Government size critics told off

 

Dr Makongoro Mahanga, former Deputy Minister for Labour and Employment in the previous administration, said at the weekend that by appointing many permanent secretaries, President John Magufuli acted contrary to his promise of reducing the size of the government in his bid to reduce unnecessary cost.

But yesterday, Ambassador Sefue came out strongly in an interview with the ‘Daily News’ that the number of permanent secretaries and their deputies in Dr Magufuli’s government is smaller than that of the previous government.

“The number of PSs and their deputies in the Fourth Phase Government was 54 compared to 49 that were appointed by Dr Magufuli last week,’’ he insisted. However, according to him, permanent secretaries are not part of the cabinet, insisting that their number was not an indicator for identifying the size of the government.

According to Dr Mahanga, by appointing 27 permanent secretaries in a government that has only 19 ministries, it was obvious that the ministries were no longer 19. “It should be properly understood that the size of the government does not depend on the size of ministers but it depends on the number of permanent secretaries,’’ argued the former deputy minister.

However, Ambassador Sefue was quick to point out that he did not see any need to give him a reply “but for a person who has been a deputy minister for a long time, it gives me an impression that he does not understand that permanent secretaries are not part of the cabinet.’’

According to the CS, considering the number of permanent secretaries who were appointed in the Fourth Phase government, it was obvious that their number and those of their deputies is smaller than that of the previous government.

In his argument, the former deputy minister further expressed his ‘dismay’ over the decision to have two PSs in one ministry, saying it was likely to affect the chain of command.

“For us who went to school, the chain of command in management is clear that any employee needs only one immediate boss,’’ he added. His sentiment was echoed by University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) lecturer of Political Science and Public Administration, Dr Benson Bana, who noted that under the profession of administration, it was improper to use number of PSs as yardstick of measuring the size of the cabinet.

He said that despite the fact that the chain of command was likely to be affected because there should be only one Chief Executive Officer (CEO-PS) in the ministry, it was yet not proper to argue on the size of the government by using the number of permanent secretaries and their deputies.

Dr Bana also argued that it was difficult for Dr Mahanga to give an objective comment regarding the government because he had lost during primaries in the ruling party before decamping to the opposition.

According to him, when enforcing accountability, the composition of the government may be flexible, meaning it keeps on changing, insisting that only the best leaders were needed to help in solving problems affecting Tanzanians.

UDSM Lecturer of Political Science and Public Administration, Mr Bashiru Ally, supported the new appointments but cautioned that the outcome would depend on productivity and delivery of the appointees.

He noted that for the first time, Dr Magufuli has appointed more than one permanent secretary to the same ministry; a move that he said was somehow confusing because one may fail to understand who will be giving directives to the other.

“It is a good move, however; provided that they will deliver accordingly because some ministries that were independent in the previous administration have been merged,’’ he added. Dr Hamad Salim of the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) said the president had increased the number of PSs and their deputies but decreased the number of politicians.

“If they can be able to reduce spending, it is not bad to have such a number because from what we are seeing now, the Head of State has only reduced the number of politicians and at the same time increasing the number of PSs,’’ he observed.

Magufuli’s political model

 

John Magufuli is a politician most Barbadians would love. In case you are wondering who exactly he is, he is the newly inaugurated president of Tanzania. Just two months in office, Dr Magufuli’s hands-on leadership style and unorthodox approach to managing the affairs of the East African country are already generating considerable buzz at home, across the African continent and abroad.

Nicknamed the “Bulldozer” for his results-driven approach as minister public works in the last administration, Magufuli, a 56-year-old industrial chemist and former Catholic seminarian, has introduced sweeping changes during his first weeks on the job. These decisions, which are obviously upsetting for the country’s privileged elites, underscore a strong determination to lead by example.

Placing emphasis on rooting out endemic corruption and ensuring greater accountability, prudent spending and improved delivery of public services, Magufuli set the tone for his presidency at the very outset when he substantially scaled down what was to have been a lavish inauguration costing US$100,000 to a meagre US$7,000. The savings are going towards improving patient care at a major public hospital.

On an impromptu visit there, the new president found patients either sharing beds or lying on the floor. Major pieces of diagnostic equipment also were not working. Shocked by the conditions, he immediately ordered that a substantial budget allocation for parliamentary parties should be diverted to purchase 300 new beds for the hospital. They were delivered a few days later. The senior manager of the hospital was fired.

