Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Kisa na Mkasa na Salim Kikeke

Nzi wawili tu

Mamlaka nchini Uchina zimeanzisha sheria mpya ya vyoo vya umma.
Sheria hiyo inakataza choo kuwa na zaidi ya nzi wawili kwa wakati mmoja.Sheria hiyo iliyowekwa na halmashauri ya mannispaa ya jiji la Beijing inalenga kuhakikisha hali ya usafi katika vyoo vinavyotumiwa na jamii.
Hata hivyo haijawekwa wazi ni hatua gani zitachukuliwa iwapo nzi wa watu atakutwa chooni.
Sheria nyingine ni kuhakikisha vyoo vinasafishwa kila mara na matumizi ya vifaa vyakisasa na mafunzo ya kutosha kwa watu wanaovitazama vyoo hivyo.
Mwandishi wa BBC mjini Beijing amesema sheria hizi mpya ni mahsusi kusaidia watu wengi mjini humo ambao hawana vyoo majumbani mwao na wanategemea vyoo vya umma. Bila shaka watakuwa wakitazama huko na huko kutafuta nzi wa tatu yuko wapi..

Tembo kuwa pweza

Tembo mmoja nchini Poland anatarajiwa kuchukua nafasi ya Pweza Paul kwa kutabiri matokeo ya michuano ya maataifa ya Ulaya yanayoanza hivi karibuni.
Tembo huyo anayejulikana kama Citta mwenye umri wa miaka thelathini na mitatu atakuwa akitumia mkonga wake kubashiri timu itakayoshinda.
Habari kutoka Warsaw zinasema ubashiri wa kwanza utafanywa tarehe sita mwezi Juni, siku mbili kabla ya kuanza kwa michuano hiyo. Tembo huyo alifanya kituko wakati akitambulishwa kwa waandishi wa habari, baada ya kuumeza mpira wa miguu uliokuwepo mezani.
Mkurugenzi wa hifadhi ya wanyama ya mjini Warsaw Teresa Grega amesema tembo huyo alitabiri ushindi wa Chelsea dhidi ya bayern Munich katika fainali ya Klabu Bingwa Ulaya hivi karibuni. Tembo huyo atatabiri mshindi kati ya Poland watakaopambana na Ugiriki Juni nane.
Atapewa matunda matatu, mawili yakiwa na majina ya timu hizo mbili, na tunda la tatu kwa ajili ya kutabiri sare. Tembo huyo alizaliwa India, akaishi Ujerumani kabla ya kwenda Austria, halafu Uhispania na hatimaye kuhamia Poland. Bi Gregga amesema tembo huyo anapenda sana kutazama soka.

Noti taka

Bwana mmoja nchini Marekani ameingia matatani baada yakudondosha noti ya dola moja barabarani.
Bwana huyo, John davis wa Cleveland, amesema alikuwa akijaribu kutoa sadaka kwa mtu aliyekuwa barabarani.
Davis ambaye alikuwa ndani ya gari yake, alifungua dirisha na kutoa noti kadhaa za fedha ili kumpa mtu aliyekuwa akiomba msaada.
Kwa bahati mbaya, moja kati ya noti alizokuwa akizitoa ilipeperushwa na upepo. Muda si mrefu, alitoea polisi na kumkamata bwana Davis kwa kosa la kurusha taka barabarani.
"Nimekuona ukitupa karatasi" amekaririwa polisi huyo akimwambia bwana Davis. Msamaria mwema huyo amepigwa faini pamoja na gharama za mahakama zinazofika dola mia tano.

Atoroka na gari la wagonjwa

Mwanamama mmoja aliyekuwa amelazwa hospitali, alichoshwa na maisha ya hospitalini na kuamua kuiba gari la wagonjwa na kutoroka nalo.
Mwanamama huyo Heather Sullivan wa Buffalo, New York, alikataliwa kwenda nyumbani kwa kuwa hali yake haikuwa njema sana kiafya, ingawa mwenyewe alikuwa akitaka kuondoka.
Taarifa zinasema mwanamama huyo alinyata na kuiba gari la kubebea wagonjwa la hospitali ya Erie County, na kuondoka kwa kasi kubwa. Alianza kufukuzwa na polisi.
Mwanamama huyo alikuta gari la kubebea wagonjwa likiwa limeegeshwa nje ya hospitali huku fungua za gari hilo zikinin'ginia kwenye kiwashio.
Polisi wa Buffalo wamesema mwanamke huyo aliokuwa akiendesha gari hilo kwa mwendo wa kasi na wa hatari, huku akikosa kosa kugonga wapita njia. Hatimaye gari hilo lilipoteza mwelekeo na kupunduka, na mwanamama huyo kukamatwa.
Ameshtakiwa kwa kuhatarisha maisha ya watu, na kuiba gari. Hasara aliyosababisha imefika dola laki moja.

Faini kwa mluzi

Mwanamama mmoja nchini Ujerumani amepigwa faini, baada ya kupiga mluzi kwenye simu yake na kusababisha maumivu kwa mtu aliyekuwa akizungumza naye.
Mwanamama huyo mwenye umri wa miaka sitini na moja, alikuwa amechoshwa kupigiwa simu na kampuni zilizokuwa zikimshawishi anunue bidhaa mbalimbali.
Mwanamama huyo wa Pirmasens, katika eneo la Rhineland amesema alikuwa amechoshwa na bughudha za wauza bidhaa waliokuwa wakimpigia simu kila mara kumshawishi anunue bidhaa zao. Siku ya siku alipopigiwa simu, aliamua kupiga mluzi kwa nguvu kwa mtu aliyempigia simu kiasi cha kumsababishia maumivu ya masikio. Mwanamama huyo amepigwa fani ya karibu dola mia tisa.
Alipofikishwa mahakamani alimwambia jaji kuwa alikuwa amechukizwa mno na simu za wafanyabiashara.
Na kwa taarifa yako.........Fani kongwe zaidi duniani ni ukunga na uganga wa kienyeji.
Tukutane wiki ijayo.... panapo majaaliwa....

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Dar faces US sanctions over Iranian oil ships


Dar es Salaam. Tanzania will face the threat of US sanctions and damage its ties with the Washington if it does not stop the practice of “re-flagging” Iranian oil tankers, a US lawmaker has warned.MrHoward Berman, the ranking member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, accused Tanzania of reflagging at least six and possibly as many at 10 tankers owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company, according to Reuters news agency.

“This action by your government has the effect of assisting the Iranian regime in evading US and EU sanctions and generating additional revenues for its nuclear enrichment and weapons research programme and its support for international terrorism,”MrBerman said in a letter to President JakayaKikwete that was obtained by Reuters.

MrBerman said Tanzania could face the sanctions that President BarackObama signed into law if the tankers were allowed to continue sailing under the Tanzanian flag.

He said Congress would also have “no choice” but to consider whether to continue the range of bilateral US programmes with Tanzania.

Officials at Tanzania’s embassy in Washington were not immediately available to comment on MrBerman's letter.

A reliable sourcesaid in Dar es Salaam yesterday that President Kikwete had summoned Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Bernard Membe over the matter.

“The threat of US sanctions is likely to feature prominently in the discussions at State House between President Kikwete and MrMembe,” the source said.

Reached for comment, MrMembe told The Citizen on Sunday that the US government had not yet communicated directly with the Tanzanian government.

“Such weighty statements are usually supposed to be issued by foreign ministries, not lawmakers.  If it’s not from the US Department of State, then it should not be regarded as a threat by the US government.  Even here in Tanzania what MPs say is not necessarily the government’s official position,” he said.

However, MrMembesaid he was not aware of the letter sent to President Kikwete by Mr Berman, but added that he would meet the US ambassador,Mr Alfonso Lenhardt, tomorrow.

“The government has been doing all in its power to resolve the matter… let me meet first meet the American ambassador on Monday and my ministry will give the government’s position on the issue,” MrMembe said.

Chief Secretary OmbeniSefuealso said he had not seen the letter reportedly sent to President Kikwete by the American lawmaker.

“I haven’t received any such a communication.  If it’s true that such a letter has been sent, then it must have been addressed to the Foreign Affairs Ministry or the authority responsible for ship registration in Zanzibar,” he said.

The Zanzibar government confirmed on Friday that it had granted registration to 11 oil tankers formerly registered in Malta and Cyprus, and accused the media of misleading the public.

Zanzibar’s minister for Infrastructure and Communication, MrHamadMasoudHamad, told the House of Representatives that the vessels were operated by firms owned by nationals of British Virgin Islands and Seychelles.

He named the ships as Daisy with a gross register tonnage (GRT) of 81479 registered in Malta, Justice (GRT 164241) registered in Cyprus, Magnolia (GRT 81479) also formerly registered in Malta.

