NONE WILL
BE SPARED
Tanroads warns transporters against
overloading
By Fatima I. Bapumia
REACTING to transporters’ complaints about heavy fees charged for overloading,
Tanzania National Road Agency has insisted the fees are fair and correspond to
the road damage due to overloading.
TANROADS’ drive against overloading has already produced dramatic results, with
the number of vehicles found overloaded falling to six per cent in June this
year from the 40 per cent recorded when the Agency was formed in 2000.
“The fees are neither too high nor too low and they are believed to be a fair
compensation for the damage caused through overloading,” said TANROADS’ Chief
Executive Dr. F.Y. Addo Abeid in an exclusive interview with The Express this
week.
According to him, the highest fee paid to date for overloading is Tsh. 25
million!
He insisted the overloading fees by TANROADS comply with the guidelines given
for SADC Region and said, “to look beyond our neighbours, they are higher than
those allowed in the United States and Japan and comparable to those in Europe.”
Elaborating on the comparison, Dr. Addo observed fees in Japan are low as the
maximum weight allowed is eight tonnes per single axle while in Tanzania a
vehicle is allowed to carry 10 tonnes for a single axle. Moreover, the gross
maximum weight allowed on Tanzanian roads is 56 tonnes, which is again more than
that allowed in Japan.
Overloading is believed to be one of the biggest culprits causing serious road
damage. When a vehicle passes over a road, the pavement deforms due to
compression; after a while it recovers but constant compression of the roads can
lead to formation of cracks and road damage. If the load is very heavy, the
deformation can also be permanent in first instance, according the TANROADS
chief.
The effects of overloading are measured in terms of damaging effect of each axle
or axle configuration. However, the relationship between an axle load and the
damaging effect is not linear.
“For example, if the weight on a single axle is doubled the damaging effect is
multiplied by 20,” said Dr. Addo, adding that if larger loads are allowed to use
a road, the roads will be damaged very quickly.
In an effort to ensure longevity of roads TANROADS is very strict on the
defaulters. The magnitude of the fee depends on the amount of overload, and it
has to be paid immediately. If a vehicle is unable to pay the same day, the
vehicle together with the goods is confiscated and there is a four-day grace
period given after which each vehicle is charged US$ 20 everyday.
If transporters fail to claim their properties, both the vehicles and the goods
are auctioned. “We don’t give credit,” said Dr. Addo.
He added TANROADS does not keep profile of offenders and compliers in order to
avoid bias in application of the law, hence each vehicle is treated on its own
merit.
Meanwhile, TANROADS is known to be very strict with its staff in matters related
to corruption at the weighbridges.
Dr. Addo told The Express his organisation has zero tolerance for deviant
behaviour which includes corruption. “We do not tolerate people employed in the
organisation who collude or collaborate with transporters to destroy the road
infrastructure. Once we have proof that any member of staff has been involved in
such collusion, appropriate disciplinary action is taken against the offending
staff,” he stressed.
While the biggest challenges facing TANROADS is lack of funds for maintaining
the road network, Dr. Addo assured his organisation had a very elaborate system
for managing their projects and ensuring the quality of the projects meets
specified standards.
“We have engineers on the site to test the materials used by contractors; if
they don’t meet the standards we don’t pay,” he explained.
TANROADS is an executive agency under the Ministry of Works, established in July
2000. Currently, it has 21 regional offices in addition to the headquarters.
ZANTEL to storm Mainland
By Kizito Makoye
AS the end of TTCL monopoly draws near, telephone tariffs, both local and
international, are likely to tumble considerably once more doors for competition
are opened, especially in regard to ZANTEL
The government has already made up its mind that TTCL’s four-year transition to
operate exclusively the basic voice and gateway access to international exchange
lines, will come to an end next February.
According to a statement issued by Minister for Communications and Transport,
Professor Mark Mwandosya Monday, the government decision would allow ZANTEL
extend its operations to Mainland, servicing basic and mobile voice traffic.
The post-monopoly scenario may widen the spectrum for ZANTEL to roll out its
operations to the Mainland, including making use of its two international
gateways and paving the way for stiff competition with would-be rival companies.
