Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Twiga Bancorp Ltd represents success for Tanzania in the global financial business
TANZANIA government has the reason to be proud this time around for good quality performance and excellence it has shown so far in its global business transaction. This is after it has received the Century International Quality ERA Award in the Gold category, It has been learnt. The purpose of the award is to recognize the commitment to good quality of the companies among the top areas of business, industrial production and services. The award was recently given to a state owned financial institution known as ‘Twiga Bancorp Limited’ in a gala ceremony which took place in Geneva, Switzerland. This is the first time for a government financial institution to acquire such an award which is given in realm of customer satisfaction, good leadership, strategic planning and benchmarking as established in the QC 100 TQM standards systems by a Swiss based Business Initiative Directions (BID) who organized the event. The Managing Director of the Twiga Bancorp Ltd, Hussein Mbululo said in an exclusive interview in his office in Dar es Salaam early this week that, his company was among the winning 100 companies from 47 countries around the world who received the award in eight different categories. Other categories offered for this award by B.I.D includes International quality crown, World quality commitment, Star for quality, Star for leadership in quality, Arch of Europe for quality, Diamond quality summit and Quality summit. Narrating the secret of his company’s success, Mbululo said “the ability to perform and creativity in work is among the factors which enabled his firm to win the award, and these are also the weapons of great successes. However, he also outlined other factors and noted that, making employees aware of the importance of concentration on the most profitable areas of activity is one way of achieving the best business results. He continued with other factors as his company accepts quality as a factor of development to become more competitive in order to satisfy the needs of customers and meet their expectations, manage human resources in the company in order to achieve the maximum potential and encourage participation and teamwork for decision making.
Other factors he noted are good quality service which is considered as a consequence of valuing a customer’s satisfaction and thereby expects to obtain positive business results, meet the quality levels established in the company in accordance with the points of quality admired by organizers. Another point he noted is to provide human resources both technical and economic to achieve continuous improvement and respect for environment. These are the prime principles of the QC100 total quality management model which are considered by the organizers, he said. According to him, he has urged fellow financial institution managers and directors in the country to work harder in cooperation with their subordinate staff and through this way is sure of executing good work results to increase their productivity. However, he has also put across the issue of flexibility which according to him would make people and their institutions work in a competitive spirit. The Geneva event was presided over by Jose E. Priesto, President and CEO of BID, along with outstanding personalities from the business world and diplomatic corps. According to him, the awarded companies are symbols of commitment to leadership, technology and innovation, making them models for others in their sectors. He says that, the award is to recognize the commitment to quality of awarded companies among the top areas of business, industrial production and services. Companies from Europe, America, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Middle East received the BID in recognition of their achievements in spreading quality culture. The BID quality symbol is present in 178 countries around the world, creating a firm ground for the implementation of integral quality processes through the technology and procedures of the QC100 model of Total Quality Management. Twiga Bancorp Limited is a government financial institution which deals with banking services and it accepts deposits in various forms leading to various ways. Other service the bank is doing includes money transfer and Telegraphic Inter-banking Swift Society (TISS), Money gram, Bank draft which involves payments of school fees to students studying abroad. The firm was established in 1992 as a Bureau De Change and later was converted to fully fledge financial institution in 1998 doing business as a National Bureau de change. In 2004, it was changed and acquired its current name as Twiga Bancorp Limited.
Other factors he noted are good quality service which is considered as a consequence of valuing a customer’s satisfaction and thereby expects to obtain positive business results, meet the quality levels established in the company in accordance with the points of quality admired by organizers. Another point he noted is to provide human resources both technical and economic to achieve continuous improvement and respect for environment. These are the prime principles of the QC100 total quality management model which are considered by the organizers, he said. According to him, he has urged fellow financial institution managers and directors in the country to work harder in cooperation with their subordinate staff and through this way is sure of executing good work results to increase their productivity. However, he has also put across the issue of flexibility which according to him would make people and their institutions work in a competitive spirit. The Geneva event was presided over by Jose E. Priesto, President and CEO of BID, along with outstanding personalities from the business world and diplomatic corps. According to him, the awarded companies are symbols of commitment to leadership, technology and innovation, making them models for others in their sectors. He says that, the award is to recognize the commitment to quality of awarded companies among the top areas of business, industrial production and services. Companies from Europe, America, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Middle East received the BID in recognition of their achievements in spreading quality culture. The BID quality symbol is present in 178 countries around the world, creating a firm ground for the implementation of integral quality processes through the technology and procedures of the QC100 model of Total Quality Management. Twiga Bancorp Limited is a government financial institution which deals with banking services and it accepts deposits in various forms leading to various ways. Other service the bank is doing includes money transfer and Telegraphic Inter-banking Swift Society (TISS), Money gram, Bank draft which involves payments of school fees to students studying abroad. The firm was established in 1992 as a Bureau De Change and later was converted to fully fledge financial institution in 1998 doing business as a National Bureau de change. In 2004, it was changed and acquired its current name as Twiga Bancorp Limited.
Despite efforts, the pace of poverty alleviation moves slowly
TOWARDS the end of March this year, a Non-Governmental Organization dealing with Research on Poverty Alleviation in the country (REPOA) celebrated its 17thAnnual Research Workshop (ARW) which was held at White Sands Hotel in Dar es Salaam under the theme titled, “Socio-economic Transformation for Poverty Reduction. The growth experience in Tanzania in the last decade has shown that growth of the economy has been associated with too modest a reduction in poverty. Recent development experience in several developing countries has shown that it has been possible for several developing countries to transform their economies and reduce poverty levels substantially. The workshop sought to determine what lessons can be drawn from these experiences with a specific focus on socio-economic transformation for more rapid poverty reduction, addressing the roles of the state, private sector, and communities. The workshop was kicked off with a number of speeches, these included the opening remarks by REPOA’s Chair of the Board of Directors, Professor Esther Mwaikambo and that one of the President in which he had underscored the importance of poverty reduction in the Tanzanian Government’s agenda. He highlighted the efforts of his government in instituting and implementing policies and programmes aimed at stimulating growth and reducing poverty, more recently with the Tanzania Development Vision 2025, MKUKUTA and the Five Year Development Plan 2010-2015. The President went on to note that despite economic growth rates of 7 percent per year from 2000-2011, the rate of poverty reduction has remained low, and expressed the hope that the workshop would provide some answers as to why that is the case.
He underscored the significance of transforming the agricultural sector with 80 percent of Tanzanians living in rural areas and depending on agriculture as high economic growth sectors such as telecommunications are not directly benefiting the majority of the people. He went on to state that socio-economic transformation should also address urban migration and unemployment, as well as employment in the informal sector, mining, tourism and all other key sectors such as manufacturing - an integral part of industrial transformation. Contributing his views during the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Tanzania Planning Commission, Dr. Phillip Mpango noted that, the successful socio-economic transformation in Tanzania will vitally depend on squeezing the trigger for a radical productivity improvement in agriculture. He says one thing that Tanzania has seen and is borne out in the development literature is that high economic growth remains the single most important factor (though by no means the only one) for making poverty history.
