WATOTO WAITAKA SERIKALI KUTUNGA SHERIA KALI ...

Na Friday Simbaya, Mufindi 

Wanafunzi wa shule za msingi na sekondari wilayani Mufindi mkoani Iringa wameiomba serikali kwa kushirikiana na wadau wa haki za watoto kutunga sheria kali dhidi ya vitendo vya ukatili wa kijinsia vinavyochangia watoto kushindwa kutimiza ndoto zao. 

Wakizungumza jana wakati wa semina wa mabaraza ya watoto ngazi ya kata wanafunzi hao wanasema vitendo vya ukatili vimekuwa vikiongezeka kila siku kwa jamii inayo wazunguka kutokana na kutokuwapo kwa sheria kali dhidi yao huku wazazi wakionekana kushindwa kutimiza haki za watoto. 

Malezi mabaya ya familia yanachangia kwa kiasi kikubwa kuongezeka kwa vitendo viovu ikiwamo ubakaji na ulawiti hivyo Wazazi ,walezi na jamii kwa ujumla wanayonafasi kubwa ya kuijenga jamii yenye maadili dhidi ya vitendo viovu. 

Jumla ya watoto 140 kutoka kata za Bumilinyinga, Idunda na Ihowanza walishirika semina ya baraza la watoto ngazi ya kata kuhusu ukatili wa kijinsia iliyoandaliwa na Asasi isiyoyakiserikali ya SOS Children’s Villages Tanzania kwa shirikiana na Wilaya ya Mufindi, mkoani Iringa. 

Mmoja wa wajumbe wa baraza la watoto toka kata ya Ihowanza, Evelina Mwilapwa ambaye ni mwanafunzi wa kidato cha tatu katika shule ya sekondari Ihowanza alisema kuwa serikali kwa kushirikiana na wadau mbalimbali inapaswa kutunga sheria kali itakayoza kudhibiti viovu dhidi ya watoto. 

Alisema kuwa serikali kuwa serikali inatakiwa kulitilia umuhimu suala la ukatili wa kijinsia hasa kwa watoto wa kike ambao wana kumbana nalo kuanzia ngazi ya familia hadi jamii. 

Mwilapwa alisema kuwa wapo wazazi na walezi wenye mtazamo hasa juu ya watoto wakike kwa kuwanyimwa fursa ya kupata elimu pamoja na kubaguliwa. 

Ofisa Maendeleo ya jamii wa Halmashauri ya Wilaya ya Mufindi Navoneiwa Mfinanga alisema licha ya kutoa elimu kwa wazazi bado changamoto ya ukatili kwa watoto imeonekana kukithiri miongoni mwa wazazi na walezi huku akieleza mikakati ya serikali juu ya jambo hilo. 

Alisema kuwa changamoto za ukatili wa kijinsia umeanza kupungua kutokana na elimu ya ukatili wa kijinsia kwa jamii kupitia kamati mbalimbali mazingira hatarishi. 

Mfinanga alisema kuwa yeye kama mratibu wa mabaraza ya watoto wamefanyikiwa kuunga mabaraza ya watoto ngazi ya kijiji,kata na ngazi ya wilaya. 

Aidha, ofisa maendeleo ya jamii aliyeshiriki kuendesha semina kwa watoto wa mabaraza ya watoto ngazi ya kati ni Grace Kalomeji toka halmashuri ya mji mafinga, wilayani Mufindi. 

Kokutona Kayungi ni Ofisa Mradi wa Shirika la SOS Children’s Villages Tanzania wilayani Mufindi kupitia mradi wa kuwezesha wanawake kiuchumi na haki za watoto alisema kuwa semina hiyo walikuwa ni kuimarisha na kuyajengea uwezo mabaraza ya watoto ili wawezekutambua haki zao ili waweze kupaza sauti zao juu ya masuala ya ukatili wa kijisia. 

Alisema kuwa kupitia mabaraza ya watoto ni jukwaa la watoto ambapo wanajadili mambo yao yanayowahusu wao wenyewe hasa ubakaji, mimba za utotoni pamoja na wawake kutopewa haki ya kumiliki mali. 

kayungi pia alisema ukalitili ya kijinsia mara nyingi utokea katika ngazi ya familia kwa kupitia mabaraza hayowa watoto wanafundishwa namna ya kutambua haki za ilikuweza kuripoti vitendo vya ukatili katika madawati ya kijinsia ambayo hapo katika maeneo yao. 

Aliongeza kuwa Asasi ya SOS childrens Villages Tanzania pia inatoa mafunzo ya kujenga uwezo wa walezi wa watoto, familia zao na jamii ili watoto wapate malezi ya kutosha. 

Kayungi alisema kuwa watoto takribani 140 toka kata za Bumilinyinga, Idunda na Ihowanza wamekutana kupitia mabaraza ya watoto yaliyopo Wilaya ya Mufindi, mkoani Iringa kubadilishana mitazamo na kupaza sauti kwa mambo yanayowahusu. 

“Watoto hawa kwa sasa wanakabiliwa na changamoto nyingi za vitendo vya ukatili kama kubakwa, ndoa za utotoni pamoja na kufanyishwa kazi ngumu na katika siku za hivi karibuni,” alisema. 

