Kiswahili Press Summaries - moved to "Bongo Kijiweni"

Dear reader,
I have decided to move Kiswahili Press Summaries to "Bongo Kijiweni" blogsite. My hope is to try and forward those summaries in a more consistent manner.

Thank you
Ned

Open Positions for Agric. Econ (CIMMYT)

Agricultural Economist – Senior Scientist or Scientist

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

Kiswahili Press Summaries: Wednesday Nov 18

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

Zanzibar:

CUF yet to submit names to Karume

CUF has yet to submit two names to President Amani Karume for appointment to the House of Representatives. The party director for foreign affairs, Ismail Jussa, said this is because Leader of the Opposition in the House is travelling out of the country. He said according to the 1984 constitution it is the Opposition Leader, Abubakar Khamis, who has to submit the names to Karume. This will hopefully be done this week, Jussa said. When asked to name the names he claimed he was not informed.

Meanwhile, CUF chairman Professor Ibrahim Lipumba said the Hamad-Karume rapprochement has its root in the funeral of the founder of the party, Shaaban Mloo, who died on 14 March this year. Lipumba told TBC TV that Mloo was veteran island leader and his funeral ceremony was attended by Karume and other CCM veterans. One of them took it upon himself to bring together leaders from both parties. His initiative eventually led to the meeting between Seif Sharif Hamad and Karume. Lipumba declined to name the initiator, saying he didn’t do it for fame. But he was members of the first Revolutionary Council, Lipumba indicated.

Secretary General of EAC, Juma Mwapachu said it wouldn’t be a bad idea if Zanzibar formed a power sharing government. “I am sure people will welcome power sharing by our friends in Zanzibar. It happened in Germany and Italy so there is no reason why it can’t succeed in Zanzibar,” Mwapachu said. (Mwananchi, Habari Leo, Nipashe)

Governance:
First Lady campaigns for Kikwete
From 29 October until 1 November this year President Jakaya Kikwete was in Mbeya where he visited villages and spoke to people. He left behind his wife Salma who had her own regional tour. In fact she arrived in Mbeya after finishing a tour of Rukwa. In Mbeya she had a busy schedule. While meeting members of CCM women wing (UWT), she said she was in the region for her Women in Development (WAMA) NGO. Some observers however say the busy regional tours of Kikwete and the first lady is connected to the 2010 elections. She is thus using her WAMA platform to conduct the campaign. Her predecessor Anna Mkapa also had her own NGO but she was hardly politically oriented as is Salma Kikwete. (Raia Mwema)

Extravagance of EAC secretariat

Financial situation with the East African Community (EAC) secretariat is said to be shaky due to failure by five member states to pay their contributions in time. Yet it hasn’t deterred the secretariat from spending Sh 5 billion in one year on travel expenses for its executives and other officials. The EAC Assembly was told this week that this is an increase of 87 percent over the previous financial year. A 46-page report said while in 2005/6 the amount spent was $ 1.9 million in 2006/7 the amount shot up to $ 3.6 million. Some East Africa MPs were galled by such extravagant expenditures and they called for instant remedial measures to be taken. Eriya Kategaya (Uganda) said it is unacceptable for the secretariat to spend all that money on travels while EAC depends on donor funding. (Raia Mwema)

Parastatal

Extravagance of Tanesco chief

Managing Director of Tanesco, Dr Idriss Rashid spent a whopping Sh 49 million on decorating his residence with things such as artificial flowers, furniture, paintings, wall clocks and sculptures. This is at his official residence at Toure and Chaza Lane, plot 13 Oyster Bay. The tenders were awarded to M/s McSoms Furniture Mart T/A Royal Furniture, M/s Haase General Enterprises Limited and M/s Game. No tender was floated and only three bidders were invited. Previous to this lavish face lift, Dr Rashid renovated his residence at a cost of Sh 500 million. This was questioned by an MP. Meanwhile, investigation revealed that Dr Rashid has a three-year contract under which he is not entitled to official residence. He is paid a monthly salary of Sh 11 million. (MwanaHalisi)