Also important is the quality of that growth, defined in terms of distributional patterns, sectoral composition and sustainability of growth over time that a given country experiences as it embarks on socio-economic transformation. According to him, the Success to transform the Tanzania economy will depend on industrialization strategies. Typically, experience from East Asia and Brazil indicate that home-grown, export oriented industrialization led by private entrepreneurs (local and foreign) open up broader opportunities for sustainable growth. In this context, it would seem most logical that Tanzania embarks on industrial development on the basis of specific industries and sectors where Tanzania has latent comparative advantage such as availability of raw materials. Other natural comparative advantages the country have are crops, livestock & fisheries, forestry resources, and minerals and promoting industry clustering through Special Economic Processing Zones (SEPZ) to produce electronic and electrical goods as well as other manufactured goods that are in high demand in the region. So, in addition to agro-processing, the main industries to be targeted should include power generation plants (tapping natural gas, water, coal, wind, solar energy, bio-mass etc), large fertilizer and cement factories, Iron, steel plants, integrated textile industries, sugar factories, meat and fish processing, and mining etc. While studies assert a few similar characteristics that cut across as factors that contributed to the country’s success, each country followed its own Vision/Strategy in pursuing its socio-economic transformation agenda. South Korea has been able to sustain rapid development for more than four decades. Giving an example of the core economic growth in South Korea he noted that was government-lead skills development strategy coordinated with rapid technological change and equitable income distribution. The most remarkable aspect of China’s transformation has been the role of the private sector in achieving unprecedented high rates of growth. This in turn was facilitated by changes in government economic policy that have progressively given greater reign to market forces. In 2011 the Planning Commission did some analysis in order to better understand what it would take for Tanzania to become a middle-income country by 2025. The study generated the GNI per capita (in constant 2009 US$) that would have to be achieved by 2025 in order to reach the lower middle-income country threshold (US$ 2,700). It turned out that for the threshold to be realized, an average annual GNI growth rate of 8 percent in the next 15 years will have to be sustained (equivalent to GNI per capita growth of about 5 percent given a population growth of around 3 percent.
He underscored the significance of transforming the agricultural sector with 80 percent of Tanzanians living in rural areas and depending on agriculture as high economic growth sectors such as telecommunications are not directly benefiting the majority of the people. He went on to state that socio-economic transformation should also address urban migration and unemployment, as well as employment in the informal sector, mining, tourism and all other key sectors such as manufacturing - an integral part of industrial transformation. Contributing his views during the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Tanzania Planning Commission, Dr. Phillip Mpango noted that, the successful socio-economic transformation in Tanzania will vitally depend on squeezing the trigger for a radical productivity improvement in agriculture. He says one thing that Tanzania has seen and is borne out in the development literature is that high economic growth remains the single most important factor (though by no means the only one) for making poverty history.
Also important is the quality of that growth, defined in terms of distributional patterns, sectoral composition and sustainability of growth over time that a given country experiences as it embarks on socio-economic transformation. According to him, the Success to transform the Tanzania economy will depend on industrialization strategies. Typically, experience from East Asia and Brazil indicate that home-grown, export oriented industrialization led by private entrepreneurs (local and foreign) open up broader opportunities for sustainable growth. In this context, it would seem most logical that Tanzania embarks on industrial development on the basis of specific industries and sectors where Tanzania has latent comparative advantage such as availability of raw materials. Other natural comparative advantages the country have are crops, livestock & fisheries, forestry resources, and minerals and promoting industry clustering through Special Economic Processing Zones (SEPZ) to produce electronic and electrical goods as well as other manufactured goods that are in high demand in the region. So, in addition to agro-processing, the main industries to be targeted should include power generation plants (tapping natural gas, water, coal, wind, solar energy, bio-mass etc), large fertilizer and cement factories, Iron, steel plants, integrated textile industries, sugar factories, meat and fish processing, and mining etc. While studies assert a few similar characteristics that cut across as factors that contributed to the country’s success, each country followed its own Vision/Strategy in pursuing its socio-economic transformation agenda. South Korea has been able to sustain rapid development for more than four decades. Giving an example of the core economic growth in South Korea he noted that was government-lead skills development strategy coordinated with rapid technological change and equitable income distribution. The most remarkable aspect of China’s transformation has been the role of the private sector in achieving unprecedented high rates of growth. This in turn was facilitated by changes in government economic policy that have progressively given greater reign to market forces. In 2011 the Planning Commission did some analysis in order to better understand what it would take for Tanzania to become a middle-income country by 2025. The study generated the GNI per capita (in constant 2009 US$) that would have to be achieved by 2025 in order to reach the lower middle-income country threshold (US$ 2,700). It turned out that for the threshold to be realized, an average annual GNI growth rate of 8 percent in the next 15 years will have to be sustained (equivalent to GNI per capita growth of about 5 percent given a population growth of around 3 percent.
An NGO calls for land law reform
A Non- Governmental Organization which stands for the rights of pastoralists in the country has appealed to the recently appointed constitutional review commission tasked to collect opinions from the general public for the national constitution amendment to review a clause in the current Land Act in order to defend pastoralists and farmers in the country. The Executive Director of the Arusha based PINGO’s Forum, Edward Porokwa said in an exclusive Interview early this week that, “there are various inhuman acts which are frequently done to pastoralists as there is no specific law which defends their right of land ownership’.Mr. Parokwa is on the view of the fact that, the current Land Act should be amended in order to give priority to the indigenous people especially pastoralists who do not have permanent places to stay of their right ownership of the natural wealth in the country. However, he says there are some clauses which do not defend the rights of pastoralists when it comes to the issue of the land privatization an aspect that they are massively subjected to eviction, adding that this is the abuse of human rights which is against the UN Habitat conventions. He noted that issues that touches pastoralists in the country are repudiated by the government authorities at a certain level in decision making, adding that the most affected ethnic group are those who lives in bushes and feeds on wild fruits and meat from their livestock. According to him, little attention is given to the affected ethnic groups the majority of whom can be found in regions like Arusha, Manyara and Singida. Most of these ethnic groups are not given special attention like other Tanzanians when it comes to the issue of land ownership. He further noted that, even the village land Act of 1999 and the policies of the land ownership introduced recently does not empower pastoralists in the sense that it does not provide them with safety whenever is required of them as citizens. Livestock policy of the year 2006 talks about products or commodities but doesn’t talk about better life for pastoralists, however, he is amazed to see that this is contrary to the government’s policies which requires better meat, hide skins and the benefits people gets from pastoralists who provides their livestock for meat and milk and nothing else. “This is contrary to the constitution of other countries such as Kenya and Uganda which talks into details about the land ownership to its people in their respective countries” he said adding that in Tanzania pastoralists are subjected to humiliations and denial of their rights to ownership. Way back in 2006, the government issued an eviction order to pastoral communities residing in Usangu basin from Ihefu valley which is located in Mbarari district, Mbeya region in the southern highlands region which was inhuman and affected a lot of innocent people. The eviction of pastoralists from Usangu and other parts in the country has always been executed violently without due regard and respect to human and the land rights of the livestock owners. It is very amazing to note that the victims of evictions have not been compensated. The government through the Ministry of Livestock Development admitted to have committed a mistake by not providing an alternative land for evictees. It was thus officially announced that the evicted pastoralists were to move to Lindi and coastal regions respectively The inbuilt societal stereotypes and negative perceptions over pastoralists in the country have often been the basis of policies. Laws and orders that directly affect majority pastoral communities and the wellbeing of their mode of livelihood. Some of the basic perceptions characterize them as destructive of environment, sources of animal disease, and enemies of wildlife heritage and practice an economically unreliable mode of livelihood. Worse enough, there are attitudes that have been dogmatized in mainstream policies which apply without being challenged even when they stand in sharp contrast with scientific proofs.
