[Tanzania] Shein promises continued loans to students

PRESIDENT Ali Mohamed Shein has said that the government would continue to provide loans to students with qualifications to join higher learning institutions because the country still needs experts in every field.

“I give my commitment that the government will continue supporting students, particularly in areas of interest,” Dr Shein said during his speech at the 12th graduation ceremony of the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA).

Dr Shein, also the SUZA University Chancellor, said the Government has been increasing funds for loans to support students but the “hunt for ghost students should continue unabated and the dishonest punished.

We also appeal to students to repay the loans so that others can benefit.” He said the government was prompted to temporary suspend issuing of loans to verify and check names of students listed to get loans.

In his speech, President Shein also emphasized to students and lecturers in the university to give weight to researches by working closely with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), saying that it is through better researches when the institution can grow and findings can be used in national development.

“I commend you for establishing PhD class in Kiswahili; it is admirable development in promoting the language,” Dr Shein said, adding that the government will be using academicians to implement its programmes, including fishing and entrepreneurship. SUZA Vice-Chancellor Prof Idrisa Rai informed the gathering that 861 graduates for the 2015/2016 qualified for the award of certificates.

Minister of Education and Vocational Training Riziki Pembe Juma joined Dr Shein to commend the SUZA administration for the good work in developing the only state University.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information, Tourism, Culture and Sports, Rashid Ali Juma, has promised to find solutions to challenges facing the state-owned Zanzibar Journalism and Mass Media College (ZJMMC). Speaking at the ZJMMC 8th graduation ceremony held at its new campus, Kilimani, the minister urged journalism graduates to observe ethics.

source: www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Tanzanians mark 53rd Revolution Day today

ZANZIBAR marks the 53rd anniversary of the revolution today with President Ali Mohamed Shein expressing appreciation on progress attained in provision of social services to all since the ouster of the Omani-Arab sultanate oligarchy on January 12, 1964.

“The revolution has served its purpose; inequality that existed during the rule of sultan has been controlled. All Zanzibaris can now access social services equally,” Dr Shein remarked during an exclusive interview on private television station, Azam TV, on Wednesday.

Dr Shein, the seventh president of Zanzibar since the revolution, went on to praise the founding Father of Zanzibar, the late Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, for steering the Indian archipelago to resounding development after the revolution.

“Zanzibaris suffered harassment and exploitation for long time before the revolution, which brought in a new era of life that enabled them to access education and health services,” Dr Shein said during the interview, which was hosted by veteran broadcaster Tido Mhando. He added that on top of all those mistreatments, the native people of Zanzibar were not even allowed to own land or conduct farming.”

President Shein, who is as well Chairman of the Zanzibar’s Revolutionary Council, described the revolution as the ‘symbol and icon’ of the Isles, pointing to the fact that it was not easy to liberate the islands from the sultan.

“We are very proud of the groundwork that was established by the founding president (the late Karume) and we will continue cherishing and preserving the revolution,” Dr Shein remarked. The Zanzibar’s president said successive governments in the islands have made major strides in the education sector where primary education is provided for free while parents are made to contribute some funds for students in secondary schools.

“By the time of the revolution in 1964 Zanzibar never had any higher institution of learning but we now boast of three universities,” Dr Shein stated in the televised interview.

He went on to explain on the progress attained in the health sector, whereby the islands now have 154 health facilities up from 36 in the past, noting, however, that there was still shortage of “specialised treatment at the hospitals.” On the other hand, President Shein welcomed both local and foreign investors in Zanzibar to work with the government through the Public and Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Tourism and cloves remain as Zanzibar’s main foreign exchange earner and President Shein was confident that the revised tourism policy will help retain a big chunk of proceeds from the industry.

“In the past, there were tourism agents who made all the bookings and payments abroad and as a result, the lion’s share of the proceeds remained there, leaving us with just a little, the new policy will change all this,” Dr Shein stressed.

Dr Shein noted as well that plans were underway to establish a commission to oversee the lucrative industry, which plays a crucial role in boosting the economy of Zanzibar. President Shein on the other hand took issues with government officials fond of frustrating investors wishing to undertake investments in Zanzibar through red tape.

