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It is true this is a better life for all Tanzanians? 7 years for Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete

,NEW JERSEY BUT THE PLAYERS ARE THE SAME ONES,JK sacks 6 Ministers picks new faces 3

By The Citizen Reporters
Dar es Salaam.
 President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday pulled off a major public relations coup with his much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, dropping six ministers and taking on board three new faces.The sweeping changes also saw two deputy ministers dropped and 10 new deputies brought on board.
The crackdown on the ministers was triggered by revelations of embezzlement of billions of shillings in the latest report of the Controller and Auditor-General (CAG).

The President scored precious political points with the bold move, which is expected to boost public trust in him in the belief that he is determined to get rid of the rot in government that was exposed in the report.

But a cross-section of Tanzanians interviewed by The Citizen on Saturday said Mr Kikwete should not stop there but pursue the matter to the end and ensure those implicated face the law.  The new faces in the new cabinet are Dr Abdallah Omar Kigoda (Industry and Trade), Dr William Mgimwa (Finance) and Prof Sospeter Muhongo (Energy and Minerals).

The 10 new deputies include Mr January Makamba (Communications, Science and Technology), Mr Amos Makala (Information, Youth, Culture and Sports), Mr Stephen Maselle (Minerals), Mr George Simbachawene ( Energy) and Dr Seif Suleiman Rashid (Health and Social Welfare). Dr Charles Tizeba is deputy minister in the transportation docket.

Other new deputy ministers are Dr Binilith Mahenge (Water), Ms Angela Kairuki (Justice and Constitutional Affairs), and Ms Janet Mbene and Ms Saada Mkuya Salum (Finance).
The reshuffle and new appointments drew mixed views, some of which we can disclose.

Politicians
While commending the changes as a major step towards enforcing discipline in the management of public funds, leaders of political parties demanded that the process should not end with naming the new team. They want all the ministers implicated in misconduct to be dragged to court.

“Naming the new Cabinet is the first step,” said Mr Freeman Mbowe, chairman of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo. “What we are waiting to see now is legal action taken against ministers accused of embezzling public money.”  The next step should be to take the accused ministers to court to prove their guilt, he added.

CCM Secretary General Wilson Mukama said President Kikwete’s move was a clear demonstration of the respect and trust he has for parliament.  “This move to drop the six ministers is honourable of the president,” said Mr Mukama.

Business community
Mr Aloyce Mwamanga, president of the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Industry and Trade (TCCIA), said he was impressed by the choices the president made and expressed confidence that the new faces would serve the public responsibly.   “I think the changes are very okay,” he said. “We have to appreciate the fact that the president has shown respect for parliament and wananchi.”

He wants the new ministers to be given time to prove their abilities.
Mr Evans Rweikiza, former managing director of  the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) said the changes offered yet another  opportunity for the private sector to grow since most of the new ministers are not only directly linked to the sector but also are professionals  likely to perform well.

“I must be frank that even the ministers left out in these ministries have done a great job in trying to improve the private sector,” he added. “It is high time the sector excelled further since the Cabinet is made up of professional, unspoiled and great brains.”

Dr Rweikiza added, though, that it was crucial that the president makes a wise selection of permanent secretaries in the ministries if his expectations are to be met.

Academicians
A senior lecturer in economics at the University of Dar es Salaam, Prof. Humphrey Moshi, commended the president for responding to calls by MPs to sack ministers blacklisted over embezzlement of public funds.

Prof Moshi was particularly impressed by the appointment of Prof Sospeter Muhongo to head the Ministry of Energy and Minerals.  He described Prof Muhongo as a highly competent person with international research experience in the mining sector.

 “I commend the president’s decision to put in place new political figures and his promise to make public figures accountable to citizens for their wrong doings,” Prof Moshi  added.
Reported by Edward Qorro, Bernard James, Frank Kimboy, Felix Lazaro, Veneranda Sumila and Al Amani Mutarubukwa

Chadema: Tatizo si mawaziri tu, bali mfumo

Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), kimekosoa kusudio la kusuka upya Baraza la Mawaziri unaotarajiwa kufanywa na Rais Jakaya Kikwete muda wowote kuanzia sasa na kusema tatizo linalokabili nchi sasa ni mfumo uliooza kwa maana hiyo mabadiliko hayo hayataleta tija.

Kutokana na hali hiyo, wamesema uteuzi huo ni sawa na kubadili mtindo wa kusuka huku msusi akitumia nywele zile zile za zamani.