“The disgustingly conspicuous and gluttonous consumption –– at the expense of taxpayers –– displayed by our legislators and top civil servants is making Tanzanian president John Magufuli look like a saint,” observed Rasnah Warah, a newspaper columnist
in nearby Kenya.

“All over social media, Kenyans are singing the praises of a man who knows where his country’s priorities lie and who understands that wastage of public money (especially by a poor country) is the height of stupidity and impunity.”

In another major decision, Magufuli substantially reduced the size of the cabinet to 19 ministers, 11 fewer than under the previous administration. He has banned all non-essential foreign travel, instructing that greater use be made of the country’s ambassadors to attend to official business abroad in such cases. First and business class travel, except by himself, the vice president and prime minister, was also restricted.

When Magufuli had to travel almost 500 kilometres from the former capital  Dar-es-Salaam to the new national capital of Dodoma to officially open Parliament, he chose to go by car instead of private jet as would have happened previously. Signalling that it would no longer be business as usual, Magufuli told parliamentary leaders during a brief address that the people elected him to address their problems, not make long fancy speeches.

As the incumbent Democratic Labour Party (DLP) prepares to launch elaborate, year-long celebrations to mark Barbados’ 50th anniversary of Independence, despite severe financing challenges which have brought hardship for most citizens, Barbadians may find particularly interesting a decision which Magufuli made in early December in relation to his own country’s Independence anniversary.

Against the backdrop of people dying from an outbreak of cholera, he considered lavish spending on celebrations to mark Tanzania’s 54th anniversary of Independence inappropriate and ordered their cancellation.

“It is so shameful that we are spending huge amounts of money to celebrate 54 years of Independence when our people are dying of cholera,” he remarked.

He decreed a national clean-up day instead and led from in front. The money earmarked for Independence celebrations was spent on cleaning up Dar-es-Salaam in a bid to improve public health.

Is the grand scale of our 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations appropriate in the prevailing circumstances where, to give two examples of hardship, more and more people are going hungry and homeless and some parts of the island face a persistent water crisis? It is my considered view that these celebrations serve a dual purpose. Overtly, they represent a toast to the nation. Covertly, they serve as a platform for the launch of the DLP’s campaign for the next general election.

“In a desperately poor country riddled for years by wild corruption scandals, all of these declarations and manoeuvres (by President Magufuli) have been bold and well received by citizens, if not by the privileged politicians from his long-ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party,” Robert Rothberg, a former programme director at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, wrote in an op-ed piece in Canada’s Globe And Mail earlier this week.

“Long accustomed to abusing their public positions for private gain, they have been alarmed by the actions of the new president,” added Rothberg who further noted: “. . . [These actions] have given Tanzanian citizens, and East Africans more generally great hope that governance will strengthen and that his fresh leadership will make government work for the people, rather than take from them.”

Tanzania, a former British colony like Barbados, became independent in 1961. Under founding president the late Julius Nyerere, the country was an inspiration for quite a few developing countries looking to come up with a home-grown development model, as Nyerere did, instead of embracing either Soviet-style communism or Western-style capitalism which were the two dominant paradigms at the time.

The Tanzanian model was based on the traditional concept of ujamaa, Swahili for “brotherhood”. Reflecting African culture and values, ujamaa emphasized a community-centred approach to development and underpinned the political, social and economic policies of the Nyerere government and the Chama Cha Mapinduzi party which has been
in power since Independence.

If the Magufuli agenda of change succeeds, and I hope it will, Tanzania once again could be an inspiration for countries looking to improve governance and make government work better for the people. Considering the pervasive mistrust of politicians today, it is refreshing to see a people-focused leader who clearly wants to make a difference. He deserves the support and best wishes of everyone who appreciates the imperative of meaningful political change in these times.

Given the many serious governance and public administration challenges facing Barbados at this time, most Barbadians would probably agree that we definitely could do with a John Magufuli-type leader who is prepared to take the bull by the horns and make the kind
of tough decisions which are required
to bring about real change, renew hope and restore public confidence.

There is hope. In the same way that leaders like the Right Excellent Sir Grantley Adams and Errol Barrow emerged in response to the challenges of their time, someone with such qualities will emerge at the right time. When it happens, the people will know who he or she is.

Great leaders have a way of making an almost instantaneous strong connection with the people at a psychological and emotional level, as happened in the case of both Sir Grantley and Errol Barrow. In the meantime, it is vital to keep hope alive.

A healthy and successful New Year!

 

source:http://www.barbadostoday.bb

Less popular sports impress in 2015

The resignation of Tanzania Tennis Association (TTA) acting president, Fina Mango.

