Building housing corruption court to be ready soon

AS operations of the High Court’s Economic, Corruption and Organised Crime Division are set to take off soon, the contractor for the court’s building will hand it over to the Judiciary on Monday, Chief Justice Mohamed Othman Chande said yesterday.

The CJ disclosed that the contractor was in final touches and modifying the building to accommodate the court, which will be situated at the Law School compounds.

The Law School is near the TCRA offices.

Speaking at Karimjee Grounds shortly after admitting 623 new advocates of the High Court, the head of the judiciary said that already the National Assembly has passed the bill establishing the special court dealing with economic crime and corruption cases in the country.

“Thereafter, the bill will be presented before the President of the United Republic of Tanzania for assent in order to become a law. The law will be gazette and other process will follow to enable operations of the court to take off,” he said.

According to the Chief Justice, the Judiciary is ready to accommodate the special court and after the handing over of the building from the contractor they would start conducting seminars for judges and other judiciary officers on how the court would be operating.

He disclosed, however, that at the moment no case has been earmarked that would be dealt with by the special court. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa announced before the National Assembly on Thursday that there would be no delay of disposal of cases that would be handled before the court.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice has directed the new admitted advocates to adhere to their professional ethics and be accountable both to the court and to their clients. He discouraged any forms of cheating, as those found to have been involved would be dealt with accordingly. The admission of the advocates makes a total of 5800 in Tanzania.

The new advocates come from different institutions, both from government cycles and private sector and other district municipal councils all over the country

Women farmers deserve support

THE government has expressed its desire to scale up a project by Oxfam at national level that aims at transforming the lives of rural women farmers.

Speaking at an event this week hosted by Oxfam and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children, Ms Ummy Mwalimu said that the project dubbed Female Food Hero had caught the eye of the government and needs replication.

“Small scale food producers, the majority being women, provide over 70 per cent of the food we eat while less than 10 per cent of women in the country own land. When we talk about agriculture revolution, what we actually mean is investing in rural women farmers and this project highlights that,” she said.

Ms Mwalimu admitted that there were still many challenges facing the agriculture sector particularly women farmers and whilst the government was addressing them, much still needs to be done.

Speaking on the challenge on financial inclusion and access to credit, she said that the number of women in the country with bank accounts was low but this can be overturned by mobile phone as a tool to bridge this gap.

The co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ms Melinda Gates said that the best way to end poverty and hunger is to make agriculture more productive, especially for women farmers.

“Many farmers don’t have access to the things they need to thrive: good seeds and fertilisers, information about best farming practices and links to markets where they can sell a surplus,” she said.

Oxfam Country Director, Ms Jane Foster reiterated the importance of investing in women small scale food producers as a path to eradicating poverty. Ms Foster said that we all have the responsibility to ensure that human rights and sustainable livelihoods are enjoyed by all.

The Female Food Heroes competition Oxfam developed as part of its GROW campaign focuses on the role of food in climate change, support for small scale farming and to address women’s land rights issues.

The ultimate goal of the programme is to contribute to wider recognition of small scale women food producers through awarding, acknowledging and celebrating their efforts in agriculture

Trade fair showcases business excellence

PRESIDENT Paul Kagame of Rwanda has underscored the need for faster and deeper regional integration and inter-trade among member states of the East African Community (EAC) as among crucial tools for economic growth and eventually improved welfare for citizens in the bloc.

The visiting Head of State made the highlight in Dar es Salaam yesterday while gracing the official opening of the 40th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Grounds which carries a theme; “Linking production to markets.”

The Rwandan leader was accompanied by his host President John Magufuli and other high-ranking government officials from the two neighbouring countries. After official opening of the fair, President Kagame conferred awards to companies and government institutions which had emerged winners in the 40th DITF exhibitions.

The Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) emerged the overall winner of the 40th DITF followed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism as well as the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) which emerged as second and third winner, respectively.

Later the two presidents proceeded to visit selected pavilions at the trade fair grounds. Mr Kagame, speaking in fluent Kiswahili and English said: “There is a lot of opportunities for our people in the EAC which can be easily accessed through deeper and faster integration of our countries.

