Vet or register afresh all driving schools to eliminate ‘rogue riders’

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Correspondent REHEMA KULWA

AS you read this article, kindly put politics aside and ask yourself who is pleasing or serving whose interests when rogue motorbike riders are awash everywhere and cause the deaths of innocent Tanzanians in the name of them “being at work” and business as usual?

In a nutshell there is madness in bodaboda industry that must be brought to a halt willynilly because we have laws and regulations which must be respected by all citizens regardless of who in the society and particularly in the roads.

Many articles have been written and people have spoken their minds that bodaboda industry, despite providing employment to the youth, is infiltrated by individuals who do not deserve to be there, but instead jails, because first they are not licensed riders by any authority, and therefore, pay no respect to human lives and instead hide there to dent the industry.

The story may be long, but drive along the roads in any urban area in the country and don’t be surprised by the bodaboda riders riding recklessly, endangering lives and overtaking left and right, and to make it worse hurl all sorts of nasty and lewd insults to you if you happen to be a female driver, cautioning them to abide by traffic rules.

These guys, to some extent, call fellow men ‘shangazi’ (aunties) who happen to remind them that they are endangering their lives and their passengers whenever they speed and crisscross the roads haphazardly without hooting or within a twinkle of an eye.

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Remote places to benefit from ambitious drug supply scheme

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

THE supply chain of drugs has recorded an historic landmark in the country as Mwanza Region will from next month use drones to supply drugs in not-easily-accessible areas, particularly in Ukerewe Island.

A team of officials from the World Bank and Mwanza regional authorities recently witnessed the first launch of the initiative dubbed Lake Victoria Drone Expo & Challenge (LVC) which will make it easier and more convenient for the Medical Stores Department (MSD) to supply drug kits to the island.

The MSD Director General, Mr Laurian Rugambwa Bwanakunu, said the supply of drugs and medical equipment was very expensive but using drones would not only make it less expensive but will facilitate timely delivery of drugs in hard-toreach areas, starting with Ukerewe.

He said the drones would be more helpful in delivering drugs mostly required in emergency cases, including vaccinations, poisons resulting from bites and blood. “Lately, the supply of drugs cost more than 3bn/- per year; therefore the pilot implementation of LVC in Mwanza Region would produce new statistics of the costs involved in the supply chain for the near future,” he said.

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Optimism high as Mwanza Investment Guide kicks off

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By NASHON KENNEDY in Mwanza

THE Mwanza regional administration has officially launched ‘Mwanza Investment Guide (MIG)’ to propel investor interest in the Lake Victoria-side region that has all the hallmarks of one of fastest growing economic hubs in the East African regional bloc.

Speaking during the launching ceremony held here on Monday and attended by people who included Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr John Mongela (photo), said the economic guide would enable investors to explore the available opportunities in the region as she will become the centre of excellence for investment issues for the East African Community (EAC) member states - Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.

government officials and Members of Parliament, the MIG was prepared by the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) under United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) funding, aimed at pushing the region into a middle income economy by 2025.

“We are developing a scientific process to attract both domestic and foreign investors into our region as we have solid security for investments,” said Mr Mongela.

On the President John Magufuli’s recent directive for each region to establish 100 small and medium-sized industry every year, Mr Mongela said he would meet the district commissioners for the region’s seven districts to chart strategies for implementation.

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Three in court over phone tampering

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

THREE people have been arraigned before the Mwanza Resident Magistrate’s Court for attempting to tamper with blacklisted phones.

According to the charges read before the Resident Magistrate Wilbert Chuma, Principal State Attorney from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Mr. Johannes Kalungula alleged that on 17 August 2017, one Daudi Mayunga Masesa (43), a resident of Mkuyuni Tambukareli in Nyamagana Municipality attempted to commit an offence by tampering with a phone.

He mentioned the phone as a Samsung Galaxy Prime with IMEI numbers 354772087347213 and 354773087347211 with serial number R58J61EY6SJ, saying the offence was contrary to section 135 and 154 of the Electronic and Postal Communication Act number 3 of 2010.

In the second count, Mr. Kalungula alleged that Masesa was charged with an offence of tampering with blacklisted phones on an unknown date in 2017 within the City of Mwanza knowingly and willingly.