 THE last year had mixed fortunes for less popular sports disciplines in Tanzania, in which some of them made significant strides whereas others faced setbacks, which had potential to jeopardise the disciplines’ future.

 

Soccer and athletics are regarded as major sports disciplines in the country, in which they attract big crowds in their respective tournaments, as well as enjoying lucrative sponsorship and rewards.

 

Boxing, chess, netball, swimming, tennis, hockey, basketball, cricket, handball and wrestling are regarded as less popular sports disciplines.

The just ended year saw Tanzania’s athletes participate in major international events including the All African Games, which was held in Congo Brazzaville from September 4 to 19.

 

Tanzania participated in sports disciplines including athletics, boxing, swimming, paralympics and women soccer in the Games.

 

As usual, the athletes returned home empty handed but with a lot of excuses that included poor preparations.

 

Prior to the All Africa Games, swimmers Ammaar Ghadiyali and Hilal Hilal represented the country at FINA world junior championship, which was held in Singapore in August.

 

Hilal, Ghadiyali and Magdalena Moshi also represented the country at the World Championship in Russia but the trio returned home empty handed.

Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) also managed to host national championships, as well as sending swimmers to international events.

 

Dar Swimming Club managed to invite South African swimming trainer Penny Hynes for clinics. The club also sent its swimmers to Dubai to take part in an international event.

 

There was no any good news in domestic amateur boxers as they performed miserably in the just ended year.

 

The boxers took part in the All African Games and returned empty handed.

There was some good news in basketball, in which the introduction of a competition dubbed Basketball Kitaa saw the sport gain its lost glory in the country. 

 

The event’s organisers also invited a basketball outfit from Malawi, Reject, for several international friendlies in Dar es Salaam.

The games saw Tanzania teams locking horns with the visiting team in fiercely contested matches at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club. 

Domestic basketball enthusiasts, in the end, commended organisers for a well-organised tour.

 

The year also saw Tanzania Olympics Committee (TOC) organise courses for handball and wrestling coaches.

 

This was good development considering the fact that the two sports disciplines were not active for many years.

 

The aim of the courses, according to TOC secretary general Filbert Bayi, was to revive the two sports disciplines.  

 

“With funding from the Olympic Solidarity, we have organised a course for wrestling coaches. Better training for coaches can lead to improved wrestling in the country,” the TOC official said at the closing of the ten- day training.

 

“This sport was very popular in Zanzibar but it is lately not played there.” The biggest improvement among less popular sports disciplines was in chess and tennis.

 

In chess, Tanzanian Yusuf Mdoe became the first domestic candidate master (CM) after scoring 5 points out of nine rounds at the Zone 4 & 2 chess championship, which was staged in Kampala, Uganda.

 

 The championship attracted 22 players from Tanzania, Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi and hosts Uganda. Tanzania was represented by five players namely Mdoe, Godlove Kimaro, Hemed Mlawa, Primulus Kasaija and Max Munisi. Tanzania Chess Association (TCA), with funding from Spice Net Tanzania, also managed to host monthly mug tournament at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club.

 

There was, as well, good news to some tennis individuals, who won scholarships and also competed in many international events.

The junior tennis players, who did the country proud, include Omari Sulle, Emmanuel Mallya, Jacqueline Kayuga and Kanuti Alagwa.

The biggest setback in tennis development in the country last year was the resignation of Tanzania Tennis Association (TTA) acting president, Fina Mango.

 

The decision by Mango to step has left TTA with no top officials, as the association’s president also resigned several years ago.

All in all, Tanzania stands to make its presence felt in the less popular sports disciplines at the international level, should the disciplines get much support.

 

It is the hope of every domestic sports lover that emphasis will not solely be given to football. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Mapinduzi Cup: Mtibwa Sugar thinks not just of the final, but the title

Mtibwa Sugar coach, Mecky Mexime

 Mtibwa Sugar of Morogoro leave for Zanzibar today to take part in the Mapinduzi Cup tournament, harbouring hopes of emerging the event’s champions.

 

The event is expected to kick off at the Abeid Amani Karume Stadium today.

Mtibwa Sugar, who qualified for the final of the last year’s version of the tournament, is expected to leave with all of the squad’s players with a view to performing well in the event, apart from shaping up for the Mainland Premier League.

 

Mtibwa coach, Mecky Mexime said they believe the tournament will be tough but he has prepared his team to ensure it performs well in tomorrow’s match against Azam FC.

 

"The match will be extremely tough because we met with Azam in last year’s event and we lost on penalties. We must win this time around,” he declared.

