POLICE NET ARUSHA MOST WANTED BOMBING SUSPECTS

POLI CE in Arusha  yesterday named a “most wanted” suspect said to be behind a wave of terrorist attacks in Arusha and Zanzibar.

ARUSHA REGIONAL POLICE COMMANDER L.SABAS

Arusha Regional Police Commander Liberatus Sabas said thorough investigations had established that Mr Yahya Hassan Hella, alias Sensei, was the mastermind behind the terror network responsible for several deadly attacks.

“We have established that he is not only behind the grenade and acid attacks in Arusha,  but is the chief coordinator of this terror network,” he said, adding that the suspect hailed from Kondoa District in Dodoma Region.

Mr Sabas named the suspect as two people appeared in court in Dar es Salaam on terrorism charges.

He said police were also looking for Mr Hella’s accomplices, adding that some of them could have fled the country.

“We have the names of key suspects who have fled Arusha and gone into hiding in other parts of Tanzania and outside the country,” Mr Sabas said.

Nineteen more suspects have been arrested in recent days, taking the number of those in custody to more than two dozen.

Mr Sabas said more people were due to appear in court in Arusha today in connection with attacks which have rocked the northern city in recent months.

Police sources said those arrested in recent days include suspects linked with the grenade attack at a Chadema campaign rally in Arusha on June 15, last year.  The blast killed four people.

The opposition party said it had a video implicating police in the incident.  The Police Force has strongly denied involvement in the attack at Soweto grounds.

Sources also said the suspects in custody included 12 people who were allegedly involved in the  May 5, 2013 grenade attack at a church in Olasiti, Arusha.

 Three people were killed and 60 others wounded when the grenade was hurled into the congregation as the Vatican envoy to Tanzania, Francisco Padilla, was about to grace the official inauguration of the church building.

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SOPA LODGE GETS FIVE STAR RANKING

 Tarangire Sopa Lodge   has been awarded   a five star hotel class after meeting   criteria set by the East African Community in conjunction with the Ministry of Natural Resources and tourism.

Tarangire Sopa Lodge hotel manager, Dedan Ogelo holding a five star trophy. Next to him is a sopa lodge group operations manager, Kennedy Ayoti and Human resource Manager, one Elisaria Makivao in a group picture with staffs after receiving the certificate of recognition from ministry of natural resources and tourism.

Based in Tarangire National Park, the lodge is described by visitors from all over the world as an elegant ultra modern luxury facility in the area.

Presenting the award to the management and staff of the lodge over the weekend Group Manager of Operations of Sopa Lodges, Kennedy Ayoti praised the workers for their job well done.

 “I acknowledge and appreciate your commitment, hard working and high motivation spirit. These, among others, are behind our lodge to achieve a high ranking. Be proud of yourselves” Ayoti remarked.

He said the hotel classification exercise had tough procedures, which involved serious scrutiny in all areas including service, environment, human resource development and skills.

“I urge the management and workers to work even harder to maintain this achievement, experts will be visiting here to evaluate our progress” Ayoti noted.

In his remarks, Tarangire Sopa Lodge Manager,Dedan Ogelo said his lodge offers tailor made services and amenities to make  Tarangire national Park  the most special place to experience.

“We believe in giving the best for our visitors when they get here they are welcomed by architectural charm and unparalleled service. The guests are entitled to enjoy luxurious services” said Ogelo.

In receiving the award, staff showed their joy of achievements, vowing to double efforts and commitment in order to sustain the achievement.

Ritha Mollel a worker told the visiting journalists that they are confident and well prepared to take the only five-star lodge to the next level.

“We appreciate Sopa lodge Management for its policy where we staffs are regularly receiving training's as part of carrier advancement. I am sure without this we wouldn't achieved the best in serving our customers” she said.

Mollel said the strategy has contributed a lot in terms of maintaining standards of all hotel facilities and services throughout.

It takes 40 minutes’ drive from the main gate of Tarangire National park to sopa lodge, with capacity to host 150 occupants at a time in 75 spacious rooms.

Sopa Lodge has also a conference hall with capacity of accommodating between 70-100 occupants at once.

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EIGHT HURT IN TANZANIA TOURIST RESTAURANT BOMBING

Tanzania: Eight people were wounded late Monday when unknown attackers hurled a bomb through the window of a restaurant popular with foreigners and wealthy locals in the north Tanzanian town of Arusha.

