Magufuli jets in Pemba for official visit

ONLINE REPORTER 02 September 2016

    President John Magufuli arrived today in Pemba islet to start a two-day state tour in Zanzibar.


Dr Magufuli, accompanied by his wife, was welcomed by a number of dignitaries at the Karume Airport some seven kilometers southeast of Chake-Chake, the capital of the island.

He was also met by the island traditional dance ‘kibati’.

The president and his wife also pay respect to the late Dr Omar Ali Juma grave by laying a wreath of flowers.

Dr Juma, died of a heart-attack, served as Vice President in 1995 to 2001 during President Benjamin Mkapa.

According to the statements, Mr Magufuli expects to address a public rally in the afternoon before doing the same on Saturday in Unguja.

This will be the first official visit for Dr Magufuli to Zanzibar since being elected as union president in the general election last October and National CCM Chairman in July, this year.

Wito wa Kuhudhuria Mkutano wa Baraza Jiji la Arusha

TANGAZO

WANANCHI WOTE WA JIJI LA ARUSHA 

MNATANGAZIWA KWAMBA ,KUTAKUWA NA 

MKUTANO WA KAWAIDA WA BARAZA LA 

MADIWANI UTAKAOFANYIKA TAREHE 05.09.2016 

KWENYE UKUMBI WA ARUSHA SCHOOL KUANZIA 

SAA NNE ASUBUHI. WOTE MNAKARIBISHWA. 

 

IMETOLEWA NA: 

MKURUGENZI 

HALMASHAURI YA JIJI 

ARUSHA.

Daqqaro spits fire against lie-prone politicians

MARC NKWAME in Arusha 30 August 2016| Daily news

Arusha District Commissioner (DC), Mr Gabriel Daqarro.

THE Arusha District Commissioner (DC), Mr Gabriel Daqarro, has warned local politicians against insinuating lies against state organs here with the aim of breaching peace.

Mr Daqarro was responding to claims raised by the Arusha City Mayor, Mr Kalisti Lazaro, who had earlier claimed that all ward councillors in Arusha were on the police’s wanted list and that is why they failed to turn up for their monthly ‘Full Council’ meeting scheduled for last Monday.

The Full Council meeting was forced to adjourn after it became apparent that there would be a lack of quorum at the Regional Commissioner’s meeting hall.

But in reality, most ward councillors who decided not to attend the Full Council meeting had instead gone to the Regional Magistrate’s Court for the ongoing case facing Arusha Urban MP (CHADEMA), Godbless Lema.

The MP was arrested by the police here last Friday after he allegedly wrote and distributed seditious statements online aimed at inciting chaos ahead of the planned countrywide demonstrations planned by the opposition party next Thursday.

Lema spent the entire weekend at the Central Police Station here where he was held in custody for two days in that he tried to stage hunger strike so that he could be pardoned by the security organs who were sticking to their guns.

Arusha Regional Police Commander (RPC) Mr Charles Mkumbo had earlier reported that the opposition MP had been circulating hate and seditious speeches in both written and recorded audio-visual media in a bid to mobilise people to cause chaos.

“Lema has been circulating written and audio statements through the internet and social media platforms insinuating that the country will be plunged into bloodshed once the opposition’s planned countrywide demo kicks into action,” explained Mr Mkumbo.

The CHADEMA politician was also quoted as saying higher authorities ‘’have reached the end of their thinking capacity’’ and that is why the country was going to face disaster and major losses come September 1, 2016.

Lema appeared before the Resident Magistrate, Mr Desdery Kyaruzi Kamugisha, faced with a number of charges, including the one that he had allegedly sent a threatening message to the Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr Mrisho Gambo.

State Attorney, Advocate Innocent Njau told the court that Lema had written to the RC, saying; “Welcome to Arusha....we shall deal with you the way queers are being dealt with in the Emirates!”

The second charge is the one in which the opposition politician is alleged to distribute seditious statements and audio-cum-video clips online and through social media networks inciting chaos through the planned demos. He denied the charges.

