Burning a hole...
By Kizito Makoye
Mitumba, the second-hand ‘branded’ clothes available in the city, are getting
beyond the reach of common people. The middle class who are the main customers
for these clothes are bearing the burden of taxes imposed on the importers, a
move which is certain to burn a hole in the pockets of all across the town.
With the commencement of East African Customs Union, increased prices are not
only hitting the consumers hard and also the importers who fear loss of market
share and are not releasing their imports from the docks as now they have to pay
an increased tariff. They have written to the Minister of Finance, Basil Mramba,
asking his intervention in helping the traders clear off the imports that are
lying in the dock. There are about 60 containers which have not been collected
by the importers since January 1, the day on which new tax regime came into
play.
The increase has hit everybody hard. A trader in Dar es Salaam told The Express
that a consignment is now charged US$ 0.75 per kilo during post shipment
inspection, so a consignment which would cost Tsh. seven million to clear off,
is now costing importers as high as Tsh. 25-27 million to bring it to the
market.
This, according to the traders, is discouraging most importers about mitumba and
many of them are even ready to quit business and venture into other sectors
because they are unable to cope up with the increase in taxes and do not expect
to get the returns back from the market.
“The whole matter has been messed up, there is no reliability factor among tax
collectors … most of us are unclear on how the rules are being implemented,”
traders claimed.
The increased taxes are threatening over 60 per cent of those self employed to
lose their jobs. “I do not think if the hiked duty is in line with the
implementation of the East African Community. In that case, the increase should
have had a consistency in all three countries but the tariffs in Kenya and
Uganda are not as high,” traders claimed.
As an example, a bale of second-hand clothes which was sold in its simplest form
for Tsh. 55,000 will in the future be sold for Tsh. 90,000.
“The government’s move to increase duty is hard on local people, almost 90 per
cent of them wear these clothes,” claimed a trader in Kariakoo area.
Most businessmen interviewed in Tandale, Kariakoo, Tandika, Manzese, Mchikichini
and Ilala said, if the move is aimed at protecting industries, then its
implementation will be difficult bearing the fact that there is no proper
infrastructure to link all three countries. “The increased duty on used clothes
is undoubtedly discouraging for everyone concerned and there is no backup
either,” remarked a businessman.
The sources also argued that the importers of new clothes from Hong Kong and
China, which are not of the same quality, are the ones who should be subjected
to high tariffs, not second-hand ones.
Most retailers interviewed said that they will be forced to losses because most
of their clients are middle class people who cannot afford to purchase clothes
at exorbitant prices.
“The increase in duty for ‘mitumba’ is unbearable for most of us, we will suffer
because the clients can make the decision not to buy,” claimed Mussa Katikilo, a
clothes vendor at Kariakoo Market. The survey conducted at Kariakoo, Tandale,
Kinondoni and Mwenge revealed that the prices of shirts, jeans and T-shirts have
increased by over 20 per cent. Grade A second hand jeans is now sold between
Tsh. 7,000 and Tsh.10, 000, where previously the price was between Tsh. 6,000
and Tsh. 8000.
“We have been forced to increase the price because the wholesale price has
increased. We used to buy one bale between Tsh. 125,000 and Tsh. 150,000 but
because of the changes in taxes we purchase the same bale for twice as much,”
said a trader.
The survey further disclosed that Grade A shirts and T-shirts being sold between
Tsh. 3,000 and Tsh. 4,000 were previously sold between Tsh. 2,000 and Tsh.
3,000.
The gap between new clothes and Mitumba has narrowed as well, which is yet
another concern for the traders who feel people now can decide to buy new
clothes since the prices have narrowed quite a bit. Most bazaars in the City
Centre and Kariakoo sell ready made clothes where a new pair of jeans trousers
cost Tsh. 10,000 to Tsh. 15, 000 and shirts sell between Tsh. 7,000 and Tsh.
10,000.
Last week, Mitumba Dealers Association wrote to TRA in their latest bid to
petition against the hiked customs duty. The matter has not been resolved yet
although TRA’s Commissioner for Customs and Excise, George Lauwo promised to
work on the complaint.
