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.

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

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

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.

Dk Mwakyembe awasha moto TRL

BAADA ya kusafiri kwa treni kutoka Dar es Salaam hadi Dodoma, Waziri wa Uchukuzi, Dk Harrison Mwakyembe amebaini hujuma nzito katika Shirika la Reli Tanzania (TRL) ikiwamo ofisa mmoja kuwaibia abiria kwa kughushi viwango vya nauli na ameagiza afukuzwe kazi.

Licha ya kuagiza kutimuliwa kwa ofisa huyo, pia alitangaza kuandaliwa utaratibu wa kufanya mabadiliko kadhaa katika kuboresha usafiri huo, ikiwamo kuondoa malipo ya nusu nauli kwa watoto wadogo kuanzia miaka mitatu hadi miaka 10 na pia kuondolewa kwa utaratibu wa malipo ya mizigo midogo ya abiria.

Juzi, Dk Mwakyembe ambaye tayari amewang’oa vigogo wanne wa Shirika la Ndege Tanzania (ATCL), aliamua kusafiri kwa treni hadi Dodoma akitokea Dar es Salaam ili kujionea utendaji kazi wa shirika hilo.

Mara baada ya kuwasili katika Stesheni ya Dodoma saa 1:30 asubuhi, Waziri Mwakyembe alizungumza na waandishi wa habari na kusema akiwa katika safari hiyo, amepata fursa za kutembelea mabehewa yote na kuzungumza na abiria.

Dk Mwayembe alisema ingawa safari ilikuwa nzuri, kuna mengi ambayo ameyabaini ambayo ni pamoja na abiria kulipa nauli kubwa na kuandikiwa tiketi tofauti jambo ambalo alisema ni wizi na kamwe wizara yake haiwezi kulifumbia macho.

“Unakuta nauli halali ni Sh9,000 lakini, abiria ameandikiwa Sh29,000. Sasa nimeagiza huyu anayehusika afuatiliwe na kujulikana na nipewe taarifa ameondolewa,” aliagiza Dk Mwakyembe.
Alisema pia katika safari hiyo, alibaini uchakavu mkubwa wa mabehewa na hakuna tofauti ya daraja la tatu na la kwanza, upungufu mwingine ni katika utendaji na taratibu jambo ambalo linapaswa kuchukuliwa hatua.

Dk Mwakyembe alisema si vyema mtoto kuanzia miaka mitatu kulipishwa nusu nauli, kwani taratibu zinapaswa kufanywa ili hadi mtoto wa miaka 10 ikiwezekana asilipishwe nauli kwani treni ndiyo usafiri wa umma.

Kuhusu mizigo, alisema kwa sasa mizigo ya abiria inalipiwa kwa kilo kama ilivyo usafiri wa ndege jambo ambalo si sawa kwani mzigo wa abiria kuanzia kilo 20 unalipishwa jambo ambalo linapaswa kuangaliwa.

“Usafiri huu mimi nasema ndiyo wa umma hivyo, tusizuie watu kupeleka hata zawadi nyumbani kwao ni vyema tuwe na utaratibu walau mizigo kidogo ya abiria isilipiwe,” alisema Dk Mwakyembe.

Safari tatu kwa wiki
Akizungumzia tatizo la ratiba za usafiri, Dk Mwakyembe alisema mipango inafanywa ili kufikia Desemba, mwaka huu walau kuwe na safari tatu za kutoka Dar es Salaam hadi  Kigoma na Tabora na kuondoa kero zilizopo sasa.

Waziri huyo alisema anaamini safari hizo zikirejea, zitapunguza wingi wa abiria na msongamano wa watu kwenye treni na pia zitasaidia kuanza kwa usafirishaji wa mizigo kwa kutumia usafiri huo.
“Tutawaomba wabunge wapitishe bajeti yetu na wapande treni ili kuona usafiri huu, nina amani tukiondoa upungufu kidogo, huu utakuwa usafiri mzuri sana,” alisema.