Other Nov 18 Swahili press Snippets

1 Chadema leaders blame Mtei for the leadership row (Mtanzania)
2 MP Telele defends invasion of Loliondo by Kenya Masai (Mtanzania)
3 Govt to transfer primary teachers to ward level secondary schools (Mtanzania, Majira, Habari Leo, Nipashe)
4 Pinda – Shameful for Lindi to beg for food (Mtanzania, Habari Leo)
5 Mob kills police inspector mistaking him for thief (Mtanzania, Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi)
6 Soldiers assault secondary students at Ubungo (Mwananchi)
7 Govt engages US consultancy firm for energy contracts (Kulikoni)
8 Minister Malima – Mining agreements to be transparent (Majira, Habari Leo)
9 Luhanjo declines to comment on Richmond (Kulikoni, Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi)
10 APRM recommends restructuring of ZEC (Kulikoni)
11 DPP drops charges against ex-CUF lawmakers but they are rearrested (Kulikoni, Majira, Tanzania Daima, Mwananchi, Habari Leo, Nipashe)
12 Kikwete is told the problem is not ministers’ age but commitment (Majira, Mwananchi)
13 Eight ministers accused of incompetence (Raia Mwema)
14 15 Sh 14 billion disappears from TRA (Raia Mwema)
16 Corrupt tycoons to bankroll Kikwete in 2010 (MwanaHalisi)
17 Tanzania does well in TI report (Habari Leo)
18 Natural Resources ministry asks for PCCB probe (Nipashe)

Courting disaster with land-for-rent deals?

Last week I posted what I saw as a new scramble for Africa.

Since then, I have tried to scavenge and read everything I could get, on the genesis of this whole deal. In a way I can see why and how some people would see this trend as a defibrillator to “poor-country” fledgling agricultural sector. Having said that however, I still do not see a compelling reason for a country like Tanzania to get itself in what could be termed as “land-for-rent” diplomacy. It could be that I do not have much info (... of which I will beg to be informed), or I am simply ignorant of the underlying principle(s) (of which I will beg to be educated). Bottom line, I still can't see the logic of it.

Talking of my limited knowledge on this, here is what I know:

- The years 2007 – 2008; for reasons beyond most poor country control, the price of oil started to spin out of control and for a few weeks hovered around $130 per barrel.
- This drove the “energy guzzlers” into panic mode; and a search was on for alternative source sof energy.
- Biofuels looked promising, and big corporations jumped on it! On the surface, it sounded good (I mean who is not interested to earn a little more?), - and just like that the food prices (and especially grain) around the world went through the roof.
- With an open and free market economy, farmers in poor countries saw the opportunity to earn more and jumped on it, even when it meant moving their products cross border to get to the highest bidder.
- Needless to say, national food security programs (in the poor nation) were the first to start feeling the pinch and steps became necessary for these governments to imposed punitive export taxes (to discourage exporting the much-needed food grain).
- Not enough good land or water to feed the people + less (or too expensive) import meant food shortage (even for the rich) which would surely translate onto higher food costs and unacceptable inflation rates.
- Solution… look beyond borders for place to grow own food.

We know in general terms; “whoever has what is in short supply, reaps the rewards!” My naive mind suggests – this situation would have provided the poor countries with a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to take control of our destiny in the global market.
With good land, enough water (despite poor technology & poor infrastructure), This wave was meant to be ours - and for a good reason.
I am sorry if I sound a little pessimistic, but I am not convinced “our friends” are here on purely altruistic motives. I would say, if they wants to help, let them help us with the technology, and the infrastructure. You are not helping me by coming to “cook” your food in my house! The last time I checked you will be using my kitchen, my pots and pans, my electricity and whatever else you will need. Even if you will bring your pots and pans… it is still my house and my kitchen. NOW; if you REALLY need to use my kitchen? lets talk... and lets talk business... forget this "help them" blah blah. Does this sound too hard to understand?
This whole thing ought to be a “business” proposition rather than a “help” deal.
And since majority of the people in these "poor" countries rely heavily on land... any deal SHOULD be done in an honest and transparent manner - short of which, I am afraid we will only be courting disaster.

Modern Scramble for Africa?