Mwisho

Children Demands The Government Enact Strict Law Against GBV

By Friday Simbaya, Mufindi 

Primary and secondary school students in Mufindi District Iringa have requested the government to cooperate with children's rights activists to implement strict law against gender based violence (GBV). 

They said by enacting stringent laws against GBV it will contribute to the fulfilling dreams for young children. 

The children told the TUMBUSI BLOG yesterday during a children’s Council meeting at ward level, that violent acts have risen every day in the community around due to lack of strict law against them while parents seem to fail to fulfill the rights of children. 

It is believed that family abuse contributes significantly to an increasing rise in harmful acts to children including rape and lawlessness. 

Parents, guardians and society generally have the greatest potential for building a moral society against evil practices. 

Evelina Mwilapwa, a Form Three (Form III) student at Ihowanza Secondary said that the government in collaboration with various stakeholders should formulate strict law to control immorality against children. 

She said that the government should state that the issue of gender-based violence against girls was to be avoided from family to community level. 

Mwilapwa said that there are parents and caregivers who are particularly concerned about the children who have been denied the opportunity to gain education and hence discrimination. 

The Community Development Officer Mufindi District Council Navoneiwa Mfinanga said due to education among parents and guardians the challenge of child abuse is decreasing while explaining government strategies on the matter. 

She said that the challenges of gender based violence have begun to decline due to the education of gender-based violence through the community through various risk-management committees. 

According to Kukutona Kayungi, the project officer SOS Children's Villages Tanzania in Mufindi District, through the women economic empowerment and child rights project said the seminar was strengthening and building capacity for children's councils so that they could recognize their rights so that they could raise their voices on issues of violence. 

She said that through children's councils is a forum for children where they discuss their own issues of rape, childhood pregnancy, and women's being denied the right to own property. 

Kayungi also stated that GBV often occurs at the family level but through the councils the children are taught how to recognize the rights of the potential to report acts of violence on the gender based violence desks that are in their area. 

She added that the SOS Children’s Villages Tanzania also offers training to build capacity to caregivers for their children, their families and the community so that children can get good morals. 

Kayungi said that children from three wards have met through the children's councils at ward level in Mufindi District, Iringa region, to exchange views and air voices to their interests. 

"These children are currently experiencing the challenge acts of violence such as rape, childhood marriages and under age employment in recent years," she said. 

The children’s forum was meant to build capacity for children so that they can open up and voice for themselves and their fellows. 

At least 140 children from Bumilayinga, Idunda and Ihowanza wards attended children’s councils round table discussion on gender based violence organized by the non-governmental organization of SOS Children's Villages Tanzania in partnership with Mufindi District, Iringa Iringa. 

End

WHO places Zambia on the list of Countries at risk of the Ebola disease outbreak. September 5, 20184307 views

FILE: A HEALTH official going through a medical card of a passenger who had just disembarked an international flight at the Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola . The process is part of screening for Ebola at entry points into Zambia.

World Health Organisation (WHO) has placed Zambia among countries at risk of the Ebola disease outbreak.

This is due to Zambia’s porous borders shared with countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has recorded cases of Ebola disease.

WHO Country Representative Nathan Bakyaita said that there was need for the country to be on high alert, adding that was the reason the WHO had partnered with Zambia to help prevent any eventuality.

The WHO representative said this when Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya and North western province minister Naheniel Mubukwanu visited the centre were the Ebola rapid response preparedness team is being trained on handling any Ebola related cases.

And Dr. Chilufya has implored the public and health personnel in North Western Province to remain alert and report any suspected Ebola outbreak in the area because North western is a border province with the DRC where the disease has been detected.

The minister also assured the people in all border areas with the DRC not to panic over Ebola outbreak in Congo as his ministry is ready for any outbreak of the disease.

And Mr. Mubukwanu has urged the people to be on high alert and report any suspected Ebola cases in the area.

A TOTAL OF 26,060 PUPILS SIT FOR PSLE EXAMS IN IRINGA

Iringa Region Education Officer, Majuto Njanga speaking yesterday during the press briefing on a total number of 26,060 pupils from 498 primary schools in Iringa region are sitting for Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). (Photo By Friday Simbaya)

IRINGA: A total of 26,060 pupils from 498 primary schools in Iringa region are  sitting for their Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) scheduled to start today countrywide, with Kilolo DC having big number of candidates sitting the exams. 

Speaking yesterday during the press briefing Iringa Region Education Officer, Majuto Njanga said all the preparations have been completed and the examination materials have deployed to the schools that are doing examination standard seven exams. 

He said that number of candidates sitting for exams this year is big compared to last were only 23,600 pupils sat for exams last year with an increase of 2,460 pupils. 

Njanga said that there are 12,281 boys and 13,779 girls going to sit for standard seven national examinations in Iringa region this year. 

“We expect things will be calm until the candidates finish their exams and there will be no cheating cases. So far things are going well and all examination materials have been deployed,” he said. 

Speaking to the press earlier yesterday he said the examinations will take place for two consecutive days starting tomorrow. 

REO Njanga said that they also expect more students to perform well as the preparations this year went well. He added that during preparations no teachers boycotted or laid down tools like in the previous years. 

A spot check conducted by ‘TUMBUSI BLOG’ in Mwangata and Mlandege suburbs, students were found in their cleaning rooms for examination and organizing desks ready for exams. 

