[Tanzania] Minister raises concern over environmental crisis

GOVERNMENT has declared environmental degradation as big threat to the country, calling for concerted efforts to fight the problem.

In line with that, government plans to announce Lake Rukwa and parts of Mbeya mountain range as environment- sensitive areas in efforts to ensure full protection from destruction.

Minister in the Vice-President’s office (Union Affairs and Environment), January Makamba, said this in Dar es Salaam yesterday when speaking to editors and reporters on his 16-day tour of 10 regions.

He cautioned of loss of natural resources, including water sources, wildlife and forests if the situation persists. “Many parts of the country are facing a serious depletion of resources as the destruction is likely to send the country into shocking hunger and poverty crisis,” he said.

He said that many places that he visited have seriously been hit by environmental degradation as animals such as cows are visibly seen eating sand while hippos die of water shortage.

source- www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Ugandan councillors praise Magufuli

COUNCILLORS from the Ugandan cities of Entebbe and Kampala have praised President John Magufuli’s leadership, especially his drive on revenue collection.

The councillors commendation here yesterday when speaking to journalists at the Mwanza City Hall. Entebbe Deputy Mayor, Ssekyondo Richard, said that within a short period of his leadership, President Magufuli has done so many things that could have taken longer to achieve.

“Dr Magufuli is doing a very good job; he has proved that he is a dedicated leader for Tanzanians,” he said. He appealed to Tanzanians to support him by changing their attitudes towards work for speedy socioeconomic transformation. “He is among the best president in the East African region,” Mayor Richard emphasised.

He also hailed the electronic system of collecting revenue applied by Mwanza City Council. “We are admiring how Mwanza City manages revenue collection by using the electronic system and how the City Fathers undertake waste management and improvement of tourist attractions,” he said.

“In our visit to this city, we have learned so many things with regard to revenue collection, waste management and improvement of tourist attractions.” Entebbe Town Clerk, Danfred Lutaaya, also showered praise on President Magufuli’s style of leadership.

“The president has demonstrated that he is the second Nyerere of Tanzania. Personally, I am impressed with his leadership as a man of action,” he explained. Another Entebbe councillor, Magreth Kasembe, said she was impressed with electronic system in revenue collection.

“My expectations on this visit was to see how Mwanza City Council uses the electronic system on revenue collection. We’ll introduce this system in Uganda,” she said.

Mwanza City Communication and Relations Officer, Elirehema Kaaya, said the 24 Ugandan councillors came to Mwanza specifically to see revenue collection using the electronic system.

source- www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] CAG probes fixed deposit rip-off in commercial banks

THE Treasury Registrar (TR), Mr Lawrence Mafuru, said the Controller and Auditor General (CAG), is conducting a special investigation on allegations that public servants pocket the interest income that arise from the fixed deposit accounts in commercial banks.

Mr Mafuru told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday when giving clarification on emerging issues on fixed deposit accounts, saying all public institutions, agencies and parastatals have been given until next month to ensure the money in commercial banks accounts are moved to revenue collection accounts at the Bank of Tanzania (BoT).

The TR said during a meeting with Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee last month, they decided to task CAG to investigate the allegations of all transactions on fixed deposit accounts starting with the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA).

“Having fixed deposit accounts in private commercial banks is not a sin; the problem that irks President John Magufuli was due to the fact that public institutions applied for funds while even the procurement process has not started, which could be channelled to other development projects,” he noted.

Mr Mafuru noted further that as a result, projects were struck as the government has inadequate funds to meet the obligations, which could have been the opposite case, should the public institutions whose projects are yet to mature had not applied for the fund prematurely.

Speaking on Tanzania Education Authority (TEA), which was labeled among the institutions with fixed deposit, Mr Mafuru said they find it proper to have it mature so that they get the profit.

“Not only TEA; many other institutions had fixed deposits in commercial banks. But when the directive was issued, the accounts were operating. So we decided to wait so that they mature and get the profit.

That is why we have served them all with ultimatum until December for the money plus interest to be sent to BoT,” said the TR. Mr Mafuru said the decision by the government to direct the public institutions to open revenue collection accounts at BoT was meant to monitor their revenue and expenditure against their approved budgets.