He said he has therefore prepared his side well, believing the team will perform well thanks to improvements he has seen in the team in some recent Mainland Premier League matches.

 

He said Mtibwa Sugar fans should expect to see the team come back with the event’s trophy, on account of having prepared his team well. The side will come up against outfits from neighbouring countries that have been invited to participate in the event, he pointed out. He said he believes the tournament will be extremely competitive as all the participating teams will not be simply making up numbers.

 

Mexime said he believes his team’s striking force will score goals in the tournament, grouping leading clubs from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, plus invited teams from neighbouring countries.

 

The Mapinduzi Cup tourney starts today with defending champions, Simba SC expected to field Jamhuri of Pemba on Monday.

CHANZO: THE GUARDIAN

Magufuli orders PSs to sign or quit now

Newly-sworn in permanent secretaries take their Integrity Pledge before President John Magufuli (not in picture) at State House in Dar es Salaam, yesterday. (Photo: Halima Kambi)

 President John Magufuli forced the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in his government into signing integrity commitment warrant before leaving the State House yesterday, lest they quit the posts for which they had just sworn-in a moment earlier. 

 

“If there is anyone who feels he cannot work under the integrity commitment, should dismiss himself and vacate the State House premises right now,” said Magufuli on the podium immediately after swearing in the new executives.

 

 “It is possible that there are some of you who frown at the integrity  declaration. Therefore, just stand aside so that we may establish those who do not agree with the declaration,” said the President for the second time, but no PS responded despite his 30-second pause waiting for a daring new appointee.

 

It was time for Chief Secretary Ombeni Sefue to shove a pen into the hands of the obviously frightened officials to sign the papers that would restrict their lifestyle into becoming squeaky clean, free from all kinds of moral and material corruption while in office. 

 

The integrity form also included requirements to be patriotic, faithful, shun corruption and embezzlement and provision of quality services for all.

Sefue told them that the question of integrity was a major concern from the public and a chronic problem among the officials, that it prompted the government into masterminding the integrity commitment drive. 

 

But the Permanent Secretaries who appeared to be equally committed to the terms, stood up one by one to raise their right hands while reading the declaration they later signed without reservations.

 

Speaking at the event shortly after the signature exercise, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said that the fifth phase government was serious about controling abuse of power among public servants.

 

“We want the public leaders’ performance to be transparent and with great  integrity for positive result to benefit the nation,” he said.  

 

He said the exercise by which public officials would be required to sign the integrity forms before seating their offices was a part of the new policy that started yesterday with the new corpus of principal secretaries, but Regional Commissioners (RCs) and District Commissioners (DCs) who will be appointed in the near future, will follow suit. “We started with the Secretaries because they are the ones who will be responsible for almost everything in their jurisdictions including financial and development activities,” he said.

 

The RCs will follow because they are bound to oversee the implementation of various directives on development activities in their regions, and so are DCs in their respective districts, he said.to sign or quit now.

Rwanda’s Paul Kagame to run for third presidential term

President Kagame casts his vote at APE-Rugunga polling station in Kigali. (Village Urugwiro)

The announcement was expected after a referendum approved constitutional changes to allow him to run for three further terms and could potentially see him to stay in power until 2034.

Mr Kagame said Rwandans had made clear they wanted him to lead the country after 2017, and he could only accept.

He has dominated Rwandan politics since his rebel army ended the 1994 genocide.

Last month’s referendum result means Mr Kagame can run for a third seven-year term in 2017 and then two further five-year terms.

In a televised New Year’s address at midnight (22:00 GMT), the president, 58, said Rwanda did not need a president for life, and that someone else would take over sooner rather than later.

“You requested me to lead the country again after 2017. Given the importance and consideration you attach to this, I can only accept.

“But I don’t think that what we need is an eternal leader,” he said.

Part of the president’s New Year’s message was directed towards his critics abroad, says BBC Africa security correspondent Tomi Oladipo.

He was clearly telling them that democracy was at work in Rwanda and that he was only responding to the people’s wishes, our correspondent adds.

The US and the EU have said Mr Kagame should step down in 2017 to allow a new generation of leaders to emerge.

They also denounced the results of the referendum, saying voters were not given enough time to make informed decisions.

President Kagame has received widespread praise for bringing economic development to Rwanda, but critics have also accused him of a heavy-handed rule, our correspondent says.

Rights groups accuse the government of stifling the media and political opposition.

