JINA LA LOWASSA LATAJWA KWENYE DENI LA MILIONI 1

Jina la waziri mkuu mstaafu, Edward Lowassa limetajwa na mkazi mmoja wa Mbeya mbele ya Mkuu wa Mkoa huo, Amos Makalla kuwa sababu ya deni la shilingi milioni moja kutokana na mahaba ya wafuasi wake.

Mkazi huyo wa kata ya Ruanda Nzovwe aliyejitambulisha kwa jina la Amos Mwakyambiki alidai kuwa wafuasi wa Chadema waliharibu paa la nyumba yake walipopanda kwa lengo la kufuatilia mkutano wa Lowassa wakati wa uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka jana, na kwamba chama hicho kilimuahidi kumlipa fidia ya shilingi milioni moja lakini hadi sasa ahadi hiyo haijatekelezwa.

Alimueleza mkuu wa mkoa huo kuwa kutokana na uharibifu huo mkubwa uliofanyika, wapangaji wake waliamua kuhama nyumba yake hivyo kukosa kipato.

“Naomba Serikali ya Mkoa inisaidie kuzungumza na meya (wa Chadema) ili niweze kulipwa stahiki zangu kwani sasa sijui hatma yangu. Kuku niliokuwa nauza kwa ajili ya kupata nauli kwenda ofisi za jiji wamekwisha,” Mkaazi huyo anakaririwa.

Kutokana na madai hayo, Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Mbeya alimuagiza Mkuu wa Wilaya kufuatilia suala hilo huku akitahadharisha wananchi kuhusu matumizi ya nyumba zao wakati wa kampeni.

“Lakini na nyie wananchi msikubali nyumba zenu zibadilishwe kuwa viwanja vya siasa,” alisema Makalla.

Akizungumzia taarifa hizo, Mkuu wa Idara ya Habari ya Chadema, Tumaini Makele alisema kuwa chama hicho kitafuatilia kuona ni nani aliyetoa ahadi hiyo kwa mwananchi huyo na ilikuwa katika mazingira gani ili walifanyie kazi ipasavyo.

TANESCO BADO KWAFUKUTA TU...

Siku moja baada ya vigogo watatu wa Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (Tanesco) kushushwa vyeo, uongozi wa shirika hilo umesema utaendelea na fagio hilo kama njia ya kuongeza ufanisi kwenye utendaji. Vigogo hao wa ngazi za juu ambao ni wakurugenzi, wamehamishiwa Chuo cha Mafunzo cha Tanesco (TSS) kwa madai kuwa shirika linaboresha ufanisi wake. Walioshushwa vyeo ni pamoja na Declan Mhaiki aliyekuwa Naibu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji anayeshughulikia usambazaji wa umeme. Wengine ni Naibu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji Uzalishaji na Huduma kwa Mteja, Mhandisi Sophia Mgonja na Naibu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji Uzalishaji Umeme, Nazir Kachwamba. Wakati hao wakipitiwa na panga hilo, Mkurugenzi wa Idara ya Rasilimali Watu, Watson Mwakyusa, aliamua kuandika barua kuacha kazi mwenyewe. Juzi, Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Tanesco, Dk. Tito Mwinuka, alisema jana wangetoa taarifa kuhusu hamisha hamisha hiyo. Jana mchana Idara ya Kitengo cha Mahusiano cha Shirika hilo, kilitoa taarifa na kusema kuwa wataendelea na hatua mbalimbali za mabadiliko ya uongozi kwa lengo la kuongeza ufanisi zaidi wa kiutendaji. Taarifa hiyo ilieleza kuwa mabadiliko yanayoendelea ndani ya Tanesco yatawekwa wazi wakati mwafaka kwa mujibu wa sheria, kanuni na taratibu za shirika kupitia vyombo vya habari. Kitengo hicho kilieleza kuwa kwa sasa bado wanaendelea na panga pangua na endapo watakamilisha watatoa taarifa kwa umma. “Tunaomba vyombo vya habari vitoe fursa kwa mamlaka husika kuendelea kukamilisha zoezi hili muhimu kwa maendeleo ya Shirika na Taifa kwa ujumla na taarifa rasmi itatolewa baada ya zoezi kukamilika,’’ ilieleza sehemu ya taarifa hiyo. Januari Mosi, mwaka huu, Rais Dk. John Magufuli alimteua Dk. Mwinuka kuwa Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Tanesco, baada ya kumng’oa aliyekuwa mkurugenzi wa shirika hilo, Mhandisi Felchesmi Mramba. Mramba alitenguliwa uteuzi wake siku mbili baada ya Mamlaka ya Udhibiti wa Huduma za Nishati na Maji (Ewura), kutangaza kuridhia ombi la Tanesco la kupandisha bei ya umeme kwa asilimia 8.5 kutoka 18 waliyoomba. Kabla ya uteuzi huo, Dk. Mwinuka alikuwa Mhadhiri wa Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam (UDSM). Akiwa mjini Bukoba kwenye ibada ya Mwaka Mpya, Rais Magufuli alisema amekerwa na kusikitishwa na vitendo vya baadhi ya watumishi wa umma kujitokeza hadharani na kutangaza au kuzungumzia mambo ya kitaifa kama uamuzi wa Serikali bila kushirikisha viongozi wao wa ngazi za juu. Kutokana na hali hiyo, alisema watendaji hao ni miongoni mwa majipu yanayostahili kutumbuliwa.