Hujuma
Naibu Waziri wa Uchukuzi, Dk Charles Tzeba ambaye allimpokea Dk Mwakyembe alisema licha ya kuwepo hujuma katika nauli za abiria, pia wamebaini hujuma kubwa katika mizigo inayosafirishwa kwa reli katika mashirika yote ya TRC na Shirika la Tanzania na Zambia (Tazara).

Alisema maofisa wasio waadilifu wa mashirika hayo, wamekuwa wakisafirisha mizigo mingi lakini inayoandikiwa na kulipwa serikalini ni ile yenye uzito mdogo.

“Utakuta mzigo wa tani 40 hadi 60 unaandikiwa tani 10 au 20 fedha nyingine zinaingia mifukoni mwa wajanja, hatutakubali jambo hili,” alisema Dk Tzeba
Alisema yeye na waziri wake, pamoja na maofisa wengine, watakuwa wakisafiri kwa kushtukiza kwa reli mara kwa mara ili kubaini hujuma zote na kuwachukulia hatua wahusika mara moja.
“Mimi nilikuja hapa Dodoma kwa kiberenge na baadhi ya wabunge wa kamati ya miundombinu na leo amekuja waziri kwa treni hii haitakuwa mara yetu ya kwanza, tutasafiri sana kwa reli ili kubaini hujuma zilizopo,” alisema Dk Tzeba.

Zanzibar yaongeza kodi ya mafuta, bandari

SERIKALI ya Mapinduzi Zanzibar (SMZ) imetangaza Bajeti yake kwa mwaka 2012/13 ambayo pamoja na mambo mengine, imeongeza kodi katika maeneo manane ikiwamo mafuta, ada ya bandari na ushuru wa stempu huku ikiwa na maeneo sita ya kipaumbele.

Maeneo hayo ya vipaumbele ni afya, ajira kwa vijana, ustawi wa wazee, elimu, kuimarisha uchumi na kuhifadhi mazingira ili kukabiliana na mabadiliko ya tabia nchi.

SMZ katika bajeti yake hiyo, imepanga kutumia Sh307.8 bilioni kwa kazi za kawaida na Sh341.1bilioni kwa ajili ya shughuli za maendeleo huku makusanyo yakitarajiwa kuwa 648.9 bilioni.

Akiwasilisha Bajeti hiyo jana kwenye Baraza la Wawakilishi, Waziri wa Nchi, Ofisi ya Rais (Fedha Uchumi na Mipango ya Maendeleo), Omar Yussuf Mzee alisema kwa kuzingatia dhamira ya Serikali katika kukuza mpango wa maendeleo, imependekeza marekebisho ya viwango vya tozo ya kodi.

Mzee alitaja mabadiliko hayo kwamba yamegusa  Sheria ya Ushuru wa Stempu namba 6 ya mwaka 1996, Sheria ya Kodi za Hoteli namba 1 ya mwaka 1995, Sheria ya Ada za Bandari namba 2 ya mwaka 1999 na Sheria ya Ushuru wa Petroli namba 7 ya mwaka 2001.

Sheria nyingine ni ile ya Usimamizi na Utaratibu wa kodi namba 7 ya mwaka 2009, Sheria ya kodi ya Ongezeko la Thamani (VAT) namba 4 ya mwaka 1998, Sheria ya Bodi ya Mapato Zanzibar namba 7 ya mwaka 1996 na Sheria ya Mafunzo ya Amali namba 8, ya mwaka 2006.

Waziri huyo alisema kutokana na mabadiliko hayo, ada ya bandari imependekezwa kuongezwa kutoka Sh1,000 ya sasa hadi Sh2,000 kwa abiria wanaosafiri kati ya Zanzibar na Tanzania bara.
Mzee alisema abiria wanaosafiri kati ya Unguja na Pemba watatozwa Sh1,000.

Eneo jingine ni kuongeza ushuru wa mafuta kwa Sh50 kwa lita inayoingia visiwani humo kwa mafuta ya petroli na dizeli tu, hatua ambayo alisema inatarajiwa kuiingizia SMZ mapato ya Sh3.3bilioni.
Akizungumzia ongezeko la ushuru wa stempu, waziri huyo alisema Serikali inapendekeza kuongeza kutoka asilimia moja na nusu ya sasa hadi asilimia tatu, hatua ambayo itaongeza mapato kwa Serikali ya Sh2.10 bilioni.