Construction of the modern abattoir in Dar es Salaam remains a nightmare
THE long awaited plans by Ilala Municipal Council of building a modern abattoir which it had promised immediately when the council was established way back in March 2000 seems to have hit a snag. Reports made available by the management of the newly formed municipal council at the time of its establishment, had projected among its future economic development plans to quicken the process of building the abattoir in order to ease the supply of meat in the city of Dar es Salaam. The building was initially planned to be constructed near Kiltex industrial premises site along the road to Pugu Auction market at Gongo La Mboto on the city’s outskirts, and would require huge investment of money on its completion. The building’s costs were earlier estimated to be approximately Tsh. 7.4 billion due to special equipment and modern facilities which has to be installed such as cold rooms, slaughtering and skinning machines as well as separation changing room for workers. The Guardian on Sunday has of recent made a follow up on the project to see of its implementation as per the program set since it was announced over a decade ago, but virtually discovered that the whole plan has been put out of the budget due to financial squeeze. When contacted for comments, the Director of Ilala Municipal Council, Gabriel Fuime said in an exclusive interview in his office early this week that, his council is now looking for a strategic investor who would build the abattoir as his council is no longer able to afford the highly expensive costs for a modern abattoir. He said his office has set aside special areas which have been designed for the allocation of the abattoir for such an investment. He named the areas as Kitunda, Chanika and anywhere else within Ilala district which could be more convenient for the allocation of such a modern facility. Taking the issue from that point of view, an investigative piece by this paper can reveal that, the faltering project has to some extent affected business operations of meat traders in the city who had been in need of a modern abattoir, but might have retained their expectations on the issue in regard to it as a promise is a debt. In an interview with this paper, a meat trader Eliakim Sagara, a Dodoma resident running with a business of butchery in Temeke district, in Dar es Salaam region noted that, he wonders as to why the city of Dar es Salaam still depends on poorly constructed abattoirs with dilapidated slaughter houses which were constructed way back in mid 1960s. However, he said adding that moreover the four operating abattoirs in the city of Dar es Salaam do not meet the modern standards necessary to cope with the needs of the vastness of the city suburbs. Hopefully according to his imagination, the newly constructed abattoir would provide the city’s residents with safe and clean meat products. The Chairman of the Union of meat sellers in Dar es Salaam, popularly known by its Kiswahili acronym ‘UWANJU’ Mr. Clement Malijo said that, it’s high time to have a modern facility for a slaughter house in the city of Dar es Salaam bearing the fact that it is the centre of the country’s business with many foreign dignitaries of various levels. Currently Tanzania has one modern abattoir in Arusha city which was built in collaboration with the British government in mid 1990s. In Dar es Salaam, other city's abattoirs which are privately owned are located in areas of Kimara, Mbagala and Tegeta suburb. The only abattoir owned by the government is the one located at Vingunguti suburb.
EAC is yet to grant membership to South Sudan
THE political skirmishes currently taking place in the Republic of South Sudan has been described by the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) to be the main cause of not accepting their membership into East Africa regional bloc. Earlier the South Sudan sent their application to join the East Africa Community in early this year, and was required by the five member states to fulfill the required criteria according to the laws and regulations governing the regional body in order to be accepted in the jurisdiction of the community. The EALA Speaker Abdirahim Abdi told a press conference in Dar es Salaam recently that, among the best three criteria, South Sudan is still faced with a number of political instability, a factor that he said cannot be easily considered to become a member state into East Africa regional bloc. He said that, until peace is restored and effectively maintained into that country born recently is when such considerations would be put forward for discussions. However, he noted adding that, EALA is in the process to make sure that it grants an application by South Sudan when it settles down. The EALA Speaker’s call has echoed after holding a three hour meeting with a delegation of the six representatives of the Parliamentary committees of the South Sudan led by their Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Rt. Hon. James Wani Igga who paid a visit to him yesterday in Dar es Salaam, whereby the EALA Speaker was holding an administrative committee for house business. Speaker James and his delegation came to share experiences and seek a solution to the matter affecting his country and try to build a relationship with other East African country members. The most crucial things discussed in their meeting according to EALA Speaker was the issue of regional integration and their membership within EAC, as well as the political tension that is currently going on in their country. Describing the current political tension in his country, the South Sudanese Speaker of NLA said that, his country was striving very hard in order to end the war which has been waged by their neighbor the government of the Republic of Sudan (North).
He narrated that the issue is all about wealth which is found within his country’s border dispute on its national frontiers, noting that the Northern Sudanese government has annexed in Panthou state which is full of natural wealth close to the border, but have resolved to pull their military forces back to allow the United Nation which is coming to demarcate the area. “You see from the geographical point of view, the two countries were colonized by the British government who clearly knows where the demarcation are, so we are afraid to wage the war as this will affect children and women most” he said. When required to explain why they had applied for the East African membership, he said that his country was eager to share its natural wealth together with the rest of other member countries. He said there are 13 different kinds of natural resources found in his country which needs investments that would benefit the whole of East Africa region if utilized properly. “We want these to benefit people in East Africa region because we know you are our brothers and sisters” he said. Speaking on behalf of Tanzanians, the Dar es Salaam city Mayor Didas Masaburi who is among the members of the administrative committee meeting of the current EALA which ends its tenure in June this year, noted cooperation with South Sudan will bring peace in that country, and in view of this, Tanzania should use the opportunity to integrate its business activities with South Sudan. EALA is composed of 52 members from all five states, namely Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Each country is represented by 9 members as parliamentarians and other 7 ex-officials including a Secretary General and 5 Ministers, one from each country plus a counsel to the community. The members meet five times for a year moving by rotation from each country to the other alternately. The laws passed by the Assembly supersede laws of the partner states and current members end their tenure in June this year.
He narrated that the issue is all about wealth which is found within his country’s border dispute on its national frontiers, noting that the Northern Sudanese government has annexed in Panthou state which is full of natural wealth close to the border, but have resolved to pull their military forces back to allow the United Nation which is coming to demarcate the area. “You see from the geographical point of view, the two countries were colonized by the British government who clearly knows where the demarcation are, so we are afraid to wage the war as this will affect children and women most” he said. When required to explain why they had applied for the East African membership, he said that his country was eager to share its natural wealth together with the rest of other member countries. He said there are 13 different kinds of natural resources found in his country which needs investments that would benefit the whole of East Africa region if utilized properly. “We want these to benefit people in East Africa region because we know you are our brothers and sisters” he said. Speaking on behalf of Tanzanians, the Dar es Salaam city Mayor Didas Masaburi who is among the members of the administrative committee meeting of the current EALA which ends its tenure in June this year, noted cooperation with South Sudan will bring peace in that country, and in view of this, Tanzania should use the opportunity to integrate its business activities with South Sudan. EALA is composed of 52 members from all five states, namely Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Each country is represented by 9 members as parliamentarians and other 7 ex-officials including a Secretary General and 5 Ministers, one from each country plus a counsel to the community. The members meet five times for a year moving by rotation from each country to the other alternately. The laws passed by the Assembly supersede laws of the partner states and current members end their tenure in June this year.