It has been reported that a deal is on the pipeline for South Korea to acquire/lease some 1000 sq. km (386 sq miles) of Tanzanian land to farm and cater for South Korean food market.

Of course it is said half of the land will be farmed for “local farmers” and only the other half is for S. Korea…

I will be honest; I am struggling with these kinds of arrangements! Somehow, I can’t make the sense of it!
It is obvious these guys need food – lots of it! I would think the most sensible thing would have been for us to position ourselves to sell what they need - at a market price of the day. I would think signing this deal would effectively benefit S. Korea (not Tanzania) and give them an edge in the market place + a cheap source of food. Would someone please tell me we are getting more than “transfer agricultural know how and irrigation expertise…”

Now, this is not the first time we read of some “rich” country trying to acquire foreign land for their own use (remember “empire for empire's sake," philosophy of the 1880’s?).
A few months back we read of the Saudis, and the Chinese, and the Kuwaitis and… and … you see the trend here?
A trillion dollar question is; Are we about to witness another “Scramble for Africa”?
History taught us of the events of 1880’s when Africa became the victim of an aggressive competition among the European “powers”, an era that was characterized by an unprecedented pursuit for territorial acquisitions. What scare some of us are some similarities that seem to characterize what is going on now.
And just like the scramble of the 1880’s resulted into political control by European powers over Africans; it is likely these “modern” efforts are destined to result into economical (and most likely political) control over Africans.
Now, I know some of my friends will not agree with me… but it is obvious both of these phenomenon are fueled by doctrines of racial superiority; doctrines that assumes people of other race as being unfit for self-government – and therefore a need for “help”…. We all know what came out of that - a systematic elimination of all forms of African autonomy and self-governance. Is this what we want?

Dual citizenship & reaction ya wabongo

Waungwana,
katika ku vinjari blog ya brother Michuzi kuna "clip" ya hotuba ya Mhe. raisi J.K. alipokutana na wa-bongo wa LA. IN response to hotuba yake, wadau wametoa "comments" kibao (- takribani 59) zinazohusu clip hiyo ambapo pamoja na kuwa kuna baadhi ya waliotoa mawazo ya maana, nyingi ya hizo comments ni madongo kwa raisi.
Sasa niweke wazi kuwa, naishi Dar, na hivyo sikuwepo kwenye mkutano! Uelewa wangu ni kutokana na ninavyolijua hili swala (ambalo mjadala wake haukuanza leo) hiyo "clip" na maoni ya watu kuhusian na hiyo "clip".
Nianze tu kwa kusema kuwa; ni maoni yangu kuwa madongo mengine kwa kweli hayakustahili.
Nilichoelewa kutokana na nilichoona na kusikiliza kwenye hiyo "clip" ni 3 things: 1. Hoja ya uraia wa mchi mbili haikupokelewa vizuri na "wasomi" wa hapa nchini - note the quotes. 2. Ni maoni yake Raisi kwamba hoja hii bado ina "merit" and 3. Amesema "Tutaendelea kufundishana na kueleweshana..." translation... bado kuna kazi ya kueleweshana na kwamba the debate is still open and very much on the table. Sikusikia Mhe. raisi akisema this issue is a done deal - and the decision has been reached; na wala sidhani kama amesema kuwa hakubaliani na wazo la dual citizenship. IN fact nimesikia akisema kuwa anaona hii issue ina "merits". Kwa upande mwingine, ni ukweli kuwa ; raisi alikuwa akitoa "briefing" of what is going on here in Tanzania (kama ambavyo maraisi wengine wamekuwa wakifanya walipokuwa wakija na kukutana na waTz). Sidhani kama context ilikuwa kwa yeye kuja na kujaribu kuwashawishi watu wa LA ku-"buy" anything - aidha kukubaliana na namna anavyoongoza au whatever! I think nia ilikuwa kupeana taarifa. Kwa mtaji huo, hayo madongo kwamba raisi hakutoa point n.k sioni uhalali wake. Nadhani ingekuwa halali kusema "raisi hakutuambia "tulilotaka kusikia"... - I think that would have been fare.