"No one died, but eight people were wounded, one is in a serious condition," Tanzania Director of criminal  Investigation (DCI)Isaya Mngulu .

"It was an improvised explosive device thrown through a window."

All the wounded, who included two children, were Tanzanians, according to the police chief.

The floor of the upmarket  Indian restaurant in the centre of Arusha was covered in blood, with overturned chairs amid broken glass, an eye witness  said.

No one has claimed responsibility, but two Tanzanian nationals were arrested following the attack, Mr Mngulu said, giving no further details.

The bombing targeted a key town for Tanzania's tourist industry, a major source of foreign currency for the East African country.

Visitors come to Arusha before travelling on to the iconic snowcapped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, as well as to the Serengeti national park, famed for its spectacular great migration of wildebeest.

A political rally

Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab have carried out attacks across East Africa, especially targeting Kenya in wave of bombings and killings, but Tanzanian police said they did not believe the extremists were to blame for the Arusha blast.

"We do not know who the attackers are, but we do not suspect any involvement with Al-Shabaab," Mr Mngulu said.

Unlike Kenya, Tanzania does not have troops fighting against the Al-Shabaab with the African Union force in Somalia.

The attack is the latest of several in Arusha.

On July 3, two people were wounded when an improvised bomb was hurled into the home of leading Muslim cleric in Arusha, Mr Mngulu said.

Police arrested six people, all Tanzanians, following that attack.

Three people were killed and 60 wounded in June 2013 in Arusha when a grenade was hurled into a political rally by an opposition party.

A month before, attackers killed three and wounded 30 when an improvised bomb exploded in a Cat

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MAASAI STUDENTS TO STUDY IN AMERICA IN EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

THE Maasai students in Monduli district now have a reason to jubilate, thanks to an insertion of exchange programme between their school and an American school.

According to Orkeeswa secondary school headmaster, Yusuph Mollel the exchange programme will enable his students to travel all the way to American Groton School and study for good three months and the same to the later.

Mollel said that idea behind the programme is to give both students a lifetime exposure that could be inspiration for them.

“Our students have learnt a lot in America during the pilot programme and the same way for the American students who come in Tanzania. We think this is important way of giving our students an exposure” he noted.

Groton school director of counseling who is in Tanzania with several American students, Ms Megan Harlan said that the exchange programme offers both students an opportunity to learn and appreciate the diversities.

“My students are admired the Maasai culture and appreciate that there are diversity between American tradition and Tanzanian one. This will not be possible with this programme” she explained.

A Groton school student, Sophie Baker says that she was overwhelmed by the Maasai community warm welcome, adding that the smiles will never leave her brain forever.

A form five student of Orkeeswa school who went to America, Florah Tipapurwa to Orkeeswa School said that American education system is more advanced compared to Tanzanian one where students do not have enough materials and desks.

“Our colleagues have a lot of scholastic materials and teachers compared to us where we compete for few materials available” a young Florah says.

Orkeeswa School, opened in 2008, is located in an under-served Maasai community in the Monduli Hills of northern Tanzania known as Lashaine Village.

By providing free education within the village, Orkeeswa offers the only opportunity for most of its students to continue education past the primary level.

“Students of Orkeeswa School live and learn within their own village, allowing them to take their education home with them every day” said the school Managing Director, Mr Peter Luis.

Orkeeswa’s holistic model of education extends beyond the classroom and equips students with the knowledge and skills to create change in their community.

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HADZABE FACE SEVERE HUNGER

A Hadzabe community living in a remote Eyasi valley in Karatu district, Arusha region is facing a serious food crisis, frightening the survival of a rare ethnic group.

An indigenous hunter-gatherers community depends on wild fruits; roots, honey and wild meats as its staple food, but farming, tree felling for charcoal and mining activities in Eyasi valley have robbed them natural forestry, a key source for their foodstuff

Now the hadzabe says that the situation has worsened food insecurity in the community as sometimes they go to bed up to three days without eating.

The hadzabe  boma leader Kankono Mkanga said that the farmers and miners have reduced their forestry, keeping the fruits and wild animals out of their reach.