Kauli hiyo ilitolewa jana jijini Dar es Salaam na Mkurugenzi wa wa Habari na Uenezi wa Chadema, John Mnyika, wakati akisoma maazimio 16 ya Baraza Kuu la Chama hicho lililokutana juzi.

Mnyika alisema mwaka 2008, Rais Kikwete alivunja Baraza lake la Mawaziri na kuteua watu wengine ambao hata hivyo, hawakuleta mabadiliko huku waliokuwa wanatuhumiwa kwa ufisadi ambao waliachwa wakati huo mpaka sasa hawajachukuliwa hatua hatua zozote za kisheria.

Rais Kikwete alilivunja baraza hilo baada ya aliyekuwa Waziri Mkuu, Edward Lowassa, kujiuzulu baada ya kuguswa na kashfa ya zabuni ya kufua umeme wa dharura iliyotolewa kwa kampuni ya Richmond ya Marekani, ambayo baadaye iligundulikwa kuwa ilikuwa kampuni hewa.

Sambamba na Lowassa, mawaziri wengine waliojiuzulu Nazir Karamagi (Nishati na Madini) na Dk. Ibrahim Msabaha (Ushirikiano wa Afrika Mashariki).

“Aina ya kusuka inaweza kubadilika, lakini nywele zitakazotumika zikawa zilezile kama mnakumbuka mwaka 2008, Watanzania walitarajia mawaziri waliokuwa wanatuhumiwa wangefikishwa katika vyombo vya sheria na kushtakiwa, lakini mpaka leo bado tunawaona wanatesa mitaani,” alisema Mnyika ambaye pia ni mbunge wa Ubungo.

Alifafanua kuwa uozo ndani ya serikali haupo kwenye Baraza la Mawaziri pekee bali ni mfumo mzima na kwamba unatakiwa kubadilishwa wote ili kuondoa vitendo vya wizi wa mali za umma.

Alisema hata kama Rais Kikwete atateua Baraza la Mawaziri hakutakuwa na jipya kwa kuwa atateua wabunge hao hao wa CCM ambayo wengi wao walipatikana kwa njia za kifisadi katika Uchaguzi Mkuu wa mwaka 2010.

Mnyika alisema kuna orodha ndefu ya mafisadi iliyowahi kutolewa hadharani na Chadema mwaka 2007, lakini mpaka leo hakuna hatua zozote zilichukuliwa dhidi yao.

Aidha, Mnyika alisema Baraza Kuu la Chadema limesema kitendo cha Kamati Kuu (CC) ya CCM, kubariki kuvunjwa kwa Baraza la Mawaziri bila keleza hatua za kuwachukuliwa mawaziri wanaotuhumiwa ni sawa kuendelea kulinda wezi wa mali za umma.

HALI MBAYA YA UCHUMI

Kuhusu hali ya uchumi nchini, Mnyika alisema Baraza Kuu la chama hicho limesikitishwa na kuendelea kupanda kwa gharama za maisha miongoni mwa wananchi sambamba na kuongezeka kiwango cha mfumko wa bei.

Alisema hatua hiyo imesababishwa na uongozi dhaifu wa serikali ya CCM, ambayo imeshindwa kudhibiti matumizi ya mabaya ya fedha za serikali na idara zake.

Mnyika alisema Baraza Kuu la Chadema, lilisitiza kuwa hali ngumu ya uchumi inayoikabili nchi ni kutokana na ukaidi wa serikali ya CCM wa kukataa ushauri na mawazo mbadala ya katika kuongoza nchi.

Alitoa mfano kuwa mapato ya serikali kwa mwaka ni tilioni 13.4 wakati makusanyo ya serikali ni Sh. tilioni 7.5 hatua ambayo inawafanya wananchi kuwa na matumaini ya maisha bora wakati bajeti waliosomewa bungeni haitekelezeki.

“Hali hii ya maisha inaweza kuwa mbaya kutokana na utawala huu mbaya wa CCM kwa kuwa chama hiki kimeshindwa kubuni na kusimamia sera sahihi katika kulinda rasilimali za taifa yakiwemo madini, gesi asilia, mafuta, misitu, bahari na ardhi,” alisema Mnyika ambaye pia ni Waziri Kivuli wa Wizara ya Nishati na Madini.

Alisema Baraza Kuu la chama hicho, limewaagiza wabunge wa Chadema kuwahimiza wananchi ili kuishinikiza serikali ya CCM ili kutimiza wajibu wake na kwamba kikwazo kikubwa cha maendeleo ya Tanzania ni CCM ambayo inaendesha serikali kwa mfumo wa rushwa na ufisadi.

