LEASE OF LIFE?
By Kizito Makoye
The newly formed Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Corporation (DAWASCO)
has spelled out strategies to deal with the water problems in the city in a
Hundred Days Rescue Plan, following the exit of City Water a couple of months
ago. DAWASCO is likely to face an enormous task.
In the rescue plan, which was touched off last week, the corporation has
identified a number of priority areas for remedying the situation, including
revenue improvement, leakage control, strategic metering and improvement of the
billing system.
In his speech at the official inauguration of DAWASCO Board of Directors,
DAWASCO’s Chief Executive Officer Eng. Alex Kaaya, said that due to various
technical reasons it is likely that the water blues will continue to haunt city
residents, seeing that only 90 per cent of water produced is pumped into the
system.
However, DAWASCO CEO is optimistic that the programme worth US$ 164 million,
funded by the World Bank, will be effective in reducing the water problems to a
great extent.
Under the rescue plan, the corporation has embarked on an unprecedented
programme which is supervised by Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA),
aimed at renovating water infrastructure in some parts of the city.
Strategies include the fixing of 15,000 water meters to DAWASCO’s customers’
residences, purchases of new software for handling the billing system, and the
construction of water kiosks.
Speaking at the inaugural function, the Minister for Water and Livestock
Development, Edward Lowassa, said DAWASA and DAWASCO are two different
corporations. He said DAWASA is the owner of water infrastructure in Dar es
Salaam, while DAWASCO is only implementing the services using the infrastructure
per agreement.
The Minister said in order for DAWASCO to be self-sustained and self-sufficient,
it is important that the customers settle their water bills promptly.
He also pointed out that ever since DAWASCO took over the monthly collection
revenues have increased by 12.5 per cent from Tsh. 1.05 billion in May to Tsh.
1.2 billion in June, adding that areas which were experiencing acute water
shortages have now started to receive water.
The CEO said that due to uncontrolled leakages, illegal connections and
un-economical usage of water, it is estimated that only 45 per cent of the water
produced reaches consumers. He stressed that “this means that in every 254,000
cubic metres of produced water, it is only 115,000 cubic metres which reach the
consumers.”
“The situation is not good at all; the availability of water in Dar es
Salaam does not match the needs, and is unreliable to the extent that many areas
have to receive water with rationing,” he said. The source of water problems in
Dar es Salaam is the low capacity of River Ruvu water plants. Only 281,000 cubic
metres per day are produced, compared with the demand of 400,000 cubic metres
per day.
He also identified wear and tear of Upper Ruvu water treatment plants,
destruction of the Kizinga river source, rampant leakages and illegal
connections as continued hiccups which hinder the efficiency of water provision.
In interviews with The Express last week, some residents of Dar es Salaam said
an uphill task is ahead of the new corporation, bearing in mind that the water
infrastructure in Dar es Salaam is old and worn out.
Bernard Mkini, Driver
“I think the revolution in the water sector that the government has made
recently is bold and decisive, because obviously we could not see any signs of
change, the firm (City Water) could not perform. The water problems had actually
worsened. It will take some time for the newly formed DAWASCO to come to terms
with the situation, because they took over a bad situation, but I hope things
will be alright.” Justina Mwagange, Businesswoman
Unless the water system throughout Dar es Salaam is reviewed, I do not think the
problem of water shortage will be sorted out. During the time when City Water
was operational, we could hardly see any efforts and success, people were given
water bills for the water they never consumed, this shows how bad the situation
was. The water bills sometimes were beyond the reach of majority consumers who
are low income earners. We were compelled to pay Tsh. 20,000 to Tsh. 25,000 per
month. Getting rid of City Water is one thing, now the new authority will face a
real challenge in replacing worn-out water infrastructure and giving enough
education on consumption.”
Saleh Ahmed, Musician
“I think the government has heard the cry of the people in Dar es Salaam
regarding the provision of water services. I am still doubtful if DAWASCO will
immediately solve all problems. It will certainly take some time, but I hope
they will learn from the mistakes of the former company, whose success was not
perceptible throughout the period of its contract, so that the government
intervened.”
Misheli, Unemployed
“I think the termination of City Water was appropriate and timely, because
otherwise the government could incur losses, in essence when a company or a
service is privatized people would expect better results. It is my hope that the
newly formed DAWASCO will be equal to the challenge, what is needed is good
management and administration.”
Ramso Iddi “
It is probably an uphill task for the newly formed company but let’s hope for
the best.