He was released on bail and his case will come up for mention on November 13. Lema’s court case comes shortly after another CHADEMA politician, Ally Bananga, the Ward Representative for Sombetini, was arrested for trying to mobilise the people to demonstrate in the streets during the outlawed September 1 Opposition March. Bananga has appeared before a Resident Magistrate, Mr Augustino Rwizile.

The state Attorney, Advocate Charles Kagwira, read the charges against the 40 year-old politician, saying the latter had committed the offence on August 13, 2016 in Karatu Township.

The court allowed Bananga to bail himself out with a bond of 5 million/- He is currently out, awaiting the second mention of his case on September 22.

UJUMBE WA WATAALAM WALIOBOBEA KATIKA MASUALA YA KILIMO NA MIFUGO KUTOKA FUJIAN, CHINA WAKUTANA NA DK JAKAYA KIKWETE

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM M, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete, akiwasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo. Kushoto ni Msemaji wa CCM, Christopher Ole Sendeka akiwa tayari kumpokea. 

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete, akipokewa na Msemaji wa CCM, Christopher Ole Sendeka, alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete, akisalimiana na Kaimu Katibu wa NEC, anayeshughulikia Uhusiano wa Kimataifa-SUKI, Pindi Chana, alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete, akisalimiana na viongozi mbalimbali alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete,akisalimiana na Mkurugenzi wa Jitegemee Trading Company, Ndugu Machunde, alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete,akisalimiana na Katibu Msaidizi Mkuu Idara ya Mambo ya Nje-SUKI,Mama Chitinka, lipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete,akisalimiana na Mwanasheria wa CCM, Godwin Kunambi, alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete,akisalimiana namtumishi wa CCM alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete,akisalimiana namtumishi wa CCM alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete,akisindikizwa na viongozi wa CCM, alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete,akilakiwa na Katibu Mkuu wa CCM, Abdulrahman Kinana,  alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete,akiongozwa na Katibu Mkuu wa CCM Abdulrahman Kinana kuingia Ofisini,alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete,akiingia chumba cha mapumziko alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo. Kulia ni Katibu wa CCM, Abdulrahman Kinana akimsindikiza

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete,akiwa katika chumba cha mapumziko,alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete,akiwa katika chumba cha mapumziko,alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu, Jakaya Kikwete, akiwa katika chumba cha mapumziko,alipowasili kwenye Ofisi Ndogo ya Makao Makuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijini Dar es Salaam, kwa ajili ya kukutana na ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, leo. Kulia ni Mwenyeji wake, Katibu Mkuu wa CCM, Abdulrahman Kinana.

 Baadhi ya wajumbe wa upande wa Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete wakiwa katika ukumbi wa mazungumzo

 Baadhi ya wajumbe kutoka Fujin China wakiwa katika ukumbi wa mazungumzo 

 Baadhi ya wajumbe wa upande wa Mwenyekiti mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete wakibadilishana mawazo na mawasiliano na ujumbe kutoka Fujin China kabla ya mazungumzo rasmi kuanza

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akisalimiana na Mkuu wa Msafara wa  ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, Mwenyekiti wa Umoja huo, Li Lin, alipowasili ukumbini tayari kwa mazungumzo

 Mwenyekiti mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akiwasalimia wajumbe kutoka Fujiani China

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akisalimiana na Mkurugenzi wa Idara ya Mambo ya Nje katika Ofisi ya Mambo ya Nje Jimbo la Fujian China, Vai Weimin

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akisalimia wajumbe mbalimbali

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akisalimia wajumbe mbalimbali  

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akiwa ameketi tayari kwa mazungumzo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akiwa ameketi tayari kwa mazungumzo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akianza  mazungumzo

 Mwenyekiti mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akisisitiza jambo kwenye mazungumzo hayo

 Mwenyekiti mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akisisitiza jambo kwenye mazungumzo hayo 

 Mwenyekiti mstaafu wa CCM akimpatia kipeperushi Mkuu wa msafara kutoka Jimbo a Fujian China

 Baadhi ya wajume wakitazama kipeperushi hicho

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akimkabidhi zawadi maalum Mkuu wa Msafara wa  ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, Mwenyekiti wa Umoja huo, Li Lin, baada ya mazungumzo hayo 

