People with albinism appeal for more funding

TANZANIA Albinism Society (TAS) has appealed to the government to allocate adequate fund to address skin cancer to people with albinism. TAS communication officer, Mr Josephat Tona, made the appeal in Dar es Salaam last week during an African forum to deliberate on the challenges facing people in Africa and come up with ways to address them. “Life expectancy of people with albinism is 45 and below, therefore education on how to protect our skins is necessary for us to live longer.

The astonished group of people with albinism

 

If we will not have better health, we will fail to contribute well to the country’s development,” he said. On the other hand, he said, since 2006 people with albinism have been living miserably following reports of inhuman deeds some people do to the group, forcing many children with albinism to drop out of school due to fear. Under the Same Sun Executive Director, Ms Vicky Ntetema, mentioned lack of national statistics of people with albinism, poor infrastructures to reach them especially those residing in remote areas, as some of the challenges facing her organization’s efforts to protect them.

 

Shein commends Maghufuli’s efforts

ZANZIBAR President Dr Ali Mohamed Shein has commended Dr John Pombe Magufuli for his ongoing efforts in promoting Tanzania’s good reputation including strengthening the economy and diplomacy abroad, resulting in a robust growth of the economy. “We are all happy with what President Magufuli has been doing for Tanzanians including strengthening foreign relations,” Dr Shein said in Zanzibar when he met the Minister of International and Regional Affairs, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, who paid a courtesy call on Dr Shein at the State House in Zanzibar last week. Dr Shein said that widening Tanzanian representation abroad through plans to open more embassies remained a good idea to promote the country’s interest. “The opening of Tanzania embassy in Kuwait and the planned new embassy in Qatar has been welcomed by many because both countries in the Middle have close relations with our country,” said Dr Shein, according to the press statement from the State House. He said both Kuwait and Qatar have experience in Oil and gas development, we learn from them as our countries head to exploration of the natural resources. Dr Shein commended Mr Mahiga for being elected to head the foreign ministry, saying his experience in international affairs will help both Tanzania and Zanzibar strengthen cooperation abroad. In response, Ambassador Mahiga said he was ready to serve Tanzanians and ensure that his country (United Republic of Tanzania) won more friends abroad for economical, social and political development.

Tanzania’s private sector sign 5-year plan for capacity building

TANZANIA Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) signed a five year Partnership Action Plan (PAP) with Canadian Executive Services Organisation (CESO) for capacity building and creation of awareness to the Foundation and its members for better service delivery. Speaking to reporters last week in Dar es Salaam the TPSF Executive Director, Mr Godfrey Simbeye, said that the technical support provided by CESO would be one of the resources envisaged to enhance the capacity of TPSF to deliver services that add value to its members and the private sector in general. He said that the PAP would allow TPSF to bring Canadian business experts to Tanzania to assist all private sector business operation in the country. “This five year Partnership Action Plan with CESO will be a benefit to all TPSF members and businesses in terms of capacity building.

 

TPSF Executive Director, Mr Godfrey Simbeye

This type of technical support provided by CESO will be one of the resources envisaged to enhance the capacity of TPSF to deliver services that add value to its members and the private sector in general,” Mr Simbeye said. He pointed out that the CESO experts selected to work with TPSF would come with a wide assortment of skills and diverse backgrounds and as such be able to provide assistance and training in many sector. He said that the project would help TPSF and its members to enter the competitive market in the world and acquire new knowledge and technology for the development of business sectors in the country. According to TPSF Chief, CESO receives support from the Canadian Government and has a contingent of over 700 expert volunteers from various sectors within the Canadian economy. He said that many of these experts have held executive and senior management positions within both the Canadian private sector and the public sector in their retirement years volunteer to provide technical and knowledge based assistance to businesses, government and non-profit organizations around the world. He said that the PAP provides for experts services in both hard and soft skills where experts will be brought to Tanzania to provide assistance to specific TPSF members as well as to provide training seminars open to all TPSF members and stakeholders. A few of the soft skills include business presentations, report writing and time management where hard skill training includes smart advocacy and lobbying, public private dialogue business and strategic planning, project proposal, among others.