Moreover 25,315 candidates will write their exams in Kiswahili while 720 will do it in English. 

The candidates will sit for English, Kiswahili, social studies, mathematics and science papers. 

However, REO said 18 candidates with low vision and seven (7) with blindness respectively will sit for PSLE in Iringa Region. 

HALMASHAURI YA MUFINDI IMEANZA KUBORESHA HUDUMA ZA AFYA VIJIJINI

Diwani wa VitiMaalum Tarafa ya Kasanga kutoka Mninga katika Kijiji cha Mkalala, Asumpta Adriano Mtende akizungumza wakati wa Mkutano wa Baraza la Madiwani la Halmashauri ya Wilaya ya Mufindi hivi karibuni. (Picha na Friday Simbaya)

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Na Friday Simbaya, Mufindi 

Halmashauri ya Wilaya ya Mufindi, mkoani Iringa imeanza kuboresha huduma za afya vijijini kwa kukatarabati na kujenga miundombinu muhimu katika vituo vyake mbalimbali vya afya ili kusogeza huduma hizo karibu na wananachi. 

Hayo yameelezwa na Mwenyekiti wa Halmashauri ya Wilaya Mufindi Festo Elia Mgina hivi karibuni watika wa Kikao cha Baraza la Madiwani cha mwaka, ambapo pamoja na mambo mengine kikao hicho kilipitia taarifa ya utekeleazji wa miradi ya maendeleo kwa kipindi cha mwaka wa fedha 2017/2018. 

Mkutano huo wa Baraza la Madiwani ulikuwa na agenda ya uchaguzi wa makamu mwenyekiti wa halmashauri ambapo Diwani wa Kata ya Sadani, Ashery Mtono alichaguliwa kuwa makamu mweneyekiti mpya wa halmashauri hiyo pamoja na uundwaji upya wa kamati za kudumu za halmashauri. 

Alisema kuwa halmashauri hiyo imeanza kuboresha utoaji wa huduma za afya vijijini kwa kuboresha vituo vya afya ili kusogeza huduma hizo karibu na wananchi kwa kuzingatia kuwa halmashauri hiyo haina hospitali ya wilaya. 

Mgina alisema kuwa halmashauri hiyo haina hospitali ya wilaya baada ya Wilaya ya Mufindi kuganyika na kuzaliwa kwa Halmashauri ya Mji Mafinga na Hospitali ya Mafinga ya Wilaya kuwa chini ya halmashauri hiyo mpya. 

Alisema kuwa awali, Halmashauri ya Wilaya ya Mufindi ilikuwa inatumia Hospitali ya Mafinga kama hospitali yake ya wilaya lakini kutokanana mgawanyiko huo kwa sasa ipo chini Halmashauri ya Mji Mafinga. 

Alifafanua kuwa ili kusongeza huduma za afya karibu na wanannchi na kupunguza msongamano wa wagonjwa katika Hospitali ya Mafinga, halmashauri hiyo imeanza kukarabati na kujenga miundombinu muhimu katika vituo mbalimbali vya afya. 

Mgina alisema kuwa katika Kituo cha Afya cha Malangali wamejenga jengo la akina mama la kujifungulia, maabara pamoja na nyumba ya mtumishi. 

Aidha, katika kituo kingine cha Afya cha Ifwagi pia wamekarabati na kujenga miundombinu muhimu hususan jengo la upasuaji, jengo la akina mama kujifungulia, maabara na nyumba ya mtumishi kwa kushirikiana na serikali kuu pamoja na wadau wa maendeleo mbalimbali. 

Aliongeza kuwa kupitia mpango wa ‘force account’, serikali kuu imetoa shilingi milioni 400 (400,000,000/-) kwa kila kituo cha afya yaani Malangali na Ifwagi kwa ajili ya ukarabati na ujenzi wa miundombinu muhimu. 

Katika upande wa mapato, mwenyekiti wa halmashauri ya Wilaya ya Mufindi alisema kuwa halmashauri imekusanya zaidi ya asilimia 90 ya mapato yake ya ndani katika kipindi cha mwaka 20172018, ambao ni mwaka wa fedha ulioisha ijumaa wiki iliyopita. 

Alisema kuwa halmashauri hiyo ilijewekea malengo ya kukusanya mapato ya ndani ya shilingi bilioni 3.8 kwa mwaka wa fedha 2017/2018 na kufanyikwa kukusnaya zaidi ya asilimia 90. 

Mgina alifafanua kuwa asilimia kubwa ya mapato yake ya ndani yanategemea kutoka mazao ya misitu zikiwemo mbao na mirunda kwa zaidi ya asilimia 75 yanatokanayo na mazao mbalimbali ya misiti. 

Alisema kuwa kumekuwepo na changamoto katika kukusanya mapato kutokana zikiwemo utoroshaji wa mbao kwa lengo kukwepa kulipa usharu kwa baadhi ya wafanyabiashara pamoja na kuwepo kwa miundombinu ya barabara sio rafiki. 

Alisema kuwa ili kukabiliana na changamoto ya utoroshaji wa mazao ya misitu halmashauri hiyo imefungua mageti mengi katika maeneo mbalimbali kwa ajili ya kudhibiti utoroshaji pamoja na kuimarisha doria za usiku na mchana kwa kushirikiana na wataalamu ya halmashauri hiyo. 

