Kiswahili Press summaries for Dec 2nd.

British High Commission, Dar es Salaam
http://ukintanzania.fco.gov.uk/en
2 December 2009

Zanzibar: Bomb blasts during Idd

Three bombs went off at three separate amusement joints during Idd el Hajj festival in Urban West. Police said one person was seriously injured, while two people are held for questioning. The bombs, believed to be dynamites, went off at 10.30 pm at Gymkhana Club, Intro Bar and Phone Club. Regional Police Commander (RPC) for Urban West, Khatib Shaaban told reporters that the incidents happened while people were dancing and drinking. He named the victim as Yusuf Said Zubeir (25) but declined to name the suspects. (Nipashe)

Governance: Another EPA scam within TRA

The theft of Sh 800 million in Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) is compared to External Payment Account (EPA) scam in the Bank of Tanzania (BoT). BoT asked the money to be refunded and everything will be forgiven. Similarly, TRA merely demanded the refund of the money while no prosecution has taken place. The theft of salary money was discovered six months ago but police was never informed. Sources say the matter might now be handed over to the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB). When contacted, TRA Chairperson, Marcelina Chijoriga declined to comment. “I can’t say anything as an ad-hoc committee of the board is investigating. We haven’t yet received a report so I can’t comment,” she said. (Raia Mwema)

CCM:Simba, Kilango on collision course

MP for Same East (CCM), Anne Kilango had to escape wrath of 300 angry women in Mwanga district on Monday. They were blocking her car, demanding allowance for a meeting that she called. In the end, district UWT secretary, Luciano Sagati intervened and took her away. Kilango had called the meeting to congratulate women who won in the recent civic elections. When contacted, she said: “There was no question of me paying transport or any allowance to over 400 participants, for not only it was not budgeted but that would amount to bribery”.

Meanwhile, Kilango’s wrangle with Minister of State (Good Governance) Sophia Simba has taken a new turn. While Kilango is preparing to sue Simba on defamation charges, the matter has reached CCM headquarters and State House. This is after Kilango wrote a letter to CCM Secretary General and Prime Minister, informing them of the impending lawsuit. In the letter she said her action does not involve the party or government. Sources say however the party and government are concerned, because Simba is not only a minister in the State House but also a member of the party Central Committee. Kilango served a notice on Simba, asking her to apologise within two weeks. In reply, Simba said she is willing to meet Kilango in court. (Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi)

Kikwete thwarts Aziz, Makamba

Rostam Aziz and Secretary General Yusuf Makamba are blocked in their attempts to raise slush funds for presidential election next year. They have been collecting the funds locally and overseas, but this time sources say Kikwete decided to “look for alternate means”. One senior party leader said: “No one will be allowed to raise funds clandestinely. We want to distance the party from ‘dirty’ money.” The idea was discussed with Kikwete and he gave a go-ahead. Meanwhile, two weeks ago an ad-hoc committee of five led by Makamba was appointed to raise the funds. Members included tycoons who are being accused of grand corruption. Then came the announcement by party treasurer, Amos Makala that the party is to depend on individual members to contribute through mobile phones. At the time Makamba refused to comment, but on Monday he praised the idea, saying he fully agreed with it. (MwanaHalisi, Majira)

Snippets

1 PCCB says MPs under prosecution should be suspended (Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi, Nipashe, Habari Leo, Raia Mwema, Majira, Mtanzania)
2 Railway workers raid management offices (Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi, Mwananchi, Habari Leo, Majira)
3 Arusha court workers strike over pay arrears (Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi, Nipashe, Habari Leo, Majira)
4 Chadema tells Membe to reply to UN allegations over DRC (Tanzania Daima, Nipashe)
5 NCCR – We want Zitto Kabwe to join us (Mwananchi)
6 Interpol nets 54 stolen vehicles (Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi, Habari Leo, Majira, Mtanzania)
7 Another prison inmate graduates in law (Mwananchi, Nipashe, Habari Leo, Majira)
8 NEC differs with Minister Marmo over ballot papers (Mwananchi, Nipashe, Habari Leo, Majira, Mtanzania)
9 HIV screening now to be door to door (Nipashe)
10 Air Tanzania gives termination letters to 155 workers (Habari Leo)
11 Ilala councillors demand Sh 50,000 for attending AIDS day (Majira)
12 Battered husbands to launch their NGO in Moshi (Majira)
13 ‘It is shameful for govt to squander Sh 150 billion on 800 posh cars’ (Mtanzania letter)

Kiswahili Press summaries for Dec 1st.