The government pledges to punish local government leaders
THE Government has reiterated its need of taking legal actions against all those local government leaders whose district councils are implicated in various financial scandals as recently disclosed in a report of Controller Accounts General. The Vice-President Dr. Mohammed Gharib Bilal recently in Dar es Salaam that, the government has already ordered its administrative machineries to undertake appropriate action in the whole process of handling the issue and take to court culprits who would be found guilty. Dr. Bilal was addressing City Mayors, District Chairmen/persons, and District Directors of the Local Government Authorities in the country who gathered during their 28th Annual conference of the Association of Local Authorities of Tanzania (ALAT) at Kunduci Beach on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam city. He said in his keynote address which he delivered in Kiswahili language that the government was shocked by the CAG’s report which has shown the general poor performance of the financial management that led to the misappropriation of public funds in some of the district councils in the country. However, he said adding that together with this report which he termed it as being shameful, the government will not keep quite with such malpractice and it must show its concern over the matter by taking appropriate actions wherever possible and without fail. “It is our responsibility to show diligence at our work places so that we may abide by the work rules and ethical regulations as stipulated under the scheme of civil service management” he said while insisting that leaders should not let down their people who gave them the mandate and power to rule them”. The CAG’s report heated a debate and ensued the National Assembly in Dodoma whereby some ministers were implicated in a report of mismanagement of public funds. In response to this, President Jakaya Kikwete came with a decision to institute a cabinet reshuffle and advise to ensure both disciplinary and legal measures were taken against the culprits.
Apart from the offending ministers, the CAG’s report also implicated several other public officials accused of sanctioning dubious payments of ghost workers, signing bad contracts and the silence maintained for gross misuse of public funds in different district councils in the country. During the sessions, the legislators debated findings by the CAG as well as a report by three committees namely the Public Organizations Accounts Committee (POAC) under Zitto Kabwe, an MP for Kigoma North (CHADEMA). The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) under John Cheyo, an MP for Bariadi East constituency (UDP) and Local Authority Accounts Committee (LAAT) under Augustine Mrema an MP for Vunjo East (TLP). Legislators spoke strongly against what they termed as unsatisfactory delivery of the entrusted public leaders whom they refer as Ministers and Municipal directors , some suggesting immediate resignation to allow an independent probe over the allegations they face. The Vice-President also took time to remind ALAT members of the current economic situation in the country is, noting that this is because of the global economic hardships which has wrecked havoc young nations. In view of this, however he has advised the local government to take deliberate actions in order to curb with the prevailing economic hardship situation as they are the representatives of the majority of Tanzanians. He said in the meantime, the central government has been fulfilling its objectives by working in collaboration with the donor countries to help the local government, and the move has to a larger extent helped to push on the economic development of the people in the country. Either he thanked them for their development which they have shown so far towards various social-economic sectors by increasing schools, expansion of health services, water supply services and rural road infrastructure. The money used has helped to curb with the various challenges facing the country, and now plans by the government is to increase the number of teachers in schools already built as well as to get teaching tools. He said the rehabilitation of rural infrastructure will enable many socials services reach many people in the rural areas. He however noted that, in order for the government to succeed more, a joint concerted efforts is urgently required in order to effectively maintain new major sources of incomes as these would help to upgrade the municipal budgets. Earlier during the opening of the meeting, the Minister for Local Government Authorities Capt retired George Mkuchika said that his ministry is disappointed with the fact that their subsidy reduced for the development of their local government activities compared to the current operational costs incurred. He says the reduction of subsidy known as General Purpose Grant by 79 percent since 2011/12 financial year, which started to be issued in 2004 in a bid to compensate losses incurred of the internal revenues has to a certain extent paralyzed the entire operational activities of the local governments in the country. He has however asked the government to look at this matter in the coming budget so that it should be reviewed so as to boost the development of the local government authorities in the country.
Apart from the offending ministers, the CAG’s report also implicated several other public officials accused of sanctioning dubious payments of ghost workers, signing bad contracts and the silence maintained for gross misuse of public funds in different district councils in the country. During the sessions, the legislators debated findings by the CAG as well as a report by three committees namely the Public Organizations Accounts Committee (POAC) under Zitto Kabwe, an MP for Kigoma North (CHADEMA). The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) under John Cheyo, an MP for Bariadi East constituency (UDP) and Local Authority Accounts Committee (LAAT) under Augustine Mrema an MP for Vunjo East (TLP). Legislators spoke strongly against what they termed as unsatisfactory delivery of the entrusted public leaders whom they refer as Ministers and Municipal directors , some suggesting immediate resignation to allow an independent probe over the allegations they face. The Vice-President also took time to remind ALAT members of the current economic situation in the country is, noting that this is because of the global economic hardships which has wrecked havoc young nations. In view of this, however he has advised the local government to take deliberate actions in order to curb with the prevailing economic hardship situation as they are the representatives of the majority of Tanzanians. He said in the meantime, the central government has been fulfilling its objectives by working in collaboration with the donor countries to help the local government, and the move has to a larger extent helped to push on the economic development of the people in the country. Either he thanked them for their development which they have shown so far towards various social-economic sectors by increasing schools, expansion of health services, water supply services and rural road infrastructure. The money used has helped to curb with the various challenges facing the country, and now plans by the government is to increase the number of teachers in schools already built as well as to get teaching tools. He said the rehabilitation of rural infrastructure will enable many socials services reach many people in the rural areas. He however noted that, in order for the government to succeed more, a joint concerted efforts is urgently required in order to effectively maintain new major sources of incomes as these would help to upgrade the municipal budgets. Earlier during the opening of the meeting, the Minister for Local Government Authorities Capt retired George Mkuchika said that his ministry is disappointed with the fact that their subsidy reduced for the development of their local government activities compared to the current operational costs incurred. He says the reduction of subsidy known as General Purpose Grant by 79 percent since 2011/12 financial year, which started to be issued in 2004 in a bid to compensate losses incurred of the internal revenues has to a certain extent paralyzed the entire operational activities of the local governments in the country. He has however asked the government to look at this matter in the coming budget so that it should be reviewed so as to boost the development of the local government authorities in the country.
ACB Bank customers to enjoy ACB Mobile operations
CUSTOMERS of the Dar es Salaam based Akiba Commercial Bank (ACB) are now happy as they will be in a position to access their bank account and other utility services through their mobile phones more easier, this is after the bank inaugurated its new service product dubbed “ACB Mobile” in a colorful ceremony which was held recently in Dar es Salaam. This is a new bank service among others which will enable its live customers to quickly receive the banks services anywhere through their mobile phone throughout 24 hours. The bank is optimistic that its customers would have a good future for their national development, says the ACB Managing Director John Lwande. The services to be given through ACB Mobile includes bank balance, money transfer to another ACB account, to recharge mobile phones with voucher credits, to receive a short text message in customers' mobile phones e.g mini statements. Other services are to cater for the LUKU services and DSTV and utilities such as water bills, cheque book application and other SMS alerts such like when salaries are transacted into a customer's account, to receive loans and their repayments wherever possible and so on.