Mr Kagame became acting president in 2000 and was then elected in 2003 and 2010. However, he has effectively held power since 1994, when his rebel force entered the capital, Kigali, to end the country’s genocide.

Mr Kagame’s announcement comes at a time when two other presidents in the region – of the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo – are also seeking third-term extensions.

In Burundi, the president’s decision to seek a third term unleashed violent protests, in which at least 100 people have died since April.

BBC

Dar RPC retires, deputy Sirro takes over

Outgoing Dar es Salaam Special zone commander Commissioner Suleiman Kova (R ) and his successor Commander Simon Sirro salute during a farewell parade held in his honour yesterday in Dar es Salaam. Commissioner Kova retired after serving the force for 40 years. (Photo: Halima Kambi)

 DAR ES SALAAM Special Police Zone Commissioner Suleiman Kova yesterday bid farewell to the police officers and city residents after serving for post for more than seven years.

 

In a colourful farewell ceremony held at the Kurasini Police College, Kova announced his retirement from the position saying it was a hard job but he managed to reduce the number of crimes in the city during his tenure.

 

“After working for years as a regional police commissioner, I am happy to announce that today is my last day in the office and I will hand over the stick to Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Simon Sirro who will become the new Dar es Salaam Regional Police Commander,” he said.

 

Kova said that among the biggest crime incidents he encountered during his tenure was attack of the Stakishari Police Station in Ukonga.

 

“Another incident occurred during my period was the helicopter crash when we were with other high profile leaders assessing the impact of the floods that occurred in 2014,” he said.

 

“Another event was the general election where there was high tension but thank God the election was conducted peacefully,” he said.

 

Presenting awards to 110 police officers who did well in their duties, Kova urged them to work hard and with integrity and to continue maintaining peace of the city so that it continues to be a role model for the rest of the country.

 

He also urged Commissioner Sirro to follow his footsteps and ensure people and their belongings are protected 

“Since I decided myself to retire, am now free to be involved in any social activities including to contest in any political positions, doing business and self-employ,” he said.

 

For his part, Commissioner Sirro said that for all the time he worked with Commander Kova he was like a teacher and he has left the region in peace.

 “We should borrow a leaf from him and work hard like him to ensure that we continue to maintain peace in the city as well as to strengthen our effort to ensure we do more than him,” he said.

 

The retired Commissioner Kova started his job as a police officer 40 years ago working in different police departments before he became Chief of Investigation in various regions including Kigoma, Arusha, Mwanza and Kinondoni.

 

He became a Regional Police Commander in Mbeya Region before he was transferred to Dar es Salaam where he worked for seven years since 2008.

We fully abide by labour laws, says Jambo Plastics

Minister of State (Prime Minister�s Office) Jenista Mhagama

 Jambo Plastics Ltd, one of the Dar es Salaam-based companies visited by Minister of State (Prime Minister’s Office) Jenista Mhagama on Tuesday, has come out strongly against assertions it says associated it with contravention of Tanzania’s laws.

 

It was reported by a section of the media on Wednesday that the minister, who is responsible for policy, parliamentary affairs, labour, employment, youth and persons living with disabilities, found during the tour that Jambo Plastics Ltd was one of the companies that operated in violation of country’s labour laws.

 

But a Jambo Plastics Ltd spokesperson told this paper yesterday that the firm, a manufacturer and exporter of plastic houseware, moulded furniture and industrial containers, has documents on all of its workers in order and pays employees well and on time. 

 

“Apart from paying statutory social security contributions and due taxes such as skills development levy (SDL), we support our employees with housing allowances and transport as additional benefits,” said the spokesperson.

 

She said that, as a committed and patriotic Tanzanian investor, the company feels obliged to contribute to the country’s economic development as fully as possible.

 

She meanwhile expressed hope that the government would reciprocate the gesture by supporting well performing local industries, including by guiding them on the best ways to create more jobs for Tanzanians.

 

“Just for the record: We were the Overall Winners of the Tanzanian President’s Manufacturer of the Year Award 2013, an achievement we treasure and would not like to water down or negate by associating ourselves with unbecoming treatment of our workforce, customers or anyone else,” said the spokesperson.

 

She said that, unlike many other industries and members of the business community in Tanzania, “none of our employees is faced with immigration problems of any kind”.

 

“Because we fully comply with the country’s laws, we have in place officially endorsed labour contracts with all our workers. These were drawn up and entered into by the respective parties under the guidance of the Labour and Employment ministry itself,” she added.