“Prior to that, it was difficult to monitor the accounts,as it was hard to access the information from private commercial banks due to limitations. But right now it is easy as the BoT could issue you with monthly statements and see if there is fund mismanagement,” he clarified.

Mr Mafuru added that nothing had changed as public institutions and parastatals apply for their monthly expenditure from the BoT and deposit the same in commercial banks for running their operations in accordance with their budgets.

source-www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Dangote Cement saga clarified

TANZANIA Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) has refuted widespread rumours that recently went viral in the social media that there was a dispute pitting it and the Mtwara-based Dangote Cement Plant over the price of natural gas.

Acting TPDC Managing Director Kapulia Msomba, told a news conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the national petroleum body was in the final stages of approving a request by Dangote Cement Company to supply gas at the plant so that it saves millions of shillings it spends on diesel purchases.

According to him, TPDC has been holding negotiations with the cement company since October on how the duo can run the gas business on a win-win situation so that the petroleum development firm can be able to supply gas at the factory for electricity production.

“TPDC is guided by laws, rules and regulations in serving investors, including Mr Aliko Dangote. We expect that until January 2017, we will have completed the natural gas infrastructure at the plant. We believe that the electricity turbines will be ready at the Mtwara plant, ’’ he said.

However, Mr Msomba added that TPDC and Dangote Cement ‘had agreed not to agree on the prices after the former insisted on charging them lower prices than the price set by the latter’.

The Acting TPDC boss said there was no cause for alarm as the new prices would soon be issued by the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA).

There were widespread rumours that the 600-million US dollar (about 1.3 trillion/-) plant and the largest cement investment in East Africa, producing three million tonnes of cement annually and directly employing over 1,000 Tanzanians, had suspended its operations “due to high production costs.”

But the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dangote in Tanzania, Mr Harpreet Duggal, refuted claims of stoppage of production due to high costs, saying the closure was due to technical problems.

In another development, the Acting Commissioner of Minerals, Mr John Shija, said the government was equally concerned with proper production and business at the Ngaka Coal Mine (NCM).

Therefore, he said, all cement companies had been directed to enter into contract with NCM to help it produce to its capacity of 45,000 tones of coal per month. He said that on realisation of the presence of cement companies in the country, the government decided to move ahead to protect local industries.

“For NCM to invest and produce to its capacity, it should know the demand in the local market and that is why we need these cement industries to enter into.

source-www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Dar court told of how ‘Mtoto wa Ng’ombe’ forged papers

A PROMINENT businessman, Ndama Hussein (44), popularly known in the social buzz as Mtoto wa Ng’ombe, appeared before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam yesterday charged with forging several documents, including a certificate of clearance from the United Nations for exportation of minerals worth over 16bn/-.

Hussein was also charged with obtaining money by false pretences and money laundering. He denied the charges before Senior Resident Magistrate Victoria Nongwa and was remanded in custody until December 13 when the case will be mentioned, as investigations are incomplete.

The prosecution, led by Senior State Attorney Christopher Msigwa, assisted by State Attorney Leonard Challo, told the court that on February 20, 2014 in the city, with intent to defraud, the accused person made a false export permit for minerals and samples of minerals.

He allegedly purported to show that a company called Muru Platinum Tanzania Investment Company Limited was permitted to export four boxes of gold nuggets weighing 207kg valued at 8,280,000 US dollars to a company based in Australia known as Trade TJL DTYL Limited, while it was untrue.

It is alleged that on March 6, 2014, in the city, Hussein forged a certificate of clearance from the UN Dar es Salaam Office purporting to show that 207kg of the minerals from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) intended to be exported by Muru company to Trade TJL Limited having being cleared of criminality.

On February 20, 2014, the accused person allegedly made a customs declaration form purporting that Muru Company has paid 331,200 US dollars as importation tax to Tanzania Revenue Authority for the said minerals at 8,280,000 US dollars imported from DRC, while it was false.

The prosecution told the court further that on the same day in the city, Hussein forged insurance cover from Phoenix of Tanzania Assurance Company Limited, showing Muru Company had insured the four boxes containing the minerals.

Between February 26 and March 3, 2014, in Dar es Salaam, with intent to defraud, the businessman allegedly obtained from Trade TJL Limited 540,390 US dollars by falsely pretending that he would supply and export the 207kg of the said minerals valued at 8,280,000 US dollars.