The Managing Director of the Akiba Commercial Bank John Lwande congratulating Minister Dr. Mary Nagu after the lattter had officially opened ACB Mobile Bank service at Kijitonyama in Dar es Salaam recently.
In order for a customer to receive these services, he or she must be conducting the account with the bank and must also make sure that the account is enough with money and a considerable balance so as they might get the particular service on time. According to MD Lwande, the benefit of joining with this bank service is that, it relieve much burden to a customer of affording transport fare to the bank in order to inquire these information, and instead they would be free to access such information while they are at home, or at their offices and anywhere whenever a customer needs such information. He says it's very easy to join as a customer who is ready should fill a form and provide the bank with a phone number which will be used to receive these information. Another benefit of ACB mobile according to him is that, it will defend the integrity of their customers especially at the time when their LUKU services for electricity is over at home during night hours when all stations are closed. Due to this, a customer might decide to buy the LUKU services for electricity by using ACB Mobile service and gets the service immediately according to the number of units required instead of staying in darkness throughout. The ACB boss has also cautioned all those customers who would be connected to make sure that they shouldn't disclose their pin numbers for ACB Mobile for security reasons as it's for safety of the account. ACB is a privately owned Tanzanian micro-finance bank which was established in 1997 with a view of providing financial services to low income earners targeting mostly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) so as to improve their living standards. Currently the bank has 15 branch offices among which 13 are within Dar es salaam city and two others are in Arusha and Moshi cities respectively. Plans are underway to open another branch office in Mwanza city in earnest. According to Lwande, the bank is proud to have more than 150,000 live customer accounts.
The Managing Director of the Akiba Commercial Bank John Lwande congratulating Minister Dr. Mary Nagu after the lattter had officially opened ACB Mobile Bank service at Kijitonyama in Dar es Salaam recently.
In order for a customer to receive these services, he or she must be conducting the account with the bank and must also make sure that the account is enough with money and a considerable balance so as they might get the particular service on time. According to MD Lwande, the benefit of joining with this bank service is that, it relieve much burden to a customer of affording transport fare to the bank in order to inquire these information, and instead they would be free to access such information while they are at home, or at their offices and anywhere whenever a customer needs such information. He says it's very easy to join as a customer who is ready should fill a form and provide the bank with a phone number which will be used to receive these information. Another benefit of ACB mobile according to him is that, it will defend the integrity of their customers especially at the time when their LUKU services for electricity is over at home during night hours when all stations are closed. Due to this, a customer might decide to buy the LUKU services for electricity by using ACB Mobile service and gets the service immediately according to the number of units required instead of staying in darkness throughout. The ACB boss has also cautioned all those customers who would be connected to make sure that they shouldn't disclose their pin numbers for ACB Mobile for security reasons as it's for safety of the account. ACB is a privately owned Tanzanian micro-finance bank which was established in 1997 with a view of providing financial services to low income earners targeting mostly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) so as to improve their living standards. Currently the bank has 15 branch offices among which 13 are within Dar es salaam city and two others are in Arusha and Moshi cities respectively. Plans are underway to open another branch office in Mwanza city in earnest. According to Lwande, the bank is proud to have more than 150,000 live customer accounts.
Concern over unhygienic running of city abattoir
MEAT consumers in Dar es Salaam are at risk of being infected by abdominal disease after the survey carried out by this paper has discovered that, the situation of the Ukonga abattoir compound in Ilala district, Dar es Salaam region is extremely in dirty condition. A spot check at the scene early this week can reveal that, there are heaps of scattered cow dug which have been left uncollected for long, thus this situation is likely to pose health risks to skinned meat within the compound. Apart from uncollected filth, the slaughtering of cattle is still being done in the traditional way. The survey has discovered that, usually slaughtered cattle are being hooked up on strong iron bars inclined over the roofs in a slaughter house for safety as well as to let skinners carry out their duties more smoothly and with care. But at Ukonga abattoir things are different as skinners do carry out their work of skinning the slaughtered cattle over the dirty floor which is spotted with blood all over. The blood draining trenches through which the abdominal heaps of cattle dug is forced through are old and needs minor repair, these seems to have not been repaired for long. The heaps around are disposed off in unsanitary manner within the compound as there is no underground sewerage tanks into which to dispose such refuse. But instead, they have deliberately left the stinking heap in an open space giving unpleasant bad smell, an aspect that is posing a health threat to people as well as residents living closer to the abattoir who are occasionally are inconvenienced by such a horrible smell. The practice is against the health directives and contrary to the rules and regulations imposed by the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) officials, who have been insisting on the maintenance of good environmental conditions by disposing sewerage and refuse in a sanitary manner. When contacted for comments, the Secretary of the union of owners of the abattoir popularly known by its Swahili acronym 'UWEMA' Mr. Hamisi Lemgo said in an interview early this week in Dar es Salaam that, his organization is currently faced with financial squeeze an aspect that makes them to be unable to meet other important operational activities required to be done within the abattoir. However he has expressed their concern over their failure to keep clean the compound citing low daily revenue which his union currently gets is not enough to incur all the overhead expenses required after being calculated by the Ilala municipal council who scoops a lion share of the daily collections. He says their collections are counted from the number of cattle which are being slaughtered per day, which according to him range between 200 and 250. Each cattle is charged with Tsh. 4,000 and out of this his union earns Tsh. 1,200 only as calculated per every head of cattle. This is approximately 20 percent of the total revenue. With these charges therefore, his union earns Tsh. 7.2 million per month, the amount which he says is not sufficient to cater for the entire needs within the abattoir. This has been existing for the last four years now_, he said in great dismay adding that, the municipal council has refused to increase the charge rates despite of their request to do so as they could be able to get enough money in order to cater for other basic operational demand in the abattoir. He clarified that, apart from looking at the general cleanliness of the compound, his union has to cover other expenses such as payments of the basic utilities such as water supplies, electricity and pay for security workers and people whom they hire to collect the filth. According to him, his organization has tried in vain to let the government through Ilala municipal council to increase its current revenue status saying that the money which is currently paid to them is low and not enough to overcome all the expenses required to be incurred as operational costs in their abattoir. The Ukonga abattoir is the oldest among the total four slaughter houses found in the city of Dar es Salaam. It has a large compound with three slaughter houses which are located within a short walking distance of about 30 meters away. They have old dilapidated roofing constructed in early 1970s.
