Mkapa expresses lack of trust in opposition

Former president Benjamin Mkapa says opposition parties need 50 years to learn how to run the government before they are

given mandate to rule.

 

Addressing a campaign rally here yesterday, he said it would be a disaster to let the country be run by opposition political parties which he said were inexperienced.

 

He declared: "They have no experience to run the government, and so you should not risk to let the country go to novices. Vote for CCM which has over 50 years of experience.”

 

Mkapa said the CCM government had improved social services, including roads that enable wananchi to move easily from one place to another. 

 

Speaking at the rally on behalf of other CCM parliamentary candidates, the contestant for Muleba North, Charles Mwijage, said the ruling party had done a lot for Kagera residents. He therefore called on wananchi to continue trusting it by voting for its candidates.

Police appeals to Tanzanians to be more patriotic

Police have called on citizens to abide by the law and put patriotism before party politics to ensure that the October General Election campaigns are conducted peacefully.

 

Making the call yesterday,  said in this way there would be no major tension between the police force and civilians.

She said all Tanzanians who take part in campaigns should put forward patriotism rather than political affiliation that could disturb the prevailing peace in the country.

 

 "We should all work towards protecting our peace. So supporters of various political parties should realize that protection of our status quo as Tanzanians is more important than anything else,” she said.

 

Bulimba told politicians and party supporters to avoid politically motivated criminal offences. She said the law governing elections does not provide for overzealous political activities that might disrupt peace in the society. 

 “We urge people to take precautions so that politics does not lead to crime," stressed Bulimba. 

 

She said the police force was well prepared for the entire duration of the General Election campaigns. During and after the election it will deal with anyone who breaks the law regardless of political affiliation in order to protect the country's peace, she said. 

 

Bulimba referred to scuffles that were caused by political affiliation and reported in some parts of the country. She said several people were being questioned for their involvement which might have caused a breach of peace.

 

"At the moment I cannot say anything with regard to those arrested in several instances of breach of peace. We are still investigating whether criminal offences were committed before arraigning the perpetrators," explained Bulimba.

 

 Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mary Nzuki said the force has taken all precautions to ensure that the campaigns and elections are held peacefully. 

 

She was closing a two-week police training session on human rights and excessive use of force during elections held in Dar es Salaam recently. 

The training was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the police force.

 

Its main purpose was to build the capacity of police officers in their operations, especially during the General Election period. 

 

Conducted by facilitators from the police academy in the UK, the training also targeted to give an insight to police officers on reasonable use of force when necessary. They were also trained on  compliance to human rights in the execution of their duties

 

Commissioner Nzuki said after completing the training the officers were required to share the knowledge with their colleagues. Further, they were to help them have a comprehensive understanding of their performance.  

 

Specifically, they were to respect and protect human rights as well as various police laws and regulations. 

 

The UNDP conducted a similar training for various cadres of professions, including journalists and the judiciary.

 

The country’s General Election will be held on October 25 for councilors, members of parliament and the president.

 

Lowassa spurned on divisive view

THE National Electoral Commission (NEC) and CCM have expressed concern over the tendency by UKAWA Union presidential candidate Mr Edward Lowassa and other politicians of using religious, tribal, gender and racial sentiments in their campaign rallies against the Election Code of Ethics and rules 2015.

NEC has warned that it will not hesitate to take sterner action, including banning a political party or candidate from conducting campaigns if violating candidates or parties will fail to substantiate their claims before the Ethics Committee.

NEC Chairman, Judge (retired) Damian Lubuva, said in a statement issued in Dar es Salaam yesterday referring to the move by Mr Lowassa of Chadema to ask the Christian faithful from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) to vote for him.

The NEC statement said that this was unacceptable as it is bent on dividing Tanzanians, directing them as it is to choose leaders along religious lines. Judge Lubuva pointed out that Mr Lowassa’s move was a breach of Section 2.2 (i) of the 2015 Election Code of Ethics for presidential, parliamentary and civic election candidates.

“The Code prohibits political parties or candidates asking for votes basing on religious, tribal, racial and gender lines,” he said in the statement. Judge Lubuva reiterated the need for political parties to adhere to Section 2.1 (k) of Code of Ethics that requires candidates not to use houses of worship for their campaigns. The section also requires candidates not to use religious leaders to campaign for their political parties or candidates.

He said it was an obligation for all political parties to focus their campaigns on propagating their policies to enable the people to hear and evaluate them instead of uttering words meant to cause antagonism between the government and NEC.