The government statement said the liberalisation and opening up of the basic
infrastructure is in line with the National Telecommunications Policy of 1997
and National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy of 2003.
It added the policy, among other things, is aimed at allowing more participation
of players in the communications industry, stimulating economic development and
promoting competition.
“It is envisaged that by opening up the industry to full liberalisation, people
with small capital outlays will be able to participate in the industry and
thereby create more employment,” the statement reads in part.
The decision, in essence would allow other mobile phone companies in the country
as Mobitel, Celtel and Vodacom to mount their own gateways for international
calls, contrary to the prevailing arrangement where they are obliged to channel
their traffic through TTCL and are charged exorbitantly for that.
Analysts predict the government’s move to terminate TTCL’s exclusive right is
expected to improve provision of telecommunication services in the country
through expanded network and improved efficiency.
The Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) Assistant Director of
Public and Consumer Affairs, Isaac Mruma, told The Express Tuesday all mobile
phone companies have expressed desire to use their own gateways in a bid to
improve services and avert crippling charges.
“Vodacom was the first to ask for permission to use their own gateway long time
ago. As I am speaking to you, ZANTEL has also requested the authority to roll
out its operations to the Mainland,” he said.
Mruma added mobile phone companies are dissatisfied with prevailing arrangement
in which they are obliged to channel their traffic through TTCL gateway.
“There is a big quarrel going on among mobile phone companies using TTCL
gateway. They are complaining the gateway is losing its efficiency, and the
international call quality is not commensurate with the money charged.”
Mruma believes tariffs will go down as the companies are no longer subjected to
exorbitant connection charges for using TTCL gateway.
He said TCRA has prepared a draft of post exclusivity licensing framework on the
liberalisation of the telecommunication sector, adding the draft will be subject
of discussion during stakeholders’ meeting to be held Friday.
He said post exclusivity might allow a rival company to compete with TTCL to
provide basic voice service. He added the service provider would need the
so-called “right of way” to share polls but upon negotiation with TTCL.
The player, he added, might not necessarily be obliged to erect polls over the
country, with new technologies such as CDMA2000 and wireless local loop 450. The
number of companies that have shown interest to provide fixed telephone services
could not be immediately known.
The TTCL network currently connects 250,000 customers countrywide, between
80,000 and 90,000 of them being in Dar es Salaam.
Mruma said with rapid changes in telecom technology, it is unlikely investors
will embark on fixed line telephone services.
“Investors will most likely use fibre optic technology which can provide many
services including data and voice service.” he observed.
TTCL was partly privatised in 2001 through the sale of 35 per cent of its equity
to a strategic investor, a consortium of Mobile System International (MSI) of
the Netherlands and Detecom of Germany, with an exclusivity period of four years
on basic voice and leased line services.
COMPARATIVE TELEPHONE TARIFFS AS OF OCTOBER 2004
TTCL
VODACOM MOBITEL
ZANTEL CELTEL
UK
1231
1380
2400
1620 1380
USA
1231
1380
1380
1620
1380
INDIA
1426.60 2400
1560
1620
1550
UAE
2203.20 2400
2400
1620
2400
South AFRICA 1477.20
1860
2100
1620
1860
KENYA
192
504
540
864
504
TEA reveals names of
beneficiaries
By Express Reporter
The Tanzania Education Authority (TEA) has unveiled the names of schools and
higher learning institutions which have been allocated over Tsh. four billion in
loans and grants.
According to the statement issued by TEA Director General Mercy Sila, the funds
were approved by the 2nd Extraordinary Award Committee Meeting held on September
28 on behalf of the Board.
“In line with the philosophy of transparency which is in the guideline of TEA’s
activities as stipulated in the education fund regulations of 2003, we wish to
inform all stakeholders and the general public the allocations made,” the
statement reads in part.
The funds are meant to support educational projects aimed at improving the
quality of education and access to education.
The beneficiaries according to the statement include the Sokoine University of
Agriculture (SUA) in Morogoro which receives a total of Tsh. 472,785,000; the
University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Tsh. 1,354,232,400; Muhimbili College of
Health Sciences (MUCHS) Tsh. 814,908,600 and Herbert Kairuki Memorial University
Tsh. 804,000,000.