Monday, June 4, 2012
TIC to focus agriculture as the main priority for national investment
THE Government has reiterated its need to continue putting more efforts in agricultural investment potentials as the sector is the backbone of the country’s economy, an official from Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) has said. The Acting Executive Director of the TIC, Raymond Mbilinyi said in an exclusive interview last week in Dar es Salaam that, his office has laid down strategies with more efforts to be concentrated in Southern agricultural growth corridor which enjoins all regions within Southern Highlands of Tanzania. He said the government has opened an avenue to both local and foreign investors to come and invest in sugar industry and other food stuffs so as to minimize the current high inflation rate that has hit the nation as it was declared by President Jakaya Kikwete in 2011. The move is to implement the goals set by the government to ensure an effective implementation of the five years economic development plans under the national investment program which ends in the year 2016. The TIC boss noted that, under the sector’s improvement, he mentioned horticulture and livestock development, bearing in mind that agricultural sector is the biggest sector which has employed a greater number of Tanzanians and because of this fact it needs a boost. He said adding that, the government is also looking for ways on how to promote it. Other areas of investments he mentioned are in rail, port and airports infrastructure which he said this requires mostly expansion and rehabilitation to the utmost standards required. He said the rehabilitation of berth 1 to 7 and 13 and 14 at the Dar es Salaam port. These would help increase transit trade between landlocked countries neighboring Tanzania. For rail infrastructure, the government is planning to build a new railway link between Tanzania and Rwanda, which will start from Isaka in Shinyanga dry port to Kigali city in the Republic of Rwanda.
Power areas, an emphasis is also required in order to increase power distribution and generation. “Other important things we need are to improve Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) services in Dar es Salaam by rehabilitating terminal two and build terminal 3”, he said adding that, this will increase the capacity of cargo handling. So in these logistics infrastructure would proceed so far. Development on human capacity such as training in specialization to human training, this is another area that would be concentrated within the five development plan. The TIC boss said this when he had officially launched a Dar es Salaam based full service locally established legal investment firm known as Forbix Attorneys which has a vast expertise in legal activities in the practice areas of banking, corporate, business and government affairs.. The firm was established in February this year and works with a view to carry out legal matters within the country and outside. The firm serves its clients in diverse sectors including private business, government and non-profit institutions in countries throughout East and Central Africa region. According to the Managing partner of the Forbix Attorneys Nasra Hassan, the firm has exceptional experience in banking services from domestic and international lending to debt, equity and derivate securities. The company provides superior services to clients in the public and private sectors under Private Public Partnership (PPP) competitive spirit and deals with other finance contributors in various industries. The firm’s services includes the following activities, Bankruptcy and financial restructuring, capital markets, insolvency and receivership, mortgage, debentures, charge documents and guarantees, securities, tax, trade and commodity finance. Forbix attorneys business lawyers are known for facilitating and adding value to a broad scope of business transactions, whether in counseling new business in formation and early growth strategies or assisting established companies in restructuring top increase profitability.
Power areas, an emphasis is also required in order to increase power distribution and generation. “Other important things we need are to improve Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) services in Dar es Salaam by rehabilitating terminal two and build terminal 3”, he said adding that, this will increase the capacity of cargo handling. So in these logistics infrastructure would proceed so far. Development on human capacity such as training in specialization to human training, this is another area that would be concentrated within the five development plan. The TIC boss said this when he had officially launched a Dar es Salaam based full service locally established legal investment firm known as Forbix Attorneys which has a vast expertise in legal activities in the practice areas of banking, corporate, business and government affairs.. The firm was established in February this year and works with a view to carry out legal matters within the country and outside. The firm serves its clients in diverse sectors including private business, government and non-profit institutions in countries throughout East and Central Africa region. According to the Managing partner of the Forbix Attorneys Nasra Hassan, the firm has exceptional experience in banking services from domestic and international lending to debt, equity and derivate securities. The company provides superior services to clients in the public and private sectors under Private Public Partnership (PPP) competitive spirit and deals with other finance contributors in various industries. The firm’s services includes the following activities, Bankruptcy and financial restructuring, capital markets, insolvency and receivership, mortgage, debentures, charge documents and guarantees, securities, tax, trade and commodity finance. Forbix attorneys business lawyers are known for facilitating and adding value to a broad scope of business transactions, whether in counseling new business in formation and early growth strategies or assisting established companies in restructuring top increase profitability.
TIC says Tanzanian lawyers still inadequate
THERE is absolutely fewer numbers of private advocates and legal companies which have invested their activities in Tanzania, an aspect that has caused a great deficit of lawyers in legal sector in the country, an official from Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) has said. The Acting Executive Director of the TIC, Raymond Mbilinyi said early this week in Dar es Salaam that, approximately 2,000 Tanzanian lawyers have invested in legal activities, noting that the number is few compared to Kenya which has about 10,000 lawyers. The number surpasses that one of Tanzania five times. In view of this, the TIC boss has urged local Tanzanian lawyers and advocates to invest more in legal sector as the doors are opened by his institution this time around when the five East Africa countries are about to sign a joint common market cooperation, and once this is effected, foreigners are likely to invade Tanzania legal market. The TIC boss made the remark during the official launching ceremony of a newly local established legal investment firm known as Forbix Attorneys for which he was the guest of honour. The ceremony took place early this week in Dar es Salaam. Forbix Attorneys is a Dar es Salaam based full service investment firm with three lady partners who have a vast expertise in legal activities in the practice areas of banking, corporate, business and government affairs. Established in February this year, the firm works out legal matters within the country and outside. The firm serves its clients in diverse sectors including private business, government and non-profit institutions in countries throughout East and Central Africa region. According to one of the Managing partners, Nasra Hassan, the firm has exceptional experience in banking services from domestic and international lending to debt, equity and derivate securities. Other partners are Helen Makanza and Khadija Sijaona. The company provides superior services to clients in the public and private sectors under Private Public Partnership (PPP) competitive spirit and deals with other finance contributors in various industries. The firm’s services includes the following activities, Bankruptcy and financial restructuring, capital markets, insolvency and receivership, mortgage, debentures, charge documents and guarantees, securities, tax, trade and commodity finance. Within its shortest time of its operations, Forbix Attorneys business lawyers are known for facilitating and adding value to a broad scope of business transactions, whether in counseling new business in formation and early growth strategies or assisting established companies in restructuring top increase profitability.
TABOA threatens to go on strike
TRANSPORT services for upcountry passengers is bound to be paralyzed, leaving passengers stranded at the main bus stands following threats by Tanzania Bus Owners Association (TABOA) who plans to go on strike at anytime from now. It has been learnt. Sources from within TABOA’s management have said that, the reasons for this is to press for the fulfillment of their long standing problems and demands which have not yet been found a solution by the government despite of their promise made over a year ago. TABOA’s Secretary General, Ernea Mrutu said the executive committee meeting of his association had reached a decision to go on strike if their demands were not yet fulfilled as required. “That is the only solution into getting our problems solved” he said though he declined to disclose the actual date and time when asked. However, he noted that the government has repudiated their requests despite of the several reminders which his association has sent to them in order to see the immediate implementation but to no avail. He further said, the association is shocked by the government’s failure of finding a lasting solution and how sluggish are some of its leaders who seem to be reluctant to make a quick decision on the matters affecting them. However, he said adding that this is a violation of their legal rights accusing the implementers to have turned a blind eye to their most crucial problems hampering their daily operational activities. Such claims he said had been presented in a meeting with other transport agents after the strike in early May 2011 which was amounted by the drivers through their umbrella body – Bus Drivers Association (UWAMATA) of upcountry drivers at Ubungo upcountry bus terminal in Dar es Salaam. He stated that drivers were not given contracts by their employers, forcing them to work all through without knowing their benefits upon termination. Drivers were seeking the support of the government to pin down owners of the buses to pay them accordingly, saying it was not easy for the drivers alone to win the war. This was during the time when Omary Nundu was in tenure of the office in his capacity as a Transport Minister.