On Mr Lowassa’s remarks in which he was quoted as telling an ELCT congregation in Tabora that it was now the turn for a Lutheran President, Judge Lubuva said the presidential candidate and other Chadema leaders have been making remarks that misled the people.

Judge Lubuva noted that Mr Lowassa and other Chadema leaders have been telling the people in their campaign rallies that their votes would be stolen while NEC would also cause a conflict without elaborating.

“Their statements are very disappointing and intimidating as they are very dangerous, especially at this point,” he said, adding that the statements were unacceptable since all the political parties and their candidates were given all the directions in the whole process of voting and counting of the votes for all elections.

Judge Lubuva also singled out for blame, National Chadema Chairman Mr Freeman Mbowe for allegedly saying that the commission has always supported and favoured CCM, cautioning that such statements could cause a breach of the peace.

He said the statement by Mr Mbowe was baseless since the commission has been conducting all the electoral processes fairly without favouring any political party or candidate.

In another development, CCM Publicity and Ideology Secretary Nape Nnauye has said that Mr Lowassa’s statements were against the country’s traditions and beliefs towards ensuring that Tanzania remains one nation with uninterrupted unity, peace and harmony.

“Despite being against electoral laws and Election Code of Ethics 2015 signed by all political parties, the statement by Mr Lowassa is against the country’s resolve to ensure unity, peace and harmony,” Mr Nnauye said.

He called on the NEC to take legal action against the UKAWA presidential candidate and other politicians who make remarks meant to divide the nation along religious, racial, gender and tribal lines.

Commenting on the Lowassa’s statements requiring Lutherans to vote for him on the ground that it was now the turn for a Lutheran President, Mr Nnauye said CCM did not believe that the statement constituted an official position of the church.

Kikwete awarded for excellent leadership

THE Uganda-based East Africa Book of Records Company yesterday awarded President Jakaya Kikwete with excellence awards for his contribution in peace building in Africa and Tanzania’s success in maintaining its own peace and stability since independence.

In the event that was attended by top government officials, including Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Bernard Membe, Chief Secretary Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, Attorney General George Masaju and some heads of diplomatic missions in Tanzania, President Kikwete was recommended for his inspirational contribution in enhancing democracy in the region.

“He did a great job solving political instabilities that occurred in Kenya, Comoro and Burundi. We are inspired as it shows his commitments in building peace and harmony not only to Tanzania but also to the nearby countries in east Africa and Africa at large,” said Dr Paul Bamutazi, the company’s Chief Executive.

The company awarded two awards, one for the president and the other for Tanzania as a country. Dr Bamutazi said Tanzania has set its own record of being the most peaceful country in East Africa as it has managed to cut-off all sorts of conflicts since independence hence being a role model for democratic issues to other countries in the region.

“We are glad to present these outstanding awards to Tanzania through President Kikwete who has been in charge of all issues undertaken in Tanzania, especially in maintaining peace and democracy,” he observed.

After receiving the awards, Mr Kikwete dedicated them to all Tanzanians for their total support to him during his tenure. “These awards should belong to Tanzanians, I humbly accept and receive on behalf of people of Tanzania,” said Mr Kikwete, adding that it was not so easy to meet the current achievements as the country has also been passing through some difficulties.

He noted, however, that through cooperation with other officials and conflicting parties, they managed to sort out the problems and move on in building the nation. According to him, dialogue and discussion remain best methods in solving problems to promote and maintain political stability.

Other reasons that led to Tanzania being awarded include its clear policies and agenda in building democracy, providing quality delivery of social services such as health, education and supporting innovations at all levels.

Meanwhile, President Kikwete has said that women in the country have special interest in the forthcoming general election as for the first time; Tanzania is in a position to get its first ever female vice-president.

Mr Kikwete, who is also National CCM Chairman, made the statement in Morogoro recently while talking to regional and district secretaries for CCM’s women wing, UWT, in the sessions that were also attended by the party’s Union presidential candidate, Dr John Magufuli.

He said women deserved to have permanent interest with absolute privileges in the October 25 election as they are in a position to determine peace and stability of the country.

“The appointment of a woman running mate in this year’s general election is valid evidence that women’s challenges are going to be solved accordingly. It is not accidental as it has been our policy to empower women,’’ Mr Kikwete remarked.