Anthony Salama, Small Scale Vendor
“I think most Dar es Salaam residents realized that the problem of water could
not be resolved immediately, that is why even if they had small resources, they
embarked on alternative means including well digging. I myself use well water
and I am comfortable that even if the problem is not solved I will not be
directly affected. But I think DAWASCO will need to study the issue carefully,
otherwise they will also end up no where in dealing with this problem.”
Josephat Joachim Mushi, Businessman
“I am against the whole idea of privatization, I always believe that the
investors do not have any interest in developing our country, the attitude that
City Water had shown is a clear example. The company had shown gross negligence
in dealing with broken pipes, which could greatly help resolving water problems
because it appears that over 50 per cent of water being wasted is lost in that
way.”
Valentino Kasukwa
“I think the government decision to appoint City Water was great; however the
company’s failure was prompted by the fact that local implementers could not
give wholehearted cooperation to the company. Even DAWASCO, will find it
difficult to implement its responsibility if the people on the ground are not
giving enough support.”
Police shoot alleged
orange-thief by mistake
By Kim Aidan, Morogoro
A thirty year old man, Tamim Haji, has been accidentally shot dead
by the police on suspicion of stealing 200 oranges from his father valued at
Tsh. 96,000.
Talking to reporters, Morogoro Regional Police Commander Stephen Ngowi, said the
episode occurred on July 21, at 4:10 p.m. at Mkuyuni Village in Morogoro Rural
District.
The RPC said, the father, Haji Ramadhan (60) came to Mkuyuni Police Post and
stated that his son had stolen 200 oranges, requesting police assistance in
arresting the son, who had the habit of stealing from his house.
The Mkuyuni Officer Commanding the Station nominated four police to go and
arrest the young man, after the old man claimed he would hire a vehicle to
arrest Tamim. The police surrounded the house, and one of them knocked on the
door for a long time without success. During all this time, Tamim was on the
roof of the house, hiding.
Unfortunately, one policeman fired on the roof of the house with the aim of
frightening Tamim, without knowing Tamim was hiding on the roof. Then the
policeman heard a loud voice from the roof lamenting – you are killing me.
The RPC said when PC Ayub discovered that he had shot dead the suspect Tamim
Haji, he handed over the weapon to his fellow police and ran away.
The Police Force is making an all-out effort searching for the policeman
concerned, to interrogate him on the matter.
Spiritual
swapped for Political, or can they be simultaneous?
By Sebastian Gabunga, Mwanza
Padre Casmir Felician Bulugu has declared his intention of contesting for the
Kwimba Constituency seat in Mwanza Region on the CCM ticket.
Father Bulugu said he had decided to rest from providing spiritual service so
that he gets time to serve people in the constituency where he was born.
Currently he is running a business in Mwanza City after calling a halt to the
priestly vocation last year. He announced his intention of standing for
parliament during the Mass last Sunday which was offered at Mwakagole
Sub-Parish, which is in Nyamilama Division in Kwimba District.
Bongo Flavour tunes fight AIDS
By Heckton Chuwa, Moshi
It is believed that Bongo Flavour (popular tunes sung in Kiswahili)
can have a part to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly in terms of
doing away with stigmatization and discrimination.
This was made clear by Mtumwa Chambala of Dar es Salaam College, a constituent
part of Tumaini University, when presenting a paper during the ongoing symposium
on the HIV/AIDS pandemic and Gender in Tanzania.
In her paper entitled ‘The Kiswahili Metaphors of HIV/AIDS in Popular Songs and
Issues of Stigmatization in Tanzania”, Chambala said that Bongo Flavour is an
emerging genre that increasingly is becoming a prominent agent in educating,
commenting on and entertaining people from various walks of life.
She said: “In many areas of Tanzania, Bongo Flavour rhythms have become
universally prevalent to the extent that the average person cannot avoid them”,
adding that they are played in public buses and at market places, with the most
popular records played repeatedly, to the point that children can recite the
words.
Music can work as a tool to transmit messages on HIV/AIDS, reaching a large
audience, she said.
Chambala said that apart from entertaining, music can also function as an
effective and pervasive medium for communicating social, cultural, economic and
political themes; in terms of creating awareness, criticizing, appraising,
indoctrinating and even preventing HIV/AIDS stigmatizing.
She said composers reflect on the issue of gender disparity. Some Bongo Flavour
artists compose songs whose messages are meant to fight widespread stigma and
discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS, citing a popularly composed
song Alikufa kwa Ngoma (He died of AIDS ) composed by Mwanafalsafa and Lady
Jayde as an example.