 

DCB provides Tshs. 1.55bn/- dividend to shareholders

THE DCB Commercial Bank Plc issued a 1.55bn/- dividend to its shareholders as it opened its ninth branch in Dar es Salaam to be known as Benjamin Mkapa City Branch. Speaking during a launching of the branch, the bank Chief Executive Officer, Mr Edmund Mkwawa, said the dividend is the profit the bank got last year. Some of the shareholders who got the dividend include the Dar es Salaam City Council, Temeke, Kinondoni and Ilala municipalities. Mr Mkwawa said the bank capital stands at 32bn/- compared to initial capital of 1.1bn/- when the bank started in 2002. Moreover, the bank assets increased from 3.05bn/- in 2006 to 171.4bn/- last year which is a raise of more than 5,622 per cent. He said this year they expect to record a 6.8bn/- profit after tax while they are improving their infrastructure to cope with the current market needs.

 

Dar es Salaam skyline from the sea

Mr Mkwawa urged the Minister of State in the President’s Office -Regional Administration, Local Government, who was the chief guest during the event to pass over the message to the Minister for Finance over the government decision that all parastatals, government agencies and institutions to open an account with the Bank of Tanzania saying the decision will hinder the private bank development. The bank board Chairman, Ambassador Paul Rupia, handed over the 30m/- as the bank’s corporate social responsibility for the purchase of 300 school desks for the three municipalities. Opening the bank, Mr Simbachawene called for efficiency in the bank delivery and should open up more braches upcountry. He underscored the need for the municipalities to utilize fully the services offered by the bank in which they are shareholders for it to operate competitively.

CRDB honours child’s day in a unique style

IN a bid to honour International Day of African Child, CRDB Bank yesterday donated various items worth 3.2m/- to mothers of new-born babies at Sinza Palestina Hospital in Dar es Salaam. Speaking to reporters, the Bank’s Director for Mliman City Branch, Mr Allen Killango, said the aid aimed at helping the mothers to take good care for their babies. “As we mark the International Day of African Child, CRDB Bank Mlimani Branch as a way of honouring the day and our children at large, we decided to donate various items to mothers who gave birth during the occasion climaxed last week and wish others who will come today and the following day,” he said. Commenting on the importance of the Day, Mr Killango expressed the need for value for the African child and Tanzania as they hold the nation’s future. “Young children should be given priority especially at this time we mark the African Child Day. They are our future economists and customers to our financial institutions,” he said. Some of the items donated by the Bank include, sugar, pampers, water, tea bags, washing soaps. Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of other mothers at the hospital, Tunu Tebesi thanked the bank for aid saying that would help them take care of their infants. “The majority of us (mothers) had no funds to purchase such donated items due to the economic hardship…. for that we thank you (CRDB Bank),” she noted. A total of 45 children were born yesterday (International Day of African Child) and among them 30 were girls and 15 boys.

Law makers adds Tsh. 50/- levy on petroleum products

MEMBERS of parliament have proposed a levy of 50/- for every liter of petrol and diesel sold in the country towards establishment of a Rural Water Fund to supply the precious liquid in the countryside. In their on-going contributions to the budget estimates for the financial year 2016/2017 sessions presented on June 8 by Finance and Planning Minister Philip Mpango, the lawmakers said the fund was the only way the government would be able to smoothly implement water projects in rural areas. Special Seats MP, Rose Tweve (CCM) was hopeful that a total of 300bn/- would be realised per annum if the levy is introduced. “Out of the funds, 270bn/- should be channelled to water projects in rural areas and the remaining 30bn/- to improve health facilities,” the MP suggested. The proposed levy was also contained in the report of the Parliamentary Budget Committee on the budget presented by its chairperson Ms Hawa Ghasia (Mtwara Rural-CCM) in the National Assembly on June 10, this year. On his part, Nyamagana MP, Mr Stanslaus Mabula (CCM) went further and recommended tax exemptions on all equipment used in water projects. “In his budget speech, Dr Mpango proposed tax waiver on water treatment chemicals but I am of the view that the exemption should be extended to all equipment used in water projects countrywide,” he suggested. Mkuranga MP, Mr Abdallah Ulega (CCM) also added weight on the proposal, complaining that water woes in rural areas were critical and thus the need to create the fund. On the other hand, Mr Ulega faulted the proposed increase on Value Added Tax (VAT) on tourism services, noting that the move will cripple the lucrative industry which contributed 25 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during 2014/2015 where it earned the country 8trl/- in revenues. Other MPs legislators who supported the levy include Mufindi North MP, Mr Mahmoud Mgimwa (CCM) and his Nachingwea counterpart, Mr Hassan Massala (CCM) who proposed a levy of between 20/- and 50/- for every liter of petrol and diesel. Mr Mgimwa noted further that the suggested levy will not increase the inflation rate, explaining that even when the government increased fuel levies during fiscal year 2014/2015 the price of oil stabilised at between 1,600/- and 1,900/- per liter given declining prices of the liquid in the world market. The Geita Urban MP, Mr Constantine Kanyasu (CCM) decried suggested waiver on tax exemptions to gratuity paid to lawmakers at the end of their tenure, claiming that Tanzanian MPs are less paid compared to their counterparts in the region. He claimed that local parliamentarians are paid a total of US $5,000 dollars per month in salaries and allowances while their colleagues in Kenya and Rwanda part home with US $11,000 and US $9,000 dollars, respectively. MPs in Uganda and South Sudan, according to Mr Kanyasu, are paid US $8,000 and US $7,000 dollars, respectively, as lawmakers in Burundi earn US $6,000 dollars each month.