Wakati huohuo, Halmashauri ya Wilaya ya Mufindi, mkoani iringa imetumia zaidi ya shilingi milioni 39 katika utekelezaji wa miradi ya maji na usafi wa mazingira chini ya program ya maji vijijini (RWSSP) kwa mwaka wa fedha 2017/2018 kupitia mapato yake ya ndani. 

Akitoa taarifa ya utekelezaji wa miradi ya maendeleo Ijumaa wiki iliyopita, John Bosco Quman kwa niaba ya mkurugenzi wa halmashauri ya Wilaya ya Mufindi wakati Kikao cha Baraza la Madiwani cha Mwaka alisema kuwa jumla ya visima vibovu vya maji 21 vilikarabatiwa kupitia program maji vijijini. 

Alisema kuwa kuwa halmashauri hiyo imekarabati visima vya maji katika vijiji vya Ihanzutwa, Kihanga, Nzivi na Ibatu kupitia mpango wa payment by result (PbR) na kufafanua kuwa katika kijiji cha Kihanga visima nane (8) vilikarabitwa, Ihanzutwa visima vinne (4), Nzivi visima vitano (5) na Ibatu visima vinne (4) vilitengenezwa na vinatoa huduma. 

Quman alisema alifafanua kuwa ukarabati wa visima vya maji 21 katika vijiji hivyo uligharimu jumla ya shilingi 13,650,000/- kupitia program ya maji vijijini (RWSSP) chini ya mpango wa payment by result. 

Alisema kuwa miradi mimgine iliyotekelezwa katika mwaka wa fedha 2017/2018 chini ya RWSSP ni pamoja na ukarabati wa mtego wa maji wa mradi wa Kijiji cha Ikimilinzowo uliogharami zaidi ya shilingi milioni 12, utekelezaji wa shughuli za kampeni ya usafi wa mazingira shilingi milioni 7.3 na usimamizi na ufuatiliaji wa miradi ya maji shilinhi milioni sita (6) mtawaliwa (respectively). 

OPERESHENI 'NYAKUA NYAKUA' YA NYAKUA DEREVA MKOANI IRINGA

Kandakta wa basi la Rungwe Exprese la kutoka Kyela mkoani Mbeya akikaguliwa kitaba na Kamanda wa Kikosi cha Usalama Barabarani nchini, Fortunatus Musilimu akiongozana na Mkuu wa usalama barabarani mkoa wa Iringa (RTO) Yusuf Kamotta (Picha na Friday Simbaya)

Na Friday Simbaya, Iringa 

Kamanda wa Kikosi cha Usalama Barabarani nchini, Fortunatus Musilimu akiongozana na Mkuu wa usalama barabarani mkoa wa Iringa (RTO) Yusuf Kamotta, amefanya ukaguzi wa kushtukiza katika baadhi ya mabasi ya abiria na malori mkoani iringa kwa kukagua liseni za madereva. 

Kamanda Musilimu alikuwa mkoani iringa ikiwa ni sehemu yake ya kufanya ukaguzi wa magari ya abiria pamoja na magari mengine usiku na mchana katika operesheni yake ya  'nyakua nyakua' ya kukamata madereva wanaofanya makosa. 

Operesheni hiyo jana ilifanikiwa kumnyakua dereva mmoja wa mabasi ya New Force mkoani baada ya wananchi kutoa taarifa kuwa dereva huyo alikuwa akiendesha basi  kwa mwendo kasi kwa kuwekwa lupango. 

Hivi karibuni jeshi la Polisi Kikosi cha Usalama Barabarani, limezindua operesheni 'Nyakua Nyakua' ambayo itahusisha kuwakamata madereva wanaofanya makosa, kuwaweka mahabusu kabla ya kufikishwa mahakamani. 

Kwenye operesheni hiyo, askari wa usalama barabarani hawatawatoza faini madereva watakaokutwa na makosa ikiwamo kuzidisha mwendo na badala yake watawaweka mahabusu na kisha kuwafikisha mahakamani siku inayofuata. 

Kamanda wa Kikosi cha Usalama Barabarani nchini, SACP Fortunatus Musilimu, aliliambia Nipashe jana kuwa, operesheni hiyo inafanyika kwa kuondoa mipaka ya kimikoa ambapo sasa askari wa kikosi hicho watakuwa wakishirikiana kukamata madereva wasiotii sheria. 

Kamanda wa Kikosi cha Usalama Barabarani nchini, Fortunatus Musilimu akiongozana na Mkuu wa Usalama Barabarani Mkoa wa Iringa Yusuf Kamotta (kulia) akizungumza na abiria wa basi la Rungwe Express wakati wa opersheni yake ya ‘nyakua nyakua’ katika eneo la Igumbilo checkpoint mjini Iringa jana. (Picha na Friday Simbaya)

Kamanda Musilimu alisisitiza kuwa kuanzia sasa madereva wasiofuata sheria za usalama barabarani watanyakuliwa kama mwewe anavyonyakua kifaranga lengo ikiwa ni kudhibiti ajali. 

Musilimu akiwa mkoani Iringa, aliagiza askari wake kuwakamata na kuwaweka mahabusu kisha kuwapeleka mahakamani madereva wote watakaobainika kwenda mwendo hatarishi. 