The prosecution alleged further that within the same period, Hussein directly engaged himself in a transaction involving money, the sum of 540,390 US dollars, which were proceeds of predicate offence of obtaining money by false pretences.

According to the prosecution, the accused person is alleged to have directed the money to be credited in a bank account held at Stanbic Bank in the name of Muru Platinum Tanzania Investment Company Limited and subsequently withdrawing the sum in cash.

source- www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Tanzanian, Australian surgeons perform muscle transfer

A TEAM of surgeons from the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) and Australia yesterday performed a special operation known as microvascular surgery for muscle transfer, or gracilis in medical jargon.

According to experts, microvascular surgery is performed on very small blood vessels, typically 3 to 5 millimetres in diameter, using an operating microscope, specialised surgical instruments, and tiny needles with ultrafine sutures.

The first-of-its-kind, microvascular surgery has been taking up to seven hours aimed at building capacity to local surgeons so that they can continue providing specialised services to Tanzanians, hence, reduce the number of people seeking the services abroad.

MNH Head of the Surgery Department, Dr Ibrahim Mkoma, who participated in the operation, said that the surgical procedures is conducted in Australia at a cost of over 80m/- apart from other costs.

One of the surgeons from Australia, James Savundra, said that microvascular surgery is one of the most expensive operations in his country because patients are charged 130 Australian dollars per minute.

He said the money is for payment of the surgeons, aesthetic doctors, nurses and other health personnel involved in the operation. Mr Savundra noted that the cost does not include other charges the patient is required to pay such as ward services.

“We conducted this surgery by collaborating with surgical specialists from Australia through a non-governmental organisation, Tanzania Australia Society and Rafiki Surgical Mission,” said Dr Mukoma.

Early this week, MNH in collaboration with the visiting doctors started offering surgical services to patients in need of the service.

The hospital is currently under transformation to improve its services where by next month it will start performing cochlear implant to children with hearing problems while in the coming year. It will also start performing kidney transplant

source- www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Africa] Africa 'needs mutual anti-aggression pact' - Museveni

Yoweri Museveni says allowing the removal of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya was a "betrayal"

The Trump and Brexit votes are a "nationalist backlash against Western liberalism" triggered by the consequences of Western military adventurism - something Africans should not still be putting up with, Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni says in a long article in the New Vision newspaper.

The promoters of attacks in the Middle East and North Africa, provoked a human exodus that has caused the backlash bringing down [former UK prime minister] Mr Cameron and [US presidential contender] Mrs Clinton. Although immigration is not the only reason that brought down those groups, it is certainly one of them."

Mr Museveni said that while the US invasion of Afghanistan was justified following the 9/11 attacks, the invasion of Iraq and ousting of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi were not - and they have caused "human disasters" in the Middle East and Africa. 

Libya, previously a source of investment and employment for the rest of Africa, is now an exporter of arms and militancy, he said.

Why should Africa tolerate such disruption on her territory caused, in part, by foreigners?"

Allowing Western countries to attack Libya without an African response was a "betrayal" of Libya, the Ugandan leader said- even though he also said he was "caught by surprise" by the intervention.

To prevent such events in the future, he proposed an African version of the "Monroe doctrine" - a pact whereby interference with any part of Africa is viewed as a hostile act towards the continent as a whole.

The AU needs to put out a 'Monroe doctrine' of sorts to all and sundry.

Africa has its owners - the Africans... Africans should not tempt greedy or confused foreigners into the temptation of interfering with us by being weak."

 source-www.bbc.com

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[South Africa] 'Rhino-horn smuggler' arrested in South Africa

South African police say they have arrested a Hong Kong-bound Chinese man with 18 rhino horns hidden in his luggage, the AFP news agency reports.

He was detained on Wednesday at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport after an anonymous tip-off, a statement today said:

The 28-year-old male, who was in transit from Namibia to board a South African Airways flight to Hong Kong, was immediately arrested."

The horns, weighing 43kg (95lb), were valued at around $467,000 (£375,000), AFP reports.

The man is due to appear in court on Friday.  