Others are Tumaini University, the College of Business Education (CBE), the
State University of Zanzibar, Rwegarulila Water Institute, Mnyembe Secondary
School, Mawelewele Secondary School, Chanzige Secondary School and Songea Boys
Secondary school.
PPF members to meet in Arusha
By Express Reporter
The Parastatals Pensions Fund (PPF) is expected to hold its 14th annual members
conference between 27th and 30th October at AICC Simba Hall in Arusha.
According to a statement availed to the press and signed by PPF Conference
Coordinator Michael Mjinja, this year’s conference will discuss current issues
pertinent to social security.
The statement said the meeting would bring together a range of concerned
stakeholders, including PPF Chairpersons and Directors, members from trade
unions and employers associations.
Apart from taking part in the conference, the participants would also go on an
excursion to the Ngorongoro crater and Lake Manyara.
Government to implement water
project
By Kizito Makoye
The government has received a credit from the
International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank for the
implementation of the Rural Water Supply Sanitation Project (RWSSP).
According to the statement issued by The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of
Water and Livestock Development, Bakari Mahiza, the government intends to use
part of the money to support the implementation of RWSS under the ‘innovation
window’ (IW) component.
The Ministry has invited interested parties to submit IW proposals that adopt an
innovative approach to address one or more of the related RWSS themes.
The proposal should be practical in orientation and the anticipated results of
any related research should lead to solving specific RWSS problems.
According to the statement, the IWP support funding component of the proposed
IWP budget should not exceed US$ 50,000 and the planned duration of the IWP
should not exceed two years.
The innovation window is the applied research and development sub-component of
the RWSSP. It is designed to test the development and introduction of innovative
technologies for water and sanitation.
It includes water for livestock, water conservation, watershed management,
sanitation and income generating activities, such as small scale irrigation and
solid waste management.
WFP suspends refugees’
rations
By Express Reporter
Faced with severe funding shortage, the United Nations World Food Programme
(WFP) has been forced to suspend rations to some 400,000 Burundian and Congolese
refugees living in 13 camps in western Tanzania.
In its statement, WFP is appealing to donors to provide US$ 14 million to
prevent additional cuts and enabling the refugees to be fed to mid 2005.
WFP has had to reduce the daily ration of the most important staple, maize, by
24 per cent, from 2.5 kilogrammes to 1.9 kilogrammes per person per week.
Similarly, it has cut the ration of pulses.
The cuts will make the situation difficult for the refugees, who rely almost
entirely on WFP food aid for their survival.
WFP has appealed to donors for 39,000 metric tonnes of food at a value of US$ 14
million.
According to the statement, food arriving from outside Tanzania could take up to
six months to reach the refugees. However, cash contributions would enable WFP
to buy food within Tanzania and neighbouring countries which could reach the
camps within two to three months.
The WFP refugee operation assists more than 400,000 refugees in addition to more
than 8,000 Tanzanian school children, street children, orphans, hospital
patients and others in the host communities surrounding the refugee camps.
Many Burundian refugees have returned home over the last two years. But the
number of people going back has recently slowed down because of the concerns
about the security situation in Burundi. The continuing insecurity in the
eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has prevented most Congolese refugees from
returning home.
CUF claims TAMISEMI exercise
illegal
By Kizitto Joseph
Three people are feared dead and more than 300 others have been left homeless in
the villagilisation exercise carried out in Tunduru District between July 24 and
September 9, according to CUF in a letter sent to the Minister for Regional
Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI).
CUF claims the exercise, mostly affecting Nakapanya villagers, was unfair. In a
letter dated 18th October to the Minister, CUF said that the exercise lacked
preparations and was against human rights.
“They applied force, burned houses and left the people homeless. They taxed them
for their new settlements and banned them from going back to their shambas to
collect crops,” said Mazee Rajab, CUF Youth Director and Tunduru district
secretary.
According to Rajab, three villagers died of fire burns and were buried by their
fellow villagers without condolences from any government officials.