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akikabidhiwa zawadi maalum na Mkuu wa Msafara wa  ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, Mwenyekiti wa Umoja huo, Li Lin, alipowasili ukumbini tayari kwa mazungumzo 

  Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akikabidhiwa zawadi maalum na Mkuu wa Msafara wa  ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, Mwenyekiti wa Umoja huo, Li Lin, alipowasili ukumbini tayari kwa mazungumzo 

  Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akibadilishana mawazo Mkuu wa Msafara wa  ujumbe wa Umoja wa Ushirikiano na Nchi za Nje wa Wataalam wa masuala ya kilimo na Mifugo kutoka Fujian China, Mwenyekiti wa Umoja huo, Li Lin, alipowasili ukumbini tayari kwa mazungumzo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akiwa katika picha ya pamoja na Ujumbe huo kutoka Fujian na Ujumbe wa upande  wake baada ya mazungumzo

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akimpongeza kwa kazi nzuri, Profesa wa masuala ya Kilimo, Lin Zhanx bada ya picha ya pamoja. Kikwete amevutiwa na Profesa huyo kwa kuweza kugudua uoteshaji wa uyoga mahsusi kwa dawa badala ya ule wa chakula tu. 

 Mwenyekiti Mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akimtambulisha Profesa huyo, kwa Waziri wa Kilimo,Mifugo na Uvuvi Dkt. Charles Tizeba 

 Mwenyekiti mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akiagana na mkuu wa msafara wa ujumbe huo kutoka Fujian

 Wageni wakipanda gari kuondoka Ofisi Ndogo ya MakaoMakuu ya CCM, Lumumba jijni Dar es Salaam, baada ya mazungumzo hayo

 Mwenyekiti mstaafu wa CCM, Rais Mstaafu Jakaya Kikwete akiteta na Tizeba baada ya wageni kuondoka 

 Kisha naye akawaaga kabla ya kuondoka. PICHA ZOTE NA BASHIR NKOROMO

Miss Rwanda in US for festival

Mutesi is expected to speak at the "Africa is the Future" festival in Los Angeles, USA, tomorrow. (Net photo)

By: Times Reporter | The New Times

MissRwanda 2016, Jolly Mutesi, is in America where she is expected to speak at a festival dubbed, “Africa is the Future.” The festival kicks off tomorrow at JW Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles.

Mutesi, along with beauty queens from other East African states, former Miss Uganda Zahara Mohammed Nakiyaga, Miss Kenya Charity Njeri Mwangi, Miss Tanzania Universe Lorraine Marriott and Miss Ethiopia World Kisanet Teklehaimanot were invited for the event.

Organised by Ugandans living in North America under their umbrella UNAA Causes, the event is aimed at providing a platform for compelling entrepreneurship ideas, exposure to business opportunities in East Africa, and tourism promotion.

The festival will also focus on promoting tourism, specifically in East Africa, since tourism is a big revenue earner in most of the East African countries.

Mutesi, who will be among the speakers at the event, will talk about Rwanda’s culture and the tourism sector.

 “Rwanda is a beautiful country with incredible tourism and cultural sites and the sector is rapidly rising,” said Mutesi.

“We’re committed to promoting tourism and showing the world the beauty of Rwanda. We (Rwandans) are the only ones to tell our story,” she added.

Among other events expected at the three-day event is a fashion show, a tour that will cover Hollywood, Disneyland, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles museums, and entertainment sessions from Ugandan artists David Lutalo, Winnie Nwagi, Sheebah Karungi, Desire Luzinda and Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz, among other entertainers.

The 19-year-old beauty queen is set to take part in the 66th edition of Miss World, scheduled for December 20 in Washington DC, United States, with the pre-pageant activities starting on November 29.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Rwanda, Kenya ink EU trade deal in Brussels

Mohamed (2nd L) and Slovakiam envoy to EU Peter Javorcik (2ndR) exchange the signed agreement as Kanimba (L) and Sandra Galina, of the European Commission, look on. (Courtesy)

By: James Karuhanga | The New Times

The signing of the EAC-EU EPA deal in Brussels, Belgium, by trade ministers for Rwanda and Kenya is a step in the right direction, business leaders and officials have said.