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WB calls for public, private sectors open dialogue

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News Reporter

THE World Bank said yesterday that only honest dialogue between the public and private sectors will enhance Tanzania’s pace towards becoming a middle income economy.

The World Bank Country Director, Ms Bella Bird, told a seminar jointly organised by the bank and the National Business Council (TNBC) in Dar es Salaam that the voices raised by members of the private sector are important in eliminating challenges that are inimical to growth and economic development.

She said the voices from the private sector will highlight the challenges that constitute frosty environment in doing business in Tanzania and those challenges will be solved. Early this month, while in Mwanza, President John Magufuli praised the World Bank as a considerate, honest and consistent supporter of Tanzania’s development efforts.

“There must be trust between the government and the private sector. That is why I believe the voices from the private sector are necessary to be able to know the kind of challenges investors are facing,” she said.

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Trade boost gathers momentum

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By FLORENCE MUGARULA

UGANDAN importers and exporters will no longer need to brave the long journey to Dar es Salaam to clear their shipments, thanks to a move by the government to open a dry-port in Mwanza.

President John Magufuli said, yesterday, during a joint press conference with his host Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, at Masaka State Lodge that the two countries need to boost economies through trade relations.

The two leaders directed ministers responsible for trade from both sides to discuss the best ways to boost business, for the benefit of ‘wananchi’ and the nations at large.

The two leaders were speaking on the issues they had discussed during their meeting in Masaka. President Magufuli is in three-day state visit in Uganda. He said that in a bid to boost trade between the two countries’ traders, goods that will be shipped in the country through Dar es Salaam Port will be received in Mwanza by Ugandan traders.

“This means that Ugandan importers, clearing agents and exporters will be able to clear goods in Mwanza without having to travel to Dar es Salaam,” said the Head of State. President Magufuli said both sides need to put more efforts to make sure there is improvement in doing business.

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GBV cases decline in Mwanza markets

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By MOSES MATTHEW in Mwanza

GENDER based violence incidents in six markets of Mwanza Region have decreased, thanks to the efforts by a non-governmental organisation - Equality for Growth for sensitizing women traders in the informal sector.

The chairpersons of the six markets of Igogo, Mlango Mmoja, Mwaloni, Mwanza Central Market, Kirumba and Mkuyuni in region confirmed the reports, saying the development has helped women to operate on equal footing with men.

The Equality for Growth (EfG) teamed up with journalists to visit markets in the City and Ilemela Municipal council, establishing that awareness creation against gender based violence against women yielded better results.

The Mwaloni Fish International Market chairman Mr Fikiri Magafu said yesterday that women at the market are now conducting their businesses without being abused by male traders.

“The women’s rights were not recognized by male traders, and in most cases, some men traders refused to settle their bills and women did not know whom to approach to present their grievances,” said Mr Magafu.

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Shape up or ship out

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

PRESIDENT John Magufuli has issued an emphatic warning to the management of two dormant pharmaceutical companies, ordering them to submit production strategies or else give way for capable investors.

He gave the directive here yesterday shortly after inaugurating Prince Pharmaceuticals Ltd at the climax of his two-day official tour of Mwanza Region.

The directives came after the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investments, Mr Charles Mwijage, reported on slow progress in production of drugs by Dar es Salaam-based Keko Pharmaceuticals Company and Tanzania Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd.

Dr Magufuli expressed dismay over the fact that out of 15 pharmaceutical industries in the country, only five were operating well, calling for the situation to be revisited, challenging capable local investors to chip in. “I encourage local investors to invest in the pharmaceutical industry and the government will support you, provided you produce quality products,” he said.

He stated that Tanzanians were fed up with long processes and excuses by some investors in the industrial sector, citing the two factories that had failed to produce and meet public expectations for several years.

The President noted that Tanzania drug manufacturers had an advantage of benefiting from a high local demand, as well as open markets in the East Africa Community (EAC) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) blocs, with a combined population of more than 500 million.

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JPM two-day Mwanza tour begins tomorrow

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

PRESIDENT John Magufuli is tomorrow expected to begin a two-day working tour here where he is scheduled to inaugurate a number of projects.