Waziri Mzee alitaja eneo jingine ambalo limefanyiwa marekebisho kwamba ni Sheria ya Usafiri Barabarani, ambako Serikali imependekeza kurekebisha kiwango cha leseni za njia ili kiendane na uzito gari au ukubwa wa injini yake.

Alisema kiwango cha sasa cha ada ya leseni ya njia Sh24,000 kwa gari kwa mwaka, hakizingatii matumizi ya njia tofauti za gari.

Waziri huyo alisema kutokana hali hiyo, Serikali inapendekeza tozo la Sh15,000 kwa kila gari kwa mwaka na Sh3,000 kwa chombo cha moto cha magurudumu mawili au matatu.
Alisema hiyo inatokana na ongezeko la idadi ya magari nchini kila mwaka na hivyo, kuathiri mazingira kutokana na moshi unaotokana na magari hayo.

Marekebisho mengine ni yale ya viwango vya ada za huduma mbalimbali zinazotolewa na Serikali na taasisi zake baada ya kubainika kuwa zimepitwa na wakati.

Waziri huyo alisema katika mwaka wa fedha, Serikali inakusudia kufanya marekebisho kiwango cha kodi huduma za mahoteli, migahawa na kutembeza wageni.

Alisema Serikali imependekeza kuongeza kiwango cha kodi kwa hoteli, migahawa na watembeza wageni wasiosajiliwa VAT kutoka asilimia 15 ya sasa hadi asilimia 18.

Ukuaji uchumi
Kuhusu ukuaji wa uchumi, Mzee alisema uchumi wa Zanzibar unatarajiwa kukuwa kwa asilimia 7.5 kutoka  asilimia 6.8 mwaka 2011.

Alisema mfumuko wa bei unatarajiwa kushuka hadi kufikia asilimia 8.7 kwa mwaka huo wa 2012  ukilinganishwa na mwaka jana, ambao ulikuwa ni asilimia 14.7.

Alisema uchumi wa Zanzibar kwa mwaka huu unatarajiwa kuimarika zaidi kutokana na mipango mbalimbali ya Serikali katika ukusanyaji wa mapato, kutoka vyanzo mbalimbali.

Kishindo cha bajeti leo

SERIKALI, KAMATI YA BUNGE WAELEWANA, ZITTO ASEMA NI BAJETI YA KULIPA MADENI, MAMA LISHE WATAKA MFUMUKO WA BEI USHUKE, WALIA MAISHA
Waandishi Wetu
LEO ni siku ya Bajeti kwa mwaka wa fedha 2012/13. Waziri wa Fedha, Dk William Mgimwa anatarajiwa kuanza kusoma Bajeti ya Serikali inayosubiriwa kwa hamu na mamilioni ya Wananchi 10.00 jioni.
Hotuba ya Dk Mgimwa itatanguliwa na ile ya Mipango ya Serikali itakayosomwa asubuhi mara baada ya kipindi cha Maswali na Majibu na Waziri wa Nchi, Ofisi ya Rais (Uhusiano na Uratibu), Stephen Wassira.

Kutwa nzima ya jana, Dk Mgimwa na watendaji wengine wa Wizara ya Fedha walikuwa katika pilikapilika za kukamilisha maandalizi ya bajeti hiyo ya Sh15 trilioni, ambayo inatarajiwa kuwa na vipaumbele saba.

Baada ya kipindi cha maswali na majibu jana, Kamati ya Uongozi ya Wabunge wa CCM, ilikutana chini ya uenyekiti wa Waziri Mkuu, Mizengo Pinda kufanya maandalizi ya kuwapa taarifa ya bajeti hiyo wabunge wakewaliotarajiwa kukutana kuanzia saa 10 jioni.
Kikao hicho ambacho kiliendelea hadi saa tisa alasiri, pia kilihudhuriwa na Dk Mgimwa na Manaibu wake, Janeth Mbene na Saada Mkuya Salum ambao kama alivyo waziri wao, nao wote ni wapya katika wizara hiyo.