Rwanda’s Trade and Industry minister Francois Kanimba and Kenya’s trade cabinet secretary Adan Mohamed, put pen to paper pursuant to the EAC Council decision earlier in the year for the EAC to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union.

“This is a step in the right direction. As EAC gears up for the Summit of Heads of State next week, EABC calls on the three other Partner States to also reconsider and agree to sign EAC-EU Economic Partnership agreement,” East African Business Council (EABC) chief executive Lilian Awinja told The New Times.

An extraordinary summit of the EAC Heads of State is slated for Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, next week, according to Richard Owora Othieno, the EAC head of corporate communications and public affairs.

Earlier this week, Othieno said key issues to be discussed include the EAC-EU EPA deal.

Awinja said the deal is part of the agenda for the forthcoming summit.

“As the EAC Council of Ministers are preparing their report, let them consult widely, consider private sector positions and if there are contentious issues let them be tabled for the Council to discuss them,” she said.

The Council of Ministers is the central decision-making organ of the EAC.

The move by Rwanda and Kenya is momentous as, previously, negotiation for the trade deal which started in 2007 encountered challenges. The bloc countries often failed to agree, resulting in postponement of the deadline several times.

In July, Tanzania’s foreign affairs permanent secretary Aziz Mlima said his country will not sign the agreement, citing the “turmoil” that the EU is experiencing following Britain’s exit.

The objectives of the agreement include promoting regional integration, economic cooperation and good governance in the EAC; and contributing to economic growth and development through the establishment of a strengthened and strategic trade and development partnership consistent with the objective of sustainable development.

The deal also seeks to foster the structural transformation of EAC economies, and their diversification and competitiveness by enhancing their production, supply and trading capacity; while improving EAC capacity in trade policy and trade related issues are among the other goals of the deal.

Asked what the signing means to the Rwandan private sector, Stephen Ruzibiza, chief executive of Private Sector Federation (PSF), said the benefits can be looked at from the cost benefit analysis measured as tariff revenue losses against the duties the country would avoid paying if they export to the EU market under the EU’s generalised system of preference scheme.

“Revenue losses are higher than the duties at the EU border if there is no EPA,” Ruzibiza said.

If EPA were not signed and ratified by all EAC partner states by September 30, Kenya feared that it stood to lose its market to the EU, having significant impact on her economy.

Kenya faced the risk of being removed from the EU’s generalised scheme of preferences trade regime for live plants and floriculture products, hence attracting even more duties under the ‘most-favoured nation’ rates.

Kenyan exporters would be subjected to import duties of between 5 per cent and 8.5 per cent.

In a statement, yesterday, the Kenyan government said the signing by the two countries signaled a start of the EAC partner states’ effort to secure the duty-free quota market access to the EU.

“The signing of the EPA sends strong signals to the EU on EAC partner states’ commitment to the EPA,” the statement said.

On Wednesday, Mohamed appeared before the EU parliament where the matter to lock out Kenya from the EU market after October 1 was being discussed and assured them of EAC commitment to EPA.

Efforts to get a comment from Emmanuel Hategeka, permanent secretary at Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade, were futile by press time.

However, responding to the EPA issue in the recent past, Hategeka said “we all benefit as it is going to be a reciprocal agreement that clearly takes into account the stage of development at which EAC countries are at present.”

Michael Ryan, the head of EU Delegation to Rwanda, said Kenya and Rwanda had made the best choices as some of the countries that stand very much to lose if there is no ratified economic partnership agreement with European Union.

“I hope the others follow along at some stage and see sense, although I understand their concerns and we have done everything we agreed at the EU level to address a number of concerns, he said.

“The concerns involve fear of potential European investors who might dominate and become more competitive in the East African market. But there are many safeguards and measures in the EPAs to protect partner states’ manufacturers and traders, so there should be nothing to worry about.”

editorial@newtimes.co.rw

Waziri aeleza sababu za kununua ndege Bombadier

Kwa ufupi

• Profesa Mbarawa alitoa kauli hiyo jana wakati akizindua mafunzo ya wakufunzi ya marubani yanatolewa na Chuo cha Taifa cha Usafirishaji (NIT) kilichopo Mabibo, Dar es Salaam.