“I am aware of the challenge and I will not tolerate these officials for their business as usual attitude,” President Shein warned. During the interview, Dr Shein also hailed Union President John Magufuli for his fight against corruption and misuse of public funds.

“Dr Magufuli’s sacking of inefficient and corrupt leaders is his style of leadership, but which complies with laws and regulations,” he noted. Regarding the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form Tanzania, Dr Shein said almost all challenges facing the merger between the two had been resolved, stating that what remained was establishment of a Joint Monetary Commission. Meanwhile, ISSA YUSSUF reports from Zanzibar that President Shein has pardoned 14 prisoners as part of celebrations to mark 53 years of the revolution.

“Section 59 of the Zanzibar’s 1984 Constitution empowers the president to pardon prisoners,” a statement from the State House said, adding that it is a symbol of forgiveness as the country celebrates its liberation.

Those pardoned have served at least half of their sentences, with good behaviour and were not convicted of serious offences.

The freed inmates also include the elderly and those with serious health complications. The pardoning of prisoners is done normally during independence/ revolution celebrations to promote acceptable moral behaviour among inmates on both reformatory centres in the Isles and prisons on the Mainland.

source:www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] JPM hits at food shortage cheats

PRESIDENT John Magufuli has come out strongly in condemnation of unscrupulous businessmen, politicians and the media for creating artificial food shortage.

He has also ordered immediate review of the costs estimated for the construction of Simiyu Regional Hospital down from the whopping 46bn/- to around 10bn/-.

Addressing a public rally in Simiyu yesterday where he is on a two-day tour of the region, Dr Magufuli said the same businessmen were propagating stories of artificial food shortage through the media so that they can capitalise on the situation and get exemption on food imports.

He noted that whenever there was famine, some business people use the media and some politicians to propagate that there was severe famine in Tanzania when they already have thousands of tonnes of low-quality imported maize waiting to be offloaded for sale in the country.

“They used the media and some politicians to spread stories that there is famine in Tanzania. But surprisingly, by then they had already imported low quality maize from Brazil and wanted the government to waive taxes so that they can gain more profit while we lose revenue.

There is one businessman who has imported 25,000 tonnes of maize but I have refused to waive taxes on the cargo,” he told the rally. He took to task some Members of Parliament (MPs), who last year appealed to the government to allow farmers to sell agricultural produce such as maize and rice to Uganda, claiming that there was bumper harvest in the country.

“The MPs supported this appeal but I refused ... and now the same MPs are crying that there is food shortage. I want to make it clear that my government will not provide food relief. I want Tanzanians to plan and work hard.

I am the one who knows when there’s hunger and it’s not the media or the business people,” he stressed. President Magufuli said it was logical that in times of shortage of rains, farmers must cultivate crops that do not need a lot of water (drought resistant) as is the case with maize and rice, stressing that the government will not be bailing out the public every time on trivial issues.

“I passed along the lake (Lake Victoria) on my way and there was a farm beside it that had onions, tomatoes and maize that had dried up. So why couldn’t the farmer use water from the lake to irrigate the maize instead of letting them dry up and then cry of hunger,” Dr Magufuli wondered.

The president said it was funny to see the Wasukuma also complaining of food shortage while they could sell some cattle and use the money to buy food reserves.

On inflated costs of the hospital building, the president ordered the Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Professor Makame Mbarawa, to hold accountable all the concerned consultants for the theft attempt.

Speaking shortly after laying the foundation stone for the building, Dr Magufuli said the entire estimates and designs for the project should be revisited since they smelt of corruption and massive misappropriation of funds. Proving his case, President Magufuli said the facility could not be compared with the recently-built University of Dar es Salaam hostel, where 20 units of four storeys each were constructed at a cost of a mere 10bn/-.

“I have seen the hospital building under construction and I strongly disagree on the mentioned costs, which I believe are too high. I will dish out only 10bn/- for the same and ask for the Minister of Works to hold all behind this scam accountable,” he stressed.