Alisema Baraza Kuu la Chadema, limewaagiza wabunge wake wote wa kuendelea kuiwajibisha serikali na kuhakikisha katika bajeti ya serikali ijayo wanapambana ili iwe ya kuwakwamua wananchi kiuchumi.

MAUAJI YA MAKADA WAKE

Katika hatua nyingine, Chadema kimesema kinapanga kufungua mashitaka binasfi dhidi ya serikali kwa kushindwa kuwalinda raia wake kufuatia vitendo vya mauaji ya makada wa chama chao katika maeneo ya Arusha, Mbeya, Mwanza, Mtwara na maeneo mengine ya nchi.

Chadema kimesema kinataka kundwa chombo huru kwa ajili ya kuchunguza mauaji hayo badala ya utaratibu wa sasa ambapo Jeshi la Polisi linahusika na vitendo halafu linaunda kamati kwa ajili ya kuchunguza.

KATIBA MPYA

Mnyika alisema Baraza Kuu la chama limewaagiza wabunge wake, kuzunguka nchi nzima kufanya operesheni ya kuwaunganisha wananchi kuhusu masuala ya Katiba mpya na uwajibikaji wa serikali.

UCHAGUZI NDANI YA CHAMA

Wakati huo huo, Chadema kimesema mwaka huu kitafanya uchaguzi ndani ya chama kuanzia ngazi ya chini mwaka huu hadi Oktoba mwakani kwa kuchagua viongozi wa kitaifa.

Mnyika alisema chama kimeandaa kanuni maalum ili kudhibiti vitendo vya rushwa katika uchaguzi huo kwa kuwa Chadema kinapinga vitendo hivyo na lazima kiwe mstari wa mbele kuvipinga.

MISHAHARA KWA WAFANYAKAZI

Kuhusu nyongeza za mishahara kwa wafanyakazi, Chadema kinaitaka serikali kuangalia suala hilo ili kuhakikisha watumishi wake wanalipwa vizuri kulingana na hali ya halisi ya maisha ilivyo kwa sasa.

Baadhi ya wabunge hivi karibuni walitia saini azimio la kuwasilisha hoja bungeni ili ijadiliwe kwa lengo la kutaka kumung’oa Waziri Mkuu, Mizengo Pinda, ikiwa serikali ingeshindwa kuwawajibisha mawaziri wanane waliotajwa kuhusika na vitendo vya ufisadi kupitia ripoti ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali (CAG) pamoja na ripoti za kamati za kudumu za Bunge za Mashirika ya umma (POAC), Hesabu za Serikali (PAC) na Hesabu za Serikali za Mitaa (LAAC).

Hatua ya kutaka kumwajibisha Pinda ilitokana na ripoti hizo kuwagusa baadhi ya mawaziri na wabunge kuwataka wajiuzulu, lakini wakakataa.

Miongoni mwa mawaziri waliotajwa katika ripoti hizo ni pamoja na Waziri wa Fedha, Mustafa Mkulo, ambaye anadaiwa kuhusika katika ubadhirifu wa Shirika Hodhi la Mali za Mashirika ya Umma (CHC).

Alitajwa kuwa amepotea uaminifu na uadilifu kiasi cha kusema uongo bungeni ili kuficha maslahi binafsi katika ofisi za umma.

Pia Waziri wa Viwanda na Biashara, Dk. Cyril Chami, alitajwa kuhusika katika kumkingia kifua Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Shirika la Viwango la Taifa (TBS), Charles Ekelege, kutokana na kusema uongo katika kazi ya ukaguzi wa magari nje ya nchi.

Ekelege anadaiwa kusema uongo kuwa kuna kampuni zimepewa kazi ya kukagua magari yanayokuja nchini nje ya nchi, ambayo yanalipwa mamilioni ya fedha, lakini kamati ya wabunge iliyokwenda nchi za Singapore na Hong Kong, hawakukuta kampuni hizo.

Waziri wa Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii, Dk. Hadji Mponda, naye anadaiwa kushindwa kusimamia matumizi bora ya fedha za umma kiasi cha kuruhusu nyumba yake kukarabatiwa kwa mamilioni ya fedha.

Wengine ni Waziri wa Nchi Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu (Tamisemi), George Mkuchika, ambaye anadaiwa kushindwa kusimamia fedha katika halmashauri mbalimbali nchini ambako ufisadi wa kuwango kikubwa umegundulika.