According to the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr John Mongela, the President will jet in tomorrow and will launch the Furahisha Pedestrian Bridge and later in the day he will inaugurate the Sayona Drinks factory.

On Tuesday, the President will grace the Victoria Polly bags factory in Nyamagana Municipality before launching another establishment Prince Pharmaceuticals Ltd in Buhongwa area, Nyamagana Municipality as well.

The factory is the only upcountry based pharmaceutical industry out of about five of which the rest are operating in Dar es Salaam Region.

“Mwanza Region has once again been privileged to host the Head of State whose presence will add more thrust as the country embarks on a vigorous campaign on industrial revolution,” said the RC.

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Fair mining sector era dawns

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News Reporter

The State, Barrick Gold to share profits on a 50-50 basis

THE government and Barrick Gold Mine Corporation have finally buried the hatchet with a resolution to share profits accrued from the mine on a 50-50 ratio and grant the State a 16 per cent stake in its gold mines.

The negotiations were reached after discussions between experts from the two sides, focused on resolving a tax dispute involving the Canadian company’s subsidiary, Acacia Mining. The company also agreed to pay 300 million US dollars (700bn/- ) as a show of good faith while the negotiations were still underway.

Speaking during the handover of a negotiations report to President John Magufuli in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, said that the resolutions had brought great changes in supervising and managing the resource in the country.

“These efforts should not be ignored ... the 50-50 system proposed by Barrick is a great transformation in the sector not only in Africa but also in the world at large because the company, as majority shareholder, has agreed to the profits being shared equally,” Prof Kabudi said.

He said Tanzanians would also get permanent employment at the companies and will no longer stay in camps because they had agreed to drop the contractual employment system. He said under the new arrangement, the companies will also deposit incomes accrued from the business in local banks and transfer its offices from London and Johannesburg to Tanzania.

“We have resolved that the company’s headquarters will be located in Mwanza, but it can also open offices in other areas, the aim being to make sure that the company’s office is located where the mining activities are being conducted,” Prof Kabudi said.

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Mwalimu Nyerere Museum where history never dies

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By MUGINI JACOB in Butiama

BUTIAMA, the ancestral home of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, where his tomb now lies, is located in Butiama District, off Musoma /Mwanza highway, in Mara Region.

This unique place is open for every visitor who wishes to pay a courtesy call on the home of Mwalimu and the Mwalimu Nyerere Museum which is equipped with rich, historical collections on

Mausoleum and family grave.

Photo: Hans Kristoffersen

Mwalimu, the teacher and revered leader.

“We have made the residence of Mwalimu Nyerere accessible to the public, and can be visited by anybody. We’ve established during the visit, many people would like to know about the kind of a leader Mwalimu used to be,” said Madaraka, the sixth son of Mwalimu, in an exclusive interview with the ‘Daily News ‘ during a visit to Butiama early this week.

Therefore, many people including students have been visiting Butiama to learn about his life and leadership. Mr Emmanuel Kiondo , the Director of Mwalimu Nyerere Museum says the museum has a variety of gifts and awards given to Mwalimu Nyerere, from various sources, inside and outside the country.

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12 die, three hurt as bus plunges into Lake Victoria

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News Reporter

AT least 12 people have died and three others survived after a minibus in which they were travelling plunged into Lake Victoria in Mwanza Region.

President John Magufuli has sent a message of condolences to the families of those who perished in the accident, as well as to the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr John Mongella.

“I have received with great sadness news of the death of the 12 people after a minibus they were travelling in plunged into Lake Victoria. I am conveying my condolences to the families of the victims during this time of tragedy and grief,” President Magufuli remarked.

The minibus popularly known as ‘hiace’ plunged into the lake after smashing barriers at Kigongo Ferry in Misungwi.

President Magufuli further said that he had extended prayers to the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones in the accident.

He also pointed out that he was praying for the quick recovery of the three survivors who are nursing injuries.

SBL hailed for buying materials from local farmers

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

THE Mwanza Regional Commissioner Mr John Mongela has challenged industries to buy locally farmed and produced raw materials instead of importing them and deny local producers capacity to expand their businesses.

He made the appeal yesterday as he officiated at the launch of a new beer dubbed ‘Pilsner King’ produced by Serengeti Breweries Ltd (SBL) Mwanza plant targeting Lake Zone consumers.