A statement from TRA released on Monday said that the new tariffs for
second-hand clothes have not been fixed by the Authority as claimed by the
traders adding that, it was the government through the Parliament, which
endorsed the tariffs.
The statement said the tariffs for second-hand clothes have risen from 25 per
cent to 50 per cent and not 150 per cent as it was reported. “Businessmen are
asked to assess critically, before they decide to halt their businesses,” said
the statement. The statement further clarified that in altering the tariffs for
imported commodities, the goods would be subjected to same tariffs across East
Africa.
Women in politics get
confidence booster course
By Kim Aidan, Morogoro
More and more from the fairer sex in the country want to take to active
politics, if the number of enrolments at a training course to attract women to
contest this year’s election is any indication.
The seven week training course, aiming at attracting more women to compete in
the forthcoming general elections, has generated great enthusiasm and so far as
many as 138 women from various political parties have enrolled themselves in the
course.
The course is sponsored by the Hanns Deidel Foundation, through its Resident
Director Klaus Solfrank. The programme will be coordinated by CCM Special Seats
Member of Parliament (MP) on NGOs ticket, Shamsa Mwangunga.
The course will boost women’s motivation to contest for various positions; from
Councillors to Members of the Parliament.
Women, Mwangunga said, will be trained on how to face campaign waves during the
election period, how to manage political platforms during elections, the
structure of the central and local governments and the state of the country’s
economy, especially in the villages.
One of the major problems facing women in politics at district, regional and
national levels, is fear and threats arising within their parties. They are
often discouraged by men and women are given insufficient capital to run their
campaigns, Mwangunga said.
Secondary school receives
contribution
By Merline Mhamaka, Turiani
The Suleiman Sadiq Secondary School in Turiani Division, Mvomero District in
Morogoro Region will receive 120 desks and chairs thanks to contributions from
the private sectors.
It is the Morogoro Outgrowers Association (MOA) and Mtibwa Sugar Factory in
Turiani Morogoro Region who have committed themselves to the donation.
Particularly the students starting Form One this year have felt the shortage of
desks in the school, according to Morogoro North Constituency Member of
Parliament (MP) Suleiman Sadiq.
The school is assisted by the Secondary School Reform Programme.
Transport institute in
shambles
By Kizitto Joseph
Government should ensure employment to all graduates from National Institute of
Transport (NIT), which is plagued with problems of outdated facilities and
exhausted resources. In a report submitted to the government, authorities have
pleaded not only to ensure jobs to the students but also urgently renovate the
buildings and procure latest equipment.
Vicent Mtoni, chairperson of the graduates asked the government to ensure
employment for the NIT graduates. Also, lack of renovation and upgradation of
facilities are affecting work and hindering progress of the institute,
authorities claimed.
“We need to repair our working facilities to improve innovations. Cars and
buildings are all exhausted and need repair,” said Fungafunga.
He said the College has set up a short term plan to buy new working facilities
and to begin with, it is looking for financial support from various sources.
“We are expected to get funding but it is still difficult. However we still hope
that we will manage some to enable us buy new cars and repair our buildings,” he
said.
According to Vicent Government should set up a programme to ensure that every
NIT graduate is employed. “This will increase morale of people to go and study
there", said Vicent.
ILO
offers children fresh start
It is certainly one which promises to bring smiles back to their faces.
Underprivileged children who work as child labours in various parts of the
country will get trained for livelihood through vocational courses.
An effort sponsored by the International Labour Organisation, over 700 children
will be freed from the bondage and learning skills to be able to earn a
livelihood. The trainings will be conducted at more than 18 colleges of the
Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) scattered all over Tanzania.
The step, is part of implementation of a special programme of eradicating child
labour, which is under the aegis of the Department of Labour of the American
Government, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The Confederation of Hotels and Domestic Workers Union (CHODAWU) and Kiota
Women’s Health and Development (KIWOHEDE) have successfully emancipated over 399
and 300 children respectively from oppressive working conditions. All these
children have now been enrolled in VETA institutions. These children come from
the municipalities of Temeke, Ilala and Kinondoni. All the children are in the
age group between 14 and 18.
