CEO honours Mkapa with life time achievement award

The Chief Executive Officers that forms a policy dialogue forum known as CEO roundtable (CEOrt) has awarded former president Benjamin Mkapa for his outstanding contribution to the development of public service and private sector promotion for the last ten years he had been in power. Mkapa who ruled the country during the third phase government between 1995 and late 2005, received Lifetime Achievement Award of the Year 2014 for his unwavering commitment to the continued development endeavors that helped to increase the country’s economic growth. The award was handed over to him by the CEOrt chairman Ali Mufuruki on Saturday night this week during the sixth CEO roundtable 2014 annual gala dinner which was held at Hyatt Regency Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam. The occasion was witnessed by more than 200 guests including government officials among them former Prime Minister Judge Joseph Warioba, Members of Parliament, ambassadors,  leading private sectors officials in various areas and opposition leader Mabere Marando of the leading opposition party of Chadema. Another award of the same category was conferred to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the President’s Delivery Bureau (PDB) Omari Issa whose bureau prepares national statistics detailed for the Big Results Now (BRN). Delivering his speech to the audience, ex-President Mkapa told his audiences among the major decisions which he remembered to have made while in office is when he refused to sign Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) saying the move was seriously meant to impede the development path of African countries. He said the European Union led trade agreements were not friendly to trade in the continent pointing out that he saw them threatening the economic development of Africa and as such advised African negotiation teams to rise up to the challenge to stand up for the best interests of the continent. The former head of state stressed that the EU proposal was favorably biased to the European markets and designed to leave African countries defendant on them. “The rules of the market were dictated by international financial institutions and powerful conglomerates leaving  government with literally scant policy space to help cuddle our local enterprises to grow” he said.  He added that by the time he took over the government his successor had already initiated some economic reforms and his task was to take them to another level whereby he involved the private sector a task which according to him helped reduce bureaucracy. 

Former Tanzania's President of the third phase government (1995 to 2005) Benjamin William Mkapa

Earlier before presenting the awards, the CEO’s Chief Executive Mufuruki described retired president MKapa as a man who dedicated most of his time in privatization drive a move which has enabled the country increase its revenues to the national coffer.  He said Mkapa made a lot of changes during his office tenure that culminated to the country’s economic reformations whose growth is largely contributed by 90 percent by the private sector development initiatives to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  He said although there are some constraints in the regulatory frame work, coordination, financial and stakeholders’ commitment, still success is noted in terms of increasing number and demand of Public Private Partnership (PPP) interventions. He said that the annual gala dinner is not only the night of celebrations but also the night to look back, take stock of what they have done and celebrate the achievements and successes that they have made during the course of what will surely go down in history as a memorable year. “The event is particularly special because we will be recognizing some outstanding citizens of our country for their exemplary leadership in fostering closer cooperation between the public and private sectors” he said. However, he said adding that other the outstanding leaders who have been honoured by CEO roundtable are former President of the second phase government Alhaj Ali Hassan Mwinyi and former Director General of the Tanzania Investment Centre Emmanuel Ole Naiko. CEOrt is a policy dialogue forum that brings together CEOs from over 80 top companies doing business in Tanzania. The members of the Roundtable and the companies they lead account for more than 40 percent of the tax revenue collected by the government of Tanzania. Every year the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania recognises the importance of private sector in economic growth and the forum continue working closely with the government to bring about development.