He said it was total misuse and theft of funds to consider building the health college as a component of the regional hospital project, insisting that it was uncalled for since many health experts were graduating from other colleges and posted for service country-wide.

On his part, the Simiyu Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Mr Jumanne Sagini, said the regional administration had received Dr Magufuli’s advice on the higher costs involving the regional hospital project, promising to review it immediately.

source: www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Battle of wits for Simba, Yanga

THERE will be no room for a draw when the big Dar es Salaam derby presents at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar tonight.

The huge crowd heading to Zanzibar claimed their mission was to witness the death of one of the two giants; Simba or Young Africans, one of them must die. Most of the supporters of the both teams claimed they were going to Zanzibar to celebrate the victory but the sad demise of one of the giants.

Time will tell who fall tonight between the two giants, each owning almost a half of Tanzanian population. One of the Tanzania’s two biggest football clubs, Simba and Young Africans, will have to fall in the semi final stage of this year’s Mapinduzi Cup to decide which team plays in the event’s last two stage.

It has to be as there is no room for exhibition football – which the two giants are known for – and a draw is out of the question in this cup competition as there must be a winner to advance to the next round.

Although fans continue to be duped by marketing trickery to get them to fill the stadium, everyone now knows that whenever there is a derby, the score line has not been easy to predict. In most cases it has been quite opposite. It has been found most often the best Yanga losing to tactically weak Simba and vice versa.

But all that is out of the question in this match, and fans can brace themselves for a thriller as both teams will seek to win it inside the 90 as opposed to leaving it to the lottery of penalties.

Yanga who suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss to Azam in their last group B match can not be underestimated in the game as opposed to Simba who com- TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 URA Simba Yanga KCC Azam Mtibwa Miembeni Malindi Mafunzo KMKM Polisi Z’bar Jamhuri 2016 2011, 2015 2004 2014 2012, 2013 2010 2008 2007 2005 2002 2001 1998 Graph showing Mapinduzi Cup Champions from 1998-2016 pleted the Group Stage assignment unbeaten after posting 3 wins and a draw, while Yanga who finished second behind Group B leaders, Azam, notched six points from a two-match victory and a loss. Prior to their disastrous encounter with Azam, Yanga enjoyed a +8 Goal difference, but the GD went down to +4 after their heavy loss. Psychologically, Simba fans have high hopes of their team’s victory in tonight clash.

Most of the team’s supporters said their claims are backed by the history and the team’s current performance in both the Premier League and the Mapinduzi Cup. With the exception of Cecafa Club Championship final of 1975 which Yanga beat Simba 2-0 to win their maiden region title, Amaan Stadium has been too friendly to Simba. But Yanga supporters, who looked too confident despite their team’s loss to Azam, said they were heading to Zanzibar to witness the death of the ‘beast’ and their loss doesn’t give their opponents a guarantee to win the derby.

“Just wait and watch, you will see how the beast falls in Zanzibar tomorrow,” said one of the supporters. But Simba SC skipper, Jonas Mkude admitted to the reporters yesterday that the match would be tough as both sides were seriously preparing the players for the big match.

Mkude said his players were physically and psychologically fit for the encounter, but insisted that the truth will be found after the end of the 90 minutes

Burundian import Laudit Mavugo scored a brace to give Simba a convincing 2-0 win over Jang’ombe Boys in the early match Before the Dar giants clash, Azam FC will open the semis stage against the hosts Taifa Jang’ombe, the match will be staged at Amaan around 4:00 pm.

Taifa Jang’ombe sealed a semi final spot after beating Uganda URA 1-0 in a thrilling Group A match at the same venue.

source: www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] We have enough food - Ministry

DESPITE food shortage reports in some parts of the country, preliminary food production forecast for 2015/2016 indicates that the country has a surplus of more than 3 million metric tonnes.

However, officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries have linked the current situation with the alarming weather condition that has got farmers worried and bracing poor harvests next season.

The ministry’s Acting Assistant Director, Crop Monitoring and Early Warning, Ms Marystella Basil Mtalo, told the ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam yesterday that according to statistics for the 2015/2016 cropping season, the country recorded a total of 16,172,841 metric tonnes of food production, which included 9,457,108 metric tonnes of cereals and 6,715,733 tonnes of non cereals.