This age group is particulary prone to be engaged in child labour, but is also
the group which if given education and training can be successful in
self-employment.
The children will be offered courses in skills training, textiles, manufacturing
mechanical engineering, and welding. They will also learn carpentry, cookery,
embroidery, candle making and plumbing, courses which they will study during the
whole period while they are at colleges. All the courses have been chosen
carefully to enable the children to be employed or be involved in
self-employment.
It is hoped that the training given to the children will offer them a better
future.
Many children dream of a lite in town but for many of them their experience
turns out to be very different from what they dreamed of.
Most of the children are taken to the towns and are subjected to a number of
atrocities including sexual abuse, forced child labour, employed in bars to
attract customers but with very small wages.
Govt asked to review worker’s
legislation
By Danny Eliah, Dodoma
Tanzania Union of Industrial and Commercial Workers Organisation (TUICO) have
requested the government to re-examine the worker’s new legislation, as it works
to their disadvantage.
The statement was made by the TUICO Secretary General Boniface Nkakatisi, when
talking to reporters in the Municipality of Dodoma, adding the legislation
retards workers' efforts and lowers their morale.
Workers have been discouraged by the deduction of many taxes from their salaries
for reasons which the union failed to understand.
TUICO is determined to continue communicating with the government to make sure
the legislation is reviewed as soon as possible, so that efforts of combating
poverty bears fruits.
Meanwhile, TUICO will start selecting their branch leaders in the country
starting on 25th of January.
“The election regulation shall be followed effectively in conducting elections
in branches and to make the democracic elections to the members in branches
effective” Nkakatisi stressed.
Nkakatisi said in May this year they will meet again to discuss the election and
evaluate them.
He also said that on 11th of September this year, the Union will celebrate its
10th year of anniversary.
back to headlines
Kenyan universities set
stiffer eligibility criteria for admission
By Angela Mazula, Nairobi
Public universities in Kenya are facing a crisis of lack of space with the
number of students eligible for admission increasing every year. To tackle the
situation and contain the pressure, the universities have decided to raise the
cut-off marks for admission.
This, they feel, is the only way to reduce the number of applicants to the
institutes of higher learning which have started buckling down under pressure.
Effectively, the students will need to have higher marks than before, said
Administration Board of Chairman.
Speaking with The Express in Nairobi last week, Professor Ezra Maritim, said
that the new move is expected to affect candidates who took the Kenya
Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination last year.
It is expected that 60,000 out of the 225,000 candidates will easily achieve the
university eligibility grade of C+. However, the professor said that 10,000
students may have to sit out because of the limited space in the country’s six
public universities.
“Unfortunately, with a limited capacity, the cut-off point for this group may
reach 68 (B+). This is a disturbing trend that needs to be addressed,” said Prof
Maritim.
The statistics, compiled since 2002, indicated that public universities admitted
5.6 per cent (10,887) of KCSE candidates out of a total of 195,749 students who
sat for the examinations. But the universities could only admit 22.5 per cent of
the eligible candidates with a mean grade of C+ and above despite the cut-off
point set at B (64 points).
For the 2003 KCSE group, the cut-off point was 66 and only five per cent of the
total candidates and 20.6 per cent of the eligible candidates were admitted.
With the increasing number of students, it was becoming more and more difficult
for universities to admit students after the high school.
“To close the gap between demand and supply, the government should pay attention
to promote distance and part-time courses including establishing an open
university and increasing self-sponsored opportunities,” he said.
‘Do not shy off AIDS’
By Kizitto Joseph
The victims of HIV / ADIS should come out openly to admit of having the disease
to facilitate a proper assessment of the situation and inspire people to fight
the battle instead of shying away from it. The views were aired by the
chairperson for the Network of People Living with HIV (TANOPHA) Julius Kaaya,
urging greater participation of these people in effort of saving lives of
innocent people who might be vulnerable.