British High Commission,Dar es Salaam
http://ukintanzania.fco.gov.uk/en
1 December 2009

Zanzibar: People still boycott registration

Minister of State in Chief Minister’s Office, Hamza Hassan Juma told this paper it is surprising that many people still refuse to register as voters, despite the détente between President Amani Karume and CUF Secretary General Seif Sharif Hamad. He said government hoped that after the meeting of the two leaders the boycott would end but this did not happen. Juma said government will continue giving civic education though the decision to register lies with individuals. “We can’t force people to register, but it would be better for them to exercise their voting right,” the minister urged. (Nipashe)

Governance: Butiku – Kikwete is surrounded by crooks

Director of Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation (MNF), Joseph Butiku said President Jakaya Kikwete is surrounded by corrupt businessmen. He told a colloquium organised by MNF in Dar es Salaam yesterday that Kikwete needs to be freed from the “chain of corruption.” Butiku, who was personal assistant to Nyerere for over 20 years, declared: “I am now 72. Anything can happen to me and I don’t care. We can’t have a head of state who has compromised his position. It all started at a meeting of the Central Committee in 1995 when the present leaders started CCM ‘network’ to back up Kikwete.”

Former Prime Minister Joseph Warioba called upon the government to take a resolute action to save the country and its people. He urged people to discuss policies rather than individuals. Anglican bishop for Dodoma, Peter Mwamasika said the rise in corruption and moral degradation is due to the abandoning of Arusha Declaration. “Let us bring it back for the sake of our nation, albeit with some adjustments,” he said. Retired Brigadier General Mbena slammed: “During the times of Mwalimu DC used to drive around with Land Rover 109, but now they demand to be chauffeured in classy cars costing Sh 150 million, with western lifestyle.”

Minister of State (Public Service Management), Hawa Ghasia was booed by participants when she tried to defend the government by talking of modernisation and development at village level. She was shouted down and had to cut short her contribution.

The three-day meeting is attended by political, religious, state and civic leaders as well as by foreign diplomats. (Habari Leo, Majira, Mtanzania, Tanzania Daima, Nipashe, Mwananchi)

CCM:Makala spoke as individual

The statement by party treasurer, Amos Makala regarding collection of campaign funds through mobile phones seems to have raised a controversy within the party. Secretary General Yusuf Makamba has distanced himself from the decision, saying it was taken by Makala himself. Thus, when Makamba was contacted by phone, he snapped: “Ask Makala for details. I have nothing to do with it.” Makala told this paper it was indeed his personal proposal which he intends to submit to his accounts department for onward transmission to the party secretariat. After Makala made the announcement, CUF said he is trying to deceive CCM members. A CUF statement said: “CCM is not capable of avoiding funds from corrupt tycoons, as they are not only the main financiers, but are also among the top party leaders”. (Majira)

Opposition: Kabwe supports Kafulila

Deputy Secretary General of Chadema, Zitto Kabwe declared his support for his ally, David Kafulila, who defected to NCCR. Kabwe said he will back Kafulila as NCCR candidate for Kigoma South in 2010 elections. In fact Kabwe has already donated three vehicles to help him in his campaign. Sources say Kabwe is supporting Kafulila so as to make sure the opposition clinches the seat from the ruling CCM. In 2000 the seat was won by NCCR. In 2005 NCCR took second position followed by Chadema. In the recent civic elections CCM took 20 seats followed by Chadema with 12 and NCCR with 11 seats. Thus, in the 2005 elections if Chadema had backed NCCR the seat would have been taken by the opposition. Kabwe is therefore supporting Kafulila so as to unseat CCM in the neighbouring constituency. With the backing of Kabwe, Kafulila hopes to garner Chadema votes in Kigoma South. (Mwananchi)

