It's Kikwete
By Kizito Makoye
CCM’s General Congress yesterday elected Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete as
the party’s presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections,
scheduled for October this year.
Announcing the results Speaker of the National Assembly Pius Msekwa, who was
head of the vote counting committee, said Kikwete scooped a total of 1,072
votes, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim got 476 votes and Prof. Mark Mwandosya got 122
votes.
Total votes being cast were 1,674 out of which four votes were spoilt. According
to CCM constitution the winner needs over half of the total votes.
In May last year, The Express majira survey predicted that Kikwete would become
the country’s next president. 37,119 people took part in the survey out of which
Kikwete scored the highest mark of 8415 votes.
Over 1,500 CCM delegates from across the country gathered at the Chimwaga
Conference Hall in Dodoma yesterday. In his opening speech, CCM National
Chairman, President Benjamin Mkapa told the delegates to elect a humble
candidate with integrity who is fit for the job.
The President called upon the delegates to contemplate and carefully choose a
candidate who understands people’s problems, bearing in mind that many voters
are young people.
He further said that the elected candidate must build confidence and respect
among donor countries, but act with a firm hand. “He must be a plain cloth
policeman who is not tip-toeing but running upon the beginning of his career,”
Mkapa stressed.
Before voting began, Kikwete pledged that, if elected, he would sustain the
legacy of the Third Phase Government by defending the rule of law and respect
human rights.
“I beg you to nominate me as the party’s candidate, I believe I am skilful and
experienced enough and above all, my age is now suitable for the job,” he said.
Prof. Mwandosya said that being a president is not an easy job; therefore it
requires a visionary leader.
Dr. Salim said if elected, he would use his vast leadership experience to
advocate for poor people in their struggle for prosperity.
12 transparent ballot boxes were then placed before the delegates who lined up
to cast their votes in accordance with the regions which they come from.
The election process started on Monday, in which 11 union presidential aspirants
were screened, remained with five: Frederick Sumaye, Dr. Abdallah Kigoda, Dr.
Salim A. Salim, Jakaya Kikwete and Prof. Mark Mwandosya.
On Tuesday three names were elected by NEC special committee: Kikwete got 78
votes, Dr. Salim 45 votes and Prof. Mwandosya 33 votes. According to the results
announced by CCM Publicity Secretary Omari Mapuri, Frederick Sumaye got 30 votes
and Dr. Abdallah Kigoda got 21 votes.
Jakaya Kikwete was born on October 7th 1950 in Msonga village Bagamoyo District
in Coast Region. He has a BA in Economics from the University of Dar es Salaam
and has been a minister since 1988. He brings with him experience of foreign
relations, being Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from
1995 to date.
Muhimbili runs short of blood
By Kizito Makoye
The Muhimbili National Hospital is once again in crisis, this time
around for facing a severe shortage of blood.
The Express has found out that about 125 patients suffering from a variety of
diseases and who were scheduled for operations could not be helped because the
hospital’s blood bank is running short of blood.
According to MNH blood bank coordinator, Saidi Kumbakumba the deficiency is
mostly affecting pregnant women and children whose treatment need special care.
It is estimated that 50 litres of blood equivalent to 150 units are needed
urgently to resume emergency operation services, which have been brought to a
halt.
The Express investigation reveals that the blood shortage follows increasing
number of emergence cases and that there has been a reduction in voluntary blood
donation from the public.
TACAIDS releases new research
report
Angela Mazula
About seven per cent of the adult population in Tanzania has been affected with
HIV, according to a current research report carried out by Tanzania Commission
for Aids (TACAIDS).
According to the report, Tanzania HIV/AIDS Indicator Survey (THIS), the number
of women infected stands at 7.7 per cent, while 6.3 per cent men are infected.
The report shows that Mbeya and Iringa regions have the highest rate of
infections with 13.5 and 13.4 per cent respectively, while Manyara and Kigoma
regions have lowest rates – two per cent each.
Over 13,350 men and women aged between 15 and 45 countrywide were interviewed
and tested.
The survey was designed to measure regional and national HIV/AIDS prevalence
rates and collect information on chronically ill patients.
The survey was carried out in 21 regions in Mainland were city dwellers are
twice as likely to be infected with HIV/AIDS compared to people in rural areas.
In the 15 to 19 years age group, about two per cent of both men and women are
HIV positive. Prevalence among women then rises steadily and peaks at 13 per
cent in the 30 to 34 years age groups.
Women with two or more extramarital partners were twice as likely to be infected
as those without, said the report.
Kilimanjaro
climb results in money for HIV orphans
By Timothy Kitundu
Geita Gold Mine (GGM) has managed to collect a total of Tsh. 390 million since
2002; money that will be spent on HIV/AIDS orphans. The funds have been raised
through the initiative called Geita Gold Mine Kilimanjaro Challenge.
The trek to reach the top of Kilimanjaro takes place in June this year. The
initative collected a total of Tsh. 40 million in 2002, 100 million in 2003 and
150 million last year.