WAFUGAJI 50 WALA KINYESI,DAMU NA MKOJO KUNUSURU MAISHA YAO

Watu 50 wakiwa na watoto wadogo wamenusurika kufa, baada ya kupotea ndani ya Pori la Akiba la Selous kwa siku saba; huku wakikosa chakula na maji na kulazimika kula kinyesi cha ng’ombe, damu na mikojo ya binadamu.

Watu hao ambao ni wafugaji, walikuwa wakihama na mifugo yao inayokadiriwa kufikia 1,780 kutoka maeneo mbalimbali ya wilaya ya Rufiji mkoani Pwani, yakiwemo Chumvi na Muhoro waliekea Morogoro, ambako walidai ndiko yalipo makazi yao.

Tukio hilo ambalo si la kawaida kutokea katika pori hilo, lilianzia Jumatano iliyopita wakati wafugaji hao, walipoanza safari ya kuelekea Malinyi mkoani Morogoro, wakiongozwa na mwenyeji wao, waliyemtaja kwa jina la Mzee Mzigua, ambaye hata hivyo wanadai aliwalaghai na kuwatelekeza.

Wafugaji hao walisema walitembea kwa siku tano ndani ya pori hilo, wakitarajia kufika Malinyi, yaliko makazi yao. Lakini hali ilikuwa tofauti, baada ya mwenyeji wao huyo, kuwalaghai kwa kuwapitisha njia sisizo sahihi.

Walisema waliishiwa chakula na maji ya akiba na mwisho walijikuta wanatokea ndani ya Pori la Akiba la Selous; huku hali zao zikiwa zimedhoofu kutokana na njaa na kiu cha maji. Wakiwa safarini, mwenyeji wao huyo, aliwataka kila mmoja alipe fedha ikiwa ni ujira wake kwa kuwaonyesha njia. Walidai kuwa walimlipa fedha nyingi.

Wengine walimlipa Sh milioni mbili, Sh milioni moja na wengine Sh 500,000, wakitarajia angewasaidia. Walitembea usiku na mchana ndani ya pori hilo, wakipishana na wanyama wakali kama simba na nyati, hivyo kuhatarisha usalama wa maisha yao na watoto wao.

Hali ilizidi kuwa mbaya zaidi, baada ya kutimia siku ya tano wakiwa ndani ya pori hilo, pale walipoishiwa chakula na maji, hivyo kuwalazimu kuanza kuchinja ng’ombe na kunywa damu kwaajili ya kukata kiu. Pia walikula kinyesi chao ili kupunguza njaa. Yule mwenyeji wao aliwatelekeza baada ya kuona hali zao zimekuwa mbaya.

Alitokomea kusikojulikana, akiwaacha wasijue pa kwenda, hivyo kulazimika kutelekeza mifugo yao ili kunusuru kwanza maisha yao. Halikadhalika, wengine walilazimika kunywa mikojo yao na mingine kuwanywesha watoto wao kunusuru maisha yao, hali iliyowafanya kuathirika kiafya na kushindwa kuendelea na safari.

Wengine walianguka na kupoteza fahamu. “Sisi tulikuwa tunataka turudi nyumbani kwetu Morogoro. Huku tulikuja wakati wa operesheni ya Morogoro, huku tulikuja kununua ng’ombe lakini miji yetu ipo kule Morogoro. Tukaambatana na huyo mwenyeji wetu aliyejitambulisha kwa jina la Mzee Mzigua na mtoto wake.Lakini tunajua mpaka nyumbani kwake”alisema Kiongozi wa msafara wa wafugaji hao, aliyejitambulisha kwa jina la Lisesi Cherahani Bela na kuendelea;

“Zilitimia kama siku nne tukiwa hatujanywa maji, jua lilikuwa linawaka, tukaanza kuanguka, tukaanza kuchinja ng’ombe na kunywa damu, tulijaribisha kula kinyesi cha ng’ombe, tulikuwa tunakojoa mkojo tunanywesha hata watoto. Mimi nilikunywa mkojo lita moja, ikaniathiri hapa kifuani, kumbe mkojo ni kitu kibaya.”

