DUWASA suffers losses caused by crooks and cracks
By Hudson Kazonta, Dodoma
Approximately over 630,000 litres of water are lost daily from the Dodoma Urban
and Sewage Authority (DUWASA)’s supplies.
DUWASA Technical Manager, Jackbo Sapali, said this when speaking to The Express
recently at his office.
He said the loss of water is the result of individuals tampering with the pipes
and setting up illegal connections. Also DUWASA’s customers try to cheat the
authority by fiddling with the meters.
But he admitted that pipe leakages also contribute to the loss of water.
In order to remedy the situation, the Authority has decided to use the standard
pipes which can cope with high water pressure.
On the issue of DUWASA being responsible for providing devices to repair
individuals’ burst pipes, he said the owner of the pipe (bringing water to his
house) is responsible for buying the devices necessary for fixing the problem.
He said there is no agreement between customers and Authority that shows the
authority is responsible for paying for all the equipment, which is used to
connect water to a customer’s house, but the Authority will provide free
technical expertise during the connection.
Empower students instead of
beating them, teachers told
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
Teachers countrywide have been advised to use a capacitar (Spanish for empower)
method when dealing with undisciplined students instead of using corporal
punishment.
Ilemela District Commissioner (DC), Jared Ghachocha, said this when opening a
training course for primary school teachers in Mwanza City, aimed at providing
the teachers with practical exercises which can be used in classrooms and homes.
To start with, Ghachocha said, teachers have to identify the problems
confronting their pupils. There are pupils with problems of being abandoned by
their families and some have no food at home. This affects them psychologically
when in the classroom, finding themselves committing mistakes unknowingly, the
DC said.
“Not all children are OK when they are in class; there are some children who are
confronted with domestic problems. These children need capacitar assistance to
bring them to normality, instead of caning them,” Ghachacha said.
Coordinator of the training course, Costansia Mbogoma, explained that capacitar
is a programme in health education, designed for all cultures, to all children
in schools and in families.
Elaborating further she said, capacitar means to empower, to encourage or bring
up an individual by teaching him/her simple exercises for regaining health, and
teamwork building. It also can provide them with simple playing tools for their
use.
According to Mbogoma, the programme is presently being conducted in 25 countries
worldwide. In Tanzania the programme has begun in Mwanza City, and is expected
to be extended to other regions.
Give us hope!
– AIDS victims
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
People living with HIV/AIDS in the Lake Zone regions have requested
the government to ensure that Antiretroviral (ARVs) can be obtained countrywide,
to enable people to live with hope.
They presented this request through their message to Mwanza Archdiocese, in the
person of Archbishop Anthony Mayalla, during the opening of a course to train
victims of AIDS on how to use ARVs correctly.
The five-day training course is attended by 50 participants from the regions of
Mwanza, Kagera, Mara and Shinyanga.
Earlier, the Course Coordinator and TANEPHA Chairman (Tanzania Network for
People who Live with HIV/AIDS), Alex Margery said, the course was conducted in
collaboration with the American National Association of People Living With
HIV-AIDS-USA (NAPWA-US).
Meanwhile, the Tanzanian community has been directed to emphasise on the issue
of AIDS education, as a special means of fighting stigma.
The challenge was given by an officer of NAPWA. Keith Folger, Director for
NAPWA-US, who said it is a very difficult job to fight AIDS in a community which
has not acquired the proper education concerning the disease.
There must be a procedure of continuing to educate the people concerning the
disease, on an individual basis, so that each member in the community
participates fully in fighting the AIDS pandemic.
NAPWA-US Senior Associate Director for International Programmes, Stephanie
Stines, said the aim of their being in the country is to ensure people living
with HIV have a voice in the community and that their views are listened to.
Combating FGM through
the theatre
By Tunu Ally, Dodoma
A total of 500 villages in Dodoma Region have benefited from training about the
abolition of Female Genital Mutilation, organised by the Centre for Human Rights
Promotion in Dodoma Region.
