Fatalities rare in TZ plane accidents
By Kizito Makoye
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has declared that there
has been no fatal plane accident involving aircraft registered in the country
for the past five years.
The Director General of TCAA, Margaret Munyagi told The Express in an exclusive
interview that unlike marine and road occurrences, air accidents and incidents
have been receiving disproportionate public attention and exaggeration.
“Trivial cases are often reported as accidents. For example, an aircraft which
was stuck in mud on a wet runway whilst taxiing was reported as having been
involved in air crash,” she said.
She said the number of accidents had stabilized at two each year for the last
four years. In the past 11 months, there have been four accidents and 14
incidents involving aircraft in the country.
“The number of incidents had shown a consistent decline since they peaked at 24
in 1998, however in the first 11 months of this year we have had twice the
average of accidents and nearly twice the average of incidents,” Munyagi said.
According to TCAA terminology, an accident is considered to be an occurrence in
which an aircraft is completely destroyed or some person(s) are killed, other
occurrences are considered as incidents.
“We consider this significant increase in the number of occurrences as a
statistical blip which is common in the aviation industry,” she said.
The Director General said the increase in the volume of flying due to a sharp
rise in the number of tourists has greatly contributed to the occurrences;
occurrences which are not connected in any way.
She said in several instances the authority has grounded aircrafts by
invalidating certificate of airworthiness. TCAA is still investigating the
recent incidents, one involving a Regional Air plane crash in Arusha.
“TCAA through its Accident Investigation Branch is investigating these accidents
and the lessons learnt, as usual, will be channelled to all interested parties
in the industry in order to avoid the recurrence of similar
accidents/incidents.”
“We have declined to register aircraft which do not meet airworthiness
requirements. We have also suspended or revoked crew licenses when
investigations have established that they violated the Air Navigation
Regulations,” she asserted.
Munyagi also said that the recent International Civil Aviation Organization,
Universal Safety Oversight Audit on TCAA carried out in December last year rated
the Authority as 98.6 per cent compliant with ICAO Standards and Recommended
Practices, above the world average.
She said TCAA is capable, in terms of manpower and facilities, of carrying out
its safety obligations. “We also have continuous training programmes which
ensure that inspectors keep pace with the developments in the aviation
industry.”
Tanzania targets Chinese tourists
By Apolinari Tairo
After Tanzania was recognized and approved by the China National
Tourism Administration (CNTA), senior tourism officials have been visiting China
to market the country there.
Tanzania has taken the advantage of China’s fast growing tourist industry to
market its wildlife, cultural heritage, Mount Kilimanjaro, historical sites and
the Indian Ocean beaches to the just opened Chinese market.
Senior Marketing Officer with the Tanzania Tourist Board, Amant Macha told The
Express that the Tanzanian delegation is currently in China to launch a tourism
marketing campaign and lobby for Chinese tourists.
Macha said the delegation comprises of seven officials from the Ministry of
Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania Tourist Board, Ngorongoro Conservation
Area Authority, Sea Cliff Hotel, Zara Tanzania Adventure Ltd. and the Tanzania
Embassy in Beijing, China.
China has this year recognized eight African countries (Tanzania being one of
them) as suitable tourist destinations for Chinese holidaymakers. The other
countries are Kenya, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Mauritius and
Zambia.
Tanzania and China had signed this year a Memorandum of Understanding to allow
Chinese tourist groups visit Tanzania.
To attract Chinese tourists to Zimbabwe, Air Zimbabwe has recently launched its
maiden twice a week flight to Beijing, using its Boeing 767 aircraft to link the
capital city of Harare and the Chinese capital with a stop over in Singapore.
China’s inbound travellers are expected to exceed 105 million by end of this
year, said Sun Gong, the vice-chairman of the China National Tourism
Administration (CNTA).
Sun said Chinese foreign exchange from tourism is expected to reach US$ 22.5
billion in 2004. He predicted the figure in his speech while addressing the
First World Tourism Marketing Summit (WTMS) in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province
recently.
However, China’s tourism industry was hit hard by the breakout of the deadly
Severe and Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis in 2003, Sun said.