Tanzania has had two noticeable villagilisation exercises; one in 1945 and one
in 1974. At that time, the exercises aimed at bringing people together to ease
the provision of social services.
MDG struggle to reach target
groups
By Angela Mazula
The Chairman of UNA-Youth Tanzania, Tologani Mavura took the United Nations’ Day
earlier in the week as an opportunity to problematise over the Millennium
Development Goals (MDG).
Speaking at the celebrations held at Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam, Mavura said
that localising the MDG is difficult. Reaching those who the MDG concern is a
problem, he said referring particularly to the country’s youth.
He said that for the global targets to be implemented nationally, they have to
be put in the context of each region, district and ward.
Localizing the MDG will foster ownership of the process by the youth who
constitute about 60 per cent of the population, he said.
Therefore Mavura urged the government to intervene in the implementation process
and make the MDG reach their targets.
UN representative to Tanzania, John Hendra said that the MDG are a set of
time-bound and measurable goals to be achieved by the 2015. The goals clearly
represent the overarching framework for global development and are a manifesto
for action and accountability in support of a pro-poor global agenda.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jakaya Kikwete promised that the government
would look into the issue raised by the youth and would also try and liaise with
the relevant UN authorities to ensure that the Tanzanian youth are not left out.
US funds democracy education
By Kizito Makoye
The US government has provided US$ 40,914 (Tsh. 43,246,098) to two projects
concerning democracy and human rights in the country.
According to the US Embassy spokesperson Michael Haynes, one of the projects
will educate blind Tanzanian citizens about their voting rights. The other
project targets youth groups and religious leaders who aim at promoting civic
peace during the coming elections.
The US Charge de Affairs Michael Owen on Monday presented the cheques to the
Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC-Africa) and to the Tanzania
League of the Blind (TLB).
The funds according to Owen are partly earmarked for educational workshops for
children and seminars for the blind.
“These seminars will enable the blind and visually impaired to participate fully
in the coming elections process,” he said.
Haynes said TBL intends to facilitate for blind persons to register themselves,
contest for seats in local government, councils, municipalities and the
Parliament.
Mongella stresses importance
of education
By Sebastian Gabunga, Nansio
Acquisition of good education is the only genuine way which will enable
Tanzanian youths to endure the contemporary technological and political changes
and enable them to compete on the international employment market.
These words of warning were sounded by the Pan African Parliament President,
Gertrude Mongella when addressing Bukongo Form Four Secondary School students at
their graduation ceremony in Ukerewe District, Mwanza Region.
Mongella, who also is Ukerewe Constituency Member of Parliament, said there is
need for the government to involve the public in building primary and secondary
schools, and make sure the schools have teaching materials and enough teachers.
At present, she said, Tanzania cannot compare itself with other East African
countries, as these countries have made a major leap in education, thanks to the
past investment in education.
According to Mongella, Tanzania has witnessed many pupils missing primary
education, and some few who managed to receive primary education have failed to
acquire secondary education due to the shortage of secondary schools and
colleges of higher education.
She called on residents of Ukerewe District to participate fully in the ongoing
construction of ward secondary schools taking place in various areas in Ukerewe
District.
Bukongo Secondary School Headmaster, Dotto Lubando said, last year a total of 22
students joined form Five. This year they expect more students to join from
Five.
Despite the achievements reached, the school had some problems. These include
lack of classrooms, teachers’ houses, teaching materials and a laboratory.
Militia graduates in Morogoro
By Merline Mhamaka, Morogoro
A total of 257 youths in Morogoro Rural District, Morogoro Region have completed
their three months militia training this year.
The training, which officially started on July 1, 2004 was the fifth cohort to
participate in the militia training. Of those who trained, 30 were women.
70 trainees failed to complete the training due to various reasons including
truancy, indiscipline, falling sick and personal problems.
Reporting at the closing of the training, the course trainer said, trainees were
given for example combat techniques, knowledge of public security, militia
structure and first aid.
Some of the courses were not taught as planned. These include courses in fire
brigade, national security and immigration.