Tanzania and Rwanda, for instance, are bonded more than their histories and boarders.” He urged business community to be the first to identify and benefit from opportunities in the regional bloc, noting that the EAC was open to receive both investments and capital from elsewhere in the world.

The president further pointed that the people of Rwanda share the same commitment of eagerness in doing business to develop the economy as their Tanzanian counterparts.

“The Rusumo One-Boarder post and Rusumo Bridge which we launched with President Magufuli offers an example of our commitment to strengthen business between our countries and the EAC in general,” President Kagame remarked.

He went on to note that unnecessary barriers to trade were among challenges that governments in the regional bloc were working around the clock to address in a bid to boost trade.

President Kagame hailed Tanzania as a country blessed with vast resources and skilled people eager to develop the country. Speaking earlier, President Magufuli noted with concern that the contribution of Tanzania in global and regional trade was minimal due to a number of factors.

“Tanzania’s stake in trade is below 0.5 per cent globally and 20 per cent in the EAC and this is due to a number of factors including export of raw materials rather than finished products. European countries on the other hand contribute over 70 per cent in world trade.

“In the same development, inter-trade among member states of the EAC is low due to the above mentioned factor, in addition to lack of business knowhow and aggressive marketing as well as envy among member states,” he remarked.

President Magufuli pointed out vast opportunities in the EAC which is made up of six countries with a total population of 165 people as well as 40 million people in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

He went on to commend President Kagame for accepting the invitation to grace the international trade fair where 15 companies from Rwanda are participating.

“Your visit has proved close relationship between Tanzania and Rwanda.” The trade fair this year has attracted exhibitors from 30 countries where 650 companies are showcasing products and technologies while over 2,000 small and medium enterprises are also participating.

For his part, the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Charles Mwijage, said the government through the Tanzania Trade Development Trade Authority (TanTrade) plans to improve the exhibitions in coming years to enable Tanzanians acquire technology to establish industries.

“Our Second Five Year Development Plan for 2016/17 to 2020/2021 focuses on an industrialised economy and thus we will make sure that in future years we have technology, particularly from Asian countries which have excelled in industrialisation,” the minister remarked.

Kagame Visit Strengthens Ties with Tanzania

Rwanda and Tanzania are advancing their bilateral relations with leaders of both countries exchanging visits, Chimp Corps report.

President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame on Friday arrived in Tanzania’s business capital Dar es Salaam to Officiate the opening of the 40th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF).

They were received by President Magufuli and First Lady Janeth Magufuli.

The reciprocal visit started with both Presidents meeting for a bilateral meeting where the two heads of state committed to strengthen ties in key sectors including in the areas of aviation to enable their citizens to work together and accelerate development for both nations.

This was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the areas of cooperation between the two countries. President Kagame and President Magufuli then delivered press remarks;

“Our visit, and the agreements signed today, represent our desire for continued partnership, and closer collaboration on issues of mutual interest, in all sectors,” said President Kagame.

“The president and I have had good discussions, building on the spirit of friendship, strong historical ties, and the future aspirations shared by Tanzania and Rwanda.”

Observers say the rise of Magufuli has helped Rwanda cement ties with her neighbor, ending years of darkness during Jakaya Kikwete’s reign.

Kikwete’s sympathy and alleged support of the Rwanda genocidal militia, FDLR, saw bilateral relations hit a low end.

But since Magufuli took power, there is an indication of his commitment to the advancement of regional trade.

Speaking from Tanzania on Friday, Kagame said Rwanda will “continue to strengthen our longstanding bilateral relationship, and work more closely together to create more opportunities, and increased prosperity, for our citizens, as well as the greater East African region.”

On his part, President Magufuli observed that Tanzania’s government will continue to take measures to facilitate the efficiency of the Dar-ea-salaam port.

“Our two countries enjoy good relations based on common mutual relations and respect. Rwanda is our best friend. We are committed to ensure transport infrastructure project is timely implemented,” assured Magufuli.

Rwanda and Tanzania last month agreed to form a joint implementation committee (JIC) to closely monitor important areas agreed during the 14th session of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC).

This meeting was a directive of Presidents Kagame and Magufuli after the latter’s visit to Rwanda in April

.