The poaching of rhinos in Africa has been driven by demand for their horns in some Asian countries for their purported medicinal properties.  

source-www.bbc.com

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[Democratic Republic of Congo] Twenty six people 'freed from Uganda rebels in Congo'

Congolese troops have been conducting operations against ADF rebels

The head of a Democratic Republic of Congo army operation tackling rebels in the country's east says it has freed 26 people held by a Uganda-based rebel group, AP news agency reports. 

Cpt Mak Hazukay Mongba said the army had freed the hostages over the past several days. 

Some of the freed hostages said the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels wanted the Congolese army to recognise that they controlled parts of Beni. 

Omar Kavota, director of a local rights group, said the rebel group presented a regional threat because it aimed to take control in Uganda. 

The ADF rebels are among scores of armed groups vying for control in mineral-rich eastern DR Congo and are blamed for killing nearly 700 civilians since October 2014. 

source- www.bbc.com

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[Tanzania] TBL revenue drops as CTI seeks state redress

TANZANIA Breweries Limited Group of Companies (TBL), which is among the country’s largest taxpayers, yesterday announced poor business performance in the past six months ending September 30.

The announcement came as the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) requested the government to seriously study the situation behind poor production among manufacturing concerns in the country.

According to the company’s results that were announced yesterday, TBL has recorded revenue decline of 7 per cent over the previous year. The report shows that the company has experienced challenging market and economic conditions during the six months.

The CTI Director of Policy and Advocacy, Mr Hussein Kamote, told the ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam that his office was aware that most of industries are recording low production across the country and hence the need for the government to study the situation.

He said some industries were planning to retrench workers and others are about to close businesses. Mr Kamote said CTI has already secured fund to conduct the study on the situation and that it is set to commence on December 1, 2016. “CTI is aware of the current situation with local industries.

It is not a good trend. We need to find a collective solution as soon as possible,” he said. According to Mr Kamote, the government must find out why local industries are not doing well so that it could be easily to attract more investors to invest in the sector.

“There is need for the government and all other stakeholders to ensure industries record good performance, this will help to convince other investors to allocate their capital in the country and establish more industries,” he noted.

Earlier, the TBL Managing Director, Mr Roberto Jarrin, announced that his company has registered a decline in revenue. He said in the past six months, consumers of TBL products failed to confidently use them due to various strict measures that have been imposed.

“Consumer confidence has been subdued and together with the impact of stricter enforcement of trading hours,” he said.

Mr Jarrin said that overall volumes were down by 8 pc for the half year, compared to the same period last year. Moreover, the company has faced another big challenge by experiencing consumer shift towards more affordable products.

The move resulted into an increase in pressure on the company’s margins as reflected in the gross profit and operating profit for the period, which ended 12 and 13 pc down respectively on the previous year. According to the report, total cash generated from the operations in the past months ended on September 30, this year amounted to 195bn/-.

Out of this, 54bn/- was allocated for paying corporate tax while 141bn/- was used to fund interests and capital expenditure. Moreover, TBL allocated 104bn/- for paying dividends to company’s shareholders.

However, Mr Jarrin said apart from all those challenges, which resulted into the fall in earnings, the company still focuses on the management of the working capital and has been able to increase the interim dividend to 350/- per share.

In January, this year, Mr Jarring said, the company was planning to double annual tax revenue payments from the current 400bn/- to 800bn/- within five years.

According to a business analyst, Mr Raphael Masumbuko, most of local companies that depended on local market alone are likely to suffer when the country’s economy seems to undergo certain changes.

Mr Masumbuko, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Zan Securities Limited, added that when a new government comes to power, some investors tend to ‘buy time’ to be sure with the new system before floating cash for circulation.

“It is possible some investors are still studying the situation. They want to be sure if the new system fits with their business operations. Therefore, some industries, including TBL, are likely to be experiencing this situation,” he added.

source-www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Dar, Lusaka ponder ‘super pacts’ as Lungu due in Dar

TANZANIA and Zambia plan to sign several ambitious agreements that aim at strengthening bilateral diplomatic ties as well as trade and investment cooperation between the two countries during the visit by President Edgar Lungu.

The envisaged agreements include the opening of a new route between Dar es Salaam and Lusaka by Air Tanzania.

Mr Lungu is expected to arrive in the country on Sunday for a two-day state visit on an invitation by President John Magufuli.