Other ships are Courage (GRT 163660) owned by Courage Shipping Co. Ltd, Freedom  (GRT 163660) also owned by Freedom shipping Co. Ltd, Valor (GRT 160930) owned by Valor Shipping Co. Ltd and Leadership (GRT 164241) owned by Leadership Shipping Co. Ltd. All these were formerly registered in Cyprus.

MrHamad also named Companion (GRT 164241) owned by Companion Shipping Co. Ltd, Camellia (GRT 81479) owned by Camellia Shipping Co. Ltd, Clove (GRT 81479) owned by Clove Shipping Co. Ltd and Lantana (GRT 81479) owned by Lantana Shipping Co. Ltd, all were formerly registered in Malta.

On Wednesday, The Citizen reported that an Iranian oil-tanker company has renamed at least 10 of its vessels and switched them to Tanzania’s flag to get round international sanctions, sending shockwaves through the country’s leadership.

Government ministers and public officials went into overdrive following reports that the company had changed the registration of several of its ships and was now passing itself off as a Tanzanian firm. The vessels were apparently registered in Zanzibar.

The Minister for Transportation, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, said he was aware of the development and had taken action. But his Foreign Affairs counterpart, Mr Bernard Membe, was in the dark about the saga.

The international news agency Bloomberg reported yesterday that the oil tanker company known as NITC, which is owned by the Iranian Pension Fund, has renamed at least 10 of its vessels and switched to the Tanzanian flag.

MrMembe, who described the news as “shocking, strange and irregular according to the governing laws”, said thorough investigations would be conducted to establish the truth.

Bloomberg reported that NITC renamed five of its very large crude carriers, each holding about two million barrels of oil, and five Suezmaxes with a capacity for one million barrels.

Quoting the Equasis shipping database maintained by the European Commission, the reports pointed out that ownership of the ships was switched from NITC to new companies operating from the same address in Tehran. NITC remains the operator, though. All the ships were previously registered in Malta or Cyprus.

This development comes a few days before the full European embargo on Iranian crude exports, which starts tomorrow, is extended to insuring vessels that carry the oil. Some 25 NITC tankers are being used to store crude, the Paris-based International Energy Agency said.

Ulimboka apelekwa nje kutibiwa


FEDHA ZA MATIBABU ZAPATIKANA,MADAKTARI WAKATAA MSAADA WA SERIKALI
Geofrey Nyang’oro
MWENYEKITI wa Jumuiya ya Madaktari Tanzania, Dk Steven Ulimboka amesafirishwa kwenda nje ya nchi kwa ajili ya kupatiwa matibabu zaidi.Kusafirishwa kwake kunafuatia hatua ya jopo la madaktari waliokuwa wakimhudumia, kueleza mabadiliko ya hali ya afya yake, yaliyosababisha figo kushindwa kufanya kazi, hali iliyolazimu pamoja na matibabu mengine, kwenda   kusafishwa damu.

Ingawa madaktari hao wamekataa kuweka wazi nchi anayopelekwa, kuna taarifa kwamba huenda amesafirishwa kwenda nchini Afrika Kusini.

Katika Taasisi ya Mifupa Muhimbili (Moi) jana makundi mbalimbali ya watu yalifurika wakiwamo wanaharakati na ndugu wa Dk Ulimboka,  waliofika kwa lengo la kumsindikiza Uwanja wa Ndege wa Kimataifa wa Julius Nyerere.

Watu hao waliofika hospitalini hapo kuanzia asubuhi, waliendelea kubaki  eneo hilo hadi saa 6:45 mchana msafara ulipoanza.

Dk Ulimboka alisafirishwa kwa gari la kubebea wagonjwa la kampuni ya AAR. Alipofika uwanjani, alisafirishwa kwa  ndege ya kukodi ya Shirika la Ndege la Afrika Kusini, akisindikizwa na watu watatu.

Usiri safari ya Dk Ulimboka

Mapema jana asubuhi, taarifa za kusafirishwa kwake zilizagaa, lakini hapakuwa na mtu wa kuthibitisha safari hiyo na namna atakavyosafiri.

Katika safari hiyo, Dk Ulimboka amesindikizwa na  Dk Pascal Lugajo, kaka yake, Dk Hobakile Ulimboka na mke wake,  Dk Judith Mzovela.

Madaktari watoa tamko

Baada ya Ulimboka kusafirishwa, madaktari walilaani kitendo cha kutekwa na kupigwa mwenzao na kuitaka Serikali itoe tamko juu ya usalama wao.

Katibu wa Jumuiya ya Madaktari Tanzania, Dk Edwan Chitage aliwaambia waandishi wa habari kuwa tukio hilo na vitisho vya kufukuzwa kazi wanataaluma hao kunakofanywa na Serikali, kumezua  hofu kwa  madaktari wote nchini.

“Tunaamini Serikali inawajibika kwa watu wake, kwa hali ilivyo sasa madaktari wapo kwenye hofu kubwa, tunataka itoe tamko juu ya usalama wa madaktari,” alisema Dk Chitage.

Akizungumzia hali ya Dk Ulimboka, alisema imekuwa ikibadilika mara kwa mara hali ambayo imesababisha kumpeleka nje ya nchi kwa matibabu zaidi .

Chitage alisema kama Serikali ingekuwa na nia ya kuboresha huduma hospitalini hapo ingeweza kununua mashine ya CT Scan ambayo alisema bei yake ni sawa na Toyota ‘Shangingi’ moja.

Kwa upande wao wanaharakati wa haki za binadamu, jana walifika Uwanja wa Ndege wakiwa na mabango yenye ujumbe tofauti wakilaani kitendo alichofanyiwa Dk Ulimboka.

Dk Chitega alisema hadi kufikia jana, walikuwa wamepata fedha zilizokuwa zikihitajika kwa ajili ya matibabu yake. Juzi madaktari hao walisema wanahitaji Dola za Marekani 40,000 (Sh63.2 milioni) ili kumtibu mwenzao nje ya nchi.


Serikali na tiba ya Ulimboka


Wakati mgomo wa madaktari ukiingia siku ya nane leo, Serikali imesema ilikuwa tayari kugharimia matibabu ya Dk Ulimboka.

Msemaji wa Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii, Nsachris Mwamwaja jana alisema Serikali ilikuwa tayari kugharimia matibabu ya daktari huyo.

Mwamaja aliliambia Mwananchi Jumapili kuwa ni haki ya mgonjwa anayepewa rufani ya kutibiwa nje, kugharimiwa na Serikali, lakini
msaada huo wa Serikali ulikataliwa na madaktari hao na kuitaka ikae mbali na matibabu ya kiongozi wao.

“Sisi tulishaanza maandalizi ya kugharimia matibabu yake, lakini madaktari wenyewe walikataa msaada wa Serikali,” alisema Mwamwaja.

Hali yazidi kuwa tete

Kutokana na mgomo huo, uongozi wa Hospitali ya Rufaa ya KCMC mjini Moshi, umewatimua zaidi ya madaktari 80 walioko kwenye mafunzo kwa vitendo.

Hadi kufikia juzi, madaktari 146 walikuwa wamefukuzwa kutokana na mgomo huo katika hospitali za Bugando na Sekou Toure mkoani Mwanza na Hospitali ya Rufaa ya Mkoa wa Mbeya na ile ya Mkoa wa Dodoma.

Mbeya

Habari kutoka Hospitali ya Rufaa ya Mbeya zinadai kwamba, baada ya uongozi wa hospitali hiyo kulazimika kuomba madaktari wengine kutoka hospitali za jijini Mbeya ili kuongeza nguvu, madaktari hao nao wameonekana kutoridhishwa na ombi hilo.

Habari hizo zinasema kwamba, licha ya madaktari hao kupatikana na kwenda hospitalini hapo, walisikika wakilalamika kwamba wao hawapo tayari kufanya kazi sehemu yenye mgogoro na kwamba wao hawawezi kufanywa kama chambo kwa kuhofia usalama wao.

Akizungumza kwa njia ya simu Mkurugenzi wa Hospitali hiyo,  Dk Eliuter Samky alikiri kuzidiwa na kusuasua kwa utoaji huduma kwa wagonjwa ambapo alisema kuwa hadi sasa huduma zinazotolewa ni zile za dharura pekee na zile za kawaida wagonjwa wanaambiwa waende Hospitali ya Mkoa.

Mganga Mkuu wa Hospitali ya Mkoa wa Mbeya, Dk Seif Mhina, alisema kwa sasa hali inaendelea vizuri kutokana na kujipanga vyema kukabiliana nayo, licha ya kuwa bado kuna tatizo la upungufu wa vitanda hivyo kusababisha wagonjwa kulala chini.

Tanga

Baadhi ya wagonjwa katika Hospitali ya Mkoa wa Tanga ya  Bombo, wameitaka Serikali kukaa pamoja na madaktari ili kumaliza tatizo hilo.