The Director of CHRP, Dr. Emmanuel Kandusi said this when he addressed the
public at a performance conducted by SONA Dramatic Group, at Ugogoni Village in
Kongwa District.
Dr. Kandusi said that since 2002 when the project, sponsored by the Swiss
Embassy, started, the Centre has performed several dramas to sensitise the
public about the evils of FGM and to motivate them to abandon the custom.
CHRP, he said, decided to initiate the project following research which
indicated that Dodoma residents were still practising FGM.
Tanzania, like any other country, is required to respect human rights, Kandusi
said.
In Dodoma Region, the plays have been performed in 500 villages in all districts
of the region. In Kongwa District, the theatrical production has been put on in
118 villages.
Tanzania joins
International Deaf Sports Federation
By Heri Said Kilongo, Dodoma
Tanzania has been accepted as a member of the International Deaf Sports
Federation.
Talking to reporters last week, Tanzania Deaf Sports Association Secretary
General, Daudi Kulagwa, said the approval of their application has assured them
participation in various competitions which will be organised by the Federation.
The Association will also get technical consultancy on various issues connected
with sports for the deaf.
Already, they have been invited to participate in special deaf’ competitive
games which will incorporate various nations in Africa, held in November this
year. Football, swimming, running races, basketball and many other sports will
be on the agenda.
They have also been invited to participate in a special Olympic Games for the
deaf, to be held in the United States in 2007, and the International Olympic
Games for the deaf in China in 2009. Adding, they have also been invited to
participate in netball matches for deaf girls in Australia.
The Association is asking for donors to support national contests starting with
seven regions which have already registered with the National Sports Council
(BMT).
Successful
Primary School Scholars should have continuation
By Hudson Kazonta, Dodoma
Parents have been urged to send to their children to secondary schools if the
pupils passed their primary schools examinations.
Dodoma Region Commissioner, Mussa Nkhangaa, said this when speaking on the
occasion of the Region’s Academic Day. This day was arranged in order to
congratulate the schools which have done well in the class seven examinations
results promulgated on Monday of this week.
He said the efforts made to construct more secondary schools would be of no use
if the number of eligible students, which is increasing, stay at home.
He congratulated Mvumi Primary School in Dodoma Rural District for taking the
first position in the region out of the 560 schools. At the national level,
Mvumi was the sixth best school.
Meanwhile the Regional Education Officer, Hamis Maulid said that 23 new primary
schools have been opened since January this year.
He said that primary school education in Dodoma region has been improved thanks
to the collaboration of teachers and other leaders in the region.
Mwanza RC expresses
appreciation of great hospital initiative
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
Mwanza Regional Commissioner (RC), Daniel ole Njoolay has applauded the Hindu
community for its decision to construct a new hospital in Mwanza City, noting it
will strengthen the health services in the region.
Njoolay said this when laying the foundation stone for the new hospital, which
is expected to be constructed in the Bugando area at a cost of Tsh. 700,000,000.
He said social services such as health and education are still being needed in
Mwanza Region, and therefore the government will be in the frontline, supporting
efforts made by the private sector in constructing more schools and hospitals.
In supporting the community’s efforts, the Office of the Regional Commissioner
in Mwanza contributed Tsh. 200,000 for the construction of the new hospital.
A member of the Hindu Union Hospital Administrative Committee, Prem Kapoor, said
the construction of the hospital (comprising five storeys), will be done in two
phases. The first phase will see the construction of the laboratory, surgical
department, eye and dental clinic, delivery wards, intensive care room, four VIP
wards and two ordinary wards, all costing Tsh. 400 million.
Phase two will involve construction of six VIP wards, three ordinary wards and
other departments which will be seen to be needed at the time.
According to Kapoor, phase one is expected to begin in August this year and will
be completed by December 2006.
