FOCUS 2005
The year 2005 has already started with a bang. The date for the elections has
been set, speculations about who will run for the presidency have begun, bidders
have set their eyes on a share of the NMB and the Serengeti Boys turned out to
be a lot older than 17!
So what can we expect to happen in the remaining ten months? The Express has for
the last few weeks been on a mission to find out what Tanzanians predict will
happen, hope will take place and are certain will materialise.
There are many changes to expect if you talk to the business community. TTCL’s
monopoly has just expired and many predict it will result in reduced prices on
especially international mobile phone calls. Something that is almost certain is
ZANTEL’s entry into Tanzania Mainland.
Bank customers have a lot to look forward to with many banks extending their ATM
service. CRDB Bank will launch a mobile phone service, allowing its customers to
get their account balance through SMS.
Politically, being general election year, things are destined to be exciting.
The State House will have a new tenant after October 30. If he or she will come
from CCM or any of the opposition parties only the future can tell. But with the
election fever being as hot as it is now, more than nine months ahead of the
election, the official election campaigns will definitely be tough.
Some analysts would argue that the elections could stir trouble and unrest,
while others, especially those involved in business, see nothing threatening
with the elections.
But what do common people think? As with the experts, people seem divided. Some
wish that Tanzanians’ general friendliness and kindness will prevail, while
others point to malicious tendencies among the parties which could spoil the
elections.
Whether you are a supporter of the East African Community or not, this year has
already witnessed some of the consequences of the Community. With the
introduction of the Customs Union, mitumba prices have increased dramatically.
Regional integration will be strengthened this year, with a special focus on a
common market.
But not everything is about money and voting, 2005 is also an exciting year for
those of us who just want to relax and have a good time. What will be this
year’s dos and donts in fashion? Will Simba manage to get past the mighty
Enyimba in the African Club Championships? And will the women’s cricket team
defend their title as African Women’s Cricket Champions?
This and lots more is all covered in our special supplement this week: Focus
2005.
We hope that the supplement will give you, if not a complete insight of the
year, than at least a good taste of what is yet to come.
Better
availability of ARVs with improved laboratories
By Angela Mazula
People living with HIV/AIDS have for long been demanding increased availability
of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Now it seems as if the demands have been heard,
with promises of improved laboratory services and a new system of HIV rapid
testing.
Speaking at a ceremony on providing oversight and training for HIV rapid testing
held at Movenpick Hotel this week, Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hussein Mwingi
said that politicians can finally speak about something positive regarding
HIV/AIDS.
“Our efforts to provide antiretroviral treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS
have met with some challenges that have prevented us from moving as fast as we
would have wished,” said Mwingi.
In October last year the Ministry of Health distributed ARVs to 32 health
facilities in the country. This allowed for the treatment of about 4,000
patients. The target was to reach 2,000 patients by the end of December this
year.
Lack of adequate laboratory infrastructure has been one of the major challenges
for providing ARVs. Laboratory services are needed to identify people in need of
treatment but also monitor patients using ARVs.
“I am told that in order to put 500,000 people on treatment by 2008, we have to
test 25 million people for HIV. This is a very big challenge. We have to
identify innovative ways to identify people needing treatment, including wide
use of rapid tests for HIV,” he said.
Meeting some of the challenges will come through the help of a number of donors,
including the World Health Organisation and the US government. The government
has also received support form a number of international private companies to
support laboratory services. Some of this support will go towards equipping
Muhimbili Hospital with an ultramodern Central Pathology Laboratory.
Charged d’Affaires of US Embassy, Michael Owen, who also attended the ceremony,
said that the US has been pushing for increased funding, resulting in major
initiatives such as the UN Global Fund and President Bush’s Emergency Plan.
“While continuing to seek adequate funding remains an ongoing concern, the
bigger challenge in the fight against AIDS has shifted to use funding on the
most appropriate strategies and best technologies to reduce the spread of the
disease,” said Owen.
Owen added that HIV rapid testing would help people in urban as well as remote
rural areas to be tested and access the necessary services.
ARVs are widely regarded as a major breakthrough by patients, health workers and
policy mangers. The drugs prolong the lives for HIV/AIDS patients and increase
the chances of infected parents to care for their children.
Union offers former child workers
new start
By Merline Mhamaka, Morogoro
Children who previously worked as child labourers have been given a fresh start
thanks to Tanzania Plantations and Agricultural Workers Union (TPAWU) in
Morogoro Region.