Despite the efforts by the Chinese government to tackle the health crisis which
was quickly brought under control, the tourism industry was hugely affected and
gains decreased.
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)
said that WTTC will help the Chinese government in case another health crisis
breaks out to minimise the impact on the tourism industry.
‘Cheap labour rules out automation’
By Timothy Kitundu,
Midrand, Johannesburg
The growing concern that modern technology coupled with automation would reduce
employment opportunities in developing countries including Tanzania has been
proved negative because of the cheap labour available in developing countries.
Siemens Chief Executive, Dr. Klaus Doring told journalists in Johannesburg that
it was rather unwise for a company to invest in automation in a country where
labour was cheap.
“It does not make sense for one to invest in automation in a developing country
instead of utilizing the cheap labour available,” Doring stressed.
However, he said that there are countries where labour is expensive and
therefore it is better to opt for investing in automation.
According to Doring the cost for labour in Germany is Euro 35 per hour while in
China it is estimated at Euro 140 per hour. Costs in South Africa stand at
between Euro 15-30 per hour.
Explaining why Siemens Tanzania has not been as popular as in other countries,
he said the slow growth of the company in Tanzania goes in line with the growth
pace of the economy of the country.
But added that the company during its five years in Tanzania had seen good and
bad times.
“I can say that we have been successful to a certain extent with our presence in
Tanzania for the past five years because of a number of projects undertaken,” he
said.
So far the company has completed an installation of transmission facilities for
Vodacom mobile phones, TANESCO and is expecting to work with Mchuchuma in the
southern part of the country.
According to Dr. Doring, Siemens Business Services specialises in helping
organisations to plan, implement and manage technology to meet their objectives.
TANESCO seeks World Bank funding
By Kizitto Joseph
Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) has asked the World Bank
for Tsh. 50 billion to repair electrical systems in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and
Moshi regions.
The Managing Director, Rudy Huysen said this last week during the visit of the
Deputy Minister for Fuel and Minerals, Dr. Ibrahim Msabaha at Kisutu , Gongo la
Mboto, Pugu and Kisarawe stations.
He said the money will go towards the reparation of machines to improve the
entire system of electrical distribution which for a long time has been
criticised by the public.
Huysen said the machines, transformers and the entire system of electrical
supply are exhausted and that TANESCO’s income from its customers is
insufficient to cover the cost of reparation.
According to Huysen, most of the transformers in the big cities are overloaded
due to the increasing demand of electricity, hence burst and fail to function
properly.
There has also been sabotage against TANESCO properties. Transformers have been
stolen, wires cut and electricity illegally connected, said Huysen.
As a result, TANESCO has been working tirelessly to ensure a good service to its
customers. Huysen called upon the public to work with TANESCO to identify the
culprits.
UNDP urges greater diversification
By Angela Mazula
African countries need to diversify their products for exports so as to capture
more opportunities in the international markets.
William Amponsah, an associate Professor of International Trade and Development
said this at the North Carolina State University in the US in a United Nation
Development Programme Report.
“For African countries to be able to capture more trade opportunities, they need
to diversify their products. At present, regional economic arrangements exhibit
narrow patterns of trade, dependency on primary products and involve low levels
of inter-country trade,” he said.
Since most African countries produse and export raw materials, not processed
goods, there is little interest in importing from each other. They should export
processed goods so as to get access to international markets, be more
competitive and garner more foreign exchange, he said.
Because of very limited diversity of products, the same primary products also
tend to dominate Africa’s trade with the rest of the world, said the author of
the World Bank study, Alexander Yeats.
The benefits of creating regional markets in Africa are many. Integration would
enhance industrial efficiency as larger markets allow exploitation of economies
of scale. Mobility across borders and harmonized policies could spur faster
economic growth and provide greater opportunities to attract investors, said
Prof. Amponsah.
“Regional trade agreements can help countries build on their comparative
advantages, sharpen their industrial efficiency and act as a spring board to
integrate the countries into the world economy. A more open continent will build
credibility for Africa’s best reformers in the eyes of the world and hopefully,
reward them with greater access to markets,” he said.