He said adding that, in the last six hour drivers’ strike were pressurizing for their employment and salary increase to the tune of Sh. 350,000 and other fringe benefits such as Health insurance. According to him, he thought the government would have turned to hear of their grievances as the driver’s strike had opened a momentum of understanding to their most troubled problems but he is dismayed as nothing has been fulfilled at all by the concerned bodies. He listed down the most troubled issues faced by members of his association (Transporters) as there are many check points along upcountry main roads whereby police are inconveniencing their operations. He also mentioned various stations which have been established by district authorities through which the main roads passes, saying that are nuisance as they charge the operators taxes for their district councils. Each station charges differently at a rage of between Sh. 1,000 and Sh. 2,000 per each bus that passes through. Inconveniences encountered by bus operators at various upcountry inspection points which according to him is done without proper legal procedures. There are a number of check points almost in every municipal council and town council through which these buses passes as some are doubtful for they are not officially registered They had written a letter to the office of the Minister responsible for Regional administration and local government Authority for inquiry about the matter but in vain. However, efforts to contact the newly appointed Minister for this ministry for clarification, Hawa Ghasia proved futile. However, an official who preferred anonymity could not say anything as he was not a spokesman of the ministry when contacted. Another trouble is the issue of touts at most bus stands, this he said their presence has been causing a chaotic operation. Citing Ubungo bus terminal for being the most notorious and the government has failed to remove them as per the agreement reached in their last meeting. “The removal of touts in most congested upcountry bus stands such as Ubungo in Dar es Salaam, is not yet accomplished despite of the order issued by the former transport minister, Omary Nundu”. He said claiming that, the situation is not yet fully controlled as they are inconveniencing passengers. He claimed that, the terminal belongs to the government through Kinondoni Municipal council, therefore it’s their duty to make sure that the area is calmed as for them (TABOA) have hired the place and each transporter pays taxes as levies charged at the terminal. Another issue is concerned with the increase of bus fare in order to match with the inconsistent rise of fuels as regularly announced by EWURA. But the government does not want to hear their cries. He noted that, the continued stance of Surface and Marine Authority (SUMATRA) and its failure to release new up country bus fares has pinned down upcountry bus transporters, adding that all these proposals have not yet been implemented. Cornered by the writer of this news to verify the truth about the matter, the Manager Public Affairs of SUMATRA Mr. David Mziray noted that, his organization was currently organizing the reviews sent by DARCOBOA after which they would embark on the upcountry transport agents systematically.
He said adding that, in the last six hour drivers’ strike were pressurizing for their employment and salary increase to the tune of Sh. 350,000 and other fringe benefits such as Health insurance. According to him, he thought the government would have turned to hear of their grievances as the driver’s strike had opened a momentum of understanding to their most troubled problems but he is dismayed as nothing has been fulfilled at all by the concerned bodies. He listed down the most troubled issues faced by members of his association (Transporters) as there are many check points along upcountry main roads whereby police are inconveniencing their operations. He also mentioned various stations which have been established by district authorities through which the main roads passes, saying that are nuisance as they charge the operators taxes for their district councils. Each station charges differently at a rage of between Sh. 1,000 and Sh. 2,000 per each bus that passes through. Inconveniences encountered by bus operators at various upcountry inspection points which according to him is done without proper legal procedures. There are a number of check points almost in every municipal council and town council through which these buses passes as some are doubtful for they are not officially registered They had written a letter to the office of the Minister responsible for Regional administration and local government Authority for inquiry about the matter but in vain. However, efforts to contact the newly appointed Minister for this ministry for clarification, Hawa Ghasia proved futile. However, an official who preferred anonymity could not say anything as he was not a spokesman of the ministry when contacted. Another trouble is the issue of touts at most bus stands, this he said their presence has been causing a chaotic operation. Citing Ubungo bus terminal for being the most notorious and the government has failed to remove them as per the agreement reached in their last meeting. “The removal of touts in most congested upcountry bus stands such as Ubungo in Dar es Salaam, is not yet accomplished despite of the order issued by the former transport minister, Omary Nundu”. He said claiming that, the situation is not yet fully controlled as they are inconveniencing passengers. He claimed that, the terminal belongs to the government through Kinondoni Municipal council, therefore it’s their duty to make sure that the area is calmed as for them (TABOA) have hired the place and each transporter pays taxes as levies charged at the terminal. Another issue is concerned with the increase of bus fare in order to match with the inconsistent rise of fuels as regularly announced by EWURA. But the government does not want to hear their cries. He noted that, the continued stance of Surface and Marine Authority (SUMATRA) and its failure to release new up country bus fares has pinned down upcountry bus transporters, adding that all these proposals have not yet been implemented. Cornered by the writer of this news to verify the truth about the matter, the Manager Public Affairs of SUMATRA Mr. David Mziray noted that, his organization was currently organizing the reviews sent by DARCOBOA after which they would embark on the upcountry transport agents systematically.
NIDA to start individual registration for national IDs in Dar suburbs
NATIONAL Identification Authority (NIDA) has alerted residents of Dar es Salaam city to reveal out all those people whom they suspect to be foreigners during the process of registering people in their areas for national identification cards. An official with the Authority said yesterday in Dar es Salaam that, the registration exercise which is expected to take place by end of this month for Dar residents will be preceded by preliminary education to be issued on the importance of the exercise to the people, civil society groups and human rights activists. NIDA’s Head of Information, Thomas William told journalists who attended a five hour seminar organized by his organization that, the move behind is to get genuine people and the right citizens who are directly concerned with the national IDs and nobody else. He said the exercise will be carried in a unique manner that will involve walking along passing through one house after the other. In view of this, he has asked people to give moral cooperation in order to ensure a good success. “The work will be done between NIDA office in collaboration with the executive ward government secretaries working in various city’s suburbs” he said adding that they will all take records and relevant details of prospective applicants in a permanent registration book which will be issued by NIDA.
He said after the important details are taken, applicants will be issued with an application form to fill on which their details will be taken for scrutiny. National IDs were expected to be issued on April 26 this year, as a pilot project starting with security forces and civil servants living in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and residents of Kilombero, Morogoro Region, but challenges related to forged school certificates and other shortcomings forced the authority to postpone the issuance date. According to him, elements of forgery of school certificates, and other documentations among other factors, have made the work more than difficult. He said adding that the authority has failed to beat their target because of these shortfalls. He said the verification of the documentations detailing the records of applicants will be checked and approved by the Immigration department to verify the nationality of a person, while RITA will be concerned with the verification of somebody’s age, after these verifications are cleared, the ID will b e issued free of charge. Describing the importance of the national IDs, he said that, these are many and noted the most important one is to get to know one’s nationality and the physical location including places of domicile. All these would be included and put in a special database for reference.Realising the importance of the National IDs, the Government of United Republic of Tanzania established the National Identification Authority (NIDA) on 1st July, 2008 in order to let Tanzanians known among the five East African countries and even to overseas countries. NIDA’s Executive Director, Dickson Maimu was recently quoted in Dar es Salaam as saying that, the process of engaging the company that would produce the IDs was in the final stages. The $176 million (about Sh200 billion) project has been delayed for decades now with documents, meetings and tendering moving from one office to the other.