Snippets

1 TRL fails to pay November salary (Habari Leo, Majira, Mtanzania, Tanzania Daima)
2 Book Aid International (UK) to donate to Ukonga prison (Habari Leo, Majira, Tanzania Daima, Nipashe, Mwananchi)
3 Kahama DC calls for less guest houses, bars (Habari Leo, Mwananchi)
4 Pregnant woman dies due to negligence at Kiteto hospital (Majira)
5 Cholera toll reaches 458 in Dar (Majira)
6 Nzowa - Drug barons to be dragged to court soon (Mtanzania)
7 DRC embassy denies report on Tanzanian mercenaries (Mtanzania, Tanzania Daima)
8 ‘Are our elected leaders paying taxes?’ (Mtanzania feature)
9 Zanzibar court orders auctioning of Bwawani Hotel (Nipashe)
10 Police gun down six suspected poachers in Serengeti (Nipashe, Mwananchi)
11 Bakwata galled by commuting of death sentence (Mwananchi)
12 Govt closes schools in Kwimba to curb swine flu (Mwananchi)
13 Over 20 passengers taken off a plane to let in white tourists (Mwananchi)

Kiswahili Press summaries for Nov 30th

Kiswahili Press Summaries
British High Commission
Dar es Salaam
http://ukintanzania.fco.gov.uk/en
30 November 2009

Zanzibar

Hamad – United Zanzibar will beget united Tanzania

CUF Secretary General Seif Sharif Hamad said the aim of his meeting with President Amani Karume was to defend the interest of Zanzibar within the United Republic. Addressing an Idd el Hajj festival on Saturday, Hamad reminisced his days as Chief Minister, saying the old solidarity among islanders is going to come back. “A united Zanzibar will give rise to a united Tanzania. If we unite and defend our interest, Tanzania can also be united. A weak Zanzibar will beget a weak Tanzania. Our meeting will thus strengthen Tanzania,” Hamad claimed. Earlier, welcoming Hamad, CUF deputy chairman Machano Khamis Ali called upon Zanzibaris to ignore those who smear the Hamad-Karume rapprochement. (Habari Leo, Mwananchi)

Governance

Appeal Court violates procurement law

Public procurement tribunal (PPAA) has repealed a decision by the Appeal Court to award to the Emerging Market Group a Sh 450 million tender for training of court staff. The tender is said to have violated public procurement regulations. The Appeal Court awarded the tender to the Group and its associates Rex Attorney in December 2007 when only two bidders submitted their quotations. The Group thus ‘defeated’ Kilimanjaro International Corporation. Following appeal filed by Kilimanjaro, PPAA quashed the tender and asked the Court to float fresh tender. (Mwananchi)

Opposition

Mnyika – CCM is instigating row in Chadema

Acting Secretary General of Chadema, John Mnyika said CCM is smearing his party. Addressing a meeting of party youth council, Mnyika said CCM spreads rumours that Chadema is expelling young leaders. “This can't be true, especially when our motto is ‘youth is the nation of today’ unlike CCM who says of tomorrow. We are the only party with 30 percent of its lawmakers being young,” Mnyika said.

He also challenged CCM to say how it intends to spend Sh 40 billion in 2010 elections, keeping in mind that it comes to Sh 200 million for each constituency. That amount of money can’t be clean, he said, reminding that in 2005 President Jakaya Kikwete claimed to have raised donations from members only to discover later that it was slush fund that came from EPA. “If they really spent clean money then let them take action against Kagoda,” Mnyika challenged.

Similar statement came from CUF in a press release issued by deputy head of publicity, Ms Ashura Mustapha. She said CCM is cheating its members by claiming that it is not going to accept donations from corrupt tycoons. She said many of them are in fact prominent members of CCM Central Committee and National Executive Committee (NEC), yet the party claims to be distancing itself from them. Mustapha said: “Some of them are prosecuted or accused yet CCM hasn’t taken any steps against them.” She was responding to a statement by CCM treasurer, Amos Makala that his party is going to collect donations ‘from members through SMS and not from corrupt tycoons’. (Majira, Habari Leo, Nipashe, Mwananchi, Tanzania Daima