Trade and commerce

President Kagame and First lady then joined their Tanzanian counterpart at the Saba Saba Grounds to launch the 40th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair where President Kagame was the Keynote speaker.

“I congratulate the Tanzania Trade Development Authority and the record number of exhibitors participating this year, including more than 15 Rwandan companies. This confirms what we already know: Tanzanians are eager to do business and are working hard to develop their country and our region,” emphasized Kagame.

“Rwandans share this commitment. Our visit here is an occasion to learn how we can do more business together and take our countries forward. Tanzania and Rwanda are bound by more than history and the border we share,” he added.

The Rwandan leader said Rwanda and Tanzania have a common purpose and future as members of the East African Community and the Central Corridor, adding, the people of the region have the drive and dynamism, and they can only benefit from the vast opportunities, that come with faster and deeper integration.

President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame were also hosted to a State Banquet, appreciating the “spirit of goodwill that defines the relationship between Rwanda and Tanzania.”

Kagame said beyond the two countries’ geographical proximity, they share a common history, and the values of hard work, respect, and cooperation.

“We both seek stability, prosperity, and dignity for our nations and our continent. May the friendship between Rwanda and Tanzania continue to flourish, in the years to come,” President Kagame toasted.

President Kagame is the second head of state to visit Tanzania since President Magufuli was sworn in last November.

The first was Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang.

Tanzania: Magufuli Raises Hopes for Change in Tanzania

No one saw it coming. Tanzania's president John Magufuli surprised the whole nation when he announced his decision to cancel this year's Independence Day celebrations. There would be no lavish party with speeches, dances and food. Instead Magufuli wants Tanzanians to spend December 9 cleaning their streets and yards.

In the first month of his leadership, Magufuli has stayed true to his nickname "Bulldozer." Determined to cut unnecessary government expenditure, he reduced the number of delegates attending the Commonwealth summit in Malta from 50 to just four. In future, only the president, vice-president and prime minister will be eligible for first class or business class flights. All other government officials will have to fly economy class.

Magufuli also downsized the budget for the opulent state dinner that usually marks the opening of parliament. The savings have been used to buy beds for the Muhimbili Hospital, one of Tanzania's biggest state-run clinics, in the city of Dar es Salaam.

#WhatWouldMagufuliDo

Such public displays of thrift and austerity appear to be turning Magufuli into a star on social media. Someone even came up with the verb "to magufulify." It has three definitions: "To render or declare an action faster or cheaper; to deprive [public officials] of their capacity to enjoy life at taxpayers' expense; to terrorize lazy and corrupt individuals in society."

With the hashtag #WhatWouldMagufuliDo, thousands have taken to Twitter to say how they initially wanted to spend money on something but changed their minds after thinking of Magufuli. "I wanted to go to out for lunch, then I thought to myself #WhatWouldMagufuliDo? I've ended up having an ice sandwich." The user posted a picture of two slices of toast with ice cubes. Citizens from neighboring Kenya in particular are using social media to express how they wish they had a president like Magufuli. "Kenyans believe it is a good step for Tanzania to be a positive example. Maybe our president will follow that example and reduce government expenses so that we Kenyans can be better off," Kenyan journalist Fred Ng'etich told DW.

Warning to lazy government officials

Magufuli has vowed to fight incompetent government officials and use the government's money more effectively. He has openly criticized acts of corruption and mismanagement by his own party Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) which has been in power since 1977. "I'm telling government officers who are lazy and negligent to be prepared: They were tolerated for a long time. This is the end," he warned in his first speech before the parliament.

Even the opposition admits that this has been a good start for the president. But there are fears that Magufuli is running a one man show and making decisions, even positive ones, without regard to existing laws. "We, as the parliament, have to support his efforts of increasing accountability in the country, but we have to make sure that all this happens on the base of our rules and regulations," says Zitto Kabwe, one of the leading opposition parliamentarians.

Magufuli has taken longer than any other Tanzanian president to form a new cabinet. His choice of the relatively unknown parliamentarian Majaliwa Kassim as prime minister could be a sign that lesser known faces will replace CCM heavyweights in the cabinet. During the presidential campaign, the ruling party sported the slogan "Hapa Kazi Tu," which roughly translates as "strictly business" or "actions only." The next five years will show if Magufuli can live up to it.