Regional authorities up in arms against insurance defaulters

MWANZA regional authorities have vowed to deal with people, who ruin the insurance market by producing and selling fake motor insurance stickers in the region. Speaking during the launch of BRITAM, a new brand and tailor-made services to the lake zone last week in M,wanza city,  the Mwanza Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr John Mongela said that the government in the region would also take legal action against people who don’t insure their vehicles. “This is in spite of the fact that in Tanzania it is obligatory to insure motor vehicles for security of innocent victims in road accidents,” said Mr Mongela. Mr Mongela, however, cautioned people involved in the illegal business to stop it immediately because the insurance market is mostly built on the principle of good faith. He commended the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA) for its effort to control the sale of fake motor insurance stickers by establishing motor insurance sticker mobile application system. However, the system will check the validity of an individual insurance consumers if it covers via SMS once it is issued by an insurance company, Broker or agent. The TIRA Lake Zone Ag Manager, Mr Shaarif Hamad said that TIRA was at the time training insurance players countrywide and thereafter would sensitize the entire public on that system in terms of its application and benefits. He called on Insurance stakeholders to join hands in the fight against fake motor insurance stickers in the market because foul play reduces the public confidence. Also requiring attention was the issue of low awareness towards insurance services particularly in the rural areas, he said and added that according to the inspection done last month in Biharamulo District in Kagera Region, it was found that a large number of motor vehicles were not covered by insurance.

Magufuli invites Chinese investor to boost infrastructure, industrial development

PRESIDENT John Magufuli has invited investors from Jiangsu Province in China to partner with Tanzanians in setting up industries and building the infrastructure, particularly the standard gauge railway line. In line with the invitation, Dr Magufuli has assured Chinese investors of maximum cooperation from his government. According to a statement issued in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, by the Directorate of Presidential Communications Unit, the president extended the invitation in Dar es Salaam when he met and held talks with the Jiangsu Province Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Mr Luo Zhijun, who is accompanied by other government officials in a working tour of Tanzania. Dr Magufuli told Mr Zhijun that his government was committed to ensuring that 40 per cent of Tanzanians obtain employment through manufacturing industries by 2020, thus calling upon investors from Jiangsu to come and establish industries to help in attaining the goal. Dr Magufuli cited investment on agricultural products such as cotton, coffee, cashewnuts, fish and meat; and livestock keeping, noting that the existence of raw materials presented opportunities to boost industrial production in the country. He stressed that industrial investments will not only benefit Tanzania and its people who will obtain employment opportunities and revenue collection but also Chinese investors, who will also enjoy an extensive market from within the country and seven others it shares borders with. The extensive market includes countries from the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) comprising more than 650 million people. “Mr Zhijun, please allow me to invite investors from your province (Jiangsu). I welcome them with open arms. They can come even tomorrow and state their area of investment. We are going to give them our full support. We have enough areas to establish new factories. In Coast and Dar es Salaam regions, we have such areas as Bagamoyo whereby up to 1,000 factories can be built plus other areas like Kigamboni,” Dr Magufuli told the Chinese leader. He also invited companies from Jiangsu to partner with Tanzania in infrastructural development, including the Central Railway Line for which the government has set aside one trillion/- for construction to begin in the coming financial year. Construction will be implemented at the standard gauge mode for the railway line and a six- lane road from Dar es Salaam to Chalinze, among other projects. On his part, Mr Zhijun applauded President Magufuli for his willingness to receive investors from Jiangsu Province, noting that although an investment amounting to one billion US dollars, which is equivalent to 2.2 trillion/-, has already been placed in the country, there was still room for more investors to come.