Speaking during the official introduction evening of this year’s Challenge on
Monday, Reginald Mengi (Executive Chairman of IPP) commended GGM for
complementing the National Policy on HIV/AIDS through the initiative of raising
funds for orphans.
“The government has put a lot of efforts in the war against HIV/AIDS by
formulating, among others, the National Policy on HIV/AIDS Control and
Guidelines on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission but these efforts must
be complemented,” he said.
According to Mengi, the Kilimanjaro climb is a great challenge, a challenge
supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Speaking at the same occasion GGM Country Manger, Hatibu Senkoro said that
through the initiative, GGM has been working closely with the Tanzania
Commission for HIV/AIDS to achieve their goals.
He said, to pave way for the success of the Kilimanjaro Challenge collection
handling, plans were underway to set up a trust fund to handle the fund’s
collections and disbursements.
SUA
establishes AIDS club
By Merline Mhamaka, Morogoro
Students at the Sokoine University of Agriculture have formed a club fighting
AIDS, SUA AIDS club.
During the inauguration of the club last week Acting Morogoro Regional
Commissioner, Samwel Kamote said the country’s higher learning institution
should educate the community on how to fight AIDS in cooperation with other
organisations.
Kamote said if these institutions with expertise in various fields cooperate
with other organisations which fight AIDS, it would be a great help for society.
It is believed that the number of HIV positive people in Morogoro has nearly
doubled over the last ten years.
Dean of SUA Faculty of Livestock Development, on behalf of the administration,
Professor Magishi Nkwabi Mgasa said the university had also been affected by
AIDS as some of its students have died of AIDS.
At the inaugural ceremony of SUA AIDS Club, SUA contributed Tsh. 500,000 and the
Acting Regional Commissioner contributed Tsh. 100,000.
Construction
sector scores bad in OHS
By Timothy Kitundu
It is estimated that there are at least 60,000 fatal accidents
annually on construction sites around the world, one fatal accident occurs every
ten minutes in this sector. Around 17 per cent of all fatal accidents at work (1
in every 6) happen on construction sites.
This is attributed to the fact that construction is one of the world’s major
industries, meeting the demands of sometimes rapidly growing economies as well
as the requirements of normal building, renovation, maintenance and demolition
programmes in all countries.
A recent report released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Dar es
Salaam Office says that data on the number of deaths and extent of ill health in
the construction industry in Tanzania are scarce as few incidents are reported.
The report indicates that a study undertaken by the Occupational Safety and
Health Authority (OSHA) in 2001 concluded that there was a weak enforcement of
existing legislation, insufficient education and training on Occupational Health
and Safety (OHS) and poor management of OHS on construction sites.
The study recommended close collaboration between the stakeholders in developing
a programme of education, training and awareness rising among contractors and
workers.
Another study conducted by the ILO in 2003 that was coordinated by the National
Construction Council (NCC) concluded that the government and its agencies have
been weak in monitoring OHS on construction sites and enforcing the laws and
regulations designed to protect the workers.
Speaking during the marking of the 2005 World Health and Safety Day in Dar es
Salaam recently, Ali Ibrahim, ILO Director for Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and
Somalia said that workers are generally not aware of their rights to safe
working environment.
Ibrahim said ILO was working in close collaboration with the Tanzanian
government and OSHA in order to protect construction workers.
“The ILO Construction Action Programme - a new pilot programme - will be
implemented in 5 countries, including Tanzania,” he added.
The programme’s global objectives, according to Ibrahim are to create an
enabling environment for sustainable social development in the construction
industry and to support worker’s rights and quality of construction jobs.
Moshi street children
receive support
By Apolinari Tairo
In the current trend of corporate social responsibility, BP Tanzania staff have
donated assorted clothing, shoes and school bags to the Moshi-based Mkombozi
Centre for Street Children.
BP Tanzania staff in Dar es Salaam in March this year responded to a request by
Mkombozi Centre for Street Children for the company’s humanitarian support to
unprivileged children.
In a brief donation ceremony, BP Tanzania External Affairs Manager, Fred Kibodya
said the company’s staff have donated the items to support the Centre’s children
as a humanitarian gesture to improve their welfare.
He said it was the company’s policy to invest in social development in Tanzania
and in all other countries where the company has business interest. On its part,
BP Tanzania will donate a certain amount of money to the Centre, equivalent to
the value of the staff donation.
“We in BP Tanzania feel happy and privileged to support the children at of the
Mkombozi Centre, and we assure all of them our continued support, and we are
ready to publicize the Centre’s noble task”, he noted.
The Centre’s Financial Administrator, Consol Phillip said the Centre was moved
by BP’s contribution.
Mkombozi Centre for Street Children was established some 10 years ago to offer
formal and informal education to street children from Kilimanjaro Region. The
Centre is currently accommodating more than 107 children in its boarding school.
Street children enrolled at the centre including orphans whose parents have died
of HIV/AIDS or other causes, children with single parents, those chased away by
their parents and others are those who left their homes because of poverty.
Though rich in infrastructure and with modern living standards, Kilimanjaro
Region has been facing a shortage of food and poverty among the people is
gaining speed.