Baada ya kusema hivyo, turudi kwenye hili swala la dual-citizenship!
Hili swala halikuanza leo (mwaka 1994 tulikuwa tunalizungumzia... leo 2009 bado linazungumziwa! And so it has been a long time... too long if you ask me. Lakini, ni mawazo yangu kuwa unless wadau (na hasa tunaodhani hili linatuhusu zaidi) tunajaribu kujadili hoja hii kwa kina na kwa uwazi na kuishia "pazuri" nadhani tutaendelea kutupiana madongo na kulaumiana hadi tufikie umri wa kustaafu, vijana wetu nao watakuja na watendelea kujadili... a typical UNATO! KUNA umuhimu mkubwa kwa "wasomi" kujadili hili swala kwa undani na upana wake - sio tu kwa faida yetu, bali hata kwa wakina "Membe" ambao inasemekana wamefika mahali hawana point za kuendelea kutetea hoja hii. To save ourseleves form unending discussions, kuna umuhimu sana kwa "wasomi' (hasa walio in diaspora - kwani linatuhusu zaidi); kulijadili hili na ikiwezekana, mjadala huo kuishia kwenye sort of a "white paper" on dual citizenship specifically pertaining to our Tanzanian context. Nimeishi Marekani kwa miaka takribani 14. Watoto wangu wamezaliwa US (yaani ni wamarekani)... na leo naishi Dar (mwaka wa pili sasa). Hii issue inanihusu directly! lakini nashawishika kuamini kuwa unless tupo tayari kuifanyia kazi... we will be wasting our time.

On a different note kuna hili swala la uchumi, na role ya wazawa in diaspora Vs wageni (baadhi wamewaita "maspana boy") wanaokuja "kuwekeza" hapa nchini. Yes... ni wazi hapa bongo, kuna tofauti kubwa sana kati ya local investors na wageni - I would say the scale is 1/1000 in favor of wageni! This is NOT good! and for lack of a softer language - totally unacceptable. KInachotokea sasa is what amounts to a transfer of economic power from the indigenous to foreigners (foreignization of our economy). Hapa Dar, ardhi imefika $300,0000 - $1,mill kwa kipande kidogo cha kujenga... who buys? foreigners! Matokeo wazawa wanasukumwa pembezoni mwa mji - wenyewe wanasea "kumwamishia mtu Boko"! Kuna sababu nyingi zinazopelekea hali hii, ikiwa ni pamoja na ukosefu wa matayarisho to the so called a "globlobalized economy". Hii ina jionyesha katika namna nyingi, Lakini, nadhani kilicho wazi zaidi ni swala la ukosefu wa capital kwa wazawa (both in fiscal and in human terms). YOU see... it is obvious that we as indigenous lacks human capital... our human capital ni kiduchu ile mbaya. On the other hands, wageni wanakuja hapa and they are "blessed" in both of those two terms! They are loaded with cash, and they arrive here very focused on what they are trying to do, to what ends and how they are going to play the game etc. Add this to the fact that the money they come with allow them to "buy" so much... in fact so much more than what they could get in their own country. Sasa Wageni loaded in all sense.. wazawa watupu! Na pamoja na ukweli kuwa kuna juhudi zinazofanyika kujaribu japo kusaidia, lakini pia ni ukweli kuwa juhudi hizo may be too little too late + the fact kuwa the majority of wabongo ARE clueless of what is going on! Matokeo ndiyo hayo... wazawa kukosa ubavu wa kushindana na wakina "Von Hoit". Sasa kuna mambo kadhaa yanayopelekea hali hii... probably a topic by itself - na hivyo tusiende sana huko...