“Wito wangu kwa madereva wa magari ni kuwa msiipuuzie kauli hiyo, bali muichukulie kwa uzito mkubwa katika kuhakikisha sheria za usalama wa barabarani zinafuatwa ili kuepusha ajali, nyingi zikisababishwa na uzembe wa madereva,” alisisitiza Kamanda Musilimu. 

Kamanda wa Kikosi cha Usalama Barabarani nchini, Fortunatus Musilimu akikagua liseni ya mmoja madereva wa malori Paul Chawuya (54) mkazi mjini Ndola nchini Zambia wakati opersheni nyakua nyakua katika eneo la Igumbilo checkpoint mjini Iringa jana. (Picha na Friday Simbaya)

Pia waliwataka madereva wote waende kusoma ili muda utakapofika wa miezi mitano waliopewa na mamlaka madereva wote ambao hatafanya hivyo watafungiwa liseni zao. 

Hata hivyo, kamanda musilimu amewataka askari kuachana na tabia ya kusubiri makondakta kuwapelekea ratiba ya mabasi kwenye vibanda vyao vya kupumzikia lakini askari wanatakiwa kuuingia ndani basi ya kukagua hati zote ndani ya basi huku abiria wanaona. 

Alisema kuwa baada ya kukaa kikao na wamiliki wa mabasi TABOA na kueleza kwamba askari wamekuwa wakichelewesha mabasi walikubaliana kuwa makondakta wasipeleke hati kwenye vibanda vya askari isipokuwa askari aingie ndani ya basin a kukgaua hati zote mbele ya abiria. 

Katika hatua nyingine, kamanda huyo alisema kuwa ili kupunguza malalamiko kuchelewesha ratiba ya mabasi kikosi cha usalama barabarani nchini kwa kushirikiana na TABOA wataainisha vituo maalum vya kufanyia ukaguzi wa mabasi pamoja na magari mengine ili kupunguza utitiri wa vituo vya ukaguzi barabarani. 

Aliongeza kuwa kwa kufanya hivyo kutaongeza ufanisi wa kazi ya ukaguzi pamoja na kuwafanya madereva waendesha magari kuligana na muda uliopangiwa kufika katika maeneo mbalimbali na kufika salama. 

Kwa upande wake, Mkuu wa usalama barabarani mkoa wa Iringa (RTO) Yusuf Kamotta kuwa kuna changamoto ya ajali kwa hivyo amewataka wananchi kufanya ulinzi shirikishi barabarani ili kupunguza ajali. 

RTO Kamotta alisisitiza kuwa ulinzi shirikishi barabarani ni pamoja na kutoa taarifa mapema kabla ya ajali kutokea, na hiyo ndio njia pekee ya kupunguza changamoto za ajali na kuongeza kuwa Tanzania bila ajali inawezekana. 

Hata hivyo, kamanda kikosi cha usalama barabarani nchini SACP Fortunatus Musilumu na mkuu wa usalama barabarani mkoa wa iringa (RTO) Yusufu kamotta waliwashukuru wananchi na madereva kwa kutoa ushirikiano katika kupambana na jail za barabarani. 

Mwisho

POLICE "NYAKUA NYAKUA" OPERATION NETS ONE DRIVER IN IRINGA

By Friday Simbaya, Iringa 

Tanzania’s Traffic Police commander Fortunatus Musilimu in collaboration with Iringa Regional Traffic Officer (RTO), Yusuf Kamotta, has made a sudden inspection on some passenger buses, trucks and other vehicles in order to investigate drivers' licenses and to see whether they observe road traffic safety rules. 

The Commander was in Iringa Region on the ongoing inspection of passenger buses along with other vehicles night and day in the operation dubbed as “catching up drivers and put them in custody. 

Recently, the Tanzania traffic Police launched a "Nyakua Nyakua" operation which would involve arresting drivers, putting them in custody before being sentenced to court. 

The bus conductor of Rungwe Express from Kyela in Mbeya region when she was interviewed by the Tanzania’s Traffic Police commander SACP Fortunatus Musilimu (C) in collaboration with Iringa Regional Traffic Officer (RTO), Yusuf Kamotta (R) during his 'Nyakua nyakua' operation at ​​the Igumbilo Checkpoint in Iringa yesterday. (Photo by Friday Simbaya)

He pointed out that one driver has already apprehended one driver of New Force Bus in Iringa and put in custody for allegedly over speeding. 

In the operation, the traffic police will not fine drivers who will be convicted of wrongdoing, but will have to fish them up and put them in custody and then bring them to court the next day. 

The Tanzania’s Traffic Police commander, SACP Fortunatus Musilimu, told Guardian yesterday at Igumbiro Police Checkpoint in Iringa that the operation is being done by eliminating the boundaries of the region where the traffic police will now be involved in catching lawless drivers. 

Tanzania’s Traffic Police commander Fortunatus Musilimu inspecting one of the truck drivers Paul Chawuya (54), a resident in Ndola, Zambia, during his 'Nyakua nyakua' operation at ​​the Igumbilo Checkpoint in Iringa yesterday. (Photo by Friday Simbaya)

SACP Musilimu said that from now on, drivers who do not follow the road safety rules will be caught up as a targeted puppet so as to control the accidents in the country. 

