The Express majira survey:
PEOPLE SPEAK OUT
By Rupa Parekh and Kizito Makoye
Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Jakaya Kikwete was
marked the top choice for the next presidential race by common people across the
country, who took part in The Express-Majira survey. The results of the survey
were announced Wednesday at the Maelezo office in Dar es Salaam in front of the
entire press fraternity.
The survey has come up with exciting revelations on questions hitherto
unanswered. Spanning over a period of two months (April and May 2004), it was
the largest ever conducted by a private, non-government entity.
Some 37,119 people participated in the random survey undertaken in the following
regions and areas: Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, Dodoma, Iringa,
Mbeya, Mwanza, Mbeya, Shinyanga, Singida, Ruvuma, Tabora & Zanzibar. Among the
respondents were 21,792 (58.7%) men and 15,327 (41.3%) women.
The survey asked people who they think should be the next president. The reply
was overwhelmingly in favour of incumbent Foreign Minister Jakaya Kikwete -
8,415 respondents, that is approximately 23 percent, wanted to see Mr Kikwete as
the next president of Tanzania. The next choice was Professor Ibrahim Lipumba
(national chairman of Civic United Front), who was the favourite of 6,325
respondents. He was followed closely by Dr Salim A Salim (Chairman of Mwalimu
Nyerere Foundation and former prime minister), who was favoured by 3,237 of the
total respondents.
Other choices were Minister for Works John Magufuli, Minister for Communications
and Transport Professor Mark Mwandosya; Tanzania Member of Parliament and
president of the Pan-African Parliament in the African Union Gertrude Mongella;
CCM Vice Chairman John Malacela; national chairman of Tanzania Labour Party
Augustine Mrema; Minister of Water and Livestock Development Edward Lowassa;
Vice President Dr Ali Mohammed Shein; President of Zanzibar Aman Abeid Karume;
Minister for Cooperatives and Marketing Sir George Kahama; Judge Joseph Warioba;
Minister for Energy and Minerals Daniel Yona; Minister for Finance Basil Mramba;
and Prime Minister Frederick Sumaye, who were favoured by between one and three
percent of the respondents.
In response to the question whether corruption in Tanzania has increased,
decreased or remained the same in the past eight years, an overwhelming 22,461
(60.5%) respondents believe corruption has increased; 4,435 (11.95%) believe it
has come down; 9,998 (26.93%) say it has remained the same while 225 (0.62%) did
not reply to the question.
In view of the growing consumer awareness in the country, the survey carried an
unusual question – ‘which is the most famous company in Tanzania?’
TBL was voted as No.1 company by 4,214 respondents, followed by IPP Media at
3,926 and Vodacom 3,362. The others were a mixture of over 60 other types of
companies; but the majority wrote one of the three above.
Coming to another question in the survey, around 23.34 percent or 8,664
respondents believe they are economically better off now than what they were
eight years ago; 33.86 percent or 12,567 say they are not; 40.38 percent or
14989 respondents feel their condition has remained the same; while 899
respondents (2.42 percent) did not reply to the question.
The survey was jointly funded by Media Express Ltd. – publishers of The Express
– and Business Times Ltd – publishers of Business Times, Majira, Dar Leo, Spoti,
Starehe and owners of Times FM radio station. The nationwide network of the two
organisations was put in motion in the huge survey exercise.
The survey has accumulated a wealth of information on the views of common people
on vital issues. It is valued as an independent, objective reflection of
people’s views on presidential candidacy, corruption, consumer trends and
economic growth.
Looking at the overwhelming response to The Express-Majira survey, many
observers feel we need more forums for the general public to air their views. As
in the West, such surveys should be more frequent and more extensive to give an
opportunity to all Tanzanians across the board to speak out. These reinforce the
institution of democracy and the right to freedom of expression.
Remarking on the survey, Professor Rweka Mukandala, chairman of the Redet
project and a faculty at the University of Dar es Salaam, said: “The market
place of politics just like its economic and business counterpart can best
operate and thrive with adequate information. This is more so in democratic
politics or those aspiring to be democratic. Surveys like the just concluded The
Express-Majira Survey and opinion polls if and when correctly and scientifically
carried out help us get reliable information on citizens’ thoughts,
expectations, wishes, and needs.”
He added: “Such surveys are indispensable in the building of a viable and
response political-economic system.”
Underlining the need for even smaller, low-budget surveys, the professor
observed:
"This was a relatively large survey made possible without doubt by the extensive
network of the sponsors. Small surveys and opinion polls can also yield valid
findings as long as they are carried out scientifically.”