Yupo Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, William Ngeleja, anayetuhumiwa kwa kushindwa kusimamia sekta ya madini na umeme na kuweko kwa manunuzi makubwa ya mafuta ya kuendesha mitambo ya IPTL ambayo yameongezwa bei.

Pia yumo Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii, Ezekiel Maige, ambaye atauhumiwa kushindwa kudhibiti ubadhirifu katika wizara yake kama ulivyobainika katika ugawaji wa vitalu vya uwindaji wa kitalii na usafirishaji wa wanyama hai nje ya nchi.

Waziri wa Uchukuzi, Omar Nundu, anatuhumiwa kuingilia mchakato wa kumpata mzabuni wa kujenga gati namba 12 na 13 katika Bandari ya Dar es Salaam; Profesa Jumanne Maghembe, Waziri wa Kilimo, Chakula na Ushirika, anadaiwa kushindwa kudhibiti ununuzi wa pembejeo na ulipaji wa fedha za mdororo wa uchumi.

CHANZO: NIPASHE

Seven killed, 54 wounded in Tabora highway carnage

Seven passengers were killed on the spot and 54 others seriously wounded after the bus they were travelling in from Tabora to Arusha overturned following a front tyre burst.

The accident, which involved Tabora-based bus company NBS, occurred at 9.30am on the outskirts of Igunga township in Tabora Region.

Addressing reporters here, Tabora Regional Police Commander assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Antony Rutta said: “The buss’ front left tyre burst causing it to overturn.”

The commander said, among the deceased are three women, three men and a child, whose gender could not be immediately known.

He named the dead as Zaituni Mziray, Ernesto Iromo, Dickson Nasan and Zainabu Hamud.

ACP Rutta said the names of other three deceased have not been established and that the exercise to identify them was in progress. The injured were admitted at Igunga District Hospital, he added.

He told reporters that the driver of the bus with registration number

T 978 ATM Scania 94 make, Iddi Hussein Nyohi (33), cheated death in the worst accident to have occurred this month and that he has been complaining of severe chest burn.

THE RPC said that conditions of majority of the injured persons were improving as they were receiving treatment.

“No one among those wounded is going for referral treatment, according to the foctors who have been checking their health statuses,” he noted.

The Igunga District medical in-charge, Dr Godfrey Kisilla, said his hospital received 54 injured passengers who were all immediately treated.Out of them, 31 were men and 23 women.

Dr Kisilla said further that five passengers were reported dead on the spot while others died immediately after they arrived in the hospital. NBS Classic Bus director Mohamed Nassoro Hamdan, said it was the worst ever accident his company had experienced over 30 years of its operation between Tabora and Arusha.

Recently the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) releasing the first performance audit report on the management of traffic inspections said the factors that contributed to road carnage are yet to be addressed.

Ludovick Utouh addressing reporters in Dodoma after tabling the report in the National Assembly said radical reforms are required to improve the management of traffic inspections and speed limits efficiency in the country.

Between 2000 and 2008, he said, the number of road accidents increased by 42 percent, from approximately 14,500 to 20,600. The number of injuries went up by 27 percent and the number of people killed increased by 67 percent under the review period.

Traffic police, he said, have been concentrating on other factors which contribute only 25 percent of the accidents, forgetting human factors which are responsible for 75 percent of the incidents, he said.

“According to the Traffic Police statistics, human factors caused 75 percent of the road crashes in 2008, while other factors such as mechanical and road conditions contributed the remaining 25 percent,” the CAG said.

According to the report, traffic inspections have not focused on the key risk factors and there were no efforts to allocate adequate time and staff, enforcement tools in order to make inspections focus on human factors like speeding and drunken driving, he said.

The CAG said further that the desired deterrent effects of the applied sanctions were not accomplished making drivers repeat offences committed earlier.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

LIFE STRUGGLES AT BABATI-TANZANIA

I feel I’m being judged
for what I do n say..

I remember back to Barbies
and play days at the park..

When I didn’t worry about
other people’s remarks..

Now lookin in the mirror
I see to my surprise..

A completely different person
staring in my eyes..

The care free little girl
I saw at 4 and 5..

Is now becoming a teen..
Just trying to survive...

ONGEZEKO LA HEWA YA UKAA-Cabon dioxid

Huyu bwana ni Mchaga,fundi wa nguo mjini Babati-Tanzania kwa kutumia pasi hii ya mkaa,bila ya kutambua athari za matumizi ya pasi hii lakini amekuwa akisababisha uchafuzi wa hewa na mazingira-pasi ya mkaa haifai kwa matumizi