TPAWU has successfully offered technical education to children under 17 years,
who used to work at Tungi Sisal Estate.
The Secretary of Women and Youth Education Affairs, Philipina Mosha said this
when she inspected projects initiated by TPAWU at Tungi Sisal Estate area.
TPAWU provides training in carpentry for boys and tailoring for girls. The union
also runs a nursery school which was opened in November last year, under the
Strengthening Gender Relations and Good Employment Opportunities Project,
sponsored by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
When the school started, it had 110 children. But now, there are only 80, as the
rest have joint Class One of Primary Schools.
TPAWU is also involved in care for the elders by providing retired women from
Tungi Sisal Estate training in for example handicrafts.
It has succeeded to bring together 50 women, who receive education on family
planning, AIDS education and batik dress making.
State attorneys advised improve
conditions
By Kabele Lazaro, Mwanza
State attorneys and zonal court assessors countrywide have been advised to
ensure that they inspect prisons monthly; this is in order to solve prisoners’
problems.
Andrew Chenge, the Attorney General, gave the advice when talking to all State
Attorneys of Tanzania Mainland (who are working under the Attorney General’s
Chambers), when opening a three days session for the Attorneys Monday this week
at the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) hall in Mwanza City.
In his report, Chenge stated that inmates and particularly prisoners on remand
are staying in crowded conditions.
Some of the cases of remandees, he said, have not been heard for a long period
of time, either because of lack of state attorneys or due to crooked decisions
made by attorneys.
Livestock sector workshop on
Saturday
By Angela Mazula
The Minister for Livestock Development, Edward Lowassa is expected to open a
workshop on Saturday focusing on livestock development in the country.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam last week, the Minister said discussions are important
to improve strategies on the management of livestock in the country. The sector
has shown signs of improvement, but there remains a lot to be done, he said.
He said that the workshop will be attended by 300 stakeholders from all over the
country including veterinary officers.
Yusuf Sinare, Livestock Chairman Committee said participants from four regions
(Coast, Morogoro, Arusha and Dar es Salaam) have already confirmed their
participation.
He added that the event named “Mifugo Party” will be held annually, aiming to
bring together different stakeholders elaborating on how to develop the
livestock industry, the sole livelihood for many Tanzanians.
Govt acknowledges voice of
disabled
By Kim Aidan, Matombo
The disabled should be facilitated to register in the Voters' Permanent Register
for the coming general elections.
The call was made by Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender and
Children Affairs, Shamin Khan last week.
Family members of disabled should help them access registration centres, she
said during her tour of the district to motivate Tanzanians to register in the
Voters' Permanent Register.
Recognising the rights of disabled, Shamin said the government has appointed a
representative in the Parliament who will represent the disabled’s opinions and
advices.
She urged that families with disabled family members should not segregate them,
but make sure that they are registered in the Voters' Permanent Registration
Book.
Bunda harvests sufficient
By Beldina Nyakeke, Musoma
A total of 69,408 tonnes of food crops were harvested during the last season
ending July last year in Bunda District, Mara Region.
Presenting an implementation report of the sector to the Regional Improvement
Council, Bunda District Council Director, Jastas Molai said his district would
not have to face problems of famine in the near future. However, shortages of
food might occur during the second quarter when the short rains start.
Crash victims to sue Tropical Air
By Kizito Makoye
Two victims of an accident involving a charter plane Cessna-172 belonging to
Tropical Air Company have threatened to sue the company for failing to
compensate them, the victims have said.
Abdulmajid Abdulrahman and his wife Aziza were on the plane that took off from
Dar es Salaam International Airport heading for Zanzibar in December last year.
Shortly after takeoff, the plane experienced an engine failure and crashed into
the Indian Ocean just outside Bagamoyo. The couple survived the accident
miraculously together with the pilot.
The Express has learnt that Abdulrahman took the decision to sue the company
after Tropical Air Company failed to compensate them for property loss and
inconvenience caused.
According to Abdulmajid, the couple lost personal belongings when the plane sank
in the ocean.
In an exclusive interview with The Express Abdulmajid said: “I feel sorry for
losing my money. I had Tsh. 3.6 million and US$ 2,310 in my suitcase. I had also
bought a fluorescent tube light and some other things.”
“We were all confused and traumatized, surrounded by water everywhere. The
current was too strong and my wife vomited uncontrollably as she could not
withstand the ordeal,” he recounted.