Govt advised to enact law to
outlaw Internet hacking
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
The government has been advised to look into the possibility of enacting a law
which will force Internet Service Providers (ISP) to censor various information
and communication affairs to prevent Internet hackers from getting into the
information.
The suggestion was presented by reporters who were participating in a one-day
workshop, called to give recommendations to be included in the E-Commerce Bill
of Law, in Mwanza City last week.
The reporters said there is not enough privacy on the Internet, which gives
Internet hackers the means to intrude into private people’s communications.
One of the reporters, Peter Lusaya, said following this hacking business, some
citizens especially businessmen, have found themselves being robbed through the
Internet.
Explaining further he said, a businessman could send a message to a certain
company for the purchasing of goods. After the agreement, he is supposed to send
money through Internet, to get the goods he ordered. When Internet network
hackers get hold of such information, they pry into it pretending they are the
owners of the company and give misleading directions, after which the money
falls into their hands and the person who purchased the goods fail to obtain the
things he paid for.
Earlier, a Government Lawyer and Retired Law Officer from the Permanent
Commission of Law Reform in the country, Adam Mambi said, Internet
communications ought to be protected legally, to rid the people from losing
their rights.
Adding, ISPs have the ability to intervene in the Internet communications.
Following advancement in communication technology and the advantages it
provides, Tanzania will not be able to avoid this situation. Therefore a law
should be enacted to protect Internet users from being robbed of their rights.
AKU plans to expand in East
Africa
By Lina Lorentz
Aga Khan University (AKU) is planning to increase its presence in East Africa;
most probably, a second Institution for Educational Development will be based in
Dar es Salaam.
This was revealed on Tuesday when members AKU Board of Trustees, including
academics and administrators from North America, Europe and Pakistan, met
Tanzanian and Zanzibar ministers in Dar es Salaam.
AKU forms part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which is a
conglomerate of development agencies aiming at empowering communities and
individuals. Projects undertaken serve to fit with the government’s development
goals.
Speaking at the gathering on Tuesday, the president of AKU, Shamsh Kassim-Lakha
expressed the following: “With programmes already begun in health and education,
the University will work with the government to expand its operations in these
sectors and pursue academic disciplines that are relevant to the local needs of
the population.”
Joseph Mungai, Minister of Education and Culture on his part underlined the
importance of having an educated population serving as the backbone of the
Tanzanian community and economy. He praised the AKU’s professionalism and hoped
that AKU together with AKDN would increase and consolidate their presence and
projects in Tanzania.
Commenting on the overall work done by AKU and AKDN, he said: “I particularly
wish to acknowledge the work that has been done in the preparation of
educational administrators and leaders, as well as nurses and doctors”.
Following the government’s approval, AKU was established in the country two
years ago. It teaches subjects such as nursing and medicine as well as
education.
Since 2000 AKU through its Institute for Education Development has been running
a Professional Development Centre Lead-In project. Thanks to its success, the
AKU now hopes it can extend the project and open a second Institute for
Educational Development in Dar es Salaam.
The education projects aims first and foremost to increase the educational
standards of primary and secondary schools. Mungai expressed his hope that an
Institute for Education Development would substantially improve education in
Tanzania.
Zahir Jivani, Chairman of Aga Khan Council of Tanzania gave credit to the AKU by
stressing the “commitment and perseverance of the management of the University”.
TALGWU appeals to High Court
By Kizitto Joseph
Tanzania Local Government Workers Union (TALGWU) is preparing to appeal to the
High Court asking for court injunction against the ongoing exercise of
retrenching local government workers all over the country by Regional
Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI).
TALGWU is also directing its regional secretaries to collect names and addresses
of complainants ready to accuse Municipal Directors, who are responsible for
executing the retrenchment.
General Secretary of TALGWU, Jackson Mkongwa told The Express that the union in
collaboration with MSM Mkuhi advocates has finished lying down legal aspects to
be presented to the Court.
Mkongwa said the Union does not oppose the redundancy per se but the packages,
which are accompanying it. He said about 1,437 workers in seven regions (DSM,
Morogoro, Tanga, Shinyanga, Kagera, Kilimanjaro and Mwanza) are already
victimised by the exercise that he claims to be unfair.
“Most of these workers are not accordingly paid and are retrenched without the
consent of TALGWU, which is against labour laws, International Labour
Organisation’s Convention and UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said
Mkongwa.
He said according to TAMISEMI the exercise would cover the whole country aiming
at bringing empowerment and changes in the municipals.
'Contractors must improve'
By Angela Mazula
The Managing Director, Dennis Kapella of Kryston Tanzania said Tanzanian
contractors and consultants should increase their performance in order to
compete with other contractors in the world.