Dk Mgimwa alisema jana kwamba maandalizi ya bajeti yalikuwa yamekamilika na tayari Serikali ilikuwa imefikia mwafaka na Kamati ya Bunge ya Fedha na Uchumi inayoongozwa na Mbunge wa Bariadi Magharibi (CCM), Andrew Chenge.

“Hoja za wajumbe wa Kamati ya Bunge ni kwamba Serikali iongeze Bajeti ya Maendeleo kutoka asilimia 30 hadi 35 na Bajeti ya matumizi ya kawaida ishuke kutoka asilimia 70 hadi 65, lakini tumejaribu kufanya mapitio ya pamoja imeshindikana,” alisema Dk Mgimwa na kuongeza:

“Hata hivyo, tumekubaliana kwamba kuanzia mwaka ujao wa fedha tuanze kujipanga mapema ili tuweze kufikia lengo hilo na hata ikiwezekana tuvuke hapo.”

Kwa upande wake, Chenge alisema: “Tumewasikiliza na mazingira ndiyo hayo sasa katika hatua hiyo unafanyaje? Lakini hata wao (Serikali) wameanza kuona umuhimu wa hoja yetu kwa hiyo tumeelewana nao kwamba katika bajeti ijayo ambayo nayo haiko mbali, basi wazingatie mapendekezo ya wabunge.”
Hata hivyo, Waziri Kivuli wa Fedha, Zitto Kabwe alisema Bajeti hiyo ya Serikali haitoi matumaini kwa Watanzania kwani itakuwa ni kwa ajili ya kulipa madeni.

“Hii yaweza kuwa Bajeti ya kulipa madeni zaidi kuliko ya kuchochea maendeleo.... yaweza pia kuwa ni Bajeti ya kukopa maana jumla ya Sh 5.1 trilioni (Dola za Marekani 3.19 bilioni), zitachukuliwa kama mikopo kwa Serikali. Mikopo ya kibiashara ambayo ni mikopo ghali sana itachukuliwa kwa wingi zaidi kuliko mwaka wa fedha uliopita.”

Hofu ya kukwama
Awali, kulikuwa na hofu kwamba bajeti hiyo ingekwama kutokana na wabunge kusisitiza kuongezwa kwa fedha maendeleo.

Hata hivyo, wabunge kupitia Kamati ya Fedha ya Uchumi walilegeza msimamo wao kutokana na maombi ya Waziri Mgimwa na Waziri Mkuu, Pinda ambao kwa nyakati tofauti, walinukuliwa katika vikao vya kujadili bajeti hiyo wakiwaomba wabunge wasiwabane kwani watendaji wa wizara hiyo walikuwa ni wapya.

Lakini kuna taarifa kwamba hata sura ya sasa ya bajeti hiyo inatokana na Dk Mgimwa kuifumua katika baadhi ya maeneo baada ya kuingia ofisini kutokana na mabadiliko ya Baraza la Mawaziri yaliyofanywa mapema mwezi uliopita na Rais Jakaya Kikwete na kumweka nje aliyekuwa akiongoza wizara hiyo, Mustafa Mkulo.

Pinda alinukuliwa akizungumza katika kikao cha kutoa mwongozo kwa wabunge wote (briefing) kwamba, Dk Mgimwa aliomba ridhaa ya Rais kufumua bajeti hiyo upya ili iweze kwenda sawa na mtizamo wake kama kiongozi wa wizara, hali iliyosababisha kuchelewa kwa vitabu vya bajeti kwani baadhi viliandaliwa upya.

Hata hivyo, baadhi ya wabunge wakiwamo wa CCM walisema kwa nyakati tofauti kwamba wanaiona Serikali kutokuwa na usikivu kwani mapendekezo yao kila mwaka yamekuwa hayatekelezwi.
“Ni yale yale tu, kweli Dk Mgimwa ni mpya kwenye Wizara lakini hata angekuwa Mkulo hakuna kinachotekelezwa, kila siku wanaahidi halafu hawatekelezi.” alihoji mmoja wa wabunge wa CCM jana.
Hata hivyo, wabunge wa CCM hawawezi kuzuia Bajeti Kuu ya Serikali kutokana na kubanwa na kanuni za chama hicho, lakini huenda hasira zao zikaziangukia bajeti za wizara na kuwaweka mawaziri katika wakati mgumu.