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari waliofika katika eneo hilo, kiongozi huyo alisema baada ya kuona hali inakuwa mbaya zaidi, alitafuta eneo ambalo lina mtandao wa simu na kufanya mawasiliano na watu mbalimbali, ambapo alifanikiwa kuwasiliana na watu wa Kigoma na kuomba msaada wao.

Alisema kuwa watu hao, waliwasiliana na wahifadhi wa Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Mikumi na kuwasiliana na wahifadhi wa Pori hilo la Selous, ambao walianza kazi ya kuwasaka na hatimaye kuwakuta katika eneo la Mlima Luhombelo, lililopo katikati ya Pori hilo wakiwa tayari wameshadhoofika kiafya.

Askari hao wa wanyamapori wa Pori hilo, waliwapatia uji na maji na kuwapa huduma ya kwanza wale wengine ambao walikuwa na hali mbaya.

Baada ya taarifa hizo za kupotea kwa wafugaji hao, Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii, Gaudence Milanzi alifika katika eneo hilo juzi, akiambatana na Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Mamlaka ya Wanyamapori Tanzania (TAWA), Martin Leibooki, Meneja wa Pori la Akiba la Selous, Henock Msocha na maofisa wengine wa wizara na pori hilo.

Milanzi alisema Serikali inaangalia namna ya kuwasaidia wafugaji hao, kurejea katika hali zao kiafya pamoja na kuwasaidia kutafuta mifugo yao ili waweze kurejea katika makazi yao na kuendelea na shughuli zao.

“Kwa upande wa Serikali kama Wizara hatuchukulii kama hawa wameingia kwenye hifadhi hapana, muhimu kwanza ni kuokoa maisha ya binadamu, na hicho ndicho tunategemea kukifanya sasa hivi, na baada ya hapo kutakuwa na masuala ya kutafuta hiyo mifugo, kwa sababu wamepata hasara kubwa”alisema Katibu Mkuu huyo.

Aliutaka uongozi wa wilaya ya Rufiji, kutoa ushirikiano na wizara ili kuwabaini waliowadanganya wafugaji hao, kwa kuwaingiza kwenye pori hilo na kuwatapeli kiasi hicho kikubwa cha fedha.

“Hawa waliowadanganya na kupita huko ndani ya pori kwa kweli tutaendelea kuwatafuta na tutaomba tuwe na ushirikiano na uongozi wa Wilaya kwa sababu inaelekea kuna watu kazi yao ndo hiyo, ukiangalia pesa walizowapa ni nyingi sana, sasa watu wamechukua pesa zote na wamewaacha katika hali kama hii, wengine wana watoto wadogo, kwa hiyo tutahakikisha tunashirikiana kuwatafuta ili tukomeshe hili tatizo moja kwa moja”alisema.

Katibu Mkuu huyo alimpongeza Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa TAWA na Mhifadhi Selous kwa juhudi za haraka walizochukua. Alisema wizara yake itaendelea kushirikiana na Mamlaka mbalimbali, kutoa misaada ya haraka, endapo yatatokea tena matukio ya aina hiyo.

Kwa upande wake, Leibooki alisema TAWA ambao ndiyo wamiliki wa hifadhi zote za wanyamapori nchini, haitawachukulia hatua za kisheria wafugaji hao, kwa kuwa waliingia ndani ya pori kwa kudanganywa na watu wenye nia mbaya.

Lakini, alisisitiza kuwa mamlaka yake, itawashughulikia kisheria wawindaji haramu na wafugaji wanaoingiza mifugo yao ndani ya hifadhi zilizo chini ya Mamlaka yake.

Pia alisema Mamlaka yake, inaendelea na utaratibu wa kushirikiana na wananchi waishio pembezeni mwa hifadhi zote, kwa kuwapa elimu ya ufugaji bora kwa kushirikiana na wizara zinazohusika na kuendeleza miradi ya maendeleo, ikiwemo miundombinu ya maji.

Katibu Mkuu wa Chama cha Wafugaji chini (CCWT), Magembe Makoye aliwataka viongozi wa Halmashauri mbalimbali nchini, kutatua migogoro ya wakulima na wafugaji mahali walipo, bila ya kuondoa watu wengine.

Alisema kuwa wao kama chama, wamesikitishwa na tukio la kuondolewa kwa wafugaji hao katika bonde hilo la Rufiji, kwa kuwaambia warudi walipotoka. Alisema tamko hilo lilitolewa na uongozi wa Halmashauri hiyo na ndilo lililosababisha matatizo hayo.