“We are close to starving because no one is care about our situation. We normally used to get food aid from various churches and tourists but this year we haven’t seen anyone” says Kankono

According to a hadzabe woman Ngake Mtawona ,their ancestors land alienation by farmers, miners and livestock keepers has reduced the community to a permanent beggar.

"We are starving, all the animals have disappeared and we Hadzabe only feed on meat."  an old man who was making arrows from sticks explained through an interpreter. His wife, Ntale Nzale was keeping a tin of maize flour in their grass hut

She explained that at the moment they are forced to go begging as far as Mang’ola barazani and  Endamaga villages where they end up getting onions, which do not constitute their traditional foodstuff.

“So we are compelled to eat onions as a staple food rather than dying of hunger. We call upon government and any other well wishers to come up and rescue our community from being perished of famine” she noted. 

Eyasi Division officer, Laanyun Ole Supuk admitted that the hadzabe population  is under threat due to food insecurity, appealing to the government to supply the community with emergency food as soon as possible.

Supuuk said that the major problem of Hadzabe is their traditional lifestyle, which does not encourage keeping food stock.

“I think if they get eighty tones of maize it will help the until the high tourism season starts few weeks, normaly when tourists visits them they donate some money for their survival “Supuk  added.

 The Hadzabe, who live in small groups are believed to be less than 1,500 in total in Tanzania. This unique community is the closest cultural relative to the San Bushmen of the Kalahari in Botswana.

Naftal Zengu Kitandu, 58, a Hadzabe and Eshkesh  Ward civic leader, said the Hadzabe bush people's population has dwindled from 5,000 in 1990s to as few as 1,500 this time around.

"Invasion by other tribes from Mwanza, Karatu and Shinyanga who bring along herds of cattle and introduce farming in the valley has been threatening the survival of Hadza people who only depend on fruits, roots, honey and small animals for survival," Mr. Kitandu explained.

 Aliens' invasion, according to the Mongo-wa-Mono Ward representative, Mr. Bryson Magombe, has been destructive to the environment leading to the disappearance of most wild animal species, natural vegetation and water sources thus endangering the lives of the Hadza.

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CA, URGED TO MAINTAIN ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE IN THE DRAFT CONSTITUTION

Members of the constituent assembly have been urged not to strike out the provision on the right to a clean, safe and healthy environment.

Elifuraha Laltaika, an environmental law lecturer at Tumaini University Makumira said this over the weekend during a public lecture on the link between human rights and the environment organized the University’s Law Faculty.

“The constitutional provision will ensure highest protection of the environmental rights including the right to  sustainably use the country’s natural resources from being undermined by ordinary legislation.”  said Mr. Laltaika who is also advocate of the high court.

The draft constitution, which was unveiled by the constitutional review commission and tabled before the constituent assembly, contains the right to a healthy and clean environment in the bill of rights.

According to Advocate Laltaika, the provision places Tanzania in a list of progressive countries that have given sustainable economic development and environmental protection the highest legal recognition.

He further said that article 41 of the draft constitution provides in part that everyone living in Tanzania has a right to live in a clean, safe and healthy environment. 

In his keynote presentation, Professor John Bonine from the University of Oregon in the USA outlined the integral connection between human rights and the environment indicating that in the last forty years, more than half of the world’s nations have recognized the constitutional right to a healthy environment.

 “The landmark Stockholm Declaration of 1972 was very significant as it inspired countries to include environmental rights in their supreme laws.” Said Professor Bonine.

He argued that by incorporating the right to a clean and healthy environment in the constitution, national governments show their highest and collective commitment to sustainable development.

Commenting on the role of courts in developing progressive jurisprudence, the renowned international environmental law expert revealed courts in 12 countries have interpreted the right to life and health to include the right to live in a clean and safe environment. 

“High courts in 12 nations have ruled that the right to a healthy and clean environment is implicit in the constitutional right to life and health.” Said professor Bonine adding, “In an even more encouraging move, ninety-two nations have explicitly incorporated the right into their constitutions.”

 Professor Bonine, co-founder of Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW), an NGO with members from 80 countries including Tanzania is visiting the University’s Law Faculty to deliver public lectures and inspire public interest lecturers and legal practitioners.

He is a member of the Commission on Environmental Law of the World Conservation Union and an elected member of the International Council of Environmental Lawyers.

His latest publication “Human rights and the environment” is used as a textbook in numerous law schools in the USA including the University of Oregon where he has been teaching Human rights and the environment for the last 45 years.