Service provision in Tanzania is high than agriculture

The service sector is said to be contributing to the constant rate of 48 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (DGP) compared to 27 percent currently being contributed by the agriculture sector in the country. The Director General of Tan-Trade Jacqueline Maleko said yesterday in Dar es Salaam when she analyzed the rate at which the provision of education is growing in the country and noted that, the rate is moving faster resulting into the mushrooming of private schools whose quality of education is still low. Jacqueline made a remark in a press conference whereby a Dar es Salaam based Global Education Link Ltd announced plans to organize an international education exhibition forum that aims to address challenges facing education system in the country. The exhibition to be held between 10^th and 14^th next month, would be organized in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and the Tan-Trade organization. However, with her remarks she cautioned that, together with high degree of service oriented capacity of education in the country, people have to weigh the trend and choose which quality of education that would suit their standards of living. However, she said that, despite of high rate of registration of students in schools from primary level to higher learning institutions, still education system in the country is not stable a factor which requires regular reforms by the authorities concerned. Elaborating more on the trend of education system in the country, she noted that the current curriculum in use does not give an ample opportunity for youths to be able to employ themselves and even if are graduated does not fit them for employment a reason that in most service giving companies  fewer Tanzanians are employed. “You would see in most hotels and other service giving international companies accredited in the country, there are fewer Tanzanians in employment rates other than Kenyans and Ugandans who have explored the market opportunities”, she said urging Tanzanians to choose better education being provided in better schools in the country for their future development. Earlier, the Managing Director of Global Education Link, told a press conference that during the 5 day occasion parents and youths will get chance together with other things, know best educational institutions that provides quality education for prospective grandaunts.  Elaborating more about the exhibition, he noted that it will showcase various educational activities being conducted by various institutions at all levels from primary to higher learning institutions. He said the main aim of the exhibition is to identify and bring together local education stakeholders who would use the opportunity to showcase their educational products to enlighten the general public on issues concerning basically with the education matters in the country. However, he noted that private sectors such as suppliers, sellers and producers of the educational equipments and other stakeholders would use the opportunity to showcase their products. He further mentioned financial institutions such banks, pension funds, communication companies who provide sponsorships to some Tanzanians to join various higher learning institutions are also expected to attend to showcase their products to the targeted individual mostly prospective students. Speaking in an elusive interview, Mollel elaborated more and said that, he is optimistic that the five days set for this important international event would bring greater benefits and positive challenges in the education sector in the country which currently is striving for the achievements of Big Results Now. He said among the important things the general public is expected to know is the registration status of various institutions and how they provide quality education. Others are how to acquire loans from various companies including Higher Education Learning Students’ Board (HELSB). Others he noted is that, parents would get carrier cancelling about various professional courses being administered and produced by the respective institutions which they would like their children to learn as per the economic status of the country.

CEOrt calls for increased massive investments of power generation

In a move to meet the current and medium term energy needs of an efficient economy that must grow faster than it is now, Tanzania need to ramp up power generation to no less than 10,000 MW by the year 2020. The call was made by the Chairman of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) roundtable Ali Mufuruki while addressing fellow members of a policy dialogue forum during the 6^th annual gala dinner held in Dar es Salaam on Saturday night this week. This is an annual event being organized by the CEO roundtable whose aim is to deliberate past achievements and the way forward of the group members most of whom are heads of private sector development in the country. The occasion is also used to honour national leaders for their great achievements from which they have been spearheading for the development of the private sector in the country.  According to Mufuruki, the government need to think of a massive investments in the energy sector which is estimated at some $ 10 billion (Sh. 16 tri) the amount of money that is equivalent to the total year budget of a nation. Mufuruki who stressed the need to revamp the sector to end consistent power blackouts noted that, industries operating in the country are hurting under a burden of poor quality, unreliable and expensive electricity. “Our homes, schools, hospitals and offices go without power for long periods of time leading not only to productivity losses but also to loss of life”, he said adding that, he is optimistic if such a move is taken power problem would end once and for all. Earlier Mufuruki highlighted how the problem is hurting economic production  of low classed people in the country and wondered after he had counted a number of times Tanzanians have been promised that the power problem will be over once and for all, and sadly disclosed that, the situation is still prevailing without a solution and moreover is growing worse. Meanwhile, two weeks ago the government called on private sector investment in renewable energy in order to supplement the insufficient amount of megawatts of energy supply required annually to cater for the domestic and industrial use in the country The Minister for Energy and Minerals Professor Sospeter Muhongo made the announcement when addressing foreign delegates after he had just opened  a two day powering Africa Tanzania conference which was held in Dar es Salaam. Powering Africa is an initiative of the Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) formed by the US President Barrack Obama with a view to help energy infrastructural facilities in African countries Tanzania included.  In his speech to the conference delegates, Prof. Muhongo said that the government wants to concentrate on Solar Energy as a form of investments on renewable energy. According to him, the current level in the energy sector which stands at $ 4 m (6.4 trillion) needs more spectrum of investments to attain the targets of increasing access to electricity by Tanzanians from the current 36 percent to 75 percent in 2025 when the country will attain middle income status.

Children centre honours Dr. Mengi’s contributions

A Dar es Salaam based centre that takes care of orphans and vulnerable children known as ‘New Hope Family Group’ has awarded the IPP Chairman Dr. Reginald Mengi a glassy trophy as a way of recognizing his valuable contributions in Tanzania community. The occasion was held on Saturday blast week in Dar es Salaam city’s outskirts at Mwasonga in Kigamboni area, Temeke district in Dar es Salaam region and was attended by Turkish Ambassador accredited in the country Ali Davutoglu. Receiving the trophy on behalf of Dr. Mengi, A representative of the IPP Group Joyce Luhanga expressed her appreciation and thanked the group. She thereafter pledged on behalf of the IPP group to buy windows and doors for installation onto a newly constructed two buildings which stands within the centre’s compound. The pledge by Joyce came about when the management of the centre raised a concern in their statement that highlighted various challenges faced by the centre among other things and requested for a joint concerted effort from well-wishers to help them solve such problems. In the occasion, the centre also recognized by giving certificates of appreciation to the Clouds Media FM for their radio programme titled ‘Peace and Love’ aired in Kiswahili language meaning Amani na Upendo.  The programme according to the management of the centre helps to restore people’s mind and think about peace and love which continues to prevail in the country. The centre also recognized their sponsors since its establishment such as Tanzania Parking Systems (TPS) and issued a certificate of appreciation in recognition for their contribution that helped a great deal to cater for the various social needs at the centre. 