“Demand for the country was 13,159,326 metric tonnes and, therefore, it has a surplus of 3,013,515 metric tonnes of food”, Ms Mtalo pointed out.

She noted that although the national food Sufficiency Ratio (SSR) is 123 per cent, 43 councils in 15 regions were reported to have food deficit during the assessment period. “This situation is common due to climatic factors as we have witnessed a region having surplus food but at the same time other areas within the same region are facing food deficit,” she noted.

Ms Mtalo said during the crop production assessment, 11 regions were reported to have surplus food between 122 and 222 per cent, twelve regions had self sufficient of between 103 and 118 per cent and only two regions -- Dar es Salaam and Tanga -- had food deficit.

“Basing on preliminary food production forecast for 2015/2016, at least 43 councils were reported to have been facing food deficit. Currently, some ministry officials have been dispatched to the vulnerable areas to conduct comprehensive food and nutrition security assessment for further interventions,” Ms Mtalo reported.

She explained that normally, the preliminary food production forecast is done in May against the consumption/ marketing year, adding that currently, people are consuming the food, which was produced in 2015/2016.

The acting director, however, added that the number of councils facing food deficit has increased to 53 after the earthquake that hit Kagera Region last year, making all its councils and one council in Tabora vulnerable.

An Agricultural Development Officer at the ministry’s Crop Monitoring and Early Warning Department, Mr Aradius Kategano, however, dismissed reports that the country was facing serious food shortage as false, saying the country was currently consuming the food harvested during the 2015/2016 season, which had a surplus of more than 3 million metric tonnes.

“The country is not facing food shortage. What is happening is just fear by the public due to poor rains,” Mr Katakana said.

source: www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Dar-Beijing pledge scaling ties up to greater heights

THE Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, has pledged continued cooperation between Tanzania and China in various fields through investments in industries, energy and infrastructure.

The premier made the pledge yesterday at his Oysterbay residence in Dar es Salaam when he met with China’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Wang Yi, on behalf of President John Magufuli.

Mr Majaliwa stated that cooperation between the two countries was historical and, therefore, ensured the Government of China that the cooperation would be cemented for the mutual benefit of the two nations. He used the opportunity to invite investors from China to invest in various sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, industries and energy.

“Tanzania is ready to receive more companies from China to invest in various parts of the country and we are ready to receive between 200 and 700 industries in the next three years,” Mr Majaliwa remarked.

On his part, Mr Wang commended the performance of President Magufuli and other leaders in their fight against graft, which he noted had borne fruit. “The Chinese government is now strategising to shift its industries into African continent.

It, therefore, chose Tanzania to be among few host countries of the industries after being satisfied by the government’s commitment in bringing development” he added. In another development, the People’s Republic of China is ready to assist the Fifth Phase Government with its industrialisation agenda as the latter seeks to unleash faster economic growth.

Addressing a joint press briefing yesterday shortly after holding private talks with his Chinese counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, said China has agreed to assist Tanzania to add value to its products through implementing its industrialisation plan. According to him, the move is expected to unleash economic growth and create more jobs.

“We want to add value to our products and China is ready to help us in this through industrialisation,” Dr Mahiga explained, adding that Tanzania was selected among four pilot countries in Africa for industrial capacity building because of its longstanding political stability and fight against corruption.

Ambassador Mahiga and Mr Wang also discussed new areas of cooperation, including building a stateof- the-art port and airport in Zanzibar, Bagamoyo Port and increasing education opportunities for Tanzanians to study in China.

The Chinese minister said the long time friendship that exists between China and Tanzania needs to be strengthened by the leadership of the two countries, promising his government’s continued support in bringing development to Tanzanians, whom he called brothers and sisters.

Mr Wang also expressed his government’s focus to revamp the Tanzania Zambia Railway (TAZARA) noting that the three leaders of China, Tanzania and Zambia have reached a consensus on the projects, including establishing industries along the railway line.

source: www.dailynews.co.tz

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