Big day for
culture
By Kizito Makoye
For the first time in history, Tanzania will join the rest of the world to mark
the World Day for Cultural Diversity and Development.
The celebrations, taking place on 21st of May, will be attended by President
Benjamin Mkapa, who is expected to be the guest of honour.
Speaking to The Express last week, the Secretary of the Organizing Committee
Anic Kashasha, said that the day will include numerous cultural activities,
including decorations, cuisine and beverage, performance of local music bands.
Invited guests will be asked to dress in their traditional attire.
He said the cultural day has been organized jointly through the public, private
sector partnership by the Ministries of Natural Resources and Tourism, Education
and Culture as well as the Intra African Travel and Tourism Association.
Kashasha said the country is in great demand for a cultural identity especially
with regard to globalization.
He said that it is thought that the cultural values are increasingly
disappearing among the younger population and that cultural richness has not
been appropriately exploited through cultural tourism development.
“In the era of globalization, Tanzania has to assert firmly her position in
culture. We need to pronounce loudly and widely our cultural values, so that we
receive recognition ahead of forces of globalization,” he stressed.
Mwanza districts get UNDP
money
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has donated to the
United Nations Community Development Fund (UNCDF) Mwanza Region a total of Tsh.
35 million for the completion of education projects in Kwimba, Misungwi and
Ukerewe districts.
UNCDF Coordinator Noor Mbakile said the money will go towards the construction
of 46 classrooms, 23 teachers’ offices and one teacher’s house.
Mbakile said UNCDF had purchased construction materials and trained village
construction technicians.
To complete the project as planned, Mbakile urged the residents to voluntarily
participate in the construction.
Teachers
threaten to sue NIHF
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
Teachers in Kwimba District in Mwanza Region have threatened to take
the National Insurance Health Fund (NIHF) to court, if it continues deducting
their salaries to contribute to the Fund.
A report by the Union of Tanzania Teachers (CWT) in Kwimba District says the
teachers want to withdraw from contributing for the Fund because it does not
benefit them.
Kwimba District CWT Chairman, Lameck Mahewa said in the report that a total of
1,320 teachers signed to oppose further contributions.
The teachers had reached this decision after they failed to get proper treatment
when they went to hospitals, health centres and dispensaries registered by the
NIHF.
“This is a gross injustice, our salaries are being deducted, and still we lack
proper treatment,” said Mahewa.
back to headlines
Worn out
fishing canoes destroyed
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
Canoe accidents in Lake Victoria have been reduced by 20 per cent
after mounting a special operation of inspection, setting on fire all worn out
canoes which were used for fishing.
The Director of Mbondo Fishing and Boat Survey Company Limited, Jackson Mbondo
said that since 2002, a total of 300 fishing canoes were burnt.
Mbondo said that in 2002, Mwanza Region led with 110 canoe accidents followed by
Mara Region with 90 accidents. Kagera Region had 56 canoe accidents.
More efforts are being made by the Company to reduce canoe accidents and provide
conducive and safe environment for fishermen to conduct their fishing business.
Among steps taken to reduce accidents, Mbondo said, is to see that all fishing
vessels in Lake Victoria including fishing canoes fishing boat and ships are
registered and have life saving gears like life jackets, fire extinguishers and
sand for putting out fire.
In order to stop accidents which can be prevented, Mbondo requested all owners
of water sailing vessels to observe sailing safe legislations by not loading
beyond capacity or sailing a vessel which has not been inspected and registered.
Students to
gain from better English knowledge
By Joshua Mshana
English should be the medium of instruction in primary schools so as
to prepare students for secondary school. This will enable them to be
competitive in the East African Community labour market.
John Walker, Headmaster of Laureate International School, said this in an
interview in the Dar es Salaam earlier this week.
“Language is a major problem. It is not good to have two languages taught in one
school,” he pointed out.
At the Laureate International School, the use of Internet has improved language
learning.
“We use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in our teaching. Science
teachers are using Internet. Internet is extremely important in this era of
globalization as it contains a lot of information which is very useful for both
teachers and students,” he said.
The school has provided computer and science equipments to Ngwashi Secondary
school in Usambara in Tanga Region.
“We have a link with Ngwashi Secondary school. We are helping quite a large
number of students. This helps the whole school to develop its resources. The
computer and science equipments are worth one million. The money comes from
contributions by students,” Walker said.
We are nor
heard, says pensioners
By Zainab Yusuph, Dodoma
Dodoma Region Pensioners Association (SAWATA) has asked the
government to solve their various problems, including health problems and poor
treatment when they fall ill.
SAWATA Acting Chairman in Dodoma Region, Harun Sembuche said this when
addressing a workshop called to review research findings on health problems
encountered by pensioners.
The problems faced by pensioners include poor treatment when they are ill and
being insulted when seeking help. Loneliness and lack of a voice in society were
other things they complained about.
The Association decided to deal with the problems through Help Age
International, educating the elders concerning their rights and needs as well as
health and treatment for the elders.