Adding that the hospital which, will have a capacity for attending to 200
out-patients and 52 in-patients simultaneously and daily, will have all the
essential surgical equipment, including a powerful CT Scan machine, that will
have the capacity for examining various symptoms of diseases.
Think long-term, urges Council
chairman
By Tunu Ally, Dodoma
Residents of Dodoma Rural District have been cautioned not to use
all the food crops they harvest for brewing local alcohol, as this may result in
shortages of food later.
The statement was recently made by Dodoma Rural District Council Chairman, Nason
Mtundu when addressing residents of Mundemu Village in the district.
“I request you brothers and sisters, to give respect to the food crops you
harvest, so that they can help you in time of want. Don’t use them recklessly,
believing the government will provide you with food when there’s none left. That
is not on the cards” Mtundu said.
Agricultural activities in Mundemu Village have grown to a high standard, as
many farmers use ploughs, and have been applying agricultural research findings
in planting their seeds, using quality seed and organic and chemical manures.
He advised the people to sell some of their products to pay school fees for
their children instead of brewing local alcohol. The Village Chairman urged the
people to invent various strategies for preserving food crops, including having
a village store where they will keep food safely for the future.
Former KKKT secretary-general
contests MP’s seat
By Merline Mhamaka, Morogoro
The former Secretary General of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Tanzania , Amani Mwenegoha, has declared his intention of contesting the
Morogoro South-East Constituency seat on the CCM ticket.
On Monday, Mwenegoha said he had come to this decision after receiving,
contemplating and accepting the call made by people from various wards of the
constituency.
If he is elected, he will listen to people’s views, to their wise counselling,
including their development plans for the constituency, discuss them
cooperatively and work with them to bring development.
The constituency has diverse problems, including bad wards where pregnant women
may deliver before they can reach hospital.
He refused to give any further details on the conflict with KKKT, saying that
the issue was in court.
On conflicts between farmers and herders in the constituency, Mwenegoha said, he
will use his knowledge on “Conflict Resolutions” which he gained in Britain, to
solve such problems and make sure farmers and herders do not intervene in one
another’s areas.
Mwenegoha is not alone in the contest. Thomas Mtinge from Uhuru and Mzalendo
newspapers in Dar es Salaam is also eyeing the seat.
By
Express Reporter
The slogan used by the police to alert the public about criminal
activities: ‘a call in time will stop crime’ will prove fruitless if the current
state of affairs continues. The Express has learnt that some of the crime
stoppers’ hotline numbers are unattended, while others are out of order. Is this
meant to be funny or what? It’s a big laugh for the bad guys! What about if your
house is surrounded by gangsters, or by drug-crazed yobs?
The Express could not get the exact details on how long the police hotline
numbers have been faulty, and so far no reasonable explanation from the Ministry
of Home Affairs, responsible for the police, on why the phones are left
unattended, has been put forward.
People that The Express spoke to have expressed fear that their lives and
properties might be in danger, in the situation where there is no proper channel
for reporting criminal activities. Are they supposed to fire distress rockets,
or pay people to scream?
The crime stoppers free phone numbers 911 and 111 are portrayed as important
numbers in the continued efforts to prevent crime. In theory, the police can
easily and quickly get important information on the whereabouts of criminals. In
fact, you’re lucky to be living in Tanzania where violent crime is rare…..
The Express has learnt that not only are the lines not working, but there is a
shortage of call attendants and confusion as to their exact roles and working
hours.
The lines have not been working for over a month and no explanation or press
statement has been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs or the police. The
service, which is a life-line in other countries, is lifeless in Tanzania.
There is also confusion as to where the calls get routed to. A reader who
contacted The Express, one Jeniffer Masali, said that she called the emergency
number from her mobile phone about a month ago from her home town of Moshi, and
the call was routed to Dar!.
The emergency was in Moshi. She left her address and telephone contact and
informed the call attendant about the problem, but to date no police officer has
shown up……
"This number has been set up in a rush with no proper planning as to the
sustainability or viability of such a service," claims Masali. “Don’t bother
calling them should you have any emergency as they are all malfunctioning, where
else should people report undesirable incidents?” queried a source.