Private Sector

Precision Air accused of racism

More than 15 Tanzanian passengers travelling by Precision Air flight from Arusha to Dar es Salaam were disembarked and their seats given to foreign passengers. This happened yesterday at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), causing commotion that lasted for 30 minutes. The airport security had to intervene and force the passengers to get off the plane. They later told reporters they were asked to hand over their seats to white passengers without explanation. “This is sheer racial discriminations,” they complained. One of them, Pamela Msuya, said just before the take-off at 7 am the pilot switched off the engine and said there was an emergency. At 11.40 am the engine was again switched off and then they were told to give way to passengers going to Zanzibar. “We were insulted though we had confirmed and advanced booking, unlike the whites who did on-the-spot booking,” she said. When contacted, the airline official said: “We are dealing with the matter.” (Tanzania Daima)

Snippets

1 Another Richmond scam simmering in Tanesco (Kulikoni, Nipashe)
2 Membe tells UN to apologise over arming of Rwanda rebels (Majira, Mtanzania, Habari Leo, Nipashe, Mwananchi, Tanzania Daima)
3 Veteran women MPs risk being booted in 2010 (Mtanzania)
4 Dr Magufuli – My doctorate is not fake (Mtanzania)
5 Two law professors say bigwigs must explain their ‘fake’ degrees (Mwananchi)
6 Two Zanzibar women pilgrims die in Mecca (Habari Leo)
7 Morogoro DC condemns rampart sale of village land (Habari Leo)
8 BoT hands to CAG report on insurance of twin towers (Mwananchi)
9 Pyramid scheme victims admitted to hospital (Tanzania Daima)
10 Tanzania Oxygen officers to be prosecuted (Tanzania Daima)
11 Retired police officers live in abject poverty (Tanzania Daima)

Open Positions for Agric. Econ (CIMMYT)

Agricultural Economist – Senior Scientist or Scientist

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) seeks two well qualified agricultural economists to join our
international team of scientists working on improving the livelihoods of maize and wheat farmers in the developing world. As a
member of the CIMMYT Socioeconomics Program and in collaboration with public, private, local and international partners, we
want you to create new opportunities for resource-poor farmers, help us and decision-makers to understand the key constraints to
agricultural development, and translate your vision into a productive and exciting research agenda.
Rooted in a strong culture of high-quality agricultural economics and social science research, the CIMMYT Socioeconomics
Program has a team of qualified and motivated scientists operating in different regions and working closely with biophysical
scientists. Preferably you will be based at one of our main research sites in Asia (China, India, Nepal), but there are also research
opportunities in Africa (based in Ethiopia, Kenya, or Zimbabwe), Latin America (based in Mexico), or the CWANA and CAC regions
(based in Turkey).
Primary research objectives include:
• Applied and strategic socioeconomics research for improving the productivity and market competitiveness of farmers in low-income countries and
reducing their vulnerability to climate change and other shocks.
• Analysis of agricultural transformation, productivity change, resource use, sustainability and the drivers of change in maize- and wheat-based
farming systems for improved priority stetting of agricultural research for development.
• Understanding the determinants of technology adoption, impact pathways, and differential outcomes on poverty, gender, and food security for
targeting technology and policy interventions.
• Alternative strategies for enhancing farmer access to and use of available technologies, and better markets for surplus produce, improved seed,
fertilizer, and other inputs.
Your job will require that you:
• Publish and communicate research results through journals, policy briefs, general interest outlets, and the media.
• Develop concept notes and proposals in strategic research areas.
• Work and interact with partners from universities, national and international research systems, policy makers and donors.
• Contribute to the capacity building of partners in national agricultural research systems.
• Participate in center-wide and program strategy development and priority setting.
We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:
• PhD in Agricultural Economics or related disciplines.
• Relevant postdoctoral experience of at least 7 years (senior scientist) or 3 years (scientist).
• Demonstrated contributions to applied agricultural economics through publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
• An effective innovative and energetic team player with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment which may involve
extensive travel.
• Desirably, experience in combining applied quantitative agricultural economics with qualitative methods; survey design and analysis; impact
assessment; and a good understanding of the challenges of agricultural transformation and poverty.
• Experience in project development and management.
• Excellent English communication and writing skills.