Bottom line: Ni umuhimu wa "wasomi" hasa those in diaspora, kufikiria namna ya kuweka mikakati ya kuja kujichukulia nchi yao kiuchumi. Swala la uraia wa nchi mbili ni hoja - tena muhimu tu. Lakini, nadhani la muhimu zaidi ni kwa "wasomi" kuweke kipaumbele pale panapostahili. Nadhani kipaumbele (atleast kwangu) ni kwa kila msomi kufikiria namna ya kukaa "mkao wa kula" - Please... SINA maana ya wizi na ufisadi - that is trash mindset! Ninachokisema ni kwamba; sidhani kuna faida yoyote kwangu binafsi, kupigania u-dual citizen wakati ambapo bado sina mpango wowote wa ku "take advantage of my current status" kama mTz niliyefunguka macho japo kidogo. Ninachokisema ni kwamba... kwa MTz unaishi US, UK, JP or wherever ughaibuni.... Umetembea na kuaona wengine wanaishi vipi , na wanakabiliana vipi na maisha yao. Kwa hilo tu, tayari una nafasi kubwa ya kuingia uwanjani na - kwa pigo moja; to make a huge play and make a difference (at the same time); kuliko 97.5% ya watanzania ambao wapo hapa Bongo, hawajawahi kutoka na wala hawana mpango!
My wish ni kwa sisi wabongo kupunguza "uswazi" na kuanza kudiscuss "real" issues ambazo "control yake ipo mikononi mwetu! issues that we can have a direct and an immediate impact! Nionavyo mimi (as much as I would like for it to be otherwise) hili swala la dual-citizen binafsi sina control nalo (hata kama ningetaka...mimi si mmbunge na wala simfahamu mmbunge yeyote kiasi hicho). Sasa naweza kuamua kuendelea kupiga kelele na mwishowe nitaishia kutukana! And still do not think I will get to a point that I will see myself in control of the outcome - or even the timing of that outcome! Wakti huo huo, ninaamini my exposure to how "others" are "doing it" inaweza kunisaidia japo kuandika ka "project" katakochoweza kuniweka pazuri - while trying to set myself, my family - and who knows - my contry to a better life!
Waungwana... This bongo place still have lots of "kero". Jamaa mmoja ame-comment kuwa harudi Bongo kwa kuwa bongo "kuna mbu wengi sana" - LOL.... OK tha is true...BUT hivi kweli siwezi kukaa chini nikatafuta namna ya kuja - japo kujaribu kupunguza hao mbu? I mean... hivi hakuna ka-model mahali naweza kukachanganua na kukaweka sawa kidogo japo nikaja hapa nikafanya kitu?
In anyway... I am just thinking aloud - thoughts that probably amounts to nothing... but what do you think?
* and by the way (just that you know)... it is possible to live in Bongo and significantly minimize uwezekano wa wewe kuumwa na hao mbu - thought I should point out - LOL
Peace