While in Iringa, he ordered his traffic police officers to arrest and put them in custody and then to court all the drivers who would be able to go against the road traffic rules and regulations. 

"My call for drivers and other motorists is not to ignore the statement, but take it seriously to ensure traffic safety rules are being followed to avoid accidents, many of which are caused by the negligence of drivers," he emphasized. 

He also asked all drivers to go for refresher courses before a five-month period given all the drivers by the authority but failure to do so will see their licenses revoked. 

However, commander SACP Musilumu has asked the traffic police officers not sit back in their shelters (booths) waiting bus conductors to take schedules (bus timetables) to them but go in to check all the documents inside the bus while the passengers see it. 

He noted that booths were meant for resting during the sunshine and rainy season adding that after having a sitting with the TABOA bus owners and explaining that the traffic police officers were delaying when the conductors take the documents to the booths but instead entered into the buses and inspect all documents before the passengers. 

At the same point, the commander said that in order to alleviate the complaints of delaying bus to reach their destinations, they would set up few special checkpoints for buses and other vehicles to reduce the number of traffic inspections. 

He added that by doing so it would increase the effectiveness of the inspection work as well as to make drivers cooperate with the time scheduled to arrive in different areas and get safely. 

On the other hand, Iringa Regional Traffic Officer (RTO) Yusuf Kamotta said there was challenge of accidents, so he urged the people to take part in the road safety to reduce the accident. 

RTO Kamotta stressed that participatory road safety involves reporting before the accident occurred, and that is the only way to reduce the risk of accidents, adding that ‘Tanzania without accident is possible.’ 

However, Tanzania’s Traffic Police commander Fortunatus Musilimu in collaboration with Iringa Regional Traffic Officer (RTO), Yusuf Kamotta, thanked the people and drivers for providing co-operation on road traffic officers. 

They said that the operation was also meant to check for driving licenses, road worth vehicles and check for speed limit devices installed on the buses whether they were tempered with including general vehicle inspections. 

Speaking to The Guardian, Musilimu said traffic police officers in the country have been directed to pay focus on offences as stipulated in the law because their main duty was to ensure that traffic regulations were adhered to so that accidents that cause loss of lives, injuries and damage to property can be prevented. 

The traffic police say road accidents in the country declined by 43.9 per cent from January to November 2017, compared to the same period in 2016. 

The traffic police have also put in place three strategies to curb road accidents including installing cameras, motorcycle and private car special operations and the drive safely on weekend approach. 

“These strategies will help minimize road accidents. We decided to come up with new strategies for various reasons,” the traffic police boss told The Guardian. 

He said cameras would be installed on roads starting with the road from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya, monitoring speed and identifying sources of accidents if there was any. 

End

Tanzania kuwa mwenyeji mkutano wa Makampuni ya Bima ya nchi za Mashariki na kusini mwa Afrika

Tanzania inatarajiwa kuwa mwenyeji wa mkutano wa 41 wa umoja wa kikanda wa makampuni ya bima ya nchi za Mashariki na kusini mwa Afrika (OESAI) ukiwa na lengo la kuendeleza vipaumbele vya kukuza soko la bima.

Hayo yameelezwa jijini Dar es salaam na kamishna wa bima wa mamlaka ya usimamizi wa shughuli za bima nchini (TIRA) Dkt. Baghayo Saqware wakati akitoa taarifa ya mkutano huo amesema kuwa mkutano huo utaleta manufaa kwa taifa kutokana na kuwa na wageni zaidi ya 350 kutoka mataifa zaidi ya 30 yanayohudhuria mkutano huo.

“Makampuni ya bima, wafanyabiashara na watoa huduma changamkiani fursa hizo haswa wale waliopo Kwenye jiji la Arusha ili msaidie katika kukuza uchumi wa taifa letu.” Amesema Saqware.

Kwa upande wake Mwenyekiti wa kamati ya maandalizi ya mkutano huo Khamis Sulemani amesema kuwa uwepo wa mkutano huo hapa nchini utasaidia kutoa elimu na uzoefu kwa makampuni ya ndani kujua jinsi ya kukabiliana na changamoto mbalimbali zinazojitokeza Kwenye sekta hiyo.

Aidha ameongeza kuwa kuzorota kwa biashara ya mabenki hapa nchini kumechangia kwa kiasi kikubwa kuathiri sekta ya bima kutokana na uwekezaji wao mkubwa kutegemea benki hivyo kwa sasa watajitahidi kuwekeza kwenye vitu visivyohamishika.

Pia amesema kuwa lengo la mamlaka hiyo ni kuhakikisha kuwa ifikakapo mwaka 2020 asilimia 50 ya watanzania wawe na aina yeyote ya bima ambapo kwa sasa Tanzania iko nafasi ya pili kwa nchi za Afrika Mashariki kwa kutoa huduma za bima.

Mkutano huo unatarajiwa kufanyika Agosti 27_29 mwaka huu jijini Arusha ukiwa na kauli mbiu ya “Kuimarisha na kufanya mageuzi katika sekta ya bima kwa maendeleo endelevu” ikiwa imepita miaka 23 tangu mkutano huo ufanyike Tanzania mwaka 1995.