Wamesema hali iliyofikia sasa ni mbaya hivyo ni busara pande hizo mbili kukaa meza moja kutatua mgogoro huo bila kujali nani kati yao amesababisha.

Sakina Abdallah ambaye amelazwa katika wodi ya wazazi ya Gallanis, alisema amesikitishwa na baadhi ya wanasiasa wanaoshabikia kutekwa Dk  Ulimboka.

“Binafsi hali inayoendelea ya mgomo wa madaktari inanihuzunisha sana kwani tunaoumia ni sisi wananchi tunaotibiwa katika hospitali hizi,” alisema Sakina.


Godfrey Jambia ambaye ni majeruhi aliyelazwa katika hospitali hiyo, alisema Serikali inatakiwa kutatua madai ya madaktari hao ili kuwanusuru raia wasio na hatia.

                   
NCCR yaivaa Serikali

Chama cha NCCR-Mageuzi kimesema Serikali ina maswali ya kujibu kutokana na kushindwa kutatua mgomo wa madaktari nchi nzima.

Chama hicho kimesema Serikali haitakiwi kutumia nguvu ya dola kumaliza mgomo na kuitaka ifute kesi iliyofunguliwa mahakamani ili kukaa meza ya majadiliano na madaktari hao kwa kuwa raia wasio na hatia, wanapoteza maisha kwa kukosa matibabu.

Akizungumza wakati akifungua mkutano wa Halmashauri Kuu (Nec) ya chama hicho Dar es Salaam jana, Mwenyekiti wa chama, James Mbatia, alisema hata kama suala hilo limefika mahakamani, bado linazungumzika kwa kuwa afya za Watanzania zinawahusu wote.

“Hivi Serikali inashindwa kuliondoa jambo hilo mahakamani na kukaa meza moja na madaktari kumaliza tatizo hili..., katika hili lazima tuseme, yaani watu wanakufa tukae kimya, haiwezekani hata kidogo,” alisema Mbatia na kuongeza:

“Ubabe hauwezi kuingizwa katika uhai wa Watanzania, kama majadiliano ya awali hayakufanikiwa basi wawekwe watu makini watakaosimamia majadiliano haya, hata wabunge wanaweza kusimamia suala hili, mgomo huu hauna itikadi za vyama unawahusu wananchi wote.”


Habari Hii imeandaliwa na Fidelis Butahe, Claud Mshana, Dar, Burhani Yakub,Tanga na Godfrey Kahango, Mbeya

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Dr Ulimboka's security shield


By Frank Kimboy
The Citizen Reporter
Dar es Salaam. As his attackers remain at large, colleagues of Dr Stephen Ulimboka have taken charge of his security at the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), where he is recuperating after a severe beating mid-this week.

The doctors have formed a six-man team that is treating and protecting Dr Ulimboka amid fears that his enemies might try to harm him as he regains strength in the Intensive Care Unit.

Only close relatives are allowed to visit, according to the chairman of the team, Prof Joseph Kahamba. The move is also aimed at keeping at bay a wave of visitors in order to give Dr Ulimboka time for a much-needed rest. Prof Kihamba declined to give further details.

A source who did not want to be named told this paper that Dr Ulimboka is being watched round the clock under the close supervision of his fellow doctors and nurses. “Only his known close relatives and loyal doctors and nurses can get near his bed,” said the source.

Reporters and photographers who camped at MOI were blocked by civilian security guards and both entrance and exit doors were closed as activities at MOI plunged into paralysis. Those trying to get inside the institute had to endure an interrogation by the guards manning the entrance and the corridor leading to the ICU.

“We are under instruction not to let anyone in,” said one of the guards at the main gate. “We are only allowed to let in patients who come to have their wounds dressed.”

When pressed to reveal who gave the order, the guard responded that he was not the spokesperson of the institute.  The spokesperson, Mr Juma Almas, did not respond to our calls.

Prof Kahamba, who heads the team that is treating Dr Ulimboka, told reporters he was now stable but the team would continue to keep an eye on him. “You know he has suffered brain concussion and pain in the chest, arms and legs so we will continue to pay close attention to him for as long as possible,” he said.

In the meantime, patients gathered outside the hospital entrance, waiting for the next move in the doctors’ strike.  Patients who spoke to this paper condemned the situation and called on both parties in the dispute to settle their differences for the sake of wananchi.
“We heard that the government has directed us to go to private hospitals and the military hospitals,” said an emotional Christina Daniel. “But how many of us, the poor, can afford the private hospitals bills?”

Ms Daniel also took exception to the government’s instruction that the sick should go to military hospitals, arguing that those hospitals could not accommodate the large number of civilian patients.

“This is the heart of our national healthcare,” Ms Daniel added. “Even patients from Lugalo military hospital get referred to Muhimbili National Hospital. If it falls, the entire health system goes down.”

Meanwhile, the Tanzania National Nurses Association (TANNA) at Muhimbili has also challenged the government to find a lasting solution to the doctors’ strike.

A statement released by the chairperson of TANNA at MOI, Ms Prisca Tarimo, said the strike has placed a huge burden on the shoulders of nurses and expressed fears that something would give if the situation was not addressed soon.

Last Wednesday morning, the country woke up to shocking news circulating in social media that Dr Ulimboka had been abducted and tortured.

Dr Ulimboka, who heads the doctors’ interim committee that has been locked in a dispute with the government over pay and working conditions for several months, was abducted while with friends at Leaders’ Club in Dar es Salaam. He was beaten up and left for dead by unknown people at Mabwepande forest on the outskirts of the city. He was eventually found by a passerby.
 
Who wanted Dr Ulimboka dead remains a mystery and police in Dar es Salaam have formed a probe team to dig deep into the matter.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Lucky to be alive

 Dar es Salaam. The leader of the doctors’ boycott, Dr Stephen Ulimboka, suffered injuries to the head, chest and hands in the assault on Tuesday night that left him fighting for his life. He had wounds all over the body, according to doctors treating him.
Prof Joseph Kahamba, who is heading a team of doctors treating their colleague, said Dr Ulimboka had suffered brain concussion but “we are working hard to save his life”.
“After he was beaten by those guys, Dr Ulimboka lost two teeth and some of his finger nails,” Prof Kahamba added. “He was badly injured but we are working hard to ensure that he is fine.”
Dr Ulimboka is the chairman of the interim doctors’ strike committee. He escaped death on Wednesday when he was kidnapped and tortured by unknown people and dumped at Mabwepande on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam. Relatives and friends who visited Dr Ulimboka yesterday told The Citizen that he was in great pain but appeared to be in better shape and was able to recognise them.  Through the relatives, he sent a message saying:  “I am doing well. My condition is not too bad like the day (Wednesday) they brought me here. But for now I want to rest and anyone who wants to see me should do so later.” 
At Muhimbili, doctors mounted tight security to protect Dr Ulimboka from unwanted guests. The hospital’s public relations officer, Mr Almas Jumaa, said the doctors had arranged a schedule that would allow only important relatives and friends to visit Dr Ulimboka.
In another development, civil society organisations called yesterday for international investigations into the kidnapping and torture.  They raised questions over the quality of investigations into the case that could be expected from local police.  
Local investigators could be intimidated and only international and independent would resolve “this puzzle” without fear or favour, said Ms Ananilea Nkya, executive director of the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (Tamwa).
Over at the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), Executive Director Hellen Kijo-Bisimba echoed these sentiments, and added:  “For the time being, we are speculating that the government machinery has a hand in the matter.” 
But the Police Force Commissioner for Operations, Mr Paul Chagonja, said the police were ready to engage private investigators if need be. The public should remain calm, he told The Citizen, and allow police to establish the truth.
Mr Chagonja denied reports that police were involved in the kidnapping. “The mistrust of the police that the public could have could be cleared by engaging private investigators,” said the commissioner. “It’s unfair to come to the conclusion that the state machinery has been directly involved.... Dr Ulimboka has his personal life like other civilians, but we should not target anybody for the time being until it has been proven by the investigation.” 
Meanwhile, medical services continued to deteriorate yesterday at Muhimbili, the country’s leading referral facility, as doctors downed their tools and waited for news of Dr Ulimboka’s progress. Only emergency patients were attended while the operating theatre and the private clinics were closed. 
Reports from the northern zone indicated a go-slow by doctors and medical interns in hospitals in Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Manyara. 
At the Haydom Lutheran Hospital in Mbulu district, Manyara region, there were reports that interns had downed tools since Tuesday. Doctors who had not joined the nationwide strike were overwhelmed by the workload.
The hospital, located in the remote area some 300 kilometres south west of Arusha, is run by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania and serves several districts in Manyara, Arusha, Singida and Shinyanga regions. 
Speaking with reporters on condition of anonymity, the interns said they would not resume work until their demands for better pay were met. They condemned the kidnapping and torture of Dr Ulimboka. The Mbulu district commissioner, Mr Anatoly Choya, confirmed the strike at Haydom, which is also the district designated hospital.
There were earlier reports of a strike at Mt Meru regional hospital in Arusha, but a survey by this newspaper yesterday afternoon indicated that work was proceeding as usual.
At Mwanza’s Bugando Medical Centre, the committee dealing with the strike shut the doors on the press. One of the officials in the committee, Dr George Adrian, told The Citizen from an undisclosed location that none of the committee members would be available for interviews with press without the prior consent of the main committee. 
At Mbeya referral hospital, most of the doctors did not report for work.
Reported  by Mkinga Mkinga and Frank Aman in Dar es Salaam; Zephania Ubwani in Arusha; Joseph Lyimo in Mbulu; Sheilla Sezzy in Mwanza and Godfrey Kahango in Mbeya; editorial on Page 8