Uchambuzi wa Zitto
Uchambuzi wa Zitto unaweka wazi kwamba vitabu vya Bajeti vinaonyesha mafungu matano ya juu kwenye Bajeti hiyo kuwa ni Deni la Taifa (Sh2.7 trilioni), Wizara ya Ujenzi (Sh1 trilioni), Wizara ya Ulinzi (Sh920 bilioni), Wizara ya Elimu (Sh721 bilioni) na Wizara ya Nishati na Madini (Sh641 bilioni) ambazo jumla yake ni Sh5.982 trilioni.

“Jumla ya mafungu haya ni sawa na asilimia 40 ya Bajeti. Kwa hiyo asilimia 40 ya Bajeti yote imepangwa kwa mafungu matano tu. Fungu lenye kiwango kikubwa zaidi ya Bajeti kuliko vyote ni fungu 22 ambalo ni malipo kwa Deni la Taifa,” unaeleza uchambuzi huo uliofanywa na Zitto na kuongeza:
“Pia sehemu kubwa ya fedha zilizotengwa kwa Ujenzi na Nishati ni madeni kwa makandarasi wanaotekeleza miradi ya miaka ya nyuma. Wabunge wanapaswa kufanya uchambuzi zaidi wa Bajeti ya mwaka huu inayopendekezwa na Serikali.”

“Kuna haja kubwa ya kuharakisha kuanzishwa kwa Ofisi ya Bajeti katika Bunge na Kamati ya Bunge ya Bajeti ili kuweza kufuatilia kwa karibu, kuchunguza na kutoa taarifa kwa wabunge ili kuwezesha kuboresha Bajeti.”

Kilio cha wafanyabiashara
Wafanyabiashara katika Soko Kuu la Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam wametaka bajeti hiyo iwe ya kumaliza tatizo la mfumuko wa bei ya vyakula.

Akizungumza kwa niaba ya wenzake, mmoja wa wafanyabiashara hao, Elizabeth Edward alisema bajeti mara nyingi imekuwa haiwalengi watu wa hali ya chini, bali wenye uwezo.
Edward alitaka Bunge litumie kipindi hiki kupunguza  mfumuko wa bei ya chakula ili wananchi waweze kuona unafuu wa maisha.

“Hivi sasa mchele mzuri unauzwa kuanzia Sh2,200 hadi Sh2,500 lakini, mimi siwezi kununua mchele wa bei kubwa. Nitanunua mchele wa Sh1,800 hadi 1,660 ambao ni mbaya una mchanga,” alisema Mama Lishe huyo na kuongeza:

“Mafuta ya kula tunauziwa lita moja Sh3,000, sukari Sh2,400 hivyo kutokana na vyakula kupanda, chai tunauza Sh200 na vitafunwa kuanzia Sh200 hivyo, watu wengi hawanunui, mtu anaona bora ale muhogo wa Sh100 na maji tu.”

Mfanyabiashara wa Soko la Mabibo, Issa Abdallah alisema bajeti hiyo haimwangalii mfanyabiashara wa chini... “Tunataka Bunge liilegeze bajeti ili kuondoa mfumuko wa vyakula hapa nchini.”
“Kama wabunge wangekuwa na umoja, nina imani huu mfumuko wa bei ya vyakula usingekuwapo hivyo, wabunge wote wanatakiwa wagomee bajeti ambayo itamkandamiza mwananchi wa hali ya chini.”

Mtaalamu wa uchumi kutoka Chuo Kikuu Mzumbe, Dk Prosper Ngowi alisema kutokana na hali ya uchumi wa nchi kukabiliwa na changamoto ya mfumuko wa bei na umaskini wa watu wake, inahitajika bajeti inayoweza kutoa majibu kwenye matatizo ya msingi.

Dk Ngowi aliyataja matatizo hayo kuwa ni pamoja na umeme, miundombinu ya umwagiliaji na ile ya usafirishaji kama barabara na reli.