He was speaking in Dar es Salaam about the endeavours made by his society in the
fight against HIV/AIDS. “The shyness does not help anybody and the shame is also
deterrent in this fight against the disease. Since the society takes it as a
curse and victims remain hidden, the rate of the spread of the diseases is never
clear,” he said.
“The actual number of cases seems much higher than the ones reported. We have
not been able to convince people about coming out and openly admitting the
disease. Until such time, we will never know what kind of enemy we are fighting
against,” he added.
“I would like to tell my fellow Tanzanians that AIDS is not among diseases to be
ashamed of. Unlike cholera which is a result of dirty environment, AIDS results
from a well refreshing intercourse,” he claimed.
Kaaya also warned against mistreatment of the AIDS victims saying it adds to the
obstacles in the fight against the disease.
“It is inhuman the way these people are treated. They disregard the HIV/AIDS
victims and these acts which are rampant in Zanzibar and Lindi. This hinders
their fight against the disease,” he pointed out.
However Kaaya said that there is a need to improve education on HIV/AIDS to
people so that they may change their minds towards the disease.
Residents want ownership of
open area revoked
By Kim Aidan, Morogoro
Residents of Sultan Area Ward in Morogoro Municipality have asked the regional
government to request President Benjamin Mkapa to nullify the ownership of an
open area given by the local Council to Mafiga Ward Councillor, Job Mwakisisile.
It is believed that the owner will construct a disco hall instead of a Ward
Secondary School.
Speaking at an emergency meeting of the Ward Development Committee, under the
chairmanship of their Ward Councillor, Mbarara Maharagande last week, the
residents said the decision of the Municipality to grant the area to the
Councillor is tantamount to eliminating education development in the ward.
They said they had already been prepared to construct a day secondary school to
benefit the whole municipality.
“We have read in the newspapers that over 1,500 pupils who passed the Primary
School Leaving Examinations in Morogoro Municipality failed to secure places in
secondary schools due to shortage of secondary school.
Wouldn’t the school in offing solve the problem?” they queried.
Morogoro Regional Commissioner (RC) Stephen Mashishanga has consistently been
urging people of all wards in Morogoro Region to construct ward secondary
schools, as the resources of the central government and local governments are
limited.
According to the RC, there are only two ward secondary schools in Morogoro
Municipality which has 19 wards.
Promising tourist site in
need of restoration
By Nestory Ngwega,Tanga
Management of Amboni caves should be privatized, feels experts, to help
restoration and beautification of the site which in turn can help the government
generate good amount of revenue.
The cave, which is just 10 km from the Tanga town attracts a lot of
international and local tourists but the condition has been deteriorating with
no restoration of the place.
The request of privatizing them has been raised by the Administrative Officer of
a Non Governmental Organization of Tanga, Eco Vorunteerism (TeV) Mr. John Omari.
“Amboni caves would turn into a great tourism attraction in the region, if it
is handed over to private a sector to run them,” he said.
“Despite knowing that the tourism sector is important for the economic growth,
the government has not yet made efforts to make sure that Amboni Caves is
developed so that it can contribute to revenue generation for the country,” he
added.
The site was among ruins and getting more and more dilapidated by the day.
“There is no care taken to restore the site and maintain safety of the structure
from further damage,” he claimed, adding, “it is high time that the government
start doing something about it.”
“It is better even to privatize them as it has been doing in other economic
sectors like processing industry,” he said.
“We thank the government for its privatization policy which has been bearing
fruits in various sectors, yet I wonder why they cannot adopt the same policy
with Amboni caves and realize the potential it has,” he pointed out.
Despite different private companies trying to promote locations in the country,
the expectation generated is not matched with the experience when tourists
actually visit such sites.
“The international tourists wonder why such beautiful caves could be left
undeveloped and in ruins without any restoration,” he added.
In the effort of developing the site, it can even generate employment, he felt.
Privatizing the site is generally felt by the experts as the most effective and
best way to ensure that employment are generated. Since privatisation has proved
effective elsewhere, they aregue the same policy should be implemented.