The IPP Director Joyce Luhanga in a jovial mood after she had received a trophy handed to her by Turkish Ambassador accredited in the country Ali Davutoglu (centre) issued by ‘New Hope Family Group’. Standing in the right is the founder of the centre Omary Kombe (28)

The award was received by firms ‘a Managing Director Hassan Khan. In his speech, the founder of the centre Omary Kombe (28) described Dr. Reginald Mengi as a role model that his contributions would be remembered by many especially people with disabilities whom he cares and other people who came to his office seeking for help. However, he was surprised when he came to understand that, among the most affluent people in the country, only Dr. Mengi has decided to use extras hours in a day to listen to people who contact him for help and called other people to emulate such an attitude which he said shows love towards people of all walks of life. He has also congratulated the good governance of the forth government phase under the leadership of President Jakaya Kikwete and his other top associates such as the Zanzibar’s President Dr. Mohammed Shein, Vice-President Dr. Mohammed Ghazrib Bilal as well as the Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, for their various social and economic contributions.  Earlier the Ambassador Davutoglu who graced the occasion joined in a manual work of planting coconut trees around the centre’s compound and later offered a number of bed sheets and school bags which his office had donated to children of the centre. In his speech, the Ambassador expressed his concern calling on civil society groups and Tanzanians in general to join hands in helping orphans and vulnerable children cautioning that, such responsibilities should not be left for the government to contend with.

Tanzania government welcomes private sector investment in energy sector

The government has called on private sector investment in renewable energy in order to supplement the insufficient amount of megawatts of energy supply required annually to cater for the domestic and industrial use in the country, the Minister for Energy and Minerals Professor Sospeter Muhongo has said. Prof. Muhongo made the announcement in his speech when addressing foreign delegates after he had just opened the second powering Africa Tanzania conference in Dar es Salaam on Thursday this week. Powering Africa is an initiative of the Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) formed by the US President Barrack Obama with a view to help energy infrastructural facilities in African countries Tanzania included. The conference which was attended by 170 investors on renewable sector from America, Europe and Asia is the second to take place in Tanzania after the first one which was held in January this year. In his speech to the conference delegates, Prof. Muhongo said that the government wants to concentrate on Solar Energy as a form of investments on renewable energy. He noted that, the government is welcoming more investors for the sake of developing the energy sector so that its targets of enabling 75 percent of Tanzanians access electricity by 2025 is achieved. He said since Tanzania is striving hard to save poverty stricken situation among its citizens, one way to make the initiative more successful is by having a reliable and enough power energy supply that would enable cater for the individual economic gain. He assured the delegates that, someone has to come with over 1,000 megawatts in order to reach the targets required by the government of between 10,000 to 15,000 megawatts of energy to be produced annually, and in view of this the government has embarked on a program to increase private sector participation in a move to improve the energy sector. According to him, the current level in the energy sector which stands at $ 4 m (6.4 trillion) needs more spectrum of investments to attain the targets of increasing access to electricity by Tanzanians from the current 36 percent to 75 percent in 2025 when the country will attain middle income status. 

Minister for Energy and Minerals Professor Sospeter  Muhongo

However, Prof. Muhongo thanked the current energy sector development initiatives since 2005 whereby only 10 percent of Tanzanians had an access to electricity energy power a move he termed as progressive that it has surpassed the target as compared to the electricity users today that covers 36 percent of the population. “We must open private sector investment on energy sector in order to be self sufficient with energy supply as there is no way to achieve development targets if there is no potential investors to help supply the needed energy”, he said adding that, the government does not have enough money to set in its national budget to accomplish such an investment task. Among the investment opportunities, he noted that, Tanzania needs a maximum of $ 700 million (Sh. 1.2 bn/-)  to construct a transmission services  from Dar es Salaam to various destinations in the country, and in order to achieve the required target, the government would borrow money and involve the private sector in this issue. Prof. Muhongo used the opportunity and informed delegates of the conference that Africa is tired of untrustworthy investors who are not sure of their duties once allowed to engage in energy production business, a factor he noted to be undermining  their national economies. Either Prof. Muhongo has hailed efforts currently being undertaken by his ministry in collaboration with Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO) to spearhead rural electrification through Rural Electrification Programme (REP), the programme which ends in June 2015 he said has enabled rural areas to have electricity supply.