TANZANIA YAPONGEZWA KUSHUGHULIKIA MASUALA YA UDAMAVU NA UTAPIAMLO

IRINGA: Kaimu Balozi wa Marekani Dk Inmi Patterson amepongeza juhudi zinazofanywa na serikali ya Tanzania katika kushughulikia masuala ya udamavu na utapiamlo vinavyoathari wananchi wengi nchini . 

Balozi huyo alisema hayo jana wakati wa uzinduzi wa ghala jipya la Mama Seki sambamba na mashine ya kusaga unga wa mahindi wa lishe bora iliyotolewa kwa msaada wa serikali ya marekani kupitia mradi wa NAFAKA, ikiwa sehemu ya ziara yako mkoani Iringa. 

Dk Patterson alisema kuwa Tanzania ina aslimia 34 ya wakazi wake wanaoishi na udumavu na utapiamlo huku wilaya za Iringa, Njombe na Songwe zote zikiwa na viwango vya utapiamlo kwa zaidi ya asilimia 40. 

Alisema kuwa juhudi zaidi zinahitajika katika kuboresha masuala ya elimu bora na lishe bora ili kuweza kufikia malengo yaliyokusudiwa na serikali ya kupunguza matatizo ya udumavu na utapiamlo nchini. 

Alisema kuwa ukosefu wa lishe unamfanya mtu asiweze kufikia malengo yake kwa vile udumavu huathiri mwili na akili. 

Dk Patterson pia aliongeza kuwa watoto wenye lishe duni hawafanyi vizuri shuleni, kitu amabcho kina punguza fursa na hatima ya ajira siku za mbeleni. 

“Ninayo furaha kwa kuwa sehemu ya mafaniko ya Mama Seki katika kuzindua mashine ya kuzalisha unga wa mahindi bora unaopatikana katika Mkoa wa Iringa na katika maeneo yote ya nyanda za juu kusini. Biashara ya Mama Seki inasaidia juhudi za serikali katika kushughulikia masuala ya udumavu na utapiamlo yanayoiathari nchi hii…,” alisema kaimu balozi wa marekani. 

Alisisitiza kuwa watu wazima wenye lishe duni hawawezi kufanya kazi, kuchangia katika uchumi wa ndani, na kutoa huduma kwa famila zao. 

“Wamama wenye lishe duni wana uwezekano mkubwa wa kupata watoto wenye uzito mdogo, ambao pia wana hatari kubwa ya kuathirika kimwili na akiakili, ” alisema Dk Patterson. 

Alisema kuwa uwepo wa ghala jipya la Mama Seki na kiwanda cha kuzalisha wa bidhaa bora na lishe kunaonesha ufanisi wa ushirikiano kati ya serikali mbili za Tanzania na Marekani kutambua na kuunga mkono biashara za wanawake ili kuboresha nafasi zao za kiuchumi. 

Naye, Ritha Sekilovele, Mkurugezi wa Kampuni ya ‘Super Seki Investment’ alitoa shukrani kwa mradi wa USAID NAFAKA kwa kuweza kumsaidia mambo mengi ambayo kimsingi ndiyo wameweza kumfikisha hapo. 

Alisema kuwa mradi huo umempatia mashine mbili za kurutubisha unga wa mahindi zenye thamani ya shilingi milioni 22,840,000/- ambazo zinasaidia kusindika unga ulioogezwa virutubishi kama mpamgo wa serikali ulivyo lenga kupunguza utapiamlo na udumavu katika Mkoa wa Iringa. 

Alisema kuwa alianza shughuli za kusindika unga wa mahindi miaka 25 iliyopita akiwa na mtaji mdogo, lakini kupitia mradi wa NAFAKA kwa kipindi cha miaka miwili iliyopita ameongeza mara mbili uzalishaji wake kufikia tani 15 za unga kwa siku, ambapo asilimia 15 ya uzalishaji wake hutumia kuzalisha unga bora wa mahindi. 

Sekilovele (Mama Seki) alisema kuwa mradi huo pia umemsaidia kumuunganisha na wanunuzi wa bidhaa zake ndani na nje ya nchi kwa mfano wameweza kumkutanisha na wanunuzi wa huko Kenya na ataanza kuuza bidhaa hizo pindi tu majibu ya samuli za vibali vya ubora wa bidhaa vitakapotoka. 

Pia masoko ya unga ulioongezwa virutubishi yameongezeka na kuuza ndani ya Mkoa wa Iringa na nje ya mkoa kama vile Morogoro, Kilombero, Lindi na Mtwara. 

Hata hivyo, Mama Seki alisema kuwa zipo changamoto anazokukatanazo katika shughuli za usindikaji ikiwemo vifaa vya kuhifadhia malighafi (mahindi) ambavyo imekuwa changamoto kwake, kwani saa zingine mahindi yanaharibika kulingana na hali halisi ya mazingira anayotunzia. 

Alisema kuwa changamoto nyingine ni umeme kwenye jengo lake jipya ni mdogo ambao unauwezo wa kuendesha mashine moja tu, hivyo kushindwa kusaga kwa wakati na kuweza kuhudumia masoko yake. 

Kwa upande wake, Mkuu wa Wilaya Iringa Richard Kasesela kwa niba Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Iringa Ally Hapi, aliipongeza serikali ya Marekani kwa kuunga juhudi za serikali ya Tanzania katika sera ya uchumi wa viwanda. 