Abdulmajid said ever since the accident occurred more than two months ago he has
been struggling with the company to get any compensation. All the efforts he has
made have proved fruitless, he said, adding that it is now inevitable to take
legal action against the company.
He added that an official from the company once told him that formalities for
his compensation were still being processed and that the Insurance Corporation
would compensate him US$ 1,500 to cover the loss.
“I would expect to have a friendly meeting with them to discuss our
compensation, but it appears that there are unscrupulous elements in the
matter,” Abdulmajid said.
He added that his family is now consulting various people for advice in order to
file a case against the company.
He urged the government of Zanzibar to intervene in the matter so that justice
could take its course.
An official from Tropical Air Company, who sought anonymity, told The Express
that investigations for the accidents are underway and it is unlikely that the
victims will be compensated immediately.
Expelled workers demand salaries
By Beldina Nyakeke, Musoma
Over 200 workers, who were expelled from Mara Fish Packers Limited in Musoma
town, marched to the offices of Mara Regional Labour Officer last Sunday,
demanding to be paid their salaries.
The salaries amount to Tsh. 13 million.
The Express witnessed the workers standing outside the Labour Department Office
while the Tanzania Union of Industrial and Commercial Workers Organisation (TUICO),
were holding talks with the Regional Labour Officer, Juma Mwabelo.
The workers claim outstanding salaries from November 2004 to January, 2005.
The problem started after the Mara Fish Packers Ltd. Director explained that
they could not pay salaries since production was below capacity. The workers
were given dismissed notice letters on January 18 this year, after the company
management had closed the company on 1st October, 2004.
The Regional Labour Officer requested the workers to be patient and wait for the
outcome of the talks with the company’s Director Nadil Jessa that will take
place tomorrow (Friday).
The talk will include a re-examination of the accounts of payments.
Mwinyi visits KMJ
By Express Reporter
The former President, Ali Hassan Mwinyi on Monday paid a courtesy call to Kokni
Muslim Jamaat (KMJ) schools to have a look at the various development activities
being done by the society.
Mwinyi warned teachers to be extra vigilant as regards HIV/AIDS.
“Parents are primarily responsible for the wellbeing of their children, but a
teacher also plays a central role in developing a child in order to succeed in
life,” he said.
While at the school Mwinyi visited several classrooms and a dispensary.
The Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children Affairs,
Shamim Khan called upon parents to cooperate with teachers in bringing up
children and get rid of the attitude that teachers are the ones solely
responsible for children.
IIT students continue to shine
By Angela Mazula
Students of the Institute for Information Technology (IIT) are maintaining the
trend of performing excellently Francis Buberwa, IIT’s Programme Manager has
said.
Speaking in Dar as Salaam last week, Buberwa said that about eight students who
sat for the last examination in Computing and Information System from London
Metropolitan University, Britain have passed.
He said that two candidates got an upper second division mark and that no one
achieved less than a second class honours. Buberwa praised the performance by
students as well as tutors.
IIT Managing Director, Mujtaba Salemwala said the students had enhanced the
Institute’s reputation.
“We congratulate all students, their parents, guardians and sponsors. These
results reinforce IIT’s reputation as a centre of excellence in IIT education
and training,” he said.
He added that in the examination of December 2003, all 15 IIT candidates passed;
three with first class honours, seven with upper second class honours, four with
lower class honours and one with third class honours.
American money to FGM education
By Zainabu Yusuph, Dodoma
An American Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Equality Now Agency, has agreed
to support Women Wake Up (WOWUP), a Dodoma-based NGO in the fight against female
genital mutilation (FGM) in Dodoma Region.
The support, which aims at educating people on the effects of FGM, started early
this month.
WOWUP Secretary, Fortunata Makafu said the training started in Kondoa District
but it will eventually spread to all districts.
EAC military exercise in Arusha
By Angela Mazula
The East African Community (EAC) member states have launched a joint EAC
military exercise known as “Ongoza Njia 2005” ending Sunday this week.
The exercise, which started on Monday, takes place in Monduli District, Arusha
Region.
According to a press statement issued this week, Amanya Mushega, Secretary
General of EAC, said that the exercise is a Peace of Support Operation exercise
and serves as a prelude to a field training exercise to be conducted at a later
date.
He said that the exercise aims at facilitating regional cooperation and
undertaking in training.
He said that Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding on defence cooperation and part of the plans is to conduct joint
military training exercises.
The Commandant for the Tanzania Military Academy Director, Major General
Christopher Gimonge said the exercise is wholly organised and sponsored by the
three partner states.