Lowassa says will solve Dar water blues in 48 days

UNION presidential candidate on Coalition of Four Opposition Political Parties, UKAWA, Mr Edward Lowassa, yesterday hit the campaign trail in Dar es Salaam promising to address burning issues, including water and traffic congestion should he clinch the top post of the land.

Addressing a rally at Mbezi Mpya Grounds in the newly-formed Kibamba constituency in the city yesterday, Mr Lowassa said the water problem would be a thing of the past just 48 days after being sworn-in as the country’s fifth president.

"I'll also ensure there will be no financial contributions into schools if elected. Education will be improved," said the former prime minister. As for critics from other political parties, Mr Lowassa said having mass support gave him the audacity to soldier on.

Earlier, another former prime minister, Mr Frederick Sumaye, said since Mr Lowassa left office eight years ago there had been more blunders than when he was serving, adding that corruption has been prevalent.

"I decided to defect from the ruling party because I saw no hope to liberate the people. Now they are blemishing our candidates, including even those who are not vying for any post including me," said the former prime minister.

Mr John Mnyika, who is vying for the Kibamba parliamentary post, said water scarcity had become a serious challenge in the two constituencies of Ubungo and Kibamba, saying he presented a fruitless private motion on water issue in the National Assembly in 2013.

"Kibamba residents have every reason to believe that Mr Lowassa will address the water problem since you (Lowassa) had served the water ministry," said outgoing Ubungo Member of Parliament (MP), turning to Mr Lowassa.

Mr Freeman Mbowe, who is the National CHADEMA Chairman, requested Kibamba voters to allow him to take Mr Mnyika with him on the party’s campaign trail as they were facing huge task to liberate the nation.

"I request you (Kibamba electorate) to vote for Mr Mnyika, but I request you to allow me to take him on our campaign trail as there is still a huge task to liberate the nation," he said. Meanwhile, the opposition party also issued its 2015 election manifesto, which among other things pushes for a people-centred constitution and restoration of ethics and integrity in public offices.

The document, which was circulated to the media houses early yesterday, pointed out that the party would if voted into power ensure that national unity and peace are promoted with a special focus, given to historic union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

According to the manifesto, under UKAWA regime, the president would ensure that there is an inclusive economy that pays attention to poverty eradication and improving the livelihoods of Tanzanians by opening up employment opportunities to the youth.

Magufuli eyes to raise tax on the rich

THE ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Union presidential candidate, Dr John Magufuli, has said he plans to tax more the richest and curb on tax holidays to increase domestic revenues if he wins in the October 25 general election.

Addressing a mammoth rally at Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro on Sunday, Dr Magufuli said he wanted to boost domestic revenue from current figure of around 900bn/- per month. “I will tax more the rich and plug off the loopholes.

I will also curb tax holidays to investors,” he said at his public rally attended by ruling party bigwigs including President Jakaya Kikwete. He said he would close the loopholes and raising the amount of taxes for which the rich are responsible.

The government plans to boost domestic revenue collection to reach 14.8 per cent of the total economy. According to the latest Bank of Tanzania (BoT) monthly economic review, during May, domestic revenue amounted to 813.4bn/- which was 89.5 per cent of target.

World Bank said a report that Tanzania must boost its revenue collection to bolster its strained finances and fund infrastructure projects following a decline in aid inflows. A revenue shortfall amid a slowdown in financial assistance to one of Africa’s biggest per capita aid recipients has left the country strapped for cash.

“The primary threat to Tanzania’s economy comes ... from domestic issues. In particular, low levels of revenue, lower than anticipated aid inflows and the accumulation of arrears with contractors and pension funds have disturbing implications for Tanzania’s fiscal stability,” the World Bank said in its latest economic update report.

East Africa’s second-biggest economy collects around $6 billion in tax revenues per year, equivalent to around 12 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP). “This covers approximately three quarters of the government’s expenses.

This is insufficient, particularly when other sources of funding, such as foreign inflows, are declining, or limited and borrowing or private sector finance,” said the bank. The World Bank said Tanzania could boost government revenue collection by reforming its tax system to make it affordable, fair and transparent.

“The government has accumulated massive arrears over the past few years ... The plan is to pay those arrears through the issuance of domestic bonds,” it said.

Pugu cattle market registers revenue increase

REVENUES generated at the Pugu cattle auction in August jumped to 9.85bn/- compared to 9.57bn/- posted in the preceding month. Statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the weekly average supply of cattle at the auction market declined to 16,740 compared to 19,290 of the preceding market, which is 13.2 per cent fall.