Trainees in the course also participated in national building works. They helped
in the construction of Kibungo Juu Ward Secondary School, Ward Militia Office
and the Office of Kibungo Juu Ward Executive Officer.
In the closing ceremony, which was held at Lanzi Village, Kubungo Juu Ward, the
militia graduates mounted a parade, which was inspected by Morogoro Regional
Commissioner, Stephen Mashishanga, who also was official guest of honour.
In their message to the guest of honour, the militia graduates called on the
government to have a special procedure for helping the militia enrolled in the
army (TPDF) so that they can apply the knowledge they had gained.
Speaking at the ceremony, the RC cautioned the new militia to be careful in
using the weapons.
The closing ceremony was attended by several leaders in the government including
officers of the Police Force, Prisons and TPDF in Morogoro Region.
Poverty furthers loss of
country’s past
By Damas Ayuke, Kigoma
It has been explained that the loss of national heritage, is caused by poverty
among the communities and lack of understanding of what national culture is.
This was revealed by the Director General of the National Museum in the country,
Dr. Norbert Kayombo last week, when talking to reporters at Nzimano Hall in
Kigoma town on the Cultural Fund.
As a consequence of poverty, he said, many artefacts of national importance are
being illegally traded across the borders.
If these national heritages are to remain in our country, Dr. Kayombo said, the
community has to be educated on the illegal trade and the harm it does to our
country.
We want to preserve our past for the coming generations, he said. Ideally, we
should preserve them in the Tanzania National Museum for future generations.
Without fighting the illegal trade Tanzania and other African countries, will
find themselves going to European countries to have a look at their heritage,
Kayombo ended.
TTRI – striving towards a
tsetse free environment
By Nestory Ngwega, Tanga
The problem of tsetse flies affects many parts of the country making some areas
unfit for farming and cattle rearing. However the Tanga Tsetse Research
Institute (TTRI) is working towards making these areas fit for the use. The TTRI
Director Atway Msangi explained to The Express the Institute’s achievements.
This Institute was established in 1971 as a tsetse research project and later
become an institute in 1981.
It deals with researches aimed at controlling and eradicating tsetse flies in
the country. Means of combating the problem include using insecticide
impregnated screens as has been tried in Serengeti National Park.
Another means is to apply insecticide treated cattle as in the Mkwaja Ranch in
Pangani District, Tanga Region. Msangi said research on insecticides such as
decatrix, dominex, greenede, ectopor, ectomin, amitraz and bayticol have been
undertaken by the Institute.
The most effective means of coming to terms with the problem is to use
impregnated screens and insecticide treated cattle because they are cheap and
easy to use by local communities.
According to Msangi the Institute has had great achievements thanks to its
research. The eradication of tsetse flies in Zanzibar stands as a landmark
success. It created a new opportunity for farmers to enhance the mixed farming
system. Following the success in Zanzibar, African heads of states initiated a
campaign for the eradication of tsetse flies in the continent because they had
learnt it was possible.
Another achievement was the signing of a contract between the Tanzanian
government and the International Atomic Agency (IAEA) which marked IAEA’s
attempt to transfer ownership to its member states. The contract will enable the
Institute to upgrade the mass rearing facility and provide services for tsetse
mass rearing.
Despite the achievements, the Institute also experiences some problems such as
having to operate from rundown buildings and shortages of staffs.
Msangi urged wananchi to take advantage of the technologies developed by the
Institute in order to combat the flies and create tsetse free land for farming
and pasturing.
Student commits suicide
By Bayizi Nkugutwa, Sengerema
A Form IV Student of Nyampulukano Secondary School in Sengerema District, Mwanza
Region, Elias Benedicto (22) has committed suicide.
Talking to The Express last week, Sengerema Urban Ward Executive Officer (WEO),
Mabula Enock said, the event occurred at Migombani area in Nyampulukano Village.
Enock said information that the student had committed suicide was received in
the morning of Area Chairman, Dioniz Kapongo informed Mabula Eneck.
The student had hanged himself from a tree. Explaining further, Eneck said, it
was evident that he hanged himself using his t-shirt which was found torn and
wrinkled.