TANESCO Vs Dowans Vs Wenye nchi

Late yesterday the “Dowans Saga” came to what some may consider its most logical conclusion.
For those who are unfamiliar with this saga… Hawa Dowans ndio walionunua na kupokea mikoba ya kampuni hewa Richmond. Baada ya kusuasua kwa miezi/miaka kadhaa, na kushindwa kabisa kutimiza wajibu wao TANESCO waliamua kuvunja mkataba wao na hawa jamaa (na kukomboa mamilioni "kazaa" ambayo hawa jamaa walikuwa waki ya chuna kiulaini). Jamaa waliamua kufungua kesi mahakamani – Aidha Dowans pia wakatangaza nia yao ya kuuza mitambo yao iliyopo Tanzania (ambayo ilikuwa imeshatumika – yaani si mipya). TANESCO kwa kuchelea kutiwa “changa la macho” (na hasa kwa kuwa walikuwa wanawadai hawa jamaa wa Dowans "kitu kidogo") waliamua kufungua kesi kuzuia uuzaji wa mitambo hiyo. Ni muhimu kufahamu kuwa kesi zote hizi mbili bado zipo mahakamani (naomba kurekebishwa iwapo moja ilisha kwisha).
round hii ya hili saga ilianza pale TANESCO ilipotaka kununua mitambo hiyo ya Dowans (ambayo si mipya) kwa kutoa sababu kuwa “ina ihitaji ili kuzuia giza kubwa linaloweza kuigubika nchi yetu hapo baadaye - december…”
Kisheria… (Public Procurement Act) ni marufuku kwa serikali au shirika lolote la kiserikali kununua mitambo ambayo imeshatumika (kama ilivyo ya Dowans). Kamati ya bunge ya nishati na madini (ikiongozwa na Mhe. Shelukindo) ililiona hilo na kushauri TANESCO (neno kushauri ni key hapa) kufuta mpango wake wa kununua mitambo hiyo ya Dowans, na badala yake mipango ifanywe, tenda itangazwe na inunuliwe mitambo "mipya" - hata kama hilo litamaanisha kuongeza pesa kidogo. In my humble opinion... a very good and professional ushauri! Hasa kwa kuwa bei inayoongelewa ili kuweza kununu mitambo ya Dowans ni 75% ya bei ya kuweza kupata mitambo ambayo ni "Brand new".
TANESCO wakaona haiwezekani... wakaamua kuwakilisha kesi yao kwa kamati nyingine ya Bunge (Mahesabu na uhakiki wa mashirika ya umma - iunayoongozwa na Mhe. Zitto Kabwe). Somehow wao (kamati ya Mhe. Zitto Kabwe) wakaridhia TANESCO wanunue mitambo hiyo… sababu iliyotolewa “...ili kulinusuru taifa kutokana na giza linalokuja..." neno "national Interest" pia lilitumika.
Just like that kukawa na kamati mbili za bunge zinapingana na kutupiana madongo “mbere ya ru-public”– a perfect recipe for public humiliation (or was it discussion?)
Nionavyo:
1. Mitambo ni michakavu… the deal should have stoped there!… game over! Unless sheria ina vunjwa au kupindwa… there is no way this deal could go through. Waheshimiwa wote wanalijua hilo (ambao wana jukumu la kuhakikisha sheria zote za nchi - ikiwa ni pamoja na za manunuzi; zinafuatwa). Kwa nini baadhi yao walidhani it is OK kupinda sheria hii ya manunuzi kwa faida ya TANESCO - That is anyone’s guess! Ukweli ni kuwa wengi hatuelewe, na huenda Ingetusaidia sanakama taifa iwapo wenye”nchi” tungeelimishwa ulazima huo umetoka au ulikuwa unatoka wapi.

2. Tulijengewa mazingira ya kuamini kuwa Dowans & TANESCO ni kama panya na paka… na hiyo ikadhihirishwa kwa TANESCO & Dowans kuburuzana mahakamani… Kesi hiyo bado ipo mahakamani na hukumu is still out there. Leo TANESCO na Dowans wanataka kuingia deal mpya… WHAT? Hii ni kweli au "changa la macho tena?... inakuwa kama mtu anasema.... Oh yeah… we in court for a formal dissolution of our former marriage… but Hey what the heck… lets get engage and marry each other all over again…. (???mhh!$@!@%????) - for the rest of us... = kizunguzungu!

3. Board ya TANESCO tayari ilishapinga mpango huu, Speaker ametoa onyo kuhusu hatari ya kuendelea na mpango huu, kamati ya nishati na madini (ambayo ndio husika katika maswala kama haya) nayo pia imepinga … Na watu wengine kadhaa wamepinga.... Kwa maneno mengine… unless mtu unataka kujikaanga (literally)… this deal is dead

OK… hiyo jana alasiri; Mhe. Dr Mkurugenzi akatangaza kuwa; TANESCO wameamua kufuta uamuzi wao huo… lakini pia hakuishia hapo... Mhe. Dr. mkurugenzi akaamua kutoa what may amount to vitisho,.. na hapa ndipo ninapoona inakuwa issue.
Mh. Dr. Mkurugenzi anasema.. Eti “… wameamua kufuta uamuzi wao wa kununua mitambo ya Dowans; lakini taifa litakapo gubikwa na giza hapo december - taifa lijilaumu lenyewe kwa kushindwa kufanya mamuzi na kuwa wao TANESCO hawatakuwa wa kulaumiwa…” mhh????
1. Mhe. taifa ni nani? na TANESCO ni ya nani? mhhh????

2. Mhe. Your job is to get that “juice” to all of our offices, factories, homes and even our cowsheds! You are TANESCO…Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited... you are a Tanzanian company WHOLLY owned by the government of the URT.. Your job sir is to SUPPLY enough electric energy to meet (and exceed) our national demand. Hii hadithi ya “usilaumiwe” inatoka wapi?