Hata hivyo, alisema dalili zinaonyesha kuwa hilo haliwezi kufanikiwa, kwani katika Sh15 trilioni zinazotarajiwa kuwasilishwa kama Bajeti ya Serikali kwa mwaka wa fedha wa 2012/13, Sh5 trilioni pekee  ndizo zinatarajiwa kutumika kwa shughuli za maendeleo.

“Kuna tetesi kuwa kati ya hizo Sh5.25trilioni zitakwenda kulipa madeni na zitakazobaki ndizo za maendeleo, hali hii inaonyesha kabisa kuwa hakuna matumaini,” alisema Dk Ngowi.

Alisema swali jingine la kujiuliza ni wapi Sh15 trilioni za bajeti zitakakopatikana akisema ukusanyaji wa kodi wa Serikali hauridhishi na pia nchi wahisani zinazotegemewa nazo pia hali yake ya kiuchumi siyo nzuri.

Fourth woman in sex corruption case named

SINGAPORE - The woman who is believed to have been in a "sex-for-business" deal with former Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) chief Ng Boon Gay has been named in court today.

She is Cecillia Sue Siew Nang, who was an employee of two IT vendors, Hitachi and Oracle, when the sexual trysts took place.
Ng, 44, allegedly obtained sexual gratification on four occasions from Sue between June 2011 and December 2011.
According to the AFP, the charges state Ng had oral sex with Sue four times, twice when she was a sales manager with Hitachi Data Systems Pte Ltd and twice when she worked for Oracle Corporation Singapore Pte Ltd.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a statement that the trysts are believed to have been in exchange for helping to 'further the business interests of the relevant IT vendor, in respect of that vendor's dealings with CNB'.
Ng pleaded not guilty to all four charges. He is currently out on a $10,000 bail.
Sue joins the other three women who have been named in court regarding the high profile case.
The three are Esther Goh Tok Mui, Lee Wei Hoon and Pang Chor Mui, who are believed to have traded sexual favours with former Singapore Civil Defence (SCDF) chief Peter Lim Sin Pang in return for him favouring their companies during IT-related tenders held by the SCDF.
At the time of the offences, Pang was a general manager at Nimrod Engineering, Lee was a director at Singapore Radiation Centre, and Goh was a director of business development at NCS. Both Nimrod Engineering and NCS were then vendors to the SCDF while SRC was a potential vendor.
Miss Pang allegedly performed oral sex on Lim on May 2, 2010, in a carpark near the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Lee allegedly performed oral sex on Lim at a carpark at Big Splash in East Coast Park on Nov 23 last year. They also had sex some time between Oct 18 and 21 in a hotel in Paris, France.
Goh, who is single, is alleged to have had sex with Lim seven times between April 20 and Nov 13 last year. The first time was in a carpark near the Marina Bay Golf Course.
They had sex twice in Lim's apartment in Tanjong Rhu, and another tryst in a carpark near the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
They also had sex three times in a Clementi flat.
The word "obtained" used in court documents in both cases indicate that the men were the likely parties that initiated the sexual propositions.
Lim is facing a total of 10 charges and has yet to make a plea. If found guilty, the three women may also be charged.

Speeding Audi kills Chinese girl in hit-and-run

In yet another hit-and-run tragedy, an 11-year-old primary school student in Xi'an, China, was killed when an 18-year-old Audi driver rammed his car into the girl on June 5. Zhu Qian's body was flung a distance of more than 10 metres and then dragged a further 26.5 metres. Chinese police later arrested the young Audi driver, known only as Zhu, in his home after tracking down the car's registration number. Witnesses said that the girl was using the pedestrian crossing when Zhu's car ran the red light and hit her. He also stopped for two seconds before speeding away. In these pictures taken by a passer-by, the girl's relatives can be seen mourning over her lifeless body as onlookers watched helplessly. According to witnesses, the girl's father was sobbing uncontrollably while slapping himself on the face and apologising to his daughter for not being there earlier.