Monday, June 25, 2012

Pengo: Wahuni wasiachwe kuchoma makanisa Zanzibar

ASHANGAA SMZ KUZIDIWA NGUVU, UAMSHO YAKUBALI KUSHIRIKI MCHAKATO WA KATIBA MPYA
Ibrahim Yamola
ASKOFU Mkuu wa Jimbo Kuu la Dar es Salaam, Mwadhama Polycarp Kardinali Pengo ameitaka Serikali ya Mapinduzi Zanzibar (SMZ), ‘kudhibiti wahuni wanaotaka kuvuruga amani visiwani humo’.Kauli hiyo ya Pengo ni ya kwanza tangu kuibuka kwa vurugu visiwani Zanzibar mapema mwezi huu, na kusababisha uharibifu wa mali, huku makanisa yakilengwa zaidi na kikundi kinachojiita cha Jumuiya Uamsho na Mihadhara ya Kiislam (JUMIKI).
 
Pengo alitoa kauli hiyo wakati wa ibada maalumu iliyofanyika katika Kanisa la Msalabani Bagamoyo, mkoani Pwani, ikiwa ni maandalizi ya Mkutano Mkuu wa Shirika la Roho Mtakatifu, utakaofanyika kwa siku 30 kuanzia jana.

Kardinali Pengo alisema, ‘wahuni hawawezi kuizidi Serikali makini’.“Makanisa yetu yamecomwa moto na watu wahuni. Kama Serikali ipo na haiwezi kuchukua hatua dhidi ya wahuni, usalama uko wapi?” alihoji Kardinali Pengo.

“Wahuni wanaweza kutuunguzia makanisa saba kwa mpigo, lakini mbele ya hapo kuna makanisa kadhaa ambayo yalikwishaunguzwa na kubomolewa na hao wahuni,” alisema.Pengo aliendelea kuhoji, “Kama sasa wahuni wameishinda nguvu Serikali ya watu kwa hiyo tutawaliwe na wahuni na wafanye lile wanalolitaka, tunajiuliza tunakwenda wapi?

Mara baada ya vurugu za Zanzibar, jopo la maaskofu kutoka madhehebu mbalimbali, walifanya mazungumzo na Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar (SMZ), huku wakiituhumu kushindwa kudhibiti vitendo vya uchomaji moto makanisa na kuihadharisha kuchukua hatua za haraka.

Jana, Pengo alilitaka shirika hilo kumsaidia Askofu Augustine Shayo wa Jimbo Katoliki Zanzibar, kuunganisha nguvu zao katika harakati za kuimarisha amani.
Pengo alisema mbali ya vurugu hizo, hivi sasa utumwa bado unandelea kukithiri nchini, hususan kwa viongozi wa Serikali kuwakandamiza wananchi wa hali ya chini.

Alisema wapo baadhi ya viongozi wanaotaka utumwa uendelee kuwapo kutokana na matendo yao dhidi ya wananchi.

“Tanzania ni huru sawa, lakini mimi sitaki kusadiki kuwa ni huru kwa kila mmoja na kila Mtanzania, wapo watu ambao wangependa wao waneemeke hata kwa madhara ya wengi bila huruma hadi siku ya leo,” alisema na kuongeza:

“Tangu Shule ya St. Marian inaanzishwa, kuna baadhi ya viongozi wamekuwa wakitaka watoto wao wakasome pale na watoto wa maskini wasipate nafasi.”

Alitoboa siri kuwa ‘kuna barua za maombi zisizo za msingi ambazo amekuwa akipelekewa Askofu Shayo na kuzikataa, na wakati mwingine amekuwa akitishiwa maisha, kwani wapo wanaotaka kuwasomesha watoto katika shule nzuri ili waendele kujineemesha. Sasa huu sio utumwa?’
Kardinali Pengo alililitaka Shirika la Roho Mtakatifu kutumia mkutano huo kuendelea kuhimiza amani hapa nchini na kutupia jicho Zanzibar, ambako amani inavurugika kwa matendo ya watu aliowaita wahuni.

Mkutano wa Shirika

Kwa mujibu wa Makamu Mkuu wa Shirika la Roho Mtakatifu, Padre John Kuff kutoka Ghana, mkutano huo unafanyika Afrika kwa mara ya kwanza, tangu kuanzishwa kwa shirika hilo mwaka 1868.

Tanzania ni mwenyeji wa mkutano huo wa 20 ambao umekuwa ukifanyika kila baada  ya miaka sita, na mkutano wa mwisho ulifanyika Ureno mwaka 2004.
Baadhi ya nchi zitakazoshiriki mkutano huo ni Canada, Nageria, Ureno, Ufaransa, Ghana, Uingereza, Irand na mwenyeji Tanzania.”

Akizungumzia shirika hilo, Pengo alisema wakati linaanza kazi nchini walikuta amani imevurugika, lakini walifanya kazi kubwa amani ikarejea, hivyo alilitaka kusimamia ukweli hata kama watu wengine watawabeza.

Kipozi aahidi amani
Akitoa salamu za Serikali kanisani hapo, Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Bagamoyo, Ahmed Kipozi alisema washiriki wa mkutano huo wawe na amani kwani ulinzi utaimarishwa wakati wote.

“Kwa siku zote 30 za mkutano huu ulinzi na usalama utaimarishwa ili kuhakikisha mnafikia malengo yenu,” alisema Kipozi.

Mgomo wa madaktari waanza rasmi


HUDUMA ZA KAWAIDA ZAZOROTA
Waandishi Wetu, Dar na Mikoani       
 MADAKTARI nchini wameanza mgomo katika baadhi ya hospitali nchini baada ya Serikali kushindwa kutekeleza madai yao waliyowasilisha katika Kamati ya Majadiliano iliyoundwa na Waziri Mkuu, Mizengo Pinda.  Mgomo huo umetangazwa na Jumuiya ya Madaktari nchini huku ikifafanua kwamba kati ya madai kumi waliyotaka yatekelezwe na Serikali, hakuna hata moja lililofanyiwa kazi.  Hata hivyo,  jana madaktari hao ambao walikaa vikao vya majadiliano na Serikali kwa siku 90 baada ya kusitisha mgomo wao wa pili, wamesema katika madai yao kumi, hakuna hata moja lililotekelezwa na Serikali.  Mwenyekiti wa Jumuiya hiyo, Dk Stephen Ulimboka jana aliwaeleza waandishi wa habari kwamba ili warejee kazini, Serikali inatakiwa kutekeleza madai yao yote na kusisitiza kwamba dai lao la kwanza ni kuitaka Serikali kuboresha huduma za msingi kwa wagonjwa.  
“Mgomo umeanza leo na hauna kikomo, lengo ni kuishinikiza Serikali kutekeleza madai yetu, hata zile huduma za dharura nazo kuanzia kesho (leo) zinaweza kusitishwa,” alisema Dk Ulimboka.  Wakati Ulimboka akieleza hayo, huduma katika Hospitali ya Taifa ya Muhimbili (MNH) na Taasisi ya Mifupa (Moi) ilikuwa ikitolewa kwa kusuasua huku baadhi ya wafanyakazi wakisisitiza kuwa mgomo huo upo.
Licha ya wafanyakazi hao kukiri kuwa siku za mwisho wa wiki idadi ya wagonjwa katika hospitali hizo huwa ndogo, lakini walisisitiza kuwapo kwa mgomo huo na kufafanua kuwa kwa mtu mgeni katika eneo hilo si rahisi kutambua hali hiyo.  Mwananchi Jumapili lilifika katika hospitali hiyo na kukuta huduma zikitolewa ‘kiaina’ huku baadhi ya wagonjwa wakieleza kwamba zimezorota, sio kama siku zilizopita.
Tamko la Jumuiya      Akieleza kwa kina sababu za mgomo huo, Dk Ulimboka alisema katika madai waliyoyawasilisha, hakuna hata moja lililotekelezwa na kufafanua kwamba Serikali imeongeza dai ambalo wao hawakuliwasilisha.  Madai hayo ni pamoja na kupandishwa kwa ongezeko la mishahara, posho ya kuitwa kazini, posho za kufanya kazi katika mazingira magumu, bima ya afya, nyumba za kuishi, kukopeshwa magari kwa ajili ya usafiri, kuboreshwa kwa mazingira ya kufanyia kazi kwa kupeleka vifaa vya kazi, dawa na kuboresha miundombinu. 
“Serikali imesema imerekebisha viwango vinavyotumika kulipa posho ya uchunguzi wa maiti  kwa Sh 100,000 kwa uchunguzi wa madaktari na Sh50,000 kwa watumishi wengine, lakini hili halikuwa dai letu!” alisema Dk Ulimboka.   Naye Waziri wa Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii, Dk Hussein Mwinyi aliwatahadharisha madaktari hao kuacha mgomo, akieleza kuwa ni batili na ni kinyume cha viapo vyao vya kazi.  Dk Mwinyi aliainisha mambo 10 ambayo madaktari walikuwa wamepanga kutekelezewa na kusema kuwa kwa sehemu, yametekelezwa na baadhi ya mambo yaliyobakia wanaweza kuyazungumza.