The University’s Faculty of Law occasionally invites prominent scholars to speak on diverse thematic issues relevant to the promotion and protection of human rights and the environment. Previous visiting scholars included his Lordship Gerard Niyungeko, the then President of the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR).

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POACHING IN EAST AFRICAN COUNTRIES IS MORE THAN WHAT STATISTICS SHOW

Dr.Paula (right)briefing journalists at the press conference from left is Cyril Akko the CEO TATO

Elephant poaching might be an even bigger problem than the East African governments think, a world-renowned wildlife activist has warned.

Dr. Paula Kahumbu, executive director of the Kenya Land Conservation Trust and Wildlife Direct, says the seizure on June 5th of more than 200 elephant tusks in a motor vehicle warehouse in Mombasa was a rude, but necessary awakening for Tanzania and Kenya.

“Look at the official statistics where Kenya says it loses only 365 elephants whereas Tanzania loses 10,000 jumbos a year. To me this is a tip on an iceberg, poaching could be bigger than what we are told” Dr. Kahumbu told media during the EA Premier Karibu Travel Market Tanzania 2014.

The Tanzania Associations of Tour Operators (TATO) owned Karibu TMT, the second largest tourism show in natural resource-rich-continent of Africa after Indaba in South Africa, is registered with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The theme of this year’s show taking place at the Heron Recreation Center near Arusha airport is ‘Sustainable Conservation’ which is reflection of TATO’s ‘foreign policy’ existing for the last three decades.

Dr. Kahumbu was invited to Karibu TMT in a bid to share her vast experience on conservation and the campaign against elephant poaching in Kenya with Tanzania tourism stakeholders, mainly TATO members.

TATO has also been focusing on wildlife conservation and security as the area of grave concern apart from its other mainstream roles. 

Dr. Kahumbu told international and local media on Friday that Mombasa seizure does not only exposes the magnitude of the problem, but also this huge haul, following a tipoff to local police authorities, confirms Mombasa’s pivotal role as a transit point for smuggling ivory out of Africa.

“The photographs show some gigantic tusks, undoubtedly from Kenya’s greatest tuskers. One enormous tusk in particular stood out; it can surely be linked to an individual elephant” she noted.

These can only have come from killing fields in Kenya’s flagship National Parks, like Tsavo, Marsabit, Samburu and Masai Mara, Dr. Kahumbu said, adding that the last refuges for these magnificent animals are no longer safe havens, and are under siege by increasingly well-armed and equipped poachers.

Lately, TATO has been in the forefront of lots of conservation initiatives, specifically the provision of education and leading relevant discussion forums on sustainable conservation and wildlife security of which the Karibu TMT has also acted as one of the forums.

Karibu TMT which took off on Friday also will include among others:  Music Concert with Tanzanian poet and storyteller Mrisho Mpoto presenting his hit song ‘Deni La Hisani’ (A Debt of Courtesy), a public call to action to end poaching in Tanzania – today (Sunday), 8^th June.

Chairperson of the Karibu TMT organizing committee, Vesna Glamocanin Tibaijuka says that Dr. Kahumbu was invited to share her valuable experience on a Community based conservation where she has been successful in projects of mitigating human-wildlife conflict in East Africa.

“More importantly:  there will be a launch of TATO anti-poaching Song as well as Children and Conservation where educational short DVDs Nature for Kids will be introduced at the kids corner” Mrs Tibaijuka noted.

This year’s fair attracted more than 8000 visitors from EAC partner states, South Africa, China, the US, and Europe.

In fact, Karibu TMT has become ‘the place to meet’ for the region’s travel industry partners with others from around the world.

TATO Chairman, Willy Chambullo said that should the current generation fail in battle against poaching the next generation will have no elephant to show.

“We need to join hands together to rescue elephants from being decimated by poachers. We need these animals to remain for the future generations to appreciate like our ancestors did for us” Mr Chambullo explained.

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TOURISTS DONATE 1,000 BIKE TO PUPILS FROM REMOTE AREAS IN NORTHERN TANZANIA

Pupils with smile ,each with a bike

sponsors Naomi and Mark 

OVER 1,000 pupils from remote areas in various primary schools of Arusha region now have a reason to smile, thanks to American tourist for providing bikes as a means of transport to help them to attend school.