Worst El Nino coming - TMA

TMA Director General Dr Agnes Kijazi

 One of the strongest and wettest El Ninos will soon pummel Tanzania, bringing heavy rains, floods and waterborne diseases.

 

 

The Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) told journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday this could be the biggest El Nino on record experienced in East Africa since 1997. 

 

The agency’s directorate of meteorological services said yesterday that the El Nino would likely unleash “fury and destruction” of magnitude much like occurred in 1997.

 

“There is a greater than 90 per cent chance of the weather phenomenon wreaking havoc until the short rains, with 80 per cent likelihood of lasting until April, this year,” it noted.

It underlined the need for the country to prepare for massive devastation “as record El Nino rains will start falling any time from now right to April”.

 

TMA Director General Dr Agnes Kijazi meanwhile said this year’s rains, which will likely double the 1997 El Nino ones that destroyed roads, washed away homes, bridges and farms, would likely cause famine, waterborne diseases and render thousands of people homeless.

 

“It’s important that the public be prepared for the worst flooding ever,” Dr Kijazi said in the city when opening a Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation (CCIAM) programme meeting that climate change was the reason behind the development.

 

In 1997, El Nino rains, which were described by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation as the biggest on record in the region, induced floods that left dozens of people dead and rendered thousands homeless.

The rains, which pounded several East African countries including Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda, rendered a record 10 million people requiring emergency food aid. 

 

Dr Kijazi warned that a repeat of the scenario was likely this year “as temperatures over the Pacific Ocean have already risen by 2 degrees centigrade”. 

 

“Climate change impacts are vivid and are posing many challenges which are continuing to manifest themselves in many countries, including Tanzania, and have impacted socio-economic sectors and the livelihoods of most people, particularly those sensitive to changes in weather and climate patterns,” she said.

 

“In addressing such challenges, it is important to enhance human capacity development, encouraging creativity and innovation among scientists so as to come up with solutions through research,” she noted.

 

“Through the CCIAM project, TMA has enhanced its human capacity as two employees were sponsored for specialised doctorate studies and five for master’s degree courses,” said Dr Kijazi, adding: “The knowledge they acquired will enhance TMA capacity to give better services and therefore achieve the project’s objectives.”

 

The 1997/98 El Nino rains, which began falling in November 1997 and lasted through March 1998, devastated most parts of Mara, Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Tanga and Shinyanga regions.

 

“In the country’s central and southern parts, where cereal crops of the 1998 main season were at the developing stage, crop losses to floods in low-lying areas of Iringa and Mbeya regions may be significant this time around,” warned Dr Kijazi.

 

“However, the abundant precipitation of the past months has been generally beneficial and, if favourable weather prevail in the remainder of the growing season, production may recover from the poor level of 1997,” an FAO report dated February 1998 says.

 

The five-year CCIAM-funded research, capacity building and student exchange programme was launched in November 2009 and is implemented jointly by the Morogoro-based Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and Norway’s UMB.

Other Tanzanian institutions engaged in the project are the University of Dar es Salaam, Ardhi University and TMA.

 

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences is the main partner from the Norwegian side – through its Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric). 

 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

TFDA impounds, destroys banned imported cosmetics

TFDA's northern zone manager, Damas Matiko

 Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) on Wednesday impounded and destroyed banned imported cosmetics believed to be worth 34m/-.

The cosmetics were seized  recently at Namanga border, aboard a passenger bus traveling from Nairobi to Arusha.

 

Speaking to The Guardian while setting ablaze the banned imports, TFDA's northern zone manager, Damas Matiko said the cosmetics were impounded from a bus christened Perfect Trans upon reaching the Kenya-Tanzania border.

According to the zonal manager, border inspectors became suspicious of the bus with registration number T 841 AGX and upon screening it; they found a luggage containing the unauthorized cosmetics which were deemed unfit for human use.

 

“After they were questioned, occupants inside the bus were not ready to disclose the owner of the luggage and that they were still looking out for him,” he said.

 

The seized cosmetics included Caro Light cream, a common cream preferred by women believed to transform their skin colour, Neurotone and Carotone, all manufactured in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

According to Matiko, the yet to be established suspects contravened the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act number one of 2003.

 

The direct use of such cosmetics could result to diseases such as Cervical and Blood Cancer, according to Matiko.

 

For his part, Customs Officer with Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) at the Kenya-Tanzania border Aminiel Malisa said his office was determined to intensify efforts of conducting a crackdown on the unauthorised cosmetics.

 

 According to Malisa, before the taxman levies tax on products, they normally checks on whether they are user friendly on human beings.