The visit by the Zambia leader comes just a few days after the meeting of the recent session of a Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, told a media conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Zambia, Ms Grace Mwijuma, said the recent JPC meeting agreed that the two countries should extend ties in other trade and investment sectors, insisting that Zambia was a strategic neighbour. She noted that the two countries agreed to work together in the transport sector, immigration and prison departments, among others.

According to her, President Magufuli and his Zambian counterpart are on Monday expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in various trade and investment sectors.

“Our ministers are expected to sign an agreement on behalf of the two heads of state regarding collaboration in the aviation sector whereas Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) planes will establish a route between Dar es Salaam to Lusaka,’’ she said.

The envoy further said that the two leaders will sign another MoU on political and diplomatic consultations. With that agreement, she said, leaders from both countries can meet anytime to deliberate on issues of diplomacy and politics when they arise.

On immigration and prison departments, Ms Mwijuma said there were several immigration issues that needed strong cooperation between Tanzania and Zambia, adding that the two countries have already agreed to look into the possibility of exchanging prisoners.

Tanzania and Zambia have also agreed to establish a simplified joint trade regime.

“We have many Tanzanian businesspeople in Zambia and also many Zambian businesspeople in Dar es Salaam. Therefore, we agreed that we extend our ties on this area,’’ said Ms Mwijuma, expressing optimism that President Lungu’s visit will be of greater advantage to the country.

source-www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Kenya]Raila and Uhuru face off over corruption

The war on corruption boiled over yesterday, after the President and the Opposition leader engaged in a war of words over its handling. Whereas CORD leader Raila Odinga piled more pressure on the Government over its inability to stem graft, President Kenyatta took the unprecedented step of personally attacking his political nemesis for his continued criticism of his administration. Raila brushed off accusations that he was a beneficiary of corruption declaring he had not defended any thieves of public money and announced his party would table a Bill in Parliament to fast-track payment of suppliers by the Government so as to reduce corruption. "The loss of money in Kilifi is pure theft. The money was wired through Central Bank, the directors of those companies are known and the persons are known. What else do you want the opposition to do?" he added. But while addressing a crowd on his way to Kibabii University, President Kenyatta said although he appreciated Raila's role as an Opposition leader to criticise the Government, he detested his tendency to criticise everything the Government does. The Head of State wondered if everything associated with the Government was bad, wondering why Raila wants to lead a 'bad' country.
"Raila's job from morning to evening is to criticise my government. Such utterances cannot bring development. He does not see any positive thing to talk about this country. I wonder why he wants to lead a bad country," said Uhuru. During a press conference at Capitol Hill in Nairobi, Raila declared: "I have never been a hypocrite. Theft is theft and one can be prosecuted under the penal code. The Jubilee administration controls the police, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and not the Opposition," said Mr Odinga. However, Majority Leader in the National Assembly, Adan Duale, during a Jubilee MPs' press conference, named eight companies he claimed were beneficiaries of Sh308 million allegedly transferred from the Kilifi County government's accounts for an alleged land transaction. Duale on Wednesday sensationally claimed the Opposition is on a looting spree, revealing that Raila receives a monthly stipend from all the county governments that are headed by CORD governors. But CORD governors and MPS came out fighting, dismissing Duale's claims as diversionary tactics meant to hoodwink Kenyans. Elsewhere in Kilifi, there were nasty confrontations between supporters of Governor Amason Kingi and Gideon Mung'aro (Kilfi North MP) over the disappearance of millions of shillings.
source- www.standardmedia.co.ke

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[Tanzania] Mkapa urges varsity councils to discuss costs

THE Chancellor of the University of Dodoma (UDOM) former President Benjamin Mkapa has urged chairpersons of university councils and administrators of all public and private universities to meet immediately to discuss costs of running such institutions to improve the quality of education.

He made the call during the seventh UDOM graduation ceremony where he awarded PhD, Masters and Bachelor degrees to 4,839 graduates.

“Education activities in the country can’t be managed by imposing standing orders or instructions from few, but it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to sit together and analyse current costs to operate academic institutions,” he said.

He said that Tanzania was still a poor country that cannot compete with other developing countries to offer education to its citizens, saying that requires joint efforts of all stakeholders to digest ways how such education institutions should be operated.

The former president predicted a major education crisis if there are no appropriate measures taken to lay a solid foundation for the education sector.