According to Grand circle Foundation Project Manager; Ms Sandra Vaughan the tourist Naomi Hughes has donated a total of 1077 bicycles worth $100,000 (Tsh 164 million) to several primary schools in northern Tanzania.

The Hughes are founders of Pets Providing Pedals program, where dog groomer Naomi grooms dogs in the USA, and raises funds all year round to supply bikes to children in Tanzania.

Tarangire, Ayatale, Rhotia and Bashay primary schools are the key beneficiaries of Naomi’s donations.   Other institutions benefited include Plaster house and Rift Valley Children centres.

Mark and Naomi Hughes are traveling through Tanzania on their 10th Overseas Adventure Trip facilitating their bike program.

The tourist is also built a primary school, provided textbooks, school desks, water tanks, solar lights, trees, and stationary supplies worth Tsh 1.3 billion.

Speaking at the official ceremony to thank Naomi, Mayor of Arusha City His lordship Gaudence Lyimo hailed efforts done by the Hughes family to save children from walking 10km a day to schools.

“Pets Providing Pedals reached an amazing milestone this year. Remember it is one person grooming dogs and fund raising, Naomi” Ms Sandra says.

In 2011, Naomi distributed 201 bikes, while in 2012 she provided another 250.   Way back in 2013, she donated 300 bikes and this year another great donations of 280 bikes. 

On Monday, Naomi together with his husband, Mark Hughes was in Tloma primary school in Karatu to offer yet another 280 bicycles, culminating a grand total of 1,077 cycles.

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UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT IN EAST AFRICAN COUNTRIE TOO LOW

University enrollment in East African countries is considered too low despite their joint population of over 130 million residents.

A study conducted by the Inter-University Council of East the   East African revealed that member states have only managed to place 1.7 million students to higher institutions of learning.

 “So far we have 173 universities in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania, but according to our recent research on tertiary education in the region, results indicate that it is only about 6.4 percent of the East African population access highest levels of education,” explained Prof Mayunga Nkunya the Executive Secretary for the Inter-University Council of East Africa.

Prof Nkunya was speaking during the  4th East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Network Forum, organized by the IUCEA with support from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), under the theme of ‘Creating a quality assurance culture in the East African Higher Education Area,’ focusing on practices, challenges and prospects.

The IUCEA executive pointed out that the five East African Member states are yet to reach the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Education (UNESCO)’s higher education enrolment standard of 10 percent of a
specific population.

It has also been discovered that although Tanzania with 50 universities, has the biggest number of higher learning institutions in East Africa, the country fell behind Kenya (with only 37%) and which tops the bill in the region, as far as the students’ penetration into tertiary education level is concerned.

While Kenya leads with 7 percent enrollment, it has been observed that many students (accounting to around 25 percent) later drop from universities in the country due to the institutions’ skyrocketing fees, the highest in the
region.

Uganda which also has higher University enrollment, was described to be the regional education mecca, because many students from other countries in the region go to study there; “And while the number in Ugandan institutions may seem high, the majority of scholars are actually foreign students,” explained Dr Warda Rajab the Director of Research at the Islamic University of Uganda.

As far as Rwanda is concerned however the 1994 genocide in which about a Million people  were killed, negatively also affected the education system in the country but rising from the ashes, Kigali has managed to jump from the
formerly single ‘National University of Rwanda’ with just 2500 students to the current 22 universities boasting over 85,000 student.

“And at the moment we are rapidly adopting to English as the main medium of instruction having moved from the past when we used to apply two languages; French and English. We find the later to be best being an international means of communication, but are keeping the former simply as independent subject,” explained Dr Baguma Abdallah the Director of Academic Quality at the Higher Education Council of Rwanda.

Ends..

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TANZANIAN PRESIDENT JAKAYA KIKWETE DIRECTS THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND TZ MEDICAL STORES TO SUPPLY DIAGNOSTIC GEARS TO CURB DENGUE FEVER

President Jakaya Kikwete have appealed  to the ministry of health and Tanzania Medical stores  board (MSD)to supply diagnostic equipments  to all health centers in the country to curb the spread of  the mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus.

President Kikwete made the call in Arusha when he was officially addressing nurses and heath practioners gathered here to mark the worlds nursing day.