Mwanza
Madaktari zaidi ya 200 waliopo katika Hosptali ya Rufaa ya Bugando jana walianza mgomo rasmi baada ya Serikali kushindwa kutoa majibu ya kuridhisha kuhusu madai yao mbalimbali yaliyosababisha madaktari hao kugoma mapema mwaka huu.  Akizungumza na Mwananchi Jumapili, Mwakilishi wa Kamati ndogo ya kufuatilia madai madaktari hao, Dk Richard Kirita alisema kwamba madaktari wa kada zote katika hospitali hiyo wapo kwenye mgomo isipokuwa baadhi ya madaktari bingwa pamoja na wakuu wa idara.

 “Kwa kuwa leo sio siku ya kazi unaweza kudhani hakuna mgomo, lakini njoo Jumatatu (kesho) ndo utapata picha halisi ya mgomo kwa sababu wagonjwa watakuwa wengi, lakini hakutakuwa na huduma,”alisema 
Moshi

Hali ya utendaji wa madaktari mkoani Kilimanjaro imeonekana ya kusuasua huku baadhi ya madaktari katika Hospitali ya Rufaa ya KCMC wakisema hawaingii kazini na wengine wakisema bado wanasikilizia.

  Katika Hospitali ya Mkoa ya Mawenzi, madaktari waliokuwa zamu walisema kwa leo huwezi kujua aliyeko kwenye mgomo na ambaye hayupo, kwani wengi hawako kazini leo hadi kesho.   B
aadhi ya wagonjwa waliolazwa Hospitali ya KCMC katika wodi ya wanawake, walisema kuwa walitangaziwa kuwa kutakuwa na mgomo wa madaktari na kila mmoja aangalie cha kufanya na kuwa walifika wodini hapo asubuhi na hawakuzungumza na mgonjwa na kutoka.   Wagonjwa hao wamesema Ijumaa jioni wagonjwa wengi waliruhusiwa kuondoka hata kama hali zao hazijatengemaa ambapo walisema wanahofia afya zao kama madaktari watatekeleza msimamo wao.   Mbeya   Katika Hospitali ya Rufaa Mbeya madaktari 10  kati ya 80  ndiyo waliokubali jana kuendelea na  huduma ya kutibu wagonjwa ambapo wengine wameanza mgomo rasmi.
Akizungumza na Mwananchi Jumapili kwa njia ya simu, Mkurugenzi wa Hospitali ya Rufaa Mbeya, Dk Eliuter Samky amethibitisha kuwapo na hali ya mgomo na kwamba ana uhakika wa madaktari 10 waliopo zamu kuendelea kazi.    
Awali Mwandishi wa gazeti hili alipofika  katika hospitali hiyo hakukuta daktari yeyote na ofisi za utawala zikiwa zimefungwa huku katika eneo la mapokezi likiwa na wagonjwa ambao wamekaa wakisubiria kupata huduma.  Katika kitengo cha wazazi Meta wanawake wanaokwenda kupata huduma  wamesema wameingiwa na hofu kubwa kwa kukosa huduma hiyo baada ya kuona matangazo yanayosema hakuna mgojwa atakayepatiwa matibabu. 
Wakizungumza hospitalini hapo wanawake hao ambao hawakutaka kuandikwa majina yao, walisema kuwa mbali na kuona tangazo hilo lakini pia waliambiwa na baadhi ya madaktari kuwa ni bora wakaenda sehemu nyingine kwa ajili ya matibabu kwa kile kilichoelezwa kuwa kuwa na wao wapo katika mgomo huo hivyo hakuta kuwa na huduma yeyote kwa mgonjwa.

Arusha
Hali ya mgomo wa madaktari katika Hospitali ya Mkoa wa Arusha ya Mount Meru, haikuonekana jana asubuhi ingawa katika hali isiyo ya kawaida baadhi ya madaktari na manesi hawakufika wodimi kuwaona wagonjwa kama wananvyofanya siku nyingine.
Mganga Mfawidhi wa Hospitali hiyo,Dk Mlay alipoulizwa na gazeti hili alisema hali hiyo isihusishwe na mgomo uliotangazwa na chama cha madaktari kwa kuwa kimetona na sababu kwamba leo na kesho ni siku za mapumziko .

Baadhi ya wagonjwa na ndugu wanaowauguza walihojiwa na gazeti hili walionyeshwa kushangazwa na hali ya madaktari na manesi kushindwa kuwatembelea leo katika wodi zao kinyume na siku zote.

Mganga Mkuu wa hospitali alisema kwamba hospitalini kwake hakuna mgomo wowote wa madaktari kwa kuwa wanafanya kazi kama kawaida na wala hawatambui suala la mgomo wa madaktari uliotangazwa na Chama cha Madaktari nchini(MAT).
 Tanga  Hospitali ya Mkoa wa Tanga ya Bombo pamoja hospitali nyingine za wilayani jana ziliendelea na  huduma ya kutoa matibabu kwa wagonjwa  kama kawaida.  Katika Hospitali ya Bombo ambayo ni ya Mkoa wa Tanga, Mwandishi wa habari hizi jana alikuta madaktari pamoja na wauguzi waliokuwa zamu wakiendelea na kutoa matibabu kwa wagonjwa waliolazwa pamoja na wale wa kutoka nje. 
Wakizungumza na Mwananchi Jumapili madaktari wa Hospitali ya Bombo walisema wameshindwa kufanya mgomo kwa kuwa hawana taarifa za kuwataka kufanya hivyo bali wamekuwa wakisikia na kusoma kupitia vyombo vya habari.
Haruna Juma ambaye ni mkazi wa Barabara ya 10 Jijini Tanga, aliwashukuru madaktari wa Hospitali ya Bombo kwa kutogoma kwa kuwa mdogo wake anayesumbuliwa na Apendex alipangiwa kufanyiwa upasuaji jana ambapo waganga walimfanyia kama kawaida.
Waziri
Serikali imesema kuwa itaendelea na msimamo wake ilioutoa bungeni mjini Dodoma wa kuwataka madaktari nchini kuendelea kutoa huduma kwa wagonjwa wakati ambapo madai yao ya msingi yakiwa yanashughulikiwa.
Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari mjini Morogoro jana baada ya kufanya ziara yake katika Hospitali ya Mkoa wa Morogoro, Naibu Waziri wa Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii, Dk Seif Rashid, alisema kuwa kimsingi yako mambo ambayo katika mazungumzo na madaktari hao walikubaliana lakini pia yako mambo ambayo hawakukubalina.
Dk Rashid alisema kuwa mambo ambayo walikubalina na madaktari hao yanaendelea kushughulikiwa lakini mambo ambayo walishindwa kukubalina katika baraza la usuluhishi madaktari hao walikimbilia mahakamani ili kutafuta suluhu.
“Na sisi tunasubiri maamuzi ya mahakama kwa hivyo kitendo cha wao kugoma kinakwenda kinyume na sheria kwa kuwa jambo hilo bado halijapatiwa ufumbuzi na mahakama,” alisisitiza.
Katika Hospitali ya Mkoa wa Morogoro hakukuwa na dalili zozote za madaktari na wauguzi kugoma, huduma za matibabu kwa wagonjwa zilikuwa zikiendelea kama kawaida huku baadhi ya wauguzi na madaktari wa hospitali hiyo wakidai kutokuwa tayari kuingia katika mgomo huo.