By Mwandishi Wetu, Mwananchi mwananchipapers@mwananchi.co.tz

Dar es Salaam. Waziri wa Ujenzi, Uchukuzi na Mawasiliano, Profesa Makame Mbarawa amesema Serikali iliamua kununua ndege aina ya Bombadier Q400 kutoka Canada kutokana na uhitaji wa huduma ya usafiri wa anga kwa safari za ndani ya nchi na mazingira halisi ya viwanja vya ndege vilivyopo nchini.

Profesa Mbarawa alitoa kauli hiyo jana wakati akizindua mafunzo ya wakufunzi ya marubani yanatolewa na Chuo cha Taifa cha Usafirishaji (NIT) kilichopo Mabibo, Dar es Salaam.

“Serikali imeamua kununua aina hii ya ndege za Bombadier Q400 kutokana na hali halisi ya viwanja vya ndege nchini kuwa vya changarawe na lami kwa baadhi,” alisema Profesa Mbarawa.

Profesa Mbarawa aliyeonekana kujibu hoja za wabunge wa Kamati ya Miundombinu walipokutana na Shirika la Ndege Tanzania (ATCL) na Mamlaka ya Usafiri wa Anga (TCAA) mjini Dodoma hivi karibuni, alisema kuwa Serikali haikukurupuka kufanya uamuzi wa kununua aina hiyo ya ndege kwani ilizingatia vigezo na malengo mahsusi ya kuhudumia usafiri wa ndani na kuboresha usafiri wa anga kupitia ATCL.

Katika kikao hicho cha Kamati ya Bunge ya Miundombinu, Mbunge wa Misungwi (CCM) na aliyekuwa Waziri wa Mambo ya Ndani, Charles Kitwanga alipinga Serikali kununua ndege hizo zinazotumia injini za pangaboi kwa fedha taslimu huku kukiwa hakuna mipango thabiti ya kuifanya ATCL iwe bora.

“Ukiangalia mikakati ya kutanua hili shirika (ATCL) liende juu hakuna, tunachozungumzia ni kununua ndege. Sasa ukishanunua zije zifanye nini? Zife na zenyewe? Ziishe kama tulivyonunua nyingine? Hivyo ndivyo tutakavyoendesha uchumi wetu, mimi naambiwa Q400 ndiyo tutakuwa watu wa kwanza kuipokea, halafu mnaifahamu hii kampuni? Si kubwa kama inavyotajwa, ni mali ya mtu binafsi,” alisema.

Lakini Profesa Mbarawa alitetea uamuzi wa kununua ndege hizo huku akiwataka Watanzania kuelewa nia ya Serikali yao ni kuhudumia wananchi, hivyo watu wasipotoshe ukweli kuhusu ndege hizo kwa kuwa zimezingatia mambo mbalimbali likiwamo suala la usalama na ufanisi katika uendeshaji wake.

Uwezo na ubora

Profesa Mbarawa alisema ndege hizo zina uwezo wa kutua katika viwanja vingi vyenye urefu wa kilomita 1.5 ambavyo ni vingi nchini tofauti na aina nyingine ambazo hutua kwenye viwanja vyenye urefu zaidi ya kilomita mbili.

Pia, zinatumia kiasi kidogo cha mafuta ikilinganishwa na aina nyingine ambapo kwa safari ya kutoka Dar es Salaam hadi Mwanza zitakuwa zikitumia tani 1.7 za mafuta tofauti na aina nyingine zinazotumia hadi tani 2.8 kwa safari moja.

Vilevile, alitumia fursa hiyo kukanusha uvumi ulionezwa kuwa ndege hizo zimenunuliwa katika kampuni ndogo isiyokuwa na sifa akisema kampuni hiyo imefanya biashara na nchi nyingi ikiwamo Ethiopia yenye ndege 19 aina ya Bombadier Q400 zilizotengezwa na kampuni hiyo.

Tayari Serikali imeshafanya malipo ya ununuzi wa ndege hizo kwa asilimia 40 na zitaanza safari ya kutoka Canada Septemba 15 mwaka huu kupitia Uingereza na zinatarajiwa kuwasili nchini Septemba 19.