3. Kumbe unafahamu kuna ukame unakuja… by the way hili swala la ukame si jipya; power rationing si zoezi jipya… everyone knows that! Kama kiongozi vipi usijitayarishe wewe na shirika lako SASA… ili kutupunguzia kero hiyo baadaye? In my book... you just announced to the world kushindwa kwako kutimiza wajibu uliopewa... was that the message you intended for us to get?

4. Mhe. Dr. Unataka kutwambia mitambo chakavu ya Dowans IS THE ONLY solution to this problem?

5. Kuna sheria zinazo izuia TANESCO kununua mitambo chakavu… In my book… that should have been “THE END” of story. Hii kitu ya kujaribu na kutaka kupindapinda sheria… inaleta wasiwasi… unajua "waswazi" (waswahili) wanachosema mitaani….I mean kuhusu uwezekano wa uwepo kwa “mkono wa mtu” katika umasikini tulionao? Au pia kuhusu deal hii kuwa ni sehemu ya mchakato wa kujenga “mazingira ya Rushwa” ... yanasemwa mengi... Lakini Mzee wetu mstahiki Dr. huoni statement zako hizi zinatuweka mkao wa kukufikiria vibaya? I mean… come-on- man!!! Were you serious? Kwa sababu hata mtoto mdogo anaweza kufikiria, mzee unaji-set ili kuwepo giza, kisha waswazi tuhahe kutafuta mitambo ya “Emergency”… si ndivyo ilivyo chezwa wakati wa Richmond? Au this is a different play? –from the same play book?

Peace

(EAC) Mr honorable - Stop Childish tactics!

I read with disdain the article on one of our local daily here in Bongo; - by the way who owns this daily? - start with M communication and your guess will be as good as mine:)

Never the less - the article report on what seem to amounts nothing but a cheap-shot childish tactics deployed by some of our honorable leaders from that place up north. What our learned honorable "mzee" tried to pull - seem like nothing but a blatant attempt to arm-twistTanzania into agreeing and sign on decisions which - could well impact negatively on Tanzanians.
I for one; am not happy with the game that is being played by some these honorables from up north! And I am sorry if this entry will seem to rub you on the wrong side! I am not a diplomat (meaning...nice, polished and polite wording may not be one of my strengths) and will not try to play one here.

The article infuriated me and made me feel outrightly disgusted - specifically by what seem like an endless barrage of accusations, humiliation and now childish tactics designed to box Tanzanians in-to submission!

The honorable minister for E.A Cooperation should know of the fact that history is always a very good teacher. He should know for a fact that, this EAC "thingy" is not a new idea (at least not to me); neither is this the first time we all are trying to talk and unite as people of East Africa. While I may not be as knowledgeable as Mr Honorable, I was already a grown up guy when some big wigs from his corner of the world planned and decided to “kututia changa la macho”. ... we were playing together for mutual benefit (or so we thought...). Growing up in Arusha, we grew singing to the praise of EAC... that was until the day we woke up and "our" dear EAC was no more!
Mr honorable minister should know for a fact that most of us while young (and probably naive) were not happy! and by the way... No one is left happy when he/she feels like the rug has been pulled right from under their feet; and left holding an empty bag!
Mr honorable... there is a saying... "you beat me once shame on you, you beat me twice shame on me" IN this kind of things... it is as simple as that.
Those guys (who were involved in stealing our EAC dream back then) walked on to their retirement rich and famous (and probable heroes in their own way). They made their decision to call it quit at a time that was convenient only to themselves and with NO regard what so ever to the rest of us. And their story? “...national interest exceed EAC interest” - fast forward 33 years to now.... I wonder if they would still sing the same song
And so our dear friends… DO NOT blame “us” when we try to be a little more cautious this time around! May be we are still licking the wounds you left us from the last “whacking”
Please DO NOT push us… you will do well to simply "back off" and try give us space + a fat piece of grace!
We may not be as fast as you "the smart ones"... but we are not stupid... and please do not treat us as ones.