Amana, Temeke Katika hospitali ya Amana na Temeke  za jijini Dar es Salaam wameendelea kutoa huduma kama kawaida, isipokuwa Hospitali ya Mwananyamala ambayo kulikuwa na madaktari na waguzi wachache.  Mganga Mkuu wa Hospitali hiyo, Dk Meshack Shemwela aliiambia Mwananchi Jumapili jana kwamba huduma ya afya zinaendelea kutolewa kama kawaida na kwamba wanafanya tathmini ilikutambua kama kuna madaktari waliogoma.
Akizungumzia hali hiyo Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam Said Meck Sadick alisema kuanzia jana saa 6 usiku walifanya uchunguzi na kubaini kwamba kuna watu waliokuwa wanapita katika kila hosptali kuhamasisha kufanyika lakini madaktari hawajagoma.
Imeandaliwa na  Rehema Matowo,Moshi, Venance George, Morogoro, Burhani Yakub,Tanga, Brandy  Nelson, Godfrey Kahango,Mbeya, Moses Mashalla,Arusha,Sheilla Sezzy,Mwanza Aidan Mhando, Ibrahim Yamola, Geofrey Nyang'oro na Fidelis Butahe,Fidelis Butahe na Geofrey Nyang’oro

Friday, June 15, 2012

10 things to smile about Mgimwa’s first Budget


Tanzanians were cautiously optimistic yesterday after Finance minister William Mgimwa’s maiden budget speech listed 10 things they stand to benefit from.
The government will create 71,756 jobs in the education, health and agriculture sectors in the 2012/13 financial year, he told Parliament. And with the removal of excise duty on heavy furnace oil used in industrial production, the cost of production will drop—making commodities cheaper.
Other winners include workers receiving minimum wages and juice factories. The Pay As You Earn threshold was adjusted upwards, from Sh135,000 to Sh170,000.
 “In order to protect local industries producing fruit juices from unfair competition from imported juices,” the minister said, “I propose to introduce excise duty of Sh83 per litre on imported fruit juices while locally produced fruit juices will attract excise duty of Sh8 per litre.”
Yesterday’s budget will please some and disappoint others as the government struggles to halt the ever-rising cost of living, boost domestic industrial and agricultural production, generate employment and raise more revenue for development projects.
But consumers have reason to smile as tax on petroleum products was not raised. In fact, the government removed excise duty on heavy furnace oil used in industrial production. This should result in reduced production costs, making commodities cheaper.
Jobseekers also have reason to smile as the government promised to create about 71,756 employment opportunities in the 2012/13 financial year in sectors like education, health and agriculture.
In order to generate more jobs and boost agricultural production, the government will allocate the Tanzania Investment Bank Sh30 billion. The Agricultural Development Bank is to receive Sh40 billion. The money will be spent on loans for youth, entrepreneurs and farmers.
A total of Sh2.6 billion will be spent on enhancing the capital of Tanzania Women’s Bank, Small Enterprises Loan facility and the Economic Empowerment Fund.
The government has also waived presumptive tax on businesses with a turnover below Sh3 million in a move designed to support small businesses and protect low income earners.
“This measure is aimed at protecting government revenue and ensuring that individuals whose turnover is below Sh3 million are not taxed under the presumptive scheme,” Dr Mgimwa added. “Currently, traders whose turnover does not exceed Sh3 million pay Sh35,000.”
Gas users also gain after the exemption of Value Added Tax on equipment that will be used for storage, transportation and distribution of natural gas.
The extractive sector was not forgotten: Dr Mgimwa exempted import duty on machinery and spare parts used in mining activities. Withholding tax chargeable by foreign banks on interests payable to strategic investors was also exempted. This measure is expected to encourage investment in the country.
Only four months ago, Dr Mgimwa did not imagine he would be the centre of attention on Budget Day. But, thanks to President Jakaya Kikwete’s Cabinet reshuffle three months ago, for two-and-half hours last evening many activities stopped as the country listened to the newly-appointed Finance minister deliver the Sh15.1 trillion budget.
It will involve collection about Sh9 trillion tax, non-tax and local government revenue in the 2012/13 financial year.This will be supplemented by Sh6 trillion from aid, commercial and domestic borrowing. About Sh10.5 trillion will be used for recurrent spending while Sh4.5 trillion will be used for development spending.
Dr Mgimwa was ushered into the debating chamber at 4.01pm, shortly after the Speaker opened the evening session. He carried a red brief case.
The new minister appeared hesitant and somewhat unsettled when he started reading the budget at around 4.03pm, but he quickly regained his composure and proceeded slowly but emphatically.
The press gallery, which is usually empty during afternoon sessions, was full by about 3.30pm, with some journalists standing and others sitting on the floor.Two galleries that are usually reserved for ordinary visitors were filled with diplomats. They started streaming in at around 3pm, an hour before Dr Mgimwa was to unveil the budget.
Speaker Anne Makinda said later that there were so many diplomats that she had to create more room for them.  There were about 50 ambassadors, including members of the General Budget Support team.
In attendance were the Tanzania Revenue Authority Commissioner General, Mr Harry Kitilya, BoT Governor Benno Ndulu and Controller and Auditor General Ludovic Utouh.
The chairman of opposition Civic United Front, Prof Ibrahim Lipumba, said the budget was not intended to pull poor Tanzanians out of the “economic quagmire”. The fact that only 30 per cent of the budget was allocated to development expenditure meant that it was not intended to boost the country’s economic growth, he added.
Prof Lipumba said the government was forced to allocate 70 per cent of the budget to expenditure because of the “unnecessary” creation of new districts and regions.
The Shadow Minister for Finance, Mr Zitto Kabwe (Kigoma North-Chadema), declared it a budget for people in urban areas. “This is not a budget for people in rural areas, where the population is 30 million Tanzanians,” said Mr Kabwe.

Mr Christopher ole Sendeka (Simanjiro-CCM) said that although the budget addressed a number of important sectors, the allocation to the energy sector was razor-thin and this would not help the Tanzania Electric Company pull itself out of its problems.
Mr Utouh praised the move to formalise the entertainment sector, saying the move would protect actors from piracy.
(Reported by Peter Nyanje and Sturmius Mtweve in Dodoma and Salome Gregory, Frank Aman, Alex Bitekeye, Eric Mchome, Sharifa Kalokola and Antony Leonard in Dar es Salaam)

... Mbowe, Lipumba, Mbatia walia


WENYEVITI wa vyama vya Chadema, NCCR Mageuzi na CUF wameiponda Bajeti ya Serikali ya mwaka wa fedha 2012/2013 iliyowasilishwa bungeni jana na Waziri wa Fedha, Dk William Mgimwa wakisema imeongeza mzigo kwa walipa kodi kutokana na gharama kubwa za uendeshaji wa Serikali.
Wakizungumza kwa nyakati tofauti baada ya kuwasilishwa kwa bajeti hiyo jana, wenyeviti hao walisema hakuna matumaini kwa Watanzania kupitia Bajeti hiyo kwani fedha nyingi zimerundikwa kuwanufaisha wachache huku umma ukiambulia patupu.
Mwenyekiti wa Chadema, Freeman Mbowe alisema: “Hakuna mkataba wa makusudi wa kupunguza matumizi ya Serikali, ahadi yake ya kupunguza matumizi kwa kupunguza posho zisizo na tija na matumizi mengine haikutekelezwa.”
Mbowe ambaye pia ni Kiongozi wa Kambi ya Upinzani Bungeni, alisema ameshangazwa na kutokuwapo kwa nyongeza ya mishahara kwa watumishi wa umma na badala yake fedha nyingi kurundikwa katika matumizi ya kawaida ya Serikali.
“Mfumo wa kodi kama mlivyosikia ni mbaya kabisa, hakuna kinachoashiria kwamba mkulima wa kawaida atapunguziwa mzigo na badala yake wanaendelea kuwanufaisha wafanyabiashara wa vyakula kwa kuwaruhusu kuagiza vyakula nje bila kodi, hiki naweza kusema ni kichekesho,” alisema Mbowe na kuongeza:
“Hakuna ubunifu kwenye kupanua wigo wa kodi, tungeweza kusikia katika construction (sekta ya ujenzi) ambayo inakua haraka na inachukua asilimia 18 ya Pato la Taifa kwamba tungetoza kodi huko, lakini badala yake ni yaleyale ya siku zote, kodi kwenye sigara, vinywaji na bia.”
Kwa upande wake, Mwenyekiti wa CUF, Profesa Ibrahim Lipumba alisema matatizo makubwa katika bajeti hiyo ni kutengwa kwa fedha kidogo za maendeleo na kwamba kinachoshangaza ni Serikali kushindwa hata kugharimia matumizi ya kawaida.
“Utawala unagharimiwa kwa Sh10 trilioni hali uwezo wa kukusanya mapato ya ndani ni Sh8 trilioni, hii inamaanisha kwamba Serikali yetu pia inatumia fedha za wahisani kugharimia matumizi ya kawaida,” alisema Profesa Lipumba ambaye pia ni mtaalamu wa uchumi.
Mwenyekiti wa NCCR Mageuzi, James Mbatia alisema Serikali lazima ijifunze kubadilika kwani kilichotangazwa jana kwenye Bajeti yake ni marudio ya miaka yote.
“Huwezi kuchukua fedha zote ukaurundikia utawala halafu ukawaacha wananchi bila kitu, hicho ndicho tulichokiona leo, Sh10 trilioni ni kwa ajili ya mishahara na watumishi na matumizi ya kawaida, maendeleo ambako ndiko wananchi waliko kumeachwa tena kutegemea fedha za wafadhili,” alisema Mbatia.
Mbunge wa Singida Mashariki (Chadema) Tundu Lissu alisema, Bajeti hiyo haitatekelezeka... “Mwaka jana wamekuja na Bajeti kama hii ya kutegemea fedha za wafadhili, zaidi ya asilimia 40 ya fedha zilizotengwa hazikupatikana na leo wanakuja na bajeti ya aina ileile,” alisema Lissu.
Mbunge wa Ngorongoro (CCM) Saning’o Ole Telele, alisema Bajeti hiyo ni pigo kubwa kwa wafugaji kwani wameshindwa kutengewa fedha kwa ajili ya kuboresha ufugaji hasa wale ambao wanahamahama.
Hoja hiyo ya Telele, iliungwa mkono na Mbunge wa Viti Maalumu (Chadema), Rose Kamili ambaye alisema  Bajeti ya mwaka huu, badala ya kuongeza fedha kusaidia wafugaji hasa wa asili ambao wanatangatanga, imeendelea kupunguza fedha za wizara hiyo.
Mbunge wa Simanjiro (CCM), Christopher Ole Sendeka alisema Bajeti hiyo kama zilivyo nyingine,  imeendelea kujikita katika kuongeza kodi katika bidhaa zilezile kila mwaka.
Mbunge wa Viti Maalumu (CCM), Ester Bulaya alisema Bajeti hiyo ni nzuri akipongeza mkakati wa ukarabati mkubwa wa Reli ya Kati.
Mbunge wa Viti Maalumu (Chadema), Cecilia Paresso alisema, Bajeti ya mwaka 2012/13 kama alivyoisikiliza  imeendelea kukosa ubunifu wa vyanzo vipya vya mapato na hivyo kuongeza makusanyo ya ndani.