Kikwete also told the public to report to hospitals any time they feel any sense of malaria fever so that they can be properly diagnosed and well treated if found infected by the deadly virus.

He said the disease is now  pose a big threat to the country’s population  health since its outbreak in the year 2010 to date where two people are reported dead and 369 infected.

"There is a tendency of people to go to pharmacies and buy ant malaria need to visit the hospital for check up and proper medication “He said.  

He said  dengue fever symptoms  includes sudden high fever, severe headaches pain behind the eyes severe joint and muscle pain  Nausea Vomiting  Skin rash, which appears three to four days after the onset of fever Mild bleeding (such a nose and  bleeding gums  

“Sometimes symptoms are mild and can be mistaken for those of the flu or another viral.

Younger children and people who have never had the infection before tend to have milder cases than older children and adults”Kikwete said

He noted that  Kinondoni District in Dare salaam is leading in terms of infected figures where 322 people are reported to have infected by the  killer virus, followed by Ilala District with 61 victims and Temeke with  16.

  
He said there is fewer equipment to diagnose the virus therefore they should be supplied immediately to fight the plague.

In regards to the call from heath works who asked the government to provide housing and better working environment, the president assured them that it will take their demands into high consideration.

 He argued them to equip themselves academically to get more knowledge in their noble profession to save lives and fight diseases

In his part the deputy minister  for health and social welfare Dr, Stephen Kebwe, said the ministry has made remarkable progress in maternal heath and reproductive health education.

“Statistcs   from  the year  2010 to 2013   show that ninety six percent of women  and ninety seven  percent of men are aware  of  the subject “He said

 
He pointed out other success  are  the reduction of mortality rate for children under five years which had decreased from 165 deaths from 1990 to 54 death in the year  2013.

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EU AND EAC JOIN FORCE TO IMPROVE MARITME SECURITY

The  European Union delegation and the east African community has signed a cooperation programme totaling 2.3milion EURO to improve maritime security aimed at contributing to global security and creating a favorable environment for the economic development in the Region.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the East African headquarters in Arusha on Wednesday   ambassador of the European Union and the East African Community Ambassador Filbert Sebregondi said the programme will provide support to fight maritime crime in the Indian Ocean.

He said the programme will facilitate serious threats that can undermine peace and stability, cases of piracy, drugs, arms smuggling, human trafficking and illegal fishing.

“This  programme is part of a 37 .5 Million EURO package to four regional organization of east and southern Africa (EAC,COMESA,IGAD and IOC) and is aiming to strength the capacities of the four regional organizations to implement regional strategy and action plan against piracy and for maritime security they adopted 2010”He said.

He noted that the programme will also ensure coordination with another EU continental programme called “Critical Maritime Routes “and with further activities related to maritime information sharing system and networking. 

“It will also look at activities related to financial flows  and have to be coordinated with   law  enforcement in East Africa  project which focuses on effective investigation on piracy organizers and financers.

Speaking on behalf of the Secretary General of the East African Community, Deputy Secretary General in charge of finance and administration Jean Jean Claude Nsengiyumva applauded the engagement with the European Union in mobilizing resources geared towards uplifting the standard of living of the citizens in the region. 

He reiterated that EAC greatly values the strategic cooperation with the EU and regards it as one of its key strategic partners. He assured the European Union of its highest consideration.

In his presentation, InfoTech Investment Group Ltd Chief Executive Officer, Alli Mfuruki commended European Union for its commitment to work with other organizations to achieve a common goal.

 “Sometimes we seem to forget why we have united our countries, we need to remember the objectives of our union”    He said.

He said East African countries should not compete among themselves but rather they should unite and compete with the rest of the World’s economic powers “He said.

Earlier at the EAC headquarters, representatives from the civil society organizations and the private sector joined EU and EAC staff in a round table discussion on the Business Environment in East Africa as part of the EU-EAC week.

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DR. MENGI WARN OF RAMPANT CORRUPTION HAMPERING PRIVATE SECTOR

Dr Reginald Mengi, Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) Chairman

Rampant corruption across East Africa is hampering development of the private sector limiting its effective contribution to the region’s socio-economic growth.

Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) Chairman, Dr Reginald Mengi made the remark yesterday at the East African Community Headquarters where the European Union Week 2014 is being observed.

He said corruption must be combated at the international level through imposition of sanctions on all international companies found guilty of the practice and manipulation of African leaders in their companies’ interests.