The East African Cooperation (EAC) has begun to incorporate the informal sector
into its activities and policies. This is attributed to the realization of the
significance of the cross-border activities taking place in Kenya, Uganda and
Tanzania, the three members of the community. The community’s three Presidents
have pledged to focus on areas that would have the greatest impact on poverty
reduction such as infrastructure provision, cross-border trade, and the
promotion of the informal sector.
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Executive Secretary Dr. Kingsley Amoako
said in the UNDP Report that to mobilize all resources, Africa requires for
effective integration.
“We must broaden our perception of private sector to include ordinary citizens,
staple food growers, cash crop farmers, taxi drivers, small enterprises owners,
traders and street vendors,” he said.
Aviation remains a cornerstone in economy
By Angela Mazula
Civil aviation remains one of the strong sectors in the country’s economy, the
Ministry of Communications and Transport has revealed.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Civil Aviation Week held in Dar es
Salaam, Abisai Temba on behalf of the Principal Secretary of Ministry of
Communications and Transport said that for Tanzania, air transport plays a
significant role in the development of tourism, trade and mining.
He said these sectors are the fast growing industries given the good investment
environment and prevailing political stability.
Temba said the vastness of the country and the relatively inadequate land
transport has made the aviation industry the only means to access some parts of
the country.
He said: “We are encouraged by the significant improvements in the service by
the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, Tanzania Airport Authority, Tanzania
Meteorological Agencies, Tanzania Government Flight Agency, DAHACO, and other
aviation stakeholders.”
Visitors of Dar es Salaam International Airport are impressed with the new face
of the airport flight information displays and pleasant front desk staff, he
said.
He added that the government is continuing with the implementation of air
transport liberalization both at international and domestic levels by increasing
the rate of airlines operating in the country.
Freddy Ringo a coordinator of Tanzania Consumers Protection Association
underlined the importance of a professional treatment of customers by the
airport staff.
“One needs to observe how local consumers are treated by the police, immigration
and baggage handling authorities. Usually the service is very slow, bureaucratic
and arrogant,” he said.
“A tourist’s first impression is important. The first impression he gets usually
comes from the airport. Therefore, providing a non-discriminatory, courteous,
efficient and effective service should start with the local consumers,” he
stressed.
‘E-banking next step for banks’
By Joshua Mshana
Commercial banks and financial institutions should use electronic
banking and Internet banking to provide good communication and fast banking
services to satisfy the needs of their customers.
This was said by Ahmed Alyousufy, the Managing Director of United Systems, a
software design firm, in an interview in the City yesterday.
“All banks in the world are using electronic banking (e-banking) and Internet
banking. Therefore, local banks are advised to use this system so as to smoothen
communication by using Internet,” he said.
E-banking makes operations smooth, fast and accurate, it has been claimed.
“Electronic banking enables banks to connect all its branches. Customers can
draw or deposit money from any location. When a client carries his/her card
money can be transacted in any branch,” he said.
More than 50 banks in Europe have implemented the system.
Bank offers journalism training
By Kizitto Joseph
Stanbic Bank Tanzania has set up a plan to offer a three-day
business and economic journalism training.
The Head of Department Godwin Ngwilimi said last week that the course would take
place between December 15 and December 17 this year. Topics would include
currency, economy and business issues.
Ngwilimi was speaking at a function at Courtyard Hotel Dar es Salaam. According
to Ngwilimi specialists from South Africa will run the training.
Speaking at that function chairperson for Habari Corporation, Jenerali Ulimwengu
urged journalists to be innovative and thirst for education.
South Africa’s labour force drops
By Timothy Kitundu,
Johannesburg, South Africa
South Africa’s (SA’s) labour force has shrunk over the past few
years, probably because people have given up looking for jobs or are infected
with HIV, says a new report by the Reserve Bank availed to The Express.
SA’s labour force participation rate which counts the number of people working
and actively seeking work as a proportion of the total population has dropped to
54.1 per cent in September last year, down from 58.9 per cent in September 2000.