Observers assert that the police should simply have put in place an effective
monitoring system, to give crime stoppers a strategy; however it is not clear if
any efforts are forthcoming by the relevant authorities.
Having been tipped off by a source, The Express reporter tried to ring the crime
stoppers’ numbers on Tuesday at around 9:00 am, but as expected they were all
ringing but no body answered. Again at 2:35 pm and on Sunday at 10:00am there
was no reply.
The government has certainly put lots of resources into maintaining the system
including paying huge sums to the advertising companies in its bid to persuade
people into reporting criminal activities by making calls.
In an interview with The Express on Tuesday, Dar es Salaam Regional Police
Commander (RPC) Alfred Tibaigana acknowledged that the crime stoppers’ numbers
were out of order, but he said the problem is beyond the ability of the police
department to sort out since it is technical in nature.
“We are aware of the complaints, I ask you to tell your readers that it is not
negligence on part of the police as such, hoping that we can involve other
telecommunications companies in providing the service,” he said. He added that
the police in collaboration with other companies involved are doing their best
to resolve the problem.
A report presented at the Sub-Saharan Executive Policing Conference
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in South Africa in 2000,
suggests that the relationship between the police and the community they serve
is crucial in fighting crime.
“Police alone will not be able to fight crime if residents do not support the
crime control and prevention efforts. A solid working relationship between
police and the community they serve are the only lasting solutions in the
ongoing and ever increasing battle against crime,” says the report. At the
moment, I don’t know if the police and their “efficiency” frighten the bad guys,
but they certainly frighten me!
Illegal drugs seizures boom
in Tanzania
By Angela Mazula, recently in Arusha
The Inter Ministerial Anti Drugs Commission has announced that the
quantity of seized drugs in the country has increased.
Commissioner of the Inter-Ministerial Anti-Drugs Commission, Christopher
Shekiondo, said during the World International Day Against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking, held in Arusha last week, that the quantity of seized
illicit drugs has increased from 733,222 kg in 2003 to 964,070 kg in 2004.
The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy), William Lukuvi,
said that this day is also an occasion for highlighting the fact that nearly 200
million people in the world are still consuming illegal drugs.
He said that many drugs with tempting names that sound less harmful, such as
disco biscuits, are just as dangerous. For those trapped in addiction, treatment
is a way out, and the choice to seek treatment is not only courageous, but often
life-saving.
He added that on this particular day, people should work towards a society free
of drugs, and encourage fellow citizens to make personal choices that lead to
healthy lifestyles.
Witchcraft mars opinion poll
By Kim Aidan, Morogoro
In the run up to the October general elections, Morogoro
Municipality has had to deal with superstition, when conducting opinion polls on
ward councillors for Mazimbu, Kihonda, Uwanja wa Ndege, Nunge, Boma and Mji
Mpya.
Some contestants for the councillorship for various wards in Morogoro
Municipality claimed that the exercise was overshadowed by witchcraft and
superstitions on the part of incumbent contestants, threatening new contestants.
One contestant for Uwanja wa Ndege Ward, who identified himself as Hassan Kuty,
said he had decided to withdraw from the contest after he was threatened with
being bewitched, and having black magic fetishes thrown into his house, carrying
the text: “withdraw or you lose your life”.
These threats have made his family members advise him to withdraw from the ward
councillorship contest.
A contestant for Boma Ward, who wanted to remain anonymous, said, in his ward
there have been a lot of complaints from his fellow contestants concerning
violent threats through superstitions and witchcraft.
“You will meet a slaughtered hen at the door of your house, wearing a big fetish
with the message that you should not contest for councillorship in the ward
concerned”, he said.
The opinion poll exercise continued on Monday this week in all the 19 wards of
Morogoro Municipal Council, accompanied by violent threats of superstitious
practices and witchcraft.