The RC said it was normal for beverage industries to import raw materials in the past but of late the trend has changed with many of them now buying locally produced ones commending SBL for maintaining the practice.

“I would like to take this opportunity to commend our local industries like SBL for supporting our farmers by directly buying raw materials for their industries from them which contributes a lot in not only increasing income but also creating more direct and indirect employment,” he said.

Mr Mongela said buying locally produced raw materials in large quantities will gradually create competition among farmers and local manufacturers on issues of quality and standards of their products in order to attract foreign markets as well.

Read more. 

New ship plans at Lake Victoria finalised

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By FLORENCE MUGARULA

LAKE Victoria travellers have every reason to smile as the government is building a new ship and conduct major and minor rehabilitation to existing vessels in the lake. It is obvious that water transport is vital in the economic growth of any nation.

Transportation and the mobility it confers are linked to a level of output, employment and income

MV Victoria (2011)

within a national economy. In many developed countries, transportation accounts between 6 and 12 per cent of the GDP.

Business studies show that transportation accounts on aver age between 10 and 15 per cent of household expenditures, while it accounts around 4 per cent of the costs of each unit of output in manufacturing.

However, this figure varies greatly according to sub sectors. For some times now, vessels that ply Bukoba-Mwanza route have been grounded for services. However, the government through Marine Service Company Limited (MSCL) confirmed to the ‘Business Standard’ that everything is in place to set a new and bright dawn for Lake Victoria travellers.

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Precision Air launches flights to Kahama

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JIMMY LWANGILI

PRECISION Air launched flights to Kahama Airstrip in Kahama, Shinyanga Region, yesterday, making it the first airline to make scheduled flights to the airstrip, after it was handed to the government authorities for public use.

The Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) listed airline will begin with three flights a week to the airstrip which was operated by Acacia Mining and used for charter flights.

The Shinyanga Regional Commissioner (RC), ZainabTareck, said the airstrip would stimulate business and economic activities in the district and neighbouring areas and help to unlock the great potential of the district to traders, investors and tourists.

“We are officially starting to use this airstrip after the Acacia Mining Tanzania handed it over to the government for the public uses," she said during the launch of the flights at the airstrip yesterday.

According to her, they approached Precision Air to start operations in the district since December, last year, until recently when preparations were finalised. Precision Air’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr Hillary Mremi, said by opening up Kahama route the corporate is living its slogan ‘You are why we fly’ through opening up routes which are meant to serve the demands of the public.

“There will be no need for passengers from Shinyanga and Kahama to drive all the way to Mwanza to catch their flight to Dar es Salaam. Our flights from Kahama will not only save time, but the cost of travel for the ordinary people and traders as well,” he said.

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Success as cotton weight cheating drops by 27pc

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By MOSES MATTHEW in Mwanza

AUTHORITIES have managed to reduce the level of cotton weight cheating from 34 per cent during 2015/2016 season to seven per cent in 2017 season.

Some farmers have been accused of tampering with the weight of their produce. In August, 2016, at least 30 farmers in Lake Zone were fined 10m/- for tampering with the weight of cotton. The Cotton Board of Tanzania (CBT) said farmers were punished for mixing cotton with sand and other materials

to increase weight.

The Mwanza Regional Weight and Measurement Agency (WMA) Manager, Mr Hemed Kipengile, told the ‘Daily News’ that the cheating had dropped after WMA and other stakeholders made follow ups and introduced mobile courts which charged and meted out punishments to culprits.

“The mobile courts helped to address the problems, all famers and traders who were involved in the dirty game were charged and punished accordingly,” he said when he visited various areas that produce and process cotton in the region.

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60bn/- deal to secure Dar airspace

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By JIMMY LWANGILI

TANZANIA Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) and the government yesterday signed a 61bn/- deal for the purchase of four radars.Under the deal, over 10bn/- which could have been spent if the money was sourced from commercial banks will be saved, according to Works, Transport and Communication Minister Professor Makame Mbarawa.

Speaking at a brief signing ceremony, Professor Mbarawa said the government and TCAA would contribute 55 and 45 per cent, respectively, of the total costs. He said the envisaged four radars would be installed in four airports within an 18-month period.