The decline in labour market participants is a worrying sign, said the Bank in
its latest Labour Market Frontiers report, released over the weekend.
Official figures from Statistics SA show that unemployment had dropped to 4.6
million in September 2003 from 5.3 million in March 2003. However, this is based
on the narrow definition of unemployment, where an individual had been actively
seeking work prior to the survey.
The drop in unemployment was not matched by an increase in total employment over
that period, with more people dropping out of the labour market, said the Bank.
“It appears that, rather than finding employment, the job seekers pulled out and
became part of the non-economically active population,” says the report.
The number of discouraged job seekers swelled the unemployed figure to more than
eight million.
The Bank’s report stated that job seekers were discouraged because of the slim
chances of finding a job, or because they lacked funds to search actively for
work. “Discouragement is probably one of the important factors for reduced
labour force participation rates in SA,” says the report.
Another likely cause for a drop in labour market participation was the effect of
HIV/AIDS. “Among the widely documented labour market consequences of HIV/AIDS
illness is withdrawal from the labour force either through the debilitating
effects of the disease or through perceived or real discrimination in the
workplace,” according to the report.
The report points to research that shows a drop in HIV/AIDS prevalence among
younger people in their twenties, and an increase in higher age groups, where
the bulk of the labour force comes from.
‘Increase access to HIV
medicines’
By Kizitto Joseph
The government is being blamed for not giving people living with
HIV/AIDS equal priority in its programme of free distribution of medicine to
prolong the lives of those living with the disease.
Activists for the Rights of People Living with HIV/AIDS gave these allegations
last week in Dar es Salaam during a workshop to evaluate the government’s
performance in tackling HIV/AIDS.
The group argued that the government’s plan to only distribute the medicines to
400,000 people, withholds the rights of other victims.
“When the government decides to distribute medicines to 400,000 people it does
not state how its programme will help the rest,” said Mpendwa Chihimba at that
workshop held at Karimjee.
Chihimba who is also chairperson for the National Network for Women Living with
AIDS said the government should look for a company selling the generic type of
the medicines at cheaper price that more could afford to buy.
She said people from various parts of Tanzania flock to Dar es Salaam in search
for the medicines but is continuously discouraged when they are told that they
cannot be helped as the intended number of people to be served has already been
reached.
back to headlines
By Angela Mazula
A joint marketing and promotion strategy by the relevant
stakeholders would increase the focus on Tanzania and be more beneficial, Peter
Mwenguo Managing Director Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) has said.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam this week, Mwenguo explained this with regard to the
claim that Tanzania is considered an expensive destination when compared to its
neighbours.
He added that establishing a forum which could provide a good operational
atmosphere for all players would be welcomed. The concept of joint marketing and
promotion forum is to increase the flow of tourists.
One problem for tourists he added was that flight connections are not flexible.
As a result, many visitors to Tanzania stay less days compared to visitors to
Zanzibar and Kenya.
“Flight tickets to Tanzania are comparatively more expensive than tickets to
Kenya as a way of compensating the low number of passengers,” Mwenguo said.
He said Tanzania does not benefit fully from the current tourism pattern despite
having many attractions.
By Express Reporter
The Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Ministry for Labour, Youth
Development and Sports, Hawa Wenga has expressed optimism on the flexibility of
the new labour laws aiming at enhancing economic efficiency and protecting the
rights of the employees.
Speaking at a one day workshop on the new laws (the Employment and Labour
Relations Act and the Labour Institutions Act, of 2004), organized by the Global
Investors Consultation Centre (GICC) at the New Africa Hotel, Wenga said phase
two of the reforms process was underway, covering a range of areas such as
workers compensation, occupational health, safety and social security.
GICC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shainul Bhanji disclosed at the workshop the
finding of a series of people’s security surveys carried out in 15 countries in
which over 48,000 people were interviewed on their work, insecurity and attitude
of inequality and related aspects of social and economic policy.
According to Bhanji, the research revealed that most workers in developing
countries are unaware of trade unions, and that women usually experience more
insecurity on average than men.
Due to the informalisation of economic activities, outsourcing and regulatory
reforms, employment is diminishing almost everywhere.