“We hear Africans are corrupt but the question remains, what about international companies which give bribes so as to be favoured in investment projects on the continent? They too should be punished,” he said.

“Double standards mustn’t be allowed to dominate this matter," he emphasized, noting that if the matter is not dealt with seriously, the gap between the poor and the rich will inevitably grow wider.

Dr Mengi also warned that without peace and stability, local and foreign investment will be gravely affected and therefore all governments in the region must take concrete steps to ensure peace and stability are maintained, he urged.

“You can have all it takes to run any business, but I assure you that if there is no peace and stability you cannot invest your money when there is no security,” said the renowned philanthropist.

Dr. Mengi went on to bid for private sector involvement in the gas and oil sector and the alternative energy industry in general saying with private sector involvement the citizens will directly benefit from the resources.
He said if East African states are to escape the ‘oil and gas curse’ the bloc must put in place a citizen-friendly policy framework.

“Much as we encourage foreign investment, there still is very high demand for private sector participation,” noted Dr. Mengi.

The Chairman of the East African Business Council (EABC), Felix Mosha, said despite challenges in the regional trade bloc, business growth has shot up from 14 percent to 23 percent which he attributed to the one stop border posts scheme and business infrastructure improvement. 

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POOR SANITATION CLAIMS 30.000 LIVES IN TANZANIA YEARLY

Participants of the crucial workshop to scale hygiene and sanitation  

Tanzania has embarked on a national sanitation campaign to grapple with diarrheal and other waterborne diseases compounded by a poor hygiene.

About 30,000 Tanzanians die of diarrheal and other diseases attributed to unsafe water supply and poor sanitation and hygiene practices.

Barely 20 per cent of households have access to improved sanitation and 12 per cent are known to practice open defecation countrywide, according to the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr Charles Pallangyo.

Mr Pallangyo was officiating at an International Workshop on Scaling up Rural Sanitation and Hygiene jointly organized by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and the ministry.

He said the campaign, which was launched last year, primarily focused on rural and peri-urban areas where coverage was extremely low.

The permanent secretary said statistics indicated that 42 per cent of children in the country, equivalent to four Million of them, were stunted.

“These figures are not only intimidating, but also call for concerted efforts to reverse them. I am confident enough that once improved, sanitation and hygiene will significantly reduce the rate of children suffering from stunted growth,” he said.

Studies, he said, show that improved sanitation could reduce diarrheal cases by up to 32 per cent and that a mere hand washing using soap can cut down those cases by 42 per cent.

“The country, for instance, has just in 12 months of the campaign witnessed a promising change of behavior and a tremendous increase of 280,000 improved toilets and 190,000 functional hand washing points at households level,” he observed.

Twenty five per cent of the newly improved water points are already operational -- barely two years after they were constructed.

The achievement notwithstanding, over half of the rural population still lacked access to clean water, said Mr Pallangyo, stressing that he believed the trend could be reversed if the construction of water supply infrastructure is given due priority.

Lack of clean and safe water as well as poor hygiene significantly hampers the performance in the educational sector, according to the SNV online report.

In 2011, only 9 per cent of schools countrywide were furnished with clean toilets and only 11 of schools had latrines sufficient enough to serve all pupils.

Forty five per cent of schools compounds were not supplied with clean water and only 14 per cent of them had hand-washing facilities, putting girls, in particular, in a precarious situation.

SNV’s support mainly focuses water supply and sanitation facilities in rural communities and in schools. “We work with local government and communities to jointly improve rural and school water points, sanitation and hygiene facilities,” Mr. Martijn Veen, Acting Director SNV Tanzania said.

Mr. Martijn Veen said SNV also supported ministries of respective nations in formulating and harmonizing effective approaches for interacting with local authorities.

“We also support communities and local governments to establish mutual accountability relations for quality and reliable service delivery,” Mr. Martijn Veen said.

The workshop attracted 45 participants, all working on rural sanitation and hygiene in Nepal, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and the host, Tanzania.

In attendance also were professionals from other development organisations and government, collaboration with SNV in the above countries.

The four-day workshop is part of the learning activities of SNV’s Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene for All Programme. The learning activities are not limited to the programme, but intended to promote discussion among partners about best practices and up scaling strategies in rural sanitation and hygiene.

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