Similarly, revenues generated from the sale of goats and sheep declined to 648.78m /- compared 622.16m/-/- of the previous session while an increment was noticed on the supply of sheep that registered 620.94m/-, from 515.10m/- respectively.

Some of the regions which supplied cattle to Pugu market were Dodoma, Arusha, Mwanza, Shinyanga, Kagera, Singida, Mbeya, Musoma and Tabora. During the month under review, the average prices for mature cattle female grade two (G2) increased to 630,500 from 517,000/- of the previous market, which is 21.9 per cent increment.

Also, the prices for grade three (G3) female cattle recorded a 24.9 per cent increase to 443,000 from 354,000/- of the previous market. The prices for mature cattle male grade (G2) increased to 721,500/- from 600,000/- recorded in the previous period, representing a 20.2 per cent change. The prices of the male cattle grade (G3) increased to 560,500/- from 515,000/- of the other market, equal to 8.8 per cent change.

Similarly, the prices for mature female goat grade two (2) increased to 99,500/- compared to 97,000/- of the previous session, equivalent to 2.6 per cent change. The prices for female goats grade three (3) increased to 81,000/- from 70,000/- , which is 15.7 per cent rise.

Mature male goats grade two (2) increased by 7.9 per cent to 118,700 from 110,000/- of the previous session while goats grade three recorded price hike to 94,000/- from 76,000/- of the preceding marketing period, which is 23.6 per cent change.

The prices for mature female sheep grade (2) declined to 75,000/- from 78,000/- of the previous market which is 3.8 per cent change while female sheep grade (3) saw its prices slowing to 53,800/- from 60,000/-of the previous market, which is 10.3 per change.

The prices for mature male sheep grade (2) increased to 103,000/- from 100,500/- of the other market which is 2.4 per cent change, while the prices for male mature goat rose to 83,000/- from 78,500/- of the previous market which is 6.4 per cent change

World Bank To Invest $80M To Accelerate Jobs

Washington, USA: Enhancement of job is much required in Tanzania. Considering this the World Bank has approved $80 million to accelerate it. The fund will improve the private sector performance in the country and this will result with creation of more employment.

Taking a look to about past ten years it is seen the investment in private sectors focused mainly in the fast growing sectors such as communication, finance, extractives and transport.

The investment failed to do any needful to the manufacturing and agriculture sectors and these expanded below average rate. This resulted with low acceleration of jobs to employ growing working population.

According to World Bank’s Country Director, Bella Bird, it is important for the country to create productive jobs as every year thousands youth enter the workforce with high expectations and energy.

Data says about 800,000 young people enter the workforce each year which is to double by 2030. Tanzania need to work for job creation, mostly in the informal sector, to absorb these youths.

As of now the Business Environment for Jobs Development Policy Operation (DPO) is working on job creation. It supports the horizontal policy interventions of the government as well as to improve the overall – land, labor and capital. It also supports the government in improving the business environment in the tourism and agribusiness sectors.

World Bank Task Team Leader Andrea Dall’Olio said they will support with concrete methods to result with simplified life of businesses.

DPO and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) jointly are providing parallel financing.

Cholera Epidemic Kills 8, Infects 400 In Tanzania: WHO

Geneva: More than 400 people have been infected and 8 has been killed due to cholera epidemic in the country in about past two weeks, and steps have been taken to find out the source of it. If believed to the data of World Health Organization (WHO), the source may be from Dar es Salaam and Morogoro regions.

It is reported the worst affected is Dar es Salaam with 354 infection and 7 deaths due to the disease.

Spokesman of WHO, Christian Lindmeier, said the latest cholera outbreak has surprised the health officials as the spike is unusual with few hundred cases in a short time.

He added that even though the endemic is not a worrying situation in Tanzania, but it is important to address.

The WHO officials have started lab testing and diagnosis. Five treatment centers are being set up. Supplies of medical chemicals have begun for water treatment and disinfection.

Earlier, between May and July this year, the epidemic was also seen in western Tanzania’s Kigoma region that borders Lake Tanganyika and Burundi. It was more serious outbreak in the country, but the latest is not so intense. Also, the WHO officials say there is no connection between the two outbreaks.

Lindmeier said the past outbreak was related to the refugees coming from Burundi. However, it was brought under control and for about a month no new cases have been reported from the region.

Political violence was triggered in Burundi after the president announced earlier in April this year to seek a third term. This raised controversies and violence was prompted. With unrest people started fleeing to Kigoma in huge number