She also said that the globalization poses many challenges for developing
countries including Tanzania which therefore need to move forward so that its
workers get decent and secured jobs in fighting poverty.
“We are all aware that a well disciplined and a dedicated workforce contributes
to increased productivity, and that good cooperation between labour and
management eliminates confrontational situations,” Bhanji said.
She insisted that the formulation of new labour law s was a major step towards
the implementation of economic reforms in Tanzania.
She added that it was difficult to assess the impact of new laws in the short
run, although she is optimistic that the investing community will find the laws
more business oriented.
The workshop was attended by participants from food processing industries,
medical institutions, the hotel and tourism sector and other service
institution.
New system hoped to facilitate trading community
By Angela Mazula
The new ASYCUDA++ system will be introduced in the country in
January next year with the objective of streamlining the customs entry
processing, according to George Lauwo, the Commissioner for the Department of
Excise and Customer Duties of the Tanzania Revenue Authority.
Speaking with the media last week, Lauwo said the new system will result both in
more efficient revenue collection and reduce the administrative burden on the
trading community.
He said the new system will change the introduction of Direct Trader Input (DTI)
which will give the trade more control over the area, resulting in a dramatic
reduction in clearance times.
The ASYCUDA++ system will be based on self assessment of duty, taxes and
entries. Destination inspections will require the input of a coded control
number that will be issued by TISCAN.
He added the use of the revised Customs Released Order will provide extra
security and enhance the custom efficiency.
“Our staff will be trained on the new procedures prior to their introduction but
some small problems may be experienced to start with. We ask those concerned to
bear this in mind,” said the Commissioner.
Disabled seek fairer conditions
By Sebastian Gabunga,
Mwanza
Disabled in Mwanza Region have requested business people and various
service providers in the country not to use their disability to make profits.
They issued their statement when contributing to various topics presented at a
debate concerning combating poverty in the fields of education, health and
economy.
The chairman of Mwanza Regional Association of the Blind (TLB), Celestine
Kaluhawe said there are some businessmen who climb on the backs of the disabled
to make big profits.
He gave an example of taxi drivers who raise taxi charges for disabled with
knowledge that they are so dependent on the taxis they have no other means of
transport.
Time has come, he said, for the community to sympathise with the disabled. The
blind are all the time forced to be accompanied with helpers, whose expenses
have to be paid for.
The Secretary of Mwanza Regional Association of Disabled of the Limbs (CHAWATA),
Vincent Ludomya said the disabled spend a lot of money undertaking various
economic projects. In many cases they have to pay for extra expenses, which
non-disabled people easily forget about.
For example, disabled people are forced to hire a man, a trolley, a handcart or
a taxi to carry produce to the market.
Ideally, institutions which provide loans, he said, should look into the
possibility of reducing repayment conditions for the disabled, to enable them
conduct their business profitably.
This could be done by reducing the conditions, by increasing the loan repayment
period and reducing interest rate for the disabled, Ludomya added.
Mikumi Water Company
Management suspended
By Kulwa Papias,
Morogoro
The Kilosa District Commissioner (DC), Lieutenant Colonel Issa
Machibya has suspended Mikumi Water Company Management from providing water to
Mikumi residents, due to various problems it is facing.
Mikumi residents have expressed their dissatisfaction over the management’s
services, leading to their refusal to contribute money to rehabilitate water
machines; costs which have now reached Tsh. 11 million.
Together with suspending the management, the DC has directed the company to
elect new management members as soon as possible, so that by the end of
November, the new management should have been put in place.
The directives are contained in the DC’s letter dated November 2, where he
stresses that the present management is illegal.
Procedures and regulations, Machibya directed, should be followed when electing
the new management and a general conference should be held, where the water
company’s revenue and expenditure should be made public.
The DC has also directed that the Board of Directors should not involve
themselves in financial affairs and that people should continue paying for water
bills as usual, until the new management is elected.
Rehabilitation of the water machines is necessary as the population of Mikumi
Minor Settlement is increasing.