He said this during a one-day workshop of contractors organized by Kryston
Technology Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.
Kapella said contractors have to gain more useful knowledge and be willing to
sell their expertise on the market to establish their names both in the country
and abroad.
To encourage this improvement, contractors have to keep up to date with the
latest facilities and technology. This would facilitate for contractors to e.g.
meet their deadlines more promptly.
He added that contractors must get exposure in order to gain tenders from
various people and companies. Moreover, it is important that they maintain their
presence in remote areas.
Kryston deals with concrete waterproofing systems and other specialty coating
products based on the Kryston technology in the construction industry.
Long stationed teachers for
immediate transfer
By Emmanuel Lazaro, Dodoma
Dodoma Rural District Commissioner (RC) Mark Maffa has directed the District
Education Department to immediately transfer all primary school teachers who
have stayed in the same station for a long period.
Maffa gave the directive last week, during inauguration of Board of the District
Education Fund (DEF) held at Catholic Church Hall in Dodoma Municipality.
He said, by staying in one station for a long time, some teachers have begun to
indulge in local liquor (pombe) brewing and associating themselves in politics,
thus lower education standards.
The DC directed the District Education Officer (DEO), Patrick Mwaluli to affect
the transfers immediately in order to raise the standards of education in the
district.
In addition to that, the DC directed all Primary School Committees in the
district to make a follow-up of the teachers’ behaviours and report teachers
with bad conducts, being negligent and with truant behaviours to authorities
concerned.
The DEO directed all Ward Education Coordinators in collaboration with Ward
Executive Officers (WEO) and Village Functionaries, to net all people who are
found selling local liquor to teachers during working time.
Corruption as subject - call
By Nestory Ngwega, Tanga
Headmasters of secondary schools in Tanga Region have advised the government to
introduce corruption as a subject in the curriculum.
This opinion was raised during a workshop on corruption and youth development
organized by Non Government Tanga Youth Development Association (TAYODEA).
Because of the high level of corruption in the society, headmasters argued that
the only way to curb the problem was to prepare youths in schools to oppose it.
The government’s present efforts would not be sustainable since, they argued,
corruption is part of a certain moral behaviour. A change in such a behaviour
needs to be taught from an early age.
They said it was high time for the government to alter their strategies by
introducing corruption as a special subject in schools as it has done with
HIV/AIDS.
Speaking at the workshop, the chairman of TAYODEA David Chanyaghea said that the
workshop intended to collect views and strategies from teachers on how students
could be involved in fighting corruption.
Mwanza to open 50 new
secondary schools
By Sebastian Gabungu, Mwanza
Mwanza Region is expecting to open a total of 50 new secondary schools in
several wards, which will be built by local residents with contribution from
donors.
Mwanza Regional Commissioner (RC) Daniel ole Njoolay gave the statement during
his tour in Ilemela District, to inspect construction of the schools and
motivate people to start Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) in
the district.
Construction of the schools, the RC said, was an implementation of a regional
strategy of having a secondary school in at least every ward.
Now it is a matter of giving thanks to the residents of Mwanza Region who have
accepted the call fully and in this year alone, have succeeded to complete
construction of 10 secondary schools.
Concerning SACCOS, Njoolay said they are very important, as they will enable the
people to get soft loans that they will use to conduct their various economic
projects successfully.
Jailed 30 years for rape
By Belensi China, Bunda
Bunda District Court in Mara Region, Friday last week, sentenced Fyeka Makanga
(28) and Sanai Webiro, both residents of Nyamuswa Centre to 30 years in jail
each and be whipped 12 strokes by the cane after they were convicted of raping a
woman.
Earlier, it was claimed by Public Prosecutor Inspector of Police, Lukyaa Enosi
Rwamahe, that on March 28 2004 at around 8.00 pm at Nyamuswa Centre, the accused
raped one woman (name withheld) causing her severe injuries and harm.
The Public Prosecutor told the court that the two accused covered the woman’s
mouth to stop her from calling for help. However, the woman identified them and
went to report at Nyamuswa Police Post, resulting in the arrest of the
offenders.
The two men were jailed for 30 years each and will also have to pay a fine of
Tsh. 50,000 to the woman after the prosecution proved their case beyond
reasonable doubt.
World Vision provides water
services
By Emmanuel Lazaro, Dodoma
A non-governmental organization (NGO), World Vision Tanzania - Central Zone, has
drilled a number of wells, one dam and one spring of water in several villages
of Dodoma Rural District.