The minister named the radar beneficiaries as Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Songwe Airport in Mbeya, Kilimanjaro International Airport and Mwanza International Airport.

He ordered Thales Air System SS, an engineering firm that has won tender to execute the project, to ensure that the project is complete within the specified time and at high precision.

“I believe TCAA will honestly and patriotically supervise the project implementation... I urge the contractors to work as per contract specifications.If you deliver contrary to specifications, the government will terminate the contract and subject you to fines,” warned the minister. He underscored the importance of purchasing the new radars, arguing that they will strengthen safety and aviation security, increasing revenues through attraction of more airliners in the country’s airspace.

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New Mwanza abattoir set to reduce environmental pollution

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By DEUS NGOWI in Moshi

FOUL-SMELLING had been the order of the day for years at Nyakato Industrial Area, about nine kilometres from the shores of Lake Victoria and about eight kilometres from Mwanza City centre along Musoma Road.

The cause of the smell was the presence of the Mwanza city abattoir with its inadequate and outdated facilities and equipment for proper operation. Generally, there was air pollution and a filthy environment. The effect of such pollution was so huge that it did not only end to nearby areas, but also went as far as to Lake Victoria affecting a lot of people. Lake Victoria is the source of River Nile, the lifeline of millions of people in Africa.

To redress the situation, Mwanza City Council thought of a project that would bring an end to the problem of pollution. Due to financial constraints, Mwanza city authorities collaborated with other stakeholders to attain the target – meeting international standards in health and environmental levels.

The council teamed up with the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP) undertaken by East Africa Community member states of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

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Search, rescue plan in marine transport

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News Reporter

THE months of May, July, and September arguably arouse bad memories for some people, particularly those who lost their loved ones in marine accidents that claimed more than 2,000 lives in Lake Victoria and in two separate incidents in Zanzibar.

Although there have been several marine accidents, mainly involving small sea vessels including fishing boats, the ‘bad memories’ revolve around huge marine disasters that include MV Bukoba, carrying more than 1,000 passengers and cargo, which overturned and sank in Lake Victoria, half an hour before docking at Mwanza Port on May, 21, 1996.

MV Spice Islander I, a passenger ferry carrying over 2,000 passengers that sank off the coast of Zanzibar on September 10, 2011 was another sea tragedy followed by the sinking of MV Skagit, with more than 290 people aboard and cargo on July 19th 2012.

Every year different events are organised to remember those who died in the accidents, with repeated calls to improve sea transportation, mainly calling for accountability and strengthening of sea transport regulations.

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‘Albinos still live in fear despite decline in attacks’

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By HILDA MHAGAMA

ATTACKS against people with albinism, those living in rural areas continue to live in fear amid presence of root causes that led to violence against them in the past.

The remarks were made yesterday in Dar es Salaam by the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, Ms Ikonwosa Ero, at the end of her 11-day visit to Tanzania.

“People with albinism continue to live in a very fragile situation as the root causes of the attacks against them remain rampant and the effects of over a decade of violations have taken their toll,” she noted.

Ms Ero said more work must be done to address witchcraft and sensitize community members on the importance of protecting people with albinism instead of harassing, killing or raping them.

She further praised the government for its effort to tackle the issue, which is rooted in the mistaken belief that certain body parts of people living with albinism bring good luck and prosperity. Albinism is a rare genetic condition, which affects the pigment in the eyes, hair and skin.

In the US, about 1 person in 17,000 has albinism. In Africa the prevalence is estimated to range between 1 in 1,100 to 1 in 15,000. But in Tanzania, the rate is much higher - about 1 in every 1,400.

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PCCB nabs 11 TFF election aspirants

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By DAILY NEWS Reporter

PREVENTION and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) is holding Shafi Dauda, one of the aspirants for the posts in Tanzania Football Federation ahead of its general election on August 12.

His arrest and more than ten other regional officers seems to be part of the bureau’s move to ensure the coming election picks clean candidates.

PCCB spokesman Mussa Misalama confirmed yesterday that Dauda, who is vying for the federation’s Executive Committee post, has been arrested and being held at the bureau’s Lake zone headquarters in Mwanza.