Youth urged to seek ICT competence
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
The country’s youths have been advised to seek education especially
regarding information and communication technology (ICT), to enhance their
competitiveness on the labour market.
The challenge was given by the Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Tanzania (KKKT) Mwanza Diocese, Reverend Aaron Philipo, when he opened a trade
skills training course for youths, held at Victoria Nyanza Diocese hall in
Mwanza City.
He said, youths should not despair nor be satisfied with the education they have
acquired, for by doing so, they will find themselves out of date in the
competition in the globalised market.
The trade skills training aimed at giving the youth knowledge and practical
experience so that they use it for self-employment.
He urged graduates from vocational courses to use their knowledge they have
acquired well and practically; but also reminded various employers including the
government to use the youth who have acquired trade skills for the benefit of
the nation.
The trade skills training course was organised by Mwanza Regional Information
and Communication Network (SWOP net) and sponsored by the Netherlands
International Communication Development Agency (IICD).
By Sebastian Gabunga,
Mwanza
Lions Club of Mwanza has contributed Tsh. 30 million to various
social services during the last three years.
The Club’s President, Sajad Rai revealed the information when he handed over 20
out of the 100 desks promised by the Club to Buzuruga C Primary School in Mwanza
City last weekend.
The desks, which together cost Tsh. three million, will be issued in three
phases.
Rai said the Lions Club has also contributed to economic, health and education
services. The Club has contributed money for the campaign against AIDS, illicit
drugs and diabetes examinations, eye examinations and provided free spectacles.
So far the Club has provided 2,000 desks to various primary schools in Mwanza
City as part of the services which Lions Club has been providing to the
Tanzanian community.
Speaking at the ceremony, the District Governor of the Lions Club of Mwanza,
Saf-darali Jaffer said the services provided by the Club aims at making sure the
children are given good educational foundations.
Receiving the desks, the Primary School Committee Chairman Frank Malembeka said
the school still lacks 450 desks.
Plans in progress for
National Cooperative Bank
By Heckton Chuwa, Moshi
Plans are underway to establish a National Cooperative Bank with a
motive of uniting all cooperative societies in terms of capital forces it has
been learnt.
The Minister for Cooperatives and Marketing, George Kahama made this clear in
his speech during the 32nd graduation ceremony of the Cooperative College held
in Moshi last Friday.
He expressed his hopes that the bank would give opportunities to cooperative
stakeholders and discuss all issues concerning cooperative developments in the
country.
Kahama said this year’s graduation ceremony was the Cooperative College’s last,
giving way to the new Moshi University College of Business Studies (MUCCOBS)
that is affiliated with the Sokoine University of Agriculture.
‘Give people with HIV/AIDS loans’
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
The government, in collaboration with its institutions and
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), has been advised to issue loans to people
living with HIV/AIDS; to enable them start economic production projects, instead
of providing them with assistance.
The advice was given recently in Magu town, Mwanza Region by the Administrator
of the Department for International Development (DFID) of the British High
Commission in the country, David Stanton when talking to CODRA (Community
Development and Relief Agency) leaders in Magu District.
CODRA, whose headquarters is in Mwanza City, provides education on how to combat
AIDS to people living with the disease in Mwanza Region.
Santon said that in order to empower people living with HIV/AIDS to sustain
their living for the rest of their lives, they should be given loans to run
their own businesses.
Grants don’t satisfy their needs, he said, because, often the money that comes
from donors is accompanied with difficult conditions and sometimes the money
comes late.
Santon said the only way of doing away with dependency is for the government and
other organisations which are trying to combat AIDS to look for an alternative
that will enable people living with HIV/AIDS to acquire loans from various
sources, including banks, so as to empower them to start production of food and
cash crops.
Although interest rates offered by many banks in the country are high, he said,
they will not make them fail to pay, if people will be empowered to run
profitable businesses.
James Kamenya, a victim of HIV/AIDS and a resident of Kisesa in Magu town said,
before he discovered that he was HIV positive he was sewing clothes using a
hired sewing-machine. As the disease has started to take its toll, he said he
could not continue sewing, fearing not to have enough money to pay for the hired
sewing machine.
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