Makoye alisema kufanya hivyo, hakuondoi migogoro ya wafugaji na wakulima, badala yake ni kuendelea kuzalisha migogoro hiyo katika maeneo mengine, ambayo wafugaji watahamia.

“Tunalaani kweli vitendo hivi vya viongozi na watendaji wengine wa Halmashauri kuwafukuza wafugaji, tena wakati mwingine kwa kuwatisha na matokeo yake wananchi hawa 50 wangepoteza maisha, kama isingekuwa bahati ya mtu mmoja kuwa na simu kati yao” alisema Katibu Mkuu huyo.

“Kwa kweli kwa niaba ya wafugaji wote wa Tanzania naishukuru sana Wizara ya Maliasili kupitia kwa Katibu Mkuu, Gaudence Milanzi.” alisema Katibu huyo.

Alisema kuwa kungeweza kutokea majanga makubwa zaidi kwa kuwa kuwa wafugaji hao walikuwa wakisafiri na watoto wao wadogo katika mazingira hatarishi katikati ya pori hilo, ambalo lina wanyama wakali.

“Kwa kweli ni mazingira ya kusikitisha. Lakini niishukuru sana Serikali kwa maana ya Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii, wamefanya kazi yao kwa namna ambavyo mimi ninawiwa kuwashukuru. Tangu jana tumewasiliana na Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara, leo watu wote wameweza kupatikana, kumefanyika doria ya ndege, doria za magari, doria kwa miguu, wamewatafuta hawa watu, wamewaokoa, wamewaleta kwenye huduma za afya, wamewapa chakula, wamewahifadhi, hawajawadhuru” alisema.

Aliiomba Serikali kuhakikisha tatizo la wafugaji nchini, linatafutiwa ufumbuzi wa kudumu, kwani jamii haiwezi kuendelea kubaki na tatizo hilo kwa miaka yote. Alitaka wafugaji watafutiwe maeneo ya kudumu ya kufugia, ikiwa ni pamoja na kupimiwa maeneo yao, badala ya hali ilivyo sasa kuafukuza kila kukicha.

Baadhi ya Mzoga wa ngombe uliopatikana ndani ya Pori la Akiba la Selous, Kanda ya Kaskazini Mashariki Kingupira baada ya Wafugaji 50 waliotelekezwa kwa muda wa siku tano na mtu mmoja waliyemtaja kwa jina maarufu la Mzigua aliyewarubuni kwa kuwaonyesha njia za mkato ndani ya Pori hilo na kisha kuwakimbia( Picha na Lusungu Helela-Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii)

Mmoja wa wafugaji aliyepotea na kutelekezwa ndani ya Pori la Akiba la Selous, Bw. Lisesi Cherehani aliyekuwa na ng’ombe 180 na punda mmoja akiangalia mmoja wa ng'ombe wake aliyekufa kwa kukosa maji ya kunywa kwa muda wa siku tano kwenye Kanda ya Kaskazini Mashariki katika Pori la Akiba la Selous ( Picha na Lusungu Helela-Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii)

Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii, Maj. Gen. Gaudence Milanzi (katikati) akipata taarifa kutoka kwa Meneja wa Mradi wa Pori la Akiba la Selous Bw. Enock Msocha (wa tatu kushoto) mara baada ya kuwasili kwa ajili ya kuwatembelea Wafugaji 50 waliokolewa na Askari wanyamapori baada ya kutelekezwa na mtu mmoja waliyemtaja kwa jina maarufu la Mzigua aliyewarubuni kwa kuwaonyesha njia ya mkato ndani ya Pori hilo na kisha kuwakimbia ( Picha na Lusungu Helela-Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii)

TAGRODE: INDUSTRIALIZATION IS KEY TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

IRINGA: Tanzania need to accelerate its industrialization efforts if the country has to achieve economic development, the Tanzania Grassroots Oriented Development (TAGRODE) based in Iringa says.

Tanzania Grassroots Oriented Development Chief Executive Director, Zubery Mwachulla told SIMBAYABLOG yesterday said that industrialization has been behind strong development that others countries are enjoying.

Mwachulla said the key to poverty eradication, high unemployment rates and overdependence on exports of primary products that underdeveloped nations are facing lies in scaling up of the industrialization agenda that the fifth government is preaching.

“Tanzania has abundant raw materials, favourable climatic conditions and abundant labour force, yet the country continues to suffer from high poverty and unemployment rates, and overdependence on exports of primary products,” Mwachulla said in an interview.