He said after the important details are taken, applicants will be issued with an application form to fill on which their details will be taken for scrutiny. National IDs were expected to be issued on April 26 this year, as a pilot project starting with security forces and civil servants living in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and residents of Kilombero, Morogoro Region, but challenges related to forged school certificates and other shortcomings forced the authority to postpone the issuance date. According to him, elements of forgery of school certificates, and other documentations among other factors, have made the work more than difficult. He said adding that the authority has failed to beat their target because of these shortfalls. He said the verification of the documentations detailing the records of applicants will be checked and approved by the Immigration department to verify the nationality of a person, while RITA will be concerned with the verification of somebody’s age, after these verifications are cleared, the ID will b e issued free of charge. Describing the importance of the national IDs, he said that, these are many and noted the most important one is to get to know one’s nationality and the physical location including places of domicile. All these would be included and put in a special database for reference.Realising the importance of the National IDs, the Government of United Republic of Tanzania established the National Identification Authority (NIDA) on 1st July, 2008 in order to let Tanzanians known among the five East African countries and even to overseas countries. NIDA’s Executive Director, Dickson Maimu was recently quoted in Dar es Salaam as saying that, the process of engaging the company that would produce the IDs was in the final stages. The $176 million (about Sh200 billion) project has been delayed for decades now with documents, meetings and tendering moving from one office to the other.
CHADEMA urges its legislators to voice people’s concern in Parliament
THE Opposition party, Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) has ordered its incumbent 65 legislators to discuss the inflation issues in the Parliament during the National budget session which is scheduled to start three weeks from now. The party’s Secretary General, Dr. Wilbroad Slaa gave the call yesterday in Dar es Salaam noting that, the current inflation rate which stands at 20 percent rate has hit the low income people to the extent that the situation has driven them into severe extreme poverty. Dr. Slaa made the concern when he was addressing a public rally during the launch of the party’s national campaign aimed at putting awareness to the people on the whole issue of constitutional review process which the commission appointed by the President Jakaya Kikwete is going to collect people’s views countrywide starting in early next June.
He said boasting that, it was CHADEMA which had the audacity in Parliament to speak on behalf of the people in the country, despite of having low numbers of both appointed and elected legislators. However, he said that CHADEMA’s policies stands for the rights of people’s problems and other social and economic grievances currently facing the majority of the low income earners in the country. He wonders as to why the government led by the ruling CCM does not take any interest to rectify the alarming situation in order to save its people over the issue, and in view of this, he has asked CHADEMA’s legislators to take on the responsibility to ward off such grievances in parliamentary debate sessions. He wondered about the recent appointment of the new cabinet ministers after the reshuffle made by President Kikwete saying that it had many ministers, saying that, that by having such a great number of ministers in the country was to increase unnecessary expenditure an aspect that is a misuse of people’s taxes. He has blamed the government for increasing the price of kerosene without noticing that the commodity is being used by people in rural areas who covers the majority of the country’s population. He has dismissed the reasons earlier issued by the government after it had increased the price when it said that, it was done on pretext to defend diesel which was being adulterated into higher percentage rate. However, “that should have not been the reason” he said, adding that, it was not the way of defending people’s rights in anyway.
He said boasting that, it was CHADEMA which had the audacity in Parliament to speak on behalf of the people in the country, despite of having low numbers of both appointed and elected legislators. However, he said that CHADEMA’s policies stands for the rights of people’s problems and other social and economic grievances currently facing the majority of the low income earners in the country. He wonders as to why the government led by the ruling CCM does not take any interest to rectify the alarming situation in order to save its people over the issue, and in view of this, he has asked CHADEMA’s legislators to take on the responsibility to ward off such grievances in parliamentary debate sessions. He wondered about the recent appointment of the new cabinet ministers after the reshuffle made by President Kikwete saying that it had many ministers, saying that, that by having such a great number of ministers in the country was to increase unnecessary expenditure an aspect that is a misuse of people’s taxes. He has blamed the government for increasing the price of kerosene without noticing that the commodity is being used by people in rural areas who covers the majority of the country’s population. He has dismissed the reasons earlier issued by the government after it had increased the price when it said that, it was done on pretext to defend diesel which was being adulterated into higher percentage rate. However, “that should have not been the reason” he said, adding that, it was not the way of defending people’s rights in anyway.
TIC to focus agriculture as the main priority for national investment
THE Government has reiterated its need to continue putting more efforts in agricultural investment potentials as the sector is the backbone of the country’s economy, an official from Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) has said. The Acting Executive Director of the TIC, Raymond Mbilinyi said in an exclusive interview last week in Dar es Salaam that, his office has laid down strategies with more efforts to be concentrated in Southern agricultural growth corridor which enjoins all regions within Southern Highlands of Tanzania. He said the government has opened an avenue to both local and foreign investors to come and invest in sugar industry and other food stuffs so as to minimize the current high inflation rate that has hit the nation as it was declared by President Jakaya Kikwete in 2011. The move is to implement the goals set by the government to ensure an effective implementation of the five years economic development plans under the national investment program which ends in the year 2016. The TIC boss noted that, under the sector’s improvement, he mentioned horticulture and livestock development, bearing in mind that agricultural sector is the biggest sector which has employed a greater number of Tanzanians and because of this fact it needs a boost. He said adding that, the government is also looking for ways on how to promote it. Other areas of investments he mentioned are in rail, port and airports infrastructure which he said this requires mostly expansion and rehabilitation to the utmost standards required. He said the rehabilitation of berth 1 to 7 and 13 and 14 at the Dar es Salaam port. These would help increase transit trade between landlocked countries neighboring Tanzania. For rail infrastructure, the government is planning to build a new railway link between Tanzania and Rwanda, which will start from Isaka in Shinyanga dry port to Kigali city in the Republic of Rwanda. Power areas, an emphasis is also required in order to increase power distribution and generation. “Other important things we need are to improve Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) services in Dar es Salaam by rehabilitating terminal two and build terminal 3”, he said adding that, this will increase the capacity of cargo handling. So in these logistics infrastructure would proceed so far. Development on human capacity such as training in specialization to human training, this is another area that would be concentrated within the five development plan. The TIC boss said this when he had officially launched a Dar es Salaam based full service locally established legal investment firm known as Forbix Attorneys which has a vast expertise in legal activities in the practice areas of banking, corporate, business and government affairs..The firm was established in February this year and works with a view to carry out legal matters within the country and outside. The firm serves its clients in diverse sectors including private business, government and non-profit institutions in countries throughout East and Central Africa region. According to the Managing partner of the Forbix Attorneys Nasra Hassan, the firm has exceptional experience in banking services from domestic and international lending to debt, equity and derivate securities. The company provides superior services to clients in the public and private sectors under Private Public Partnership (PPP) competitive spirit and deals with other finance contributors in various industries. The firm’s services includes the following activities, Bankruptcy and financial restructuring, capital markets, insolvency and receivership, mortgage, debentures, charge documents and guarantees, securities, tax, trade and commodity finance. Forbix attorneys business lawyers are known for facilitating and adding value to a broad scope of business transactions, whether in counseling new business in formation and early growth strategies or assisting established companies in restructuring top increase profitability.
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