According to UDOM Chairperson, Gaudencia Kabaka,the Higher Education Students Loan’s Board (HELSB) owes UDOM 6.5bn/- as tuition fees for students for the academic year 2015/16.

She noted that UDOM intends to offer quality education and remain a centre of excellenceMeanwhile, UDOM Vice- Chancellor Prof Idrisa Kikula gave his last speech at the graduation ceremony as he prepares for his retirement from public service next February.

Prof Kikula thanked retired President Jakaya Kikwete for his valuable idea to establish UDOM and appointed him Vice-Chancellor.

source-www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] CUF supporters trade fists in court chamber

CIVIC United Front (CUF) supporters of the party’s Chairman Prof Ibrahim Lipumba and Secretary General Seif Shariff Hamad respectively, yesterday exchanged fists at the High Court in Dar es Salaam when the suit involving the leadership crisis within their political group came for mention. Prof Lipumba is alleged to be the source of the chaos.

It all started when presiding Judge Sekiet Kihiyo ordered the parties to appear before him in a chamber, wherein party members had to scramble for space to enable them follow the proceedings. Due to limited space inside the chamber, some CUF members believed to be on the Secretary General’s side stood on the door in an attempt to bar the disputed Chairman of the party from entering in.

It was at that point in time when members from the two opposing camps started exchanging abuses. Thereafter, those CUF members started fighting, thanks to police officers around who managed to control the situation. However, when the police intervened, already two people were injured.

No arrest was made at the scene. At the end of the day, Prof Lipumba was allowed to get into the courtroom. But after the court session, he could not use the normal way to leave the place.

Instead, he was whisked away through underground path to the main entrance and left the court’s grounds without delay, with his supporters cheering him. It was a mixture of facts on what transpired before the courtroom.

As was ordered during the last court session, the Attorney General and other defendants, Prof Lipumba and 10 other party members filed their responses to the suit with a set of grounds of objections to the hearing of the matter.

The defendants claim in their grounds of objections that no leave has been granted by the High Court’s Main Registry to determine the suit and that Seif Shariff Hamad has not been authorised by the CUF Registered Trustees from initiating the suit for the party.

source-www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] New power tariff to hit big customers only, says Tanesco

AMID the hue and cry by electricity customers on the recent announcement by the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) to hike tariffs, the utility firm’s Managing Director, Engineer Felchesmi Mramba, has said that the changes will not affect ordinary customers, citing the global trend in the rise of oil prices as a factor.

Eng Mramba told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday that last year had marked a decrease in fuel prices as per global market trend, which has not been the case this year. The increase in fuel prices for this year had led to the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) to hike oil prices in the country.

Power tariffs are dictated by fluctuations in the running costs; for instance, to run a plant like IPTL, it requires over 1bn/- per day,” Eng Mramba explained.

Commenting on media reports that TANESCO is undergoing bankruptcy and needed 5 trillion/- or else it faces an imminent collapse as well as incurring huge debts amounting to 700bn/-, he said the company had registered notable achievements, particularly in the investment of major electricity projects and infrastructure.

He cited the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) report for the year 2014/2015, which showed that TANESCO had over a long period of time obtained a gross profit of 186bn/- and an operating profit of 263bn/- from a gross loss of 496bn/- in the year 2013.

Along with that, power losses have gone down from 21 per cent in 2012 to 17 per cent in the current year. On the other hand, the country had gone through power outages totalling to 300 megawatts, whereas areas such as Mwanza, Arusha and Kilimanjaro were hit badly.

Eng Mramba also quoted the recent report issued by the Governor of the Central Bank, which had pointed out that electricity played a vital role in the economy of the country due to its reliability by 14 per cent. “The company’s assets have increased from 3.8 trillion/- in 2013 to 5.2trillion/- in 2014, which is equivalent to 36.8 per cent.

In 2012, the number of customers provided with electricity meters was by 60 per cent, in the current year the number has gone up to 96 per cent. “We anticipate reaching the remaining four per cent by March 2017, this in turn will lead to achieving Tanzania’s dream of becoming an industrialised country,” noted Eng Mramba.

source- www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] JPM: Why I dissolved TRA board

PRESIDENT John Magufuli revealed yesterday that he decided to sack the Board Chairman of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and dissolved the entire board following its decision to deposit 26bn/- in fixed accounts in commercial banks.