Dk. Mgimwa ahaidi kutanzua kero ya kodi

WAZIRI wa Fedha na Uchumi wa Tanzania Bara, Dk. William Mgimwa, amesema suala la wafanyabiashara wa Zanzibar kutozwa kodi mara mbili wanapopeleka bidhaa Tanzania bara litapatiwa ufumbuzi katika kipindi kifupi kijacho.
Kauli hiyo alitoa jana wakati akizungumza na waandishi wa habari visiwani hapa.
Alisema kodi ni suala linalogusa maisha ya watu, hivyo manung’uniko ya wafanyabiashara kutozwa mara mbili yanapaswa kushughulikiwa.
Dk. Mgimwa alisema kuwa katika utaratibu wa kawaida wa kisheria duniani kote, ukilipia kodi upande mmoja wa Muungano hutakiwi kulipia tena upande mwingine, na kwamba si utaratibu wa kawaida, hivyo amewaagiza TRA kungalia juu ya hali hiyo.
Alisema kuwa baada ya kuangalia upya mfumo uliopo na kubaini dosari, watakaa na kujadiliana ili kutoa mapendekezo kwa viongozi na matatizo yaliyopo yaweze kupata ufumbuzi.
“Uamuzi wa kuupitia upya mfumo huo utatekelezwa na wizara zinazosimamia mambo ya fedha na sera, kwa sababu ndio wanaoguswa na masuala ya kodi kwa maana ya utendaji,” alisema.
Dk. Mgimwa aliongeza kuwa, lengo la kuupitia upya mfumo huo ni kupata muafaka juu ya mambo yanayolalamikiwa katika mfumo wa sasa wa kodi.
Akizungumzia suala la Zanzibar kulipwa asilimia 4.5 ya hisa zake katika Benki Kuu ya Tanzania (BoT), Dk. Mgimwa alisema suala hilo pia linahitaji mabadiliko.
Alisema mabadiliko hayo yanaweza kufanyika baada ya kuangalia vigezo vilivyotumika kuweka kiwango hicho kama bado vina mantiki.
Dk. Mgimwa alisema lengo la serikali ni kupata mfumo unaotumika katika aina zote za mifumo ya muungano ili kupata utaratibu usiolalamikiwa na walipa kodi na wadau wa pande mbili za Muungano.
Alisema utekelezaji wa kazi hiyo pia utalenga kuijengea Tanzania mazingira bora ya kuingia katika ushirikiano wa masuala ya fedha na soko la pamoja la nchi wanachama wa Afrika Mshariki (EAC).

Mawaziri wafariki ajali ya helikopta

NI PROF SAITOTI, NAIBU WAKE NA MAOFISA WA JUU WA SERIKALI YA KENYA
Mwandishi wetu, Nairobi
WAZIRI wa Usalama wa Ndani Kenya, Profesa George Saitoti na Naibu wake, Orwa Ojode pamoja na maofisa wengine watano, wamefariki dunia baada ya helikopta ya Polisi waliyokuwa wamepanda kuanguka msituni.
Profesa Saitoti ambaye ni mmoja wa mawaziri waandamizi katika Serikali ya Rais Mwai Kibaki na mmoja wa wanasiasa wakongwe wanaoheshimika Kenya, aliwahi pia kuwa Makamu wa Rais kati ya mwaka 1976 hadi 1979 na alishatangaza kuwania urais katika Uchaguzi Mkuu wa mwakani.
Jana, Saitoti ambaye ni mchumi aliyebobea na bingwa hisabati, akiwa na naibu wake na maofisa hao wa wizara walipata ajali wakati wakielekea katika eneo la Sotik kwa ajili ya  mkutano wa usalama.
Ajali hiyo ilitokea asubuhi katika eneo la Kibiku, karibu na Mji wa Ngong, kilometa 20  kutoka Nairobi.
Taarifa zilisema helikopta hiyo ya polisi ilikuwa imebeba abiria saba ambao wote walifariki dunia huku miili yao ikiharibika vibaya.
Profesa Saitoti alikuwa Mbunge wa Kajiado tangu mwaka 1988 hadi mauti yalipomkuta.