Wadau wengine
Rais Chama cha Walimu Tanzania (CWT), Gratian Mukoba alisema fedha zilizotengwa kwenye Wizara ya Elimu ni ndogo kiasi cha kutoweza kukidhi mahitaji ya walimu na kueleza kuwa hiyo itaendeleza migogoro.
“Kwa kweli ni kiasi kidogo sana, tena imetuvunja nguvu, kwa sababu tulitegemea wafanyakazi tutapewa kipaumbele kwenye Bajeti, lakini kilichotokea ni tofauti kabisa,” alisema Mukoba.
Mwenyekiti wa Jukwaa la Katiba, Deus Kibamba alisema Bajeti ya mwaka huu imeendelea kuwa yenye manufaa kwa viongozi wa Serikali na kuwaumiza wananchi wa hali ya chini.
Alisema haiwezekani Bajeti ya mwaka 2006/7 ikawa zaidi ya Sh4 trilioni halafu ya mwaka 2012/13 ikafika Sh15.2 trilioni na bado ikawa ina manufaa kwa wananchi.
Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Kituo Cha Sheria na Haki za Binadamu (LHRC), Dk Hellein Kijo-Bisimba alisema Bajeti  imeegemea upande mmoja wa Serikali badala ya kuwa upande wa wananchi.
Dk Bisimba alisema haiwezekani kodi ya huduma ya simu ikapandishwa na kulingana na nchi za Afrika Mashariki bila kujali kwamba itawaumiza watumiaji wa hali ya chini.
Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Chama cha Waandishi wa Habari za Wanawake (Tamwa), Ananilea Nkya alisema Bajeti haina kipaumbele kwa huduma za kijamii na imejikita kwenye masuala ya anasa.
Mchumi kutoka Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dk Haji Semboja alisema Bajeti ya mwaka huu haina tofauti na zilizowahi kutolewa.
Alisema kutokana na ukweli kuwa Bajeti ya mwaka jana haikuwa na ufanisi, ilitegemewa mwaka huu kusikia maelezo ya kina yakifafanua sababu za kutofanya vizuri kwa Bajeti ya mwaka jana, jambo ambalo halikufanyika.
Alisema hata ongezeko la trilioni mbili  kwa Bajeti ya 2012/13  ikilinganishwa na iliyopita, siyo jambo geni kwani limekuwa likifanyika mara kadhaa lakini ufanisi wake hauonekani.
Nyongeza na Habari hii imeandikwa na Patricia Kimelemeta, Ibrahim Yamola, Dar; Salim Mohammed, Tanga; Joseph Lyimo, Manyara na Peter Saramba, Arusha.

Bajeti


SERIKALI jana ilitangaza Bajeti ya Sh15trilioni kwa mwaka wa fedha 2012/2013 ambayo pamoja na mambo mengine, imelenga kudhibiti mfumuko wa bei kwa kutangaza kutoa vibali vya kuingiza chakula kutoka nje, huku ikiwabana matajiri kwa kuongeza kodi ya bidhaa zisizokuwa za lazima.
Akisoma bajeti hiyo bungeni Dodoma jana, Waziri wa Fedha, Dk William Mgimwa alitangaza pia kwamba Serikali imepanua wigo wa Kodi ya Mishahara (Paye) na sasa itawagusa wafanyakazi wenye kipato cha kuanzia Sh170,000 badala ya Sh135,000 ya awali, huku ikirejesha mafunzo ya Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (JKT) kwa kutenga Sh7 bilioni kwa ajili ya kuchukua vijana 5,000.
Dk Mgimwa katika Bajeti hiyo pia alitangaza ongezeko la kodi za bidhaa mbalimbali, ikiwamo, bia, soda, sigara, juisi zinazoingizwa kutoka nje huku ikifuta msamaha wa ushuru wa bidhaa kwa magari kwa wote waliokuwa wananufaika na msamaha huo.
Alifafanua kwamba kodi ya vinywaji baridi imepanda kutoka Sh69 kwa lita hadi Sh83 na mvinyo unaotengenezwa kwa zabibu inayozalishwa nchini kwa kiwango kinachozidi asilimia 75, imeshuka kutoka Sh425 kwa lita hadi 145 kwa lita.
Kodi ya mvinyo unaotengenezwa kwa zabibu inayozalishwa nje ya nchi kwa kiwango kinachozidi asilimia 25, imepanda kutoka Sh1,345 kwa lita hadi 1,614 kwa lita.
Alisema kodi ya vinywaji vikali imepanda kutoka Sh1,993 kwa lita hadi Sh2,392 kwa lita, bia inayotengenezwa nchini kwa nafaka na ambayo haijaoteshwa, kodi yake imepanda kutoka Sh248 kwa lita hadi Sh310 kwa lita. Bia nyingine zote kodi imepanda kutoka Sh420 hadi Sh525 kwa lita.
Akizungumzia marekebisho ya ushuru kwenye bidhaa za sigara, Dk Mgimwa alisema zote zisizo na kichungi na zinazotengenezwa kwa tumbaku inayozalishwa nchini, kiwango cha angalau asilimia 75, kodi imepanda kutoka Sh6,820 hadi Sh 8,210 kwa sigara 1,000.
Alisema Sigara zenye kichungi na zinazotengenezwa kwa tumbaku inayopatikana nchini kwa kiwango cha angalau asilimia 75, kodi imepanda kutoka Sh16,114 hadi Sh19,410 na sigara nyingine zenye sifa tofauti na makundi hayo, kodi imepanda kutoka Sh29,264 hadi Sh35,117 kwa sigara 1,000.
Alisema tumbaku ambayo ipo tayari kutengenezwa sigara (cut filler) kodi yake imepanda kutoka Sh14,780 hadi Sh17,736 kwa bunda la sigara 1,000 wakati ushuru wa cigars unabaki kuwa asilimia 30.

Gharama za simu juu
Katika bajeti hiyo, Waziri Dk Mgimwa alisema muda wa maongezi (airtime) kwenye simu za mkononi umeongezeka kutoka asilimia 10 hadi 12.
Alisema lengo la hatua hiyo ni kuoanisha ushuru wa bidhaa unaotozwa na huduma hiyo katika nchi za Jumuiya ya Afrika ya Mashariki (EAC), kwa kipindi hiki ambacho nchi zipo katika Soko la Pamoja.
Alisema hatua hizo za ongezeko la ushuru wa bidhaa kwa pamoja, zinatarajiwa kuongeza mapato ya Serikali kwa kiasi cha Sh144,054.9 milioni.