Villagers want
to find out where their money goes
By Merline Mhamaka, Gairo
Many village governments have no known timetable for calling meetings of
villagers, and making reports on the income collected, or how it is spent. This
is a problem confronting many villages in Kilosa District in Morogoro Region.
The situation has made some villagers think twice about making more
contributions, resulting in some being reported to state organs by village
government leaders.
This was voiced by residents of some villages in Gairo Division of Kilosa
District, at a one-week training workshop, called to empower them in running
their businesses. The workshop was organized by The Anglican Church, Morogoro
Diocese for seven villages of Gairo and Magole divisions.
The Village delegates who attended the workshop came from the villages of
Leshata, Ndogomi, Madege, Masenge and Makuyu in Gairo Division; and Maguha and
Kiegeya in Magole Division.
‘Militia should stay clear of
the election’
By Emmanuel Lazaro, Dodoma
Dodoma Rural District Commissioner, Zainab Kikwega, has warned that
the militia training conducted in the district should not be used to organise an
army which could disrupt the October general elections.
Kikwega gave this caution recently when closing the militia training for 91
youths, including 15 women of Ibihwa Village in Dodoma Rural District.
Adding, there should be prepared and correct list of the militia force for the
whole district, starting with the first cohort, to ensure that young militia
graduates are not used contrary to the objectives of their training.
Village, ward and division executive officers, should make a close follow-up of
the militia ways of movement in their areas to learn what they are doing, and
make sure they are motivated so that they understand and realize their
importance to the nation, and have patriotic hearts.
Women arise, throw off the
chains of discrimination
By Timothy Kitundu
Women of the Greater East African region have congratulated the
Tanzanian government for making efforts to ensure gender equality and equal
participation of women in leadership and decision making bodies, a woman MP has
said.
The efforts include the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all
Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and increasing women’s seats in both the
local government and the Parliament.
This was said by Monica Mbega, MP for Iringa urban, when opening a one-day forum
on Enhancing Women’s Participation in Parliamentarian Politics, on Monday.
“The amendment of the Constitution last year, to increase the representation of
women in parliament to 30 per cent from the present 21.4 per cent, assures women
of a positive direction towards having a gender balanced representation in
decision-making bodies,” she said.
The meeting, organized by the Environmental, Human Rights Care and Gender
Organization (Envirocare) in collaboration with Women’s Legal Aid Centre,
Tanzania Gender Networking Programme in Tanzania and WOMEN Direct Kenya, drew
women participants from various organizations including political parties.
According to Mbega, the multiparty democracy existing in Tanzania in the period
of the implementation of the Beijing Platform of Action, has also contributed to
the creation of a conducive environment for the establishment of civil society
organizations.
Controversial politician
denies allegiance to CCM
By Kizito Makoye
The leader of the Progressive Party of Tanzania PPT-Maendeleo, Peter
Mziray, has refuted his open loyalty to CCM, saying he only supports the ruling
party’s presidential candidate, Jakaya Kikwete on grounds of personal
friendship.
In a press conference held in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Mziray said he was not a
CCM transplant aimed at weakening the opposition in Tanzania, but a real
opponent of the ruling party’s unrealistic policies.
He said that it was a difficult task to deal with other opposition parties,
because they lack a common interest in forging ahead in the political battle
against CCM.
The PPT-Maendeleo chairman said that some of the CCM policies are good, although
the party had found it difficult to implement them because of lack of correct
strategies, adding that he admires the personality of CCM presidential candidate
Jakaya Kikwete.
“I personally admire the presidential candidate for CCM for his personality, but
I do not think he has strategies,” he said.
Responding to a question on which CCM policies he does not like he said “If I
were a leader in the CCM government, I would immediately get rid of the Ministry
of Agriculture, and trash the agricultural policy.”
He said that if given a mandate to rule, his party has a range of policies aimed
at pushing development as enshrined in the party’s manifesto.
He said PPT-Maendeleo’s priorities include fighting corruption and ensuring that
the presidential candidate for PPT-Maendeleo would not be corrupt. The party
also pledges to fight youth unemployment by creating opportunities in small
scale industries.
Famous advocate declares
himself MP candidate
By Timothy Kitundu
An advocate, Richard Henry Msechu, has announced his intention of becoming an MP
for the Kawe constituency in Dar es Salaam Region, on the CCM ticket.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Monday, the lawyer told The Express that he had
reached the decision so as to join hands with the people in the area, in
bringing about development through a participatory approach.
“There are still a number of pending issues that have to be addressed, but
because the campaign period is not yet pronounced, I wouldn’t like to pre-empt
my new plans that I will use in asking for votes,” he said.