“There has been a tendency by some public officials to hoard in fixed accounts huge amounts of public funds in commercial banks and make away with profits accrued. The trend causes the government to experience shortage of funds and as a result turn to the banks for loans at high interests,” he noted.

Dr Magufuli explained that the 26bn/- was allocated for TRA’s expenditure but the board approved a decision to deposit the funds in fixed accounts in three different commercial banks.

“After I learned of the irregularity, I directed that the money should be returned and thereafter dissolved the board,” Dr Magufuli explained yesterday in his speech during the 31st graduation ceremony of the Open University of Tanzania (OUT).

The president further revealed that he had learned that the Tanzania Education Authority (TEA) has as well hoarded some money in fixed accounts and yet it has been seeking contributions from various stakeholders.

“TEA was established for a purpose, now it bothers me that it calls for contributions and yet it has funds stashed in fixed accounts,” he noted with concerns. Dr Magufuli directed the Minister for Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Professor Joyce Ndalichako, who was present at the graduation ceremony to take appropriate actions.

Early this week, President Magufuli sacked the Board Chairman of TRA, Mr Bernard Mchomvu and dissolved the entire board of the revenue authority. Mr Mchomvu’s sacking was announced through a State House statement, which, however, did not specify the reason for his removal. Mr Mchomvu was first appointed TRA board chairman in August 2011.

Meanwhile, the government stated yesterday that it will continue to oversee quality of education in institutions of higher learning by ensuring that they admit qualified students to undertake courses they apply for.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of OUT, Prof Elifas Bisanda, had complained that the institutions had failed to admit a large number of students this year due to a requirement by the Tanzania Commission Universities (TCU) to only register qualified students.

“Many students who lacked qualification to undertake degree courses as per TCU criteria were given foundation courses at OUT before pursuing degree courses, but TCU has banned this arrangement,” Prof Bisanda complained.

In response, Dr Magufuli stressed that there is no shortcut in education, stating that quality of training offered to students was important. “As higher learning institutions, you should set qualities just like other varsities. It is better if we had only 10 qualified students rather than 20,000 who are not,” the president remarked.

Magufuli also hailed OUT for providing education to many Tanzanians and establishing branches in other countries in the East African region, pledging more government support for the distance learning institution.

During the graduation ceremony, OUT Chancellor and Retired Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, conferred degrees, diploma and certificates to 4,038 graduates.

source- www.dailynews.co.tz

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[Tanzania] Government urged to review 1971 Marriage Act

THE government has been urged to ensure legislation is in place and 1971 Marriage Act that addresses family and gender based violence (GBV) and bring to an end child marriage is amended, it has been learnt.

The hint was made yesterday in Dar es Salaam, just a day as Tanzania joins other world communities to mark 16 Days Against Gender Violence slated for tomorrow.

Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) Director Dr Judith Odunga told reporters that the government should form councils to handle complaints arising from a vast community members exposed to such violence.

She said cultural practices coupled with unresolved complaints of school students have for long been forming part of gender violence. She suggested that the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training and that of Legal and Constitution Affairs should work together to abolish the current Marriage Act or amend it.

“Violence has greater impact on a student’s academic performance. Between Nov 25 and December 10 Wildaf in collaboration with UN-Women and a Network Against Gender Violence loosely known as ‘MKUKI’ and other stakeholders will mark the 16-day annual event.

” She hinted that the occasion will involve campaigns of creating public awareness solely to enhance education in the fight against GBV. “Violence against women is still a big challenge in Tanzania,” she observed.

UNICEF report released in 2011 showed at least 3 girls out of ten and one boy out of seven aged between 13-24 are victims of GBV with further clarifications that six percent of the girls become victims of sex abuse below 18 years.

“The very violence is meted to the victims by people who are their close family members. It also includes their partners, teachers, and that only 32.2 percent of girls and 16.6 percent of boys face sex abuse from unknown people,” she pointed.

Dr Odunga further said that such practices are seen where attention from elders is highly required, singling out schools, homes and sometimes in commuter buses. It was observed that the annual event will seek to remind the general public and policy makers to take actions that help address gender based violence.

source- www.dailynews.co.tz

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