministry presents a draft on Natural gas policy

THE Minister for Energy and Minerals Professor Sospeter Muhongo yesterday presented a draft of Natural gas policy of Tanzania to Members of Parliament at a seminar whereby legislators took time to discuss it with a call from the majority of them who have advised the government not to rush with the exploration of the southern rich gas and oil deposits in Mtwara region. A 45 paged booklet outlines together with other things what the government is intending to do with the exploration of gas for the benefits of the nation in future and has also outlined strategic plans by the government which would ensure efficiency out of the contracts to be entered in future. Among the issues noted in the draft describes how the government shall ensure growth of the natural gas industry in order to support strategic investments in other sectors of economy as well as support private sec tor participation for rapid development of strategic industries such as petrochemicals, steel and other energy intensive industries. The draft also has outlined what the government will do to substantially improve Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) in communities neighboring natural gas facilities and operations, and these would  ensure a contractual obligation to all investors and contractors in the natural gas activities to undertake community development programs. Contributing to their views over the draft, some legislators wanted to know the position of government in safe guarding the welfare of Tanzanians and the contracts to be entered once the exploration activities are over. Ibrahim Sanya (CUF) wanted to know what procedures has the government put in order to let Tanzanians acquire individuals’ shares. He also warned the government not to mess up just like what happened in mining contracts which he said none of ordinary Tanzanian is benefiting in these projects in the country. However, he has advised the government that if it is not ready in its strategic plans which are to benefit its citizens and the government itself, then it shouldn’t rush unless it has trained its own people who in future would be in a position to save the future generation. Mussa Haji Kombo (CUF) asked the Minister to explain why his draft had no element which he mentioned about Zanzibar and that the draft has only centered mainland Tanzania. The legislator is on the view of the fact that, those who prepared the draft might have forgotten that Zanzibar is within the union government. Halima Mdee (Chadema) wanted to know the government’s decision why it has decided in its strategic plans to construct a gas pipeline from Mtwara to Dar es Salaam an aspect that has caused chaos among the southerners who feels to have been abandoned by the government with thinking that they won’t benefit from the gas. She has however asked the government to verify ways to see how the people of Mtwara and other southerners so that they clear out their worries over the matter instead of are going to benefit with this project. According to her, she has suggested one keeping quite and if possible make open the already contracts that the government has so far entered.  However she has also called on the stakeholders in the energy sector to pass education to the people in order to enlighten them as it would not be fair for them to be abandoned when the gas deposits are from within their region. She also asked to know the already 40 trillion cubic meters already in place if the government has entered a contract with, and if so, how many contracts have been entered so far. Suleiman Jafu (CCM) advised the government to include in a draft every contracts it shall have entered , it must ensure that, all Tanzania small entrepreneurs to engage in small activities and not foreigners as the case is seen at Kariakoo market in Dar es Salaam whereby Chinese foreigners are engaged in petty business which could be done by local people. Moses Machari (NCCR-Mageuzi) noted that the government should understand what people need to know in this gas sector. He said that, wider education is still needed to be given by the government and proper implementation of the policy should be prepared. Winding up the legislators views’, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Energy and Minerals, Eliachim Maswi assured them what the government has put in place its strategies and that would not mess up as it has realized the mistakes done in the past. On education he said that, the government has started since last year to sponsor 30 students for Masters program studies every year in Portugal and China to acquire knowledge on gas exploration and has also assured the Parliamentarians that all contracts which shall be entered by the government through his ministry will be correct and that should you clear any doubt. Winding up legislators’’ views also was the Minister for Energy and Minerals, Professor  Sospeter Muhongo who asked legislators who attended the seminar  to accept the draft which he said would be brought back in Parliament for their approval later. He however cleared doubts by some who noted that, it was too earlier for government to start gas business at this time when the nation does not have enough experts in the field.