Quoting the former American President, Abraham Lincoln, Msechu said that he was
sure that the people in the constituency had the desire and will for
development, but what was needed was just a helping hand of direction.
“It is wrong for any person to help other people permanently by doing for them
what they could or should do for themselves, but one can assist by simply
showing them a way through proper analysis of problems and laying down of
practical ways for solving them,” he said.
Msechu who runs an advocate’s firm, Msechu and Company Advocates located at
Mbezi Beach, has two degrees in law; the first from the University of Dar es
Salaam and the other from the University of Delhi in India.
His announcement follows that of another well-known advocate, Masumbuko Lamwai,
who earlier this year made clear his intention to contest the seat for CCM.
Rita Mlaki who is also the Deputy Minister for Trade and Commerce is the current
MP for the constituency, and she has also announced her intention of contesting
for the second term.
Urinating in public disturbs
residents
By Emmanuel Lazaro, Dodoma
The management of Dodoma Municipal Council has been advised to make a by-law
which will stop people who degrade the environment by urinating haphazardly on
walls or in alleys in various areas of the municipality.
The advice was given by some Dodoma Municipality residents who spoke to The
Express last week. They said the habit of people relieving themselves carelessly
in narrow passages is gaining momentum daily.
The acts degrade the environment, cause a bad smell and lower the status of
Dodoma Municipality which now receives many visitors, because of Parliament
sessions which are in progress at the moment.
Frida Misama, who owns a shop near the Insurance Complex, said she once heard
that Dodoma Municipal Council passed a by-law which provides a fine of Tsh.
15,000 for anyone found relieving him/herself publicly, but has never seen it
being applied.
Investigation has found that the public toilet business in Dodoma Municipality
is not profitable, although people have to pay Tsh. 100 for a visit.
Efforts to meet the management of Dodoma Municipal Council to discuss the issue
were fruitless, but one official of the Department of Health in the Council said
the acts should be controlled by the police, as urinating in public is a
disgrace.
Men’s rights also need
further legislation, protection from unscrupulous women
By Emmanuel Lazaro, Dodoma
The Association for Defending Men’s Rights and Benefits has advised
the Parliament to pass a law which will forbid people to bear children outside
marriage, in order to remove the problem of street children and reduce the fast
spread of AIDS infections.
The call was made by the National Chairman of the Association, Solomon Munuo,
when outlining the strategies of his association.
In an interview at his office, Munuo said the Association advises that the
legislation should include a three years’ jail sentence for the offenders, to
discourage men who make women pregnant outside marriage.
He went on to say that the Marriage Act of 1971, and the Traditional Marriage
Act, are defective and ought to be amended, as they do not distinguish clearly
the rights of men who suffer in marriages.
The legislation, he said, causes women to turn marriages into economic projects,
where purposely they cause marriage breakdowns and divorces in order to divide
up property, which to a large extent was obtained through men’s sweat.
Munuo blamed some women and some law administrators for interpreting the rights
and equality of the sexes wrongly, as many just favour women in everything.
‘Pirates could ruin the
publishing industry’
By Joshua Mshana
The government should use the copyright law to curb pirates of books who are
making photocopies and re-selling them. This is a major problem facing the
publishing industry in the country right now.
Elibariki Moshi, the Managing Director of Mture Publishers, said in an interview
recently that “Pirates are killing the publishing industry. There will be no
publishing in the country. In other countries the publishing industry earns a
lot of money for the country. Not here”.
According to Moshi, the government has a daunting task in trying to protect the
publishing industry. “People are reproducing books and selling them. This is
really discouraging the publishers whose work is being stolen,” he pointed out.
The copyright law should be used properly to eradicate this problem for good, he
said.
Mture Publishers have succeeded in selling primary school dictionaries in Kenya
and Uganda in schools where Kiswahili is taught.
Voters’ education and
strategies against poverty needed
By Hudson Kazonta, Dodoma
The government has been urged to deliver civic education together
with education on how to eradicate poverty as they go hand in hand.
This was said by some residents of Chibelela Village in Dodoma Municipality
recently, when talking to the Program Manager on Civic Education, Margie Cook
from UNDP, when she made a short visit to the village to see how civic education
was going over.
They said the war against corruption is very tough, because even if they have
been taught the importance of choosing a candidate independently, it will be
very difficult to refuse bribes while they are poor.
Moreover, the residents felt that the education had come late. Now, however,
they have an understanding of their rights, and they are sure that in the next
general election they will vote for the right candidates.