Samia directs the public to adapt good environmental care

VICE-President Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the public in all levels to form small environmental committees to supervise and implement environmental bylaws and ensure forest and water source conservation. The VP also called on all nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and the general public to ensure water sources are preserved for the livelihood of all Tanzanians and wildlife. Addressing journalists at her residency, as the world marked the World Environment Day on Sunday, VP Hassan said the small committees to be formed from village level all the way to regional level should work to ensure the environment is protected. “We human beings are the source of destruction of the environment. We fell trees and destroy water sources. We must ensure that we restore and protect the forests and water sources because they are our livelihood together with wildlife,” she explained. She added that internationally the World Environment Day is being marked in Angola with the theme, ‘Go Wild For Life - Save the Environment’, which puts emphasis on efforts to protect wildlife which are important part of the environment. 

VICE-President Samia Suluhu Hassan

“It should be remembered that President John Magufuli has pledged unwavering support and effort in the fight against poaching to curb the vice in the country,” she explained noting that the national theme: “Let’s preserve water sources for the life of our nation.” Mama Samia who has become the first woman to become the Vice President since independence time explained that water is life to all creations including human beings and wildlife, noting that the national theme highlights the extent of destruction of water sources in the country. She emphasized that environmental challenges have destroyed water sources, the major ones being agriculture, livestock, mining and cutting of trees for charcoal making, which have lead to reduction of water streaming into the country’s rivers in the past five decades. “If this destruction of forests and water sources continues, our major rivers in the country such as Rufiji, Pangani, Ruaha and others which are dependent upon by Tanzanians, will dry up within the next 15 years,” Ms Hassan noted. World Environmental Day is commemorated every year on June 5, a day that was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. The Conference resulted in the establishment of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The World Environmental Day’s objective is to encourage people to become active supporters of sustainable and equitable living, to promote awareness and have an understanding that communities play a central role in changing attitudes towards environmental issues.

Home Affairs Ministry screens another controversial deal

THE Ministry of Home Affairs is intending to put on scrutiny the controversial deal signed between the Police and a local firm - Mara World Tanzania Limited - for the construction of residential units in Dar es Salaam. According to a press statement issued on Sunday last week in Dar es Salaam, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary (PS), Maj. Gen. Projest Rwegasira, has already directed the police to submit the entire contract signed for the construction of residential complex in Kunduchi, Mikocheni and a police centre at Oysterbay. President John Magufuli pointed a finger at the ongoing construction of Oysterbay police complex centre in Kinondoni Municipality bringing to light that the pact is likely to be surrounded by a number of uncertainties.“Oysterbay is a prime area, everyone knows it. You entered into contracts that you personally know … someone was given to build the place for you. What was the problem for you to get a title deed - the document that you could have used to get loan from banks and setup own commercial structure that can also accommodate your police,” the president asserted in March, when he chaired a meeting with regional police commanders and prosecutors. According to the statement, all the contracts regarding construction of various structures by Mara World Tanzania Limited are to be submitted immediately to the PS. Representatives of the company in question were not available for comments yesterday when attempt to get their reactions failed. But the media communiqué noted that the ministry’s senior leader requested the contracts to get common – understanding of the ongoing projects in various sites in the region. “The project is huge and it has been long,” reads part of the statement. Maj Gen. Rwegasira made an impromptu inspection of the ongoing construction of police residential units in Mikocheni and Kunduchi to witness the actual progress. The PS also visited the ongoing construction of the police post at Oysterbay. Mara World Tanzania Limited is expected to construct the modern police post, office apartments, hospital, shops and hotel at Oysterbay.