He said to create employment, add value to raw materials and diversify in the export, it is important for Tanzania to fast-track her industrialization drive.

mwachulla said industrialization creates new markets and linkages, promoting supporting industries which will in turn contribute to Tanzania’s economic growth.

He said when industrialization is in full swing, it creates a demand for specialized skills and increased labour demand which can be addressed through emerging industries that are a result of growth in the manufacturing sector.

Mwachulla said through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Tanzania and African continent as whole should benefit from mutual cooperation.

TAGRODE Executive Director, Zubery Mwachulla said that it is important for the government to establish the forum that will monitor FOCAC deliberations on the implantation of the Johannesburg Summit and the 6th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Johannesburg from 3 to 5 December 2015. 

However, at least 200 factories are planned for launching in the country within the next three years with China’s support, a move that will boost Tanzania’s drive to become an industrial nation.

According to the Head of Communications in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mindi Kasiga, told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the factories were expected to generate 200,000 employment opportunities.

Kasiga was briefing reporters about a one-day working visit by China’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Wang Yi, next Monday. 

She said during his visit, Mr Wang will meet with President John Magufuli and hold official talks with his host, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Augustine Mahiga, on cooperation between the two countries. 

Kasiga said the two ministers will discuss China’s plan on assisting Tanzania to realize its industrialization dream.

She explained that in December 2015, during the Sixth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit held in Johannesburg, Tanzania was selected among four countries in Africa to be supported by China in realizing industrialization.

Other countries are Kenya, Ethiopia ad South Africa. “Under the Sixth FOCAC action plan at least 200 factories are expected to be set up before 2020 and will generate 200,000 employments,” she said.

TANZANIA NEEDS TO INCREASE FOCUS ON AGRICULTURE INVESTMENT TO IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY ...

By Friday Simbaya recently in Njombe

Tanzania needs to increase focus on industrialization and agriculture investment in order to improve food security for the citizens, WWF Tanzania’s Country Director said.

Dr. Amani Ngusaru said recently that the vibrant agriculture sector not only feeds the people, it creates jobs, it generates wealth and it will keep people on the land.

He said the key to poverty eradication, high unemployment rates and overdependence on exports of primary products that underdeveloped nations are facing lies in scaling up of the agriculture and industrialization agenda.

He made the disclosure on Friday during the WWF - Ruaha Water Program-SWAUM exit workshop held in Njombe Region.

WWF in collaboration with Care International is intending to implement Intensive Farming (IF) project in some parts of the country including Iringa, Morogoro and Coast regions but the focus will be the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT).

He said when agriculture and industrialization is in full swing, it creates a demand for specialized skills and increased labour demand which can be addressed through emerging industries that are a result of growth in the manufacturing sector.

He said industrialization drive of current government will create new markets and linkages, promoting supporting industries which will in turn contribute to Tanzania’s economic growth.

However, the WWF country director is calling on researchers, scientists and developers to create weather and climate center to help farmers plan for the future and to educate the public about the vulnerability of climate change.

He said that this effort will help give communities and farmers across the country the information and tools they need to plan for current and future climate impacts.

He said farmers are confused because they don’t when the rains are coming, they don't know when to cultivate and to plant, but with the investment in climate data initiative (CDI), it will help them to plan for current and future climate impacts. 

So, agricultural intensification and mechanization system is aimed to maximize yields from available land through various means, such as use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. 

However, WWF Tanzania has been working in the Great Ruaha River catchment (GRRC) with a focus on promoting and improving integrated water resources management since 2002. 

Throughout the intervening period however the once perennial Great Ruaha River (GRR) has run dry in the dry season for progressively longer periods.

Throughout the period 2011-2016 WWF Tanzania has been piloting the SWAUM programme – Sustainable Water Access, Use and Management. 

SWAUM was explicitly framed and designed to address a situation – shortfalls in water governance in the GRR catchment – that was understood to be ‘complex’ (i.e. widespread conflicts and disagreements, knowledge gaps and uncertainties, and weak organizational capacity).

“…has sought to identify and address the institutional constraints, within and between both formal organizations and local communities,” he said. 

Lack of awareness or acknowledgment of these strategic constraints, and of any commensurate response, considerably weakened or undermined the effectiveness and potential sustainability of earlier management and technical initiatives.

SWAUM’s empirical findings are that there are systemic shortcomings in aspects of integration critical to the governance system – the ‘critical dimensions of integration’ (CDIs) – and given the continuing deference to IWRM as the governance model in the Rufiji Basin IWRMD Plan. 

It is said that unless these shortcomings are addressed, the pattern of governance failure will not be broken, nor the associated drying of the GRR reversed.