“It true that Shafii Dauda, who is among the candidates for the eagerly awaited TFF elections and other ten people have been arrested and are in our custody in Mwanza,”

According to Misalama, Dauda who is also the coordinator of the popular football tournament dubbed as ‘Ndondo Cup’ was arrested yesterday in Mwanza by PCCB officials charged with corruption allegations.

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TRA tightens screws on fuel trade cash system

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By SAULI GILIARD

TANZANIA Revenue Authority (TRA) has said the decision to close fuel stations whose owners didn’t comply with its directives of issuing electronic fiscal device (EFD) receipts, was a last resort after fines imposed on defaulters didn’t yield results.

However, the Director for Taxpayer Services and Education, Mr Richard Kayombo, told ‘Daily News’ in an exclusive interview that the aim wasn’t to punish traders or the public, but to “cultivate a culture” of paying taxes as the country was gearing towards a full electronic economy.

He said the system was supposed to be implemented since 2014 but for the sake of making it workable for all, including one EFD serving four pumps, the system and its operations were rescheduled to September, 2016.

“This is why big firms in the industry have already complied with the system and are comfortable with it,” Mr Kayombo noted, citing Total, Engen, Puma and Gapco, as among the big players who had set the tone.

On why some traders are reluctant to use the fuel specialized electronic devices, he responded: “Some traders are hiding their incomes because they have made under-declarations in order to deny the government the deserved taxes.”

The decision, according to him, had pushed traders to pay for the EFDs while others had pledged that they would use the system. Mr Kayombo exonerated the government from blame, remarking: “The traders are to blame because it was easy for them to evade tax. Some had already installed the machines but were not using them; but after the operation, they have started using them.”

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Optimism high as Magu town project advances

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By MOSES MATTHEW in MAGU

MAGU District Council, in collaboration with Landspecs Developers Limited, are undertaking the Kisesa-Isangijo satellite town project, under which informal settlements in Magu district council in Mwanza Region would be eliminated.

Under the flagship project that started in July 3, 2017, over 500 plots in Isangijo village in Kisesa Ward would be allocated. The project has total of 4,000 plots. The Magu district land officer; Mr Damas Mwakindingo, told the ‘Daily News’ over the weekend that the project is located about 20 kilometers from Mwanza City.

“With the project size of 4,000 plots developed for mixed use, it is expected that the project will raise Mwanza’s profile as far as urbanisation and modern town planning is concerned,” Mr Mwakindingo said.

He said the projected satellite town located within Ilendeje, Bukandwe and Busangijo villages, located 500 plots in the past and would locate over that figure. He elaborated that the plots were in surveyed and serviced residential areas and the recipients would be given title deeds.

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Tour operators told to be more proactive in tourism promotion

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By MOSES MATTHEW in Mwanza

LAKE Zone based tours operators have been urged to be more proactive in promoting tourism in the area so as to record desirable economic impact as well as creating a vibrant tourism industry.

Speaking during the stakeholders’ meeting attended by about 40 companies here over the weekend, the Swahili International Tourism Expo (SITE) coordinator, Mr Philip Chitaunga, said that local

companies have a major role to play to increase their economic contribution in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the subsector.

“Mwanza has a lot of tourism destinations that are not well promoted and in my view the Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB) need to be more proactive in making sure the tour attractions are known particularly domestic tourism to both local and foreign tourists and then increase the income substantially,” said Mr Chitaunga.

He said that Mwanza Tour operators in the Lake Zone in collaboration with TTB should work entirely in promoting domestic tourism in a bid to improve their economy, the local community and the nation at large.

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KOICA lends hand to street children

From Daily News. Dar es Salaam
MOSES MATTHEW in Mwanza

ALL over the world, education provides children and adults with the skills they need to address social issues, break the cycle of poverty, and improve the health and well being of communities.

This can be done through two ways. One is in the Millennium development goals which targeted children to complete a full course of primary schooling by the end of 2015.

The second method uses the term to highlight organizations undertaking education projects to benefit

the community. This includes disease prevention, health education, skills training and social change.

Recently Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in collaboration with Hands on Science Organisation Tanzania (HSOT), Tanzania Rural Health Movement and Mwanza regional Library is implementing vocational education project to 130 street children in Mwanza City.