A report presented at a water stakeholders’ meeting for Dodoma Region, tells
that the projects were undertaken in three divisions of Chipanga, Mwitikira and
Mundemu.
An analysis of the report shows that the World Vision drilled eight deep wells,
11 medium ones and seven short wells.
Major challenges are the bad use of money collected by villages for the Water
Fund and provision of salty water in some areas, which is unfit for human
consumption.
The organization has also discovered that there is low community awareness of
accepting ownership and care of water sources in their areas. Up to now 78
village government members, 26 village water committees and 52 water pump
attendants have been informed about the water policies.
Squatters contribute 96.8m/-
for title deeds
By Emmanuel Lazaro, Dodoma
People who are living in areas of Chang’ombe, Oysterbay and Mnadani in Dodoma
Municipality, have contributed more than Tsh. 96.8 million, in legalization
costs for areas they occupy as squatters.
The government, through the Dodoma Capital Development Authority (CDA), has now
legalized the habitats of more than 40,000 inhabitants, who were living in
unplanned areas after they contributed the costs for mapping, surveying of plots
and legalizing occupation of the plots.
A statement given by the Director of CDA Town Planning, Emson Mwanamtwa reads
that the money was obtained after each household had contributed Tsh. 30,000 in
the project development areas.
The contributions are expected to cover the costs of legal fees for land
occupation, including fees for mapping surveying and processing of Title Deeds.
In order to well manage the contributed money, Minister of State in the Prime
Minister’s Office (Policy Affairs) William Lukuvi said, he had directed a
special account to be opened, which will involve people’s representatives and
CDA officials.
He castigated allegations made by some residents in the areas, that CDA
officials had embezzled the collected money already.
Some residents told the Minister that efforts of building good and modern houses
are squandered by high costs of building materials and asked the government if
it could provide subsidies for the construction materials.
Areas of Chang’ombe, Oysterbay and Mnadani were pounced upon by squatters
without following town planning procedures, a thing that caused the government’s
failure in providing social services in the areas.
Water authority’s valves
stolen
By Nestory Ngwega, Tanga
Tanga Sewerage and Water Supply Authority has lost more than Tsh. 10 million
after 36 of its air valves were stolen.
Speaking to The Express the authority’s customer relation officer Ms. Eluminata
Geraldi said that the theft took place between May and July this year along the
main water pipe supplying water to the Pongwe zone.
The authority was hoping it could replace the stolen ones but unfortunately the
authority lacks stock to carry out any replacement.
Because of the current situation, some areas especially those in Pongwe Zone
were now getting very little water because of low pressure; a situation which
has raised complaints from customers.
It would probably take some time to bring the service back to normal as the
authority is still on the look for new air valves.
Eraldi said the matter was already reported to the police, which was still
investigating it in order to arrest the thieves.
MMEM will liberate Tanzanian
community
By Damas Ayuke, Kigoma
The United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that, the
Primary Education Reform Programme (MMEM), which is being conducted nationwide
at present, is a liberation strategy for Tanzanian communities, especially in
raising and improving education in the country.
This was said by UNICEF Country Representative Phillips Rodney in Kigoma Town,
when talking to leaders and various organisations that are assisted by UNICEF.
Rodney said abolition of primary school fees in the country is a great challenge
in raising the education for children, parents and the Tanzanian community in
general.
He went on to say that the step taken by the government in abolishing primary
school fees, should act as catalyst to be imitated by other nations on the
African Continent.
Nevertheless he said, the education provided, should aim at improving and
sustaining quality education, taking into consideration gender issues.
Concerning refugees, Rodney said, UNICEF is in the forefront to ensure that it
helps to improve areas affected by the influx of refugees. Kigoma Regional
Commissioner, Retired Colonel Elmon Mahawa said, that up to now a total of 3,056
Burundian refugees out of the 44,188 living in Kigoma Region, who registered
themselves voluntarily until June this year, had returned home.
12.5m/- to Bukoba
By Ratami Cylidion, Bukoba
The government has provided Tsh. 12.5 million to Bukoba Town Council, to help it
improve community services through the Regional Administration and Local
Government Reform Programme.
Speaking at an information seminar on the programme of improving local
governments, an experts from the Reform Programme team in Mwanza Zone, Ms
Ifegania Jaribu said, the money will be used to improve Civil Service
infrastructures.
The money will also be used to set strategies and general aims of improving
provisions of community services, rearranging resources and directing them to
priority programmes.
The government has also given Bukoba Town Council equipments like computers,
motorcycles and a projector to facilitate the implementation of intended
programmes. The computer is for keeping records of the Council and the
motorcycles are for travelling to programme areas where motor vehicles cannot
access.