Misamaha ya kodi ya magari

Waziri huyo alipendekeza kufanyika marekebisho kwenye sheria husika za kodi ya matangazo ya Serikali yanayotoa msamaha wa kodi kwenye magari kwa walengwa mbalimbali ili kuweka ukomo wa umri wa miaka minane kwa magari hayo badala ya miaka 10.
Alisema magari yenye umri wa zaidi ya miaka minane  yatatozwa ushuru wa bidhaa wa asilimia 20. Lengo la hatua hiyo ni kupunguza wimbi la uingizaji magari chakavu na kulinda mazingira.
Alitangaza pia marekebisho katika ushuru wa forodha, ikiwemo kufuta msamaha wa ushuru wa forodha katika vitu mbalimbali vikiwemo magari yenye ujazo wa CC 3000 huku pia ushuru wa forodha ukifutwa katika bidhaa nyingine nyingi muhimu.
Alisema katika kuhamasisha na kuchochea ukuaji wa sekta ya ufugaji wa nyuki, vifaa vinavyotumika katika ufugaji na kurina asali vimepewa msamaha wa ushuru wa forodha vinavyoingizwa kutoka nje ya nchi na wafugaji wa nyuki.
Alisema msamaha wa ushuru wa forodha kwenye migahawa ya majeshi ya ulinzi utaendelea kutolewa kwa kipindi cha mwaka mmoja.
Alisema kumefanyika marekebisho katika Sheria ya Forodha ya Jumuiya ya Afrika ya Mashariki ya mwaka 2004 ili kutoa msamaha wa ushuru wa forodha kwa wazalishaji wa vyakula vinavyotengenezwa mahsusi kwa lishe ya watoto wenye utapiamlo na watu wanaoishi na Virusi Vya Ukimwi.
Alisema kuwa katika Bajeti hiyo, pia wametoa msamaha wa ushuru wa forodha kwenye malighafi zinazotumika katika kutengeneza vifaa vya kufanyia uchunguzi wa magonjwa (medical diognastic kits) kwa kuwa vifaa hivyo hutozwa asilimia sifuri vinapoagizwa kutoka nje ya nchi.
Katika marekebisho hayo, utatolewa msamaha kwenye mitambo (machinery) na vipuri vyake vinavyotumika kwenye uchimbaji wa madini lakini hautahusisha vipuri vya magari vitakavyoagizwa na makampuni yanayojihusisha na uchimbaji wa madini.
Katika bajeti hiyo, pia umetolewa msamaha wa ushuru wa forodha kwenye vyuma vinavyowekwa kwenye kingo za barabara na lengo lake ni kutoa unafuu katika ujenzi wa miundombinu ya barabara.
Alisema ushuru wa forodha umepunguzwa kwa ving’amuzi kutoka asilimia 25 hadi asilimia sifuri ili kuwezesha mabadiliko katika teknolojia ya analogia na kwenda katika teknologia ya digitali.
Alisema katika Bajeti hiyo, pia ushuru wa ngano umeondolewa kuwa asilimia 0 badala ya asilimia 35
Alisema Serikali pia imesamehe VAT katika mashine za kutolea stakabadhi (electronic fiscal devices), ili kupunguza bei yake na kuwezesha wafanyabiashara wengi kuwa nazo, kuhamasisha matumizi yake na hivyo, kuongeza mapato ya Serikali.
Katika eneo hilo, Serikali imeondoa VAT kwa vifaa mbalimbali vya kuhifadhia, kusafirisha na kusambaza gesi asilia ili kuongeza matumizi ya nishati hiyo katika sekta mbalimbali za kiuchumi, kwenye magari, majumbani na viwandani.

Kodi kwa wafanyabiashara
Wafanyabiashara ambao mapato yao hayazidi Sh3,000,000 hawatalipa kodi kuanzia Julai Mosi, mwaka huu. Dk Mgimwa alisema mpango huo umefanywa kulinda mapato ya Serikali.
Kabla ya msamaha huo, wafanyabiashara hao ambao mapato yao hayazidi Sh3,000,000 walikuwa wanalipa Sh35,000.
Marekebisho mengine ya kodi ya mapato ni kuwa wenye mapato kati ya Sh3 milioni –Sh7.5 milioni watalipa Sh100,000 badala ya Sh95,000.

Malengo ya Bajeti
Waziri Mgimwa alisema Bajeti hiyo imejielekeza katika Kukuza Pato la Taifa kwa asilimia 6.8 mwaka 2012 ikilinganishwa na ukuaji wa asilimia 6.4 mwaka 2011.
Malengo mengine ni kuimarisha miundombinu ya uchumi, ikijumuisha umeme, barabara, reli na bandari, kuongeza upatikanaji wa huduma za kifedha na kuongezeka kwa mapato ya ndani yatakayofikia uwiano na Pato la Taifa wa asilimia  18 kwa mwaka 2012/13 kulinganisha na mwelekeo wa asilimia 16.9 mwaka 2011/12.
Dk Mgimwa alitaja malengo mengine kuwa ni pamoja na kuendelea kudhibiti mfumuko wa bei ili urudi kwenye viwango vya tarakimu moja na kuwa na kiwango tengemavu cha ubadilishaji wa fedha kitakachotokana na mwenendo wa soko la fedha.
Malengo mengine ni kukuza mikopo kwa sekta binafsi kwa kiwango cha asilimia 20 ya Pato la Taifa ifikapo mwishoni mwa Juni 2013, sambamba na jitihada za kudhibiti mfumuko wa bei, kuboresha mazingira ya wafanyabiashara wadogo na wa kati, kulinda na kuendeleza mafanikio yaliyopatikana katika sekta za huduma za jamii, kuimarisha utawala bora na uwajibikaji na  kujenga uwezo wa nchi kukabiliana na misukosuko ya kiuchumi na kifedha pamoja na kushiriki kwa ufanisi katika ushirikiano kikanda na kimataifa.

Matumizi ya Maendeleo
Kuhusu matumizi ya maendeleo, Waziri Mgimwa alisema itazingatia vipaumbele vya miundombinu ya umeme - mkazo ukiwa upatikanaji wake kwa  kuongeza uzalishaji, usafirishaji na usambazaji na jumla Sh498.9 bilioni zimetengwa.

Serikali pia itatekeleza mradi wa ujenzi wa bomba la gesi kutoka Mtwara hadi Dar es Salaam kwa mkopo kutoka Benki ya Exim ya China wenye thamani ya Dola za Marekani 1.2 milioni utakaosimamiwa na TPDC.
Kuhusu usafirishaji na uchukuzi, alisema mkazo katika sekta hiyo utakuwa ni kuimarisha reli ya kati ikijumuisha ukarabati wa injini na mabehewa ya treni.
“Kwa upande wa barabara, miradi inayopewa kipaumbele ni pamoja na barabara zenye kufungua fursa za kiuchumi. Katika usafiri wa anga na majini, miradi itakayotekelezwa ni pamoja na ujenzi na ukarabati wa viwanja vya ndege na uendelezaji wa gati ya Ziwa Tanganyika. Jumla ya Sh 1,382.9 bilioni zimetengwa katika eneo hili,” alisema.

Kuhusu maji safi na salama, alisema lengo ni -  kuongeza upatikanaji wake mijini na vijijini na kwamba kiasi cha Sh568.8 bilioni kimetengwa.
Kwa upande wa kilimo, uvuvi na ufugaji alisema katika sekta hizo, Serikali kwa kushirikiana na sekta binafsi itawekeza katika kilimo cha mpunga na miwa katika mabonde makuu ya Wami, Ruvu, Kilombero na Malagarasi pamoja na kuongeza tija na thamani, kubadilisha mfumo wa kilimo na kukuza kilimo cha misitu.
Kuhusu kuongeza uzalishaji wa mazao ya chakula pamoja na kuhakikisha uhakika wa chakula, Serikali itaimarisha utekelezaji wa dhana ya Kilimo Kwanza kwa kuhakikisha nguzo zake zote zinaendelea kuzingatiwa.
Alisema mikoa inatakiwa kuendelea kutenga ardhi na vijiji kutakiwa kupima na kurasimisha ardhi kwa ajili ya wawekezaji wa ndani na wa nje na kwamba kiasi cha Sh192.2 bilioni kimetengwa katika eneo hilo.
Ikizungumzia maendeleo ya viwanda, alisema Serikali inakusudia kuendeleza viwanda vinavyotumia malighafi zinazopatikana nchini; viwanda vinavyoongeza thamani ya madini; viwanda vikubwa vya saruji na viwanda vya eletroniki na Tehama pamoja na kuboresha mazingira ya biashara na kutenga maeneo maalumu ya uwekezaji mijini na vijijini na kukuza ubia kati ya sekta ya umma na sekta binafsi.