The KOICA country’s director, Tanzania Office, Mr Joonsung Park says the objective of the education project is to create ability to street children to sustain themselves. “These vocational skills will last for six months of training, as this class has only 10 months after it was established that more children have developed interest to join the training,” said Mr Park.

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Tanzania: Our commitment on L.Victoria Basin is total

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

TANZANIA has expressed its commitment to work with other East African Community (EAC) member states to safe guard the Lake Victoria Basin whose prosperity is highly threatened, rapid population being one of the major fact.

Addressing the 18th Sectoral Council of Ministers for the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) here at the weekend, the Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Mr Edwin Ngonyani, said despite Lake Victoria having much economic potential, it is experiencing multiple threats, for whose elimination the country is very keen to contribute.

He mentioned some of them as declining water levels, soil erosion, industrial and municipal waste pollution and over-fishing. These render nature and the well-being of over 40 million people living in the basin at greater risks.

“While we make our commitment in contributing to the well-being of our people in the Basin, we are also stressing the need for having clear policies, laws, and harmonized structures for controlling and limiting further degradation of Lake Victoria,” he said.

Read more.

New health scheme targets moms and babies

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By DAILY NEWS Reporter

NUTRITION International, formerly known as the Micronutrient Initiative, is launching a new health scheme for women, adolescent girls and newborn and young children to be known as the ‘Right Start Initiative’ to improve their nutritional status, all covered under a 4.7bn/- (2.8 million Canadian dollars) investment over the next five years to the year 2020.

Supported by the Government of Canada, the programme aims at reducing anaemia, neonatal mortality, as well as the number of low birth weight newborns. It also seeks to reduce stunting in children under five years.

The five-year project will target Mwanza and Simiyu regions and reach over 130,000 pregnant women with WHO recommended iron and folic acid supplementation, more than 90,000 newborns with a package of interventions at birth, 94,000 adolescent girls with weekly iron and folic supplementation and nutrition education and up to 366,000 children under two years old with nutrition services.

This will be the largest programme to be implemented by Nutrition International in Tanzania since the organisation opened its country office in Dar es Salaam in September 2016.

Read more.

Govt vows to intensify illegal fishing war

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

THE government has said that it will impose tougher measures that might include the introduction of mobile courts and military intervention to eliminate illegal fishing and destruction of Lake Victoria waters and its resources.

Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan hinted about the measures on Thursday after she received reports on the alarming acts of illegal fishing.

The vice-president spoke tough against the destruction of the environment of the lake saying:” These acts will not be tolerated any further and my office will institute strict punitive measures against the individuals involved.”

According to VP Samia, fighting illegal fishing and other acts of destruction will become a national agenda instead of leaving the battle against criminals to be waged by the affected regions alone.

“We are witnessing a sharp decrease in revenue from the fishing industry as opposed to the past and that scenario should be dealt with henceforth. The government will provide every support possible in this noble crusade,” stressed the VP.

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East Africa unveils national budgets

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By HENRY LYIMO in Dodoma

IT is budget day for East African region as partner states are set to present their national budget estimates simultaneously today. And, for Tanzania, all roads lead to Dodoma where the government is pencilled to table the national budget estimates for the 2017/18 financial year

The government is expected to increase spending to 32.945tri/- from the current 29.5tri/-, to finance implementation of flagship infrastructural projects aimed at enabling Tanzania to make optimal use of its strategic position as a transport hub in the region.

The 2017/18 budget is aimed at financing the second year of the ambitious Five- Year Development Plan II (2016/17 - 2020/21) which is geared towards heavy investments in infrastructure to transform the nation from an agricultural economy to an industry based economy.

Key development projects with significant multiplier effects to the economy as outlined in the plan include construction of the standard gauge railway (SGR) to link the Dar es Salaam Port with Mwanza on Lake Victoria and Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika, as well as neighbouring Rwanda and Burundi.

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Researcher advocates cotton as the major cash crop

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By FATMA ABDU in Buchosa

IN efforts to transform Tanzania into an industrial economy, farmers in Mwanza region’s Buchosa district have been challenged to revive production of cotton as their main cash crop.