Mashuhuda
Walioshuhudia ajali hiyo, walisema waliona helikopta hiyo ikizunguka angani kabla ya kuanguka katika Msitu wa Ngong.
Baada ya kutokea ajali hiyo, polisi walilizingira eneo la ajali huku Kamishna wa Polisi, Mathew Iteere ambaye na yeye alikuwapo katika eneo hilo akisema atatoa taarifa kamili kuhusiana na  ajali hiyo kwa waandishi wa habari baadaye.
Ajali hiyo imetokea ikiwa ni miaka minne tu tangu kutokea kwa ajali nyingine ya helikopta Juni 10, 2008 ambayo ilisababisha vifo vya mawaziri wawili.
Mawaziri walipoteza maisha katika ajali hiyo ni pamoja na Kipkalya Kones na Lorna Laboso.

Mambo muhimu kwa Saitoti
Saitoti ambaye alizaliwa mwaka 1945 kabla ya kupatwa na mauti hayo, aliwahi kutoa wito kwa raia wa Kenya  kuwachagua viongozi ambao ni watendaji wa kazi bila ya kuangalia kabila, rangi na dini.
Kiongozi huyo ambaye kabla ya kuwa Waziri wa Usalama wa Ndani, alikuwa Waziri wa Fedha na pia Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Benki ya Dunia kati ya mwaka 1990 hadi 2001, alisema Wakenya wanapaswa kuwachunguza viongozi kabla ya kuwachagua ili kuepuka kuchagua wala rushwa.
Profesa Saitoti alibainisha kuwa kuna haja ya wanasiasa wote  kutowagawa Wakenya wakati wa kampeni zao ili kuepuka kile kilichotokea katika uchaguzi 2007.
Alisema kutokana na uzoefu wake, yeye ndiye aliyekuwa na uwezo wa kumrithi Rais Mwai Kibaki.
“Mataifa yote yanatuangalia sisi sasa hivi, nini tunachokifanya wakati huu na nini kitakachotokea wakati wa uchaguzi mkuu mwakani,” alisema.
Marehemu Saitoti ndiye aliyekuwa akiongoza jeshi la nchi hiyo kwa ajali ya kuwatafuta wafuasi wa kundi la Al Shabab, Somalia

Man secretly films foreign women in S'pore to promote spy camera

In order to promote his spy cameras, a man is using them to film videos of attractive women and posting them online.

STOMPer Longnails is disgusted that a man is promoting spy cameras by shooting videos of attractive foreign women and posting them online.

The videos are posted on Youtube, all with links to a website selling a spy camera. The spy camera is modelled after a mobile phone, and can take photographs, record sound and videos.

Said the STOMPer:

"This guy is seriously twisted!

"He stalks foreign women, films them secretly, and posts the videos on Youtube.

"It is even worse that he does this to promote the sale of a spy camera.

"The spy camera is made to look like a phone, but has no mobile phone functionality.

"This means its sole purpose is to take pictures, record videos and audio clips without people knowing.

"The stuff he is selling will compromise our privacy.

"He may even corrupt our young by showing the depraved things he can do with his gadget.

"Someone better do something about this freak."

Cleaners protest by littering Barcelona airport

Travellers walk on a floor that has been littered with pieces of paper strewn by cleaning staff who protested at Barcelona's airport on May 30, 2012. Cleaning staff working for a company who have a contract with the airport demonstrated against pay and benefits cuts made by their employer. The cleaners' strike has brought chaos to El Prat Airport in Barcelona - more than 200 workers have stopped clearing the terminal. The Spanish Airports Authority said that it is making an effort to solve the situation.

Who is the hottest of them all?

The verdict's out on who's the most beautiful of them all. Well, this year at least.
Model Bar Refaeli has topped Maxim's new 2012 Hot 100 list as the most beautiful woman in the world.
Actresses Olivia Munn and Mila Kunis took second and third spot, respectively, while Katy Perry came in fourth.
This year marked the first year Maxim readers could weigh in on who made the list.
Battleship actress Brooklyn Decker made the top 50 at no. 42, while Kristen Stewart pipped her Snow White co-star Charlize Theron by a spot to take no. 15 on the list.