Alisema kuwa uzinduzi wa ghala jipya na mashine za kusindika unga wa mahindi linaonesha ufanisi wa ushirikiano kati ya serikali hizo mbili kutambua, na kuunga mkono biashara za wanawake ili kuboresha nafasi zao za kiuchumi. 

DC Kasesela alisema kuwa mafanikio ya Mama Seki ni mfano wa hatua kubwa katika uwezeshaji wa wanawake, afya ya jamii na ukuaji wa sekta ya kilimo kwa kufanya kazi kwa pamoja kati ya serikali zote mbili. 

Kuhusu tatizo la umeme, alisema kuwa serikali ya Mkoa wa Iringa itahakikisha kuwa tatizo hilo la umeme kuwa mdogo katika jengo jipya linapatiwa ufumbuzi haraka iwezekanavyo ili kiwanda hicho kiweze kuendesha mashine zote mbili na kusaga unga kwa wakati. 

US HAILS TANZANIA FOR ADDRESSING STUNTING AND UNDERNOURISHMENT

By Friday Simbaya, Iringa 

The Chargé d'Affaires of US Embassy in Tanzania Dr. Inmi Patterson has expressed thanks for the efforts made by the Tanzanian government in addressing the issues of stunting and malnutrition that affect most citizens in the country. 

She made the statement said yesterday during the inauguration of ‘Mama Seki’ milling machine that fortify maize flour in Iringa, with the support of the American government through the NAFAKA project during her visit to Iringa. 

Dr. Patterson said that Tanzania has 37 percent of people with stunting and undernourishment, while Iringa, Njombe and Songwe districts all have malnutrition rates for more than 40 percent. 

She said more efforts were needed to improve education and nutrition issues in order to meet the government's aims to alleviate stunting and malnutrition in the country. 

She said that lack of nutrition makes one unable to achieve his goals because stunting growth affects the body and mind. 

Dr Patterson also added that pupils with poor nutrition are not doing well at school, something less likely to reduce the opportunities and future fate of employment. 

"I'm happy to be part of Mother Seki's success in launching the best maize flour machine available in the Iringa Region and in all areas of the southern highlands. Mrs. Seki's business supports government efforts in addressing the issues of depression and malnutrition that affect this country ..., "said acting ambassador to the United States. 

She stressed also that people poor nutrition cannot work, contribute to the local economy, and provide services to their families. 

"Low-nutrition mothers are more likely to have children with less weight, who also have serious risk of physical and psychological infections," said Dr. Patterson. 

She said that the presence of Mrs. Seki's new warehouses and production plant for good quality nutrition products demonstrates the effectiveness of cooperation between two governments Tanzanian and the United States to identify and support women's businesses to improve their economic position. 

“Even with your recent success, I encourage you to continue working with the both governments, Sanku Healthy Children, and other actors within the maize value chain to identify new markets,” Dr Patterson said. 

She said that supply of fortified maize flour to schools, hospitals, clinics, stores and other locations throughout the Southern Highlands that will benefit from accessing your fortified maize product in order to tackle the malnutrition and health problems that exist in this country. 

Also, Ritha Sekilovele, 'Super Seki Investment' Company Director, thanked Feed the Future, NAFAKA USAID's project for helping her with the many things that she had been able to achieve. 

She said that the project has provided two maize milling machines worth 22,840,000 / - shillings that help to process maize flour with nutrients as government efforts that aims to reduce malnutrition and stunting in Iringa Region. 

She said she started the job of processing maize flour for the last 25 years with a small capital, but through the NAFAKA project for the past two years she has doubled her production to 15 tonnes per day, with 15% of her production being used to produce fortified maize flour. 

Sekilovele (Mama Seki) said that the project has also helped her connect with its buyers both domestic and abroad , for example, able to associate with Kenyan buyers and will begin selling these products as soon as the product approval permits ready. 

Mother Seki said, however, that there are challenges in the processing activities including the maize raw materials keeping that have been challenging to her, that at times maize is damaged due to poor storage environment. 

She said the other challenge is power supply in her new building is a limited only capable of running one maize milling machine, so that she cannot able to serve her markets on time. 

On his part, Iringa Regional Commissioner Richard Kasesela, on behalf of Iringa Regional Commissioner Ally Hapi, commended the US government for supporting the government of Tanzania in the industrial economy policy. 

He said the launching of a new warehouse and maize milling machines demonstrates the effectiveness of cooperation between the two governments, and supports women's businesses to improve their economic opportunities. 

DC Kaseela said that Mrs. Seki's success was a major step towards women's empowerment, community health and agricultural sector growth by working jointly between the two governments. 

Regarding the electrical problem, he said that the Regional Government would ensure that the electricity problem being small in the new building was provided as soon as possible for the factory to operate both machines and to grind flour at a time. 

Kasesela said they are to work closely with Mama Seki to assist in supplying her warehouse with the TANESCO ensuring that she can continue to expand her fortification and maize flour business. 

It is a fact that Iringa is one among regions that have been affected by malnutrition; therefore strategic efforts must be taken into account to fight against the problem. 

One effort is the action being taken by NAFAKA project and their partner, SANKU, on fortification program.