Speaking here during the Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) organised training under Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), Cotton Pathologist from Ukiliguru Research Centre Stella Chiriini said cotton has great potential of boosting the national economy and farmers’ income.

The training that attracted extension officers in the district aims at increasing awareness among agro-extension officers on the importance of using modern technology in production of cassava, potatoes and cotton crops in the district.

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EAC to intensify Lake Victoria maritime safety, curb Nile Perch decline

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By DEUS NGOWI in Arusha
THE East African Community (EAC) is moving in to ensure maritime safety, boost environmental conservation as well as tackle illegal fishing as massive decline of Nile Perch has hit Lake Victoria.

A research carried out by Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO) indicated that in 2015, there was a major decline in Nile Perch stocks from 1.2 million tonnes to 0.8 million tonnes while stock of sardines went down to 0.7 million tonnes from 1.3 million tonnes.

That has been revealed by the Chairman of EAC Council of Ministers, Dr Ali Kivenjija in his budget speech to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) for 2017/18, saying LVFO conducted the survey in order to estimate the amount of fish in the lake and the proportions available for harvesting.

Dr Kivenjija further revealed that the results of the biennial Fishery Frame Surveys, the last conducted last year recorded an increase of illegal nets (monofilaments) by 59 per cent, hence calling for intensive surveillance to curb illegalities.

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Why stigma? Fistula can be treated

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By MAUREEN ODUNGA

IT WAS all smiles as Sikujua Mabula (19) from Mwanza Region went through successful obstetric fistula surgery when aged 17 years which had posed threat to her normal labour delivery.

“For seven consecutive days, I experienced labour pangs, but still could not give birth. On the eighth day, I delivered a stillborn baby whose only head managed to come out,” she pointed out while evading eye contacts.

Mabula hinted that the pregnancy forced her to get married to the man who had impregnated her despite not being prepared to tie a knot with him.

“A few months after the marriage, my husband advised me to return to my parents because life was becoming uncompromising and return when things becomes normal. “Back home, I used to attend clinic where doctors told me that the baby was big and I would only give birth through caesarean surgery.

A few months to my delivery time, my mother-in-law advised me to return so that they would give me company,” she further narrated.

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Preps for Lake Victoria vessel tender in high gear

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By Daily News reporter

TENDERS for the purchase of a new passenger vessel to ply between the Lake Victoria ports of Mwanza and Bukoba will be opened next month, as the old vessels are in different stages of massive rehabilitation.

The Acting General Manager of Marine Services Company Ltd (MSCL), Mr Benedict Hamisi, said yesterday that the opening of the tenders will signal a preamble to the assembling of a brand new and specialized vessel that will improve maritime transportation in Africa’s biggest lake.

“We will open the tenders on 12th June, as one of the decisive steps towards implementing a pledge made by then candidate John Magufuli, during the 2015 General Election campaign,” he said.

He recalled that, as candidate on a Chama Cha Mapinduzi ticket, Dr Magufuli had pledged that, if he were to emerge victorious and become Head of State, he would be instrumental in facilitating the purchase of a new vessel with a capacity of 1,200 passengers.

According to Mr Hamisi, apart from the envisaged purchase of a new vessel, the government had also invested heavily in the rehabilitation of Mv Victoria, Mv Butiama and Mv Liemba, to improve services in Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika.

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Ebola advisory: No handshakes, please, you’re in Mwanza

From Daily News, Dar es Salaam
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA in Mwanza

AN alert on the deadly Ebola disease is sweeping across Mwanza Region as residents here are cautioned to check the movements of visitors from the DR Congo.

The ‘advisory’ now making the rounds was issued Mwanza Regional Commissioner (RC) John Mongela yesterday during a stakeholders meeting called strategically to brainstorm and chart out measures the region could in case of an outbreak.

The City of Mwanza and its environs receives many visitors from across the Great Lakes Region, with at least 100 fish traders alone coming into Mwanza every day – invariably all of them from the DRC where four people are reported to have died from Ebola and 37 others infected lately.

Mr Mongela says even though his officials were yet to report any Ebola cases or suspect, the authorities had “reason to start taking precautionary measures due to its proximity with DRC.”

Our region is not spared when it comes to threats of Ebola due to a number of factors … such as migrations of people from our neighbours in the DRC being the main factor.

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