A trust was once trashed and broken... it will take time to rebuild - please try to at least respect that. Calling names and playing childish games such as what happen this past friday, won't help
It would have been much more constructive if you would try and see on how you can elleviate some of our fears, concerns etc. You would have been much more helpful in trying to find ways to rebuild the trust that to most of us here in Bongo (yes most of us... so says the polls) - it is not there!

These kind of childish blackmail tactics can only do more damage... and so STOP it! Yo are not helping!
And if you think these kind of tricks will help put on pressure on us... please find a doctor and get yourself examined.
And if after everything you still find our speed too slow to your liking… please feel free to take a hike and keep on stepping!

Peace!

SALAMU ZA MWAKA MPYA (Mhe. Raisi J.M.Kikwete)

Ndugu Wananchi;

Hatimaye imewadia ile siku ya kuuaga mwaka mmoja na kuukaribisha mwingine. Leo tunauaga mwaka 2008 na kuukaribisha mwaka 2009.

Kwanza kabisa, naomba sote tumshukuru Mwenyezi Mungu aliyetujaalia uhai na kutuwezesha kuiona siku hii adhimu salama. Ni wajibu wetu kumshukuru Muumba wetu kwani wapo wenzetu wengi hawakujaaliwa kuiona siku ya leo kwa vile wametangulia mbele ya haki. Wakati tukikumbushana wajibu wetu wa kumuomba Mwenyezi Mungu awape marehemu wetu hao mapumziko mema, tumuombe pia awape nafuu na kuwaponya wenzetu wote wanaougua maradhi mbalimbali ili wajumuike nasi katika shughuli za ujenzi wa taifa letu.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Mwaka wa 2008 tunaoumaliza leo ulikuwa mwaka wa aina yake kwa taifa letu na katika historia ya uongozi wangu. Ulikuwa ni mwaka ambao tumepata mafanikio mengi mazuri na mengine ya kihistoria katika nyanja mbalimbali za maisha ya wananchi wa Tanzania na taifa letu. Lakini, pia kulikuwepo na changamoto au matukio machache ambayo yalisababisha baadhi ya watu ndani na nje ya nchi yetu wapate shaka juu ya hatima ya umoja, amani na utulivu wa nchi yetu. Umoja, amani na utulivu ndiyo nguzo kuu na sifa kubwa inayoitofautisha na kutambulisha Tanzania miongoni mwa mataifa barani Afrika.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Tunamshukuru Mwenyezi Mungu kwamba tumeumaliza mwaka huu kwa usalama, amani na utulivu. Tuzidi kumuomba baraka na rehema zake, katika mwaka 2009, ili nchi yetu iendelee kuwa na amani, utulivu na watu wake waishi kwa upendo, umoja, masikilizano, mshikamano na ushirikiano kama ndugu wa taifa moja.

Pamoja na kumuomba Mwenyezi Mungu, hatuna budi kutambua kuwa dhamana ya kuhakikisha kuwa nchi yetu inaendelea kuwa tulivu na yenye amani na upendo miongoni mwa watu wake ni yetu wenyewe. Ni ukweli ulio wazi kuwa katika mwaka huu tunaoumaliza sasa baadhi yetu tumekuwa tunafanya vitendo au kutoa kauli ambazo zilikuwa zinalielekeza taifa kubaya. Tena tulikuwa tunafanya hivyo kwa ajili ya kuendeleza manufaa binafsi ya kisiasa. Ni matumaini yangu kuwa tutajiepusha na mambo hayo katika mwaka 2009. Nawasihi viongozi wenzangu wa kisiasa na wa kijamii tubadilike, tuweke mbele maslahi ya taifa ili tuiepushe nchi yetu na mabalaa ambayo baadhi ya wenzetu yaliwakuta.

Hali ya Uchumi wa Nchi na Dunia
Ndugu Wananchi;
Kwa jumla hali ya uchumi wa nchi yetu kwa mwaka 2008 ilikuwa ya kiwango cha kuridhisha. Lakini, hali ingekuwa bora zaidi kama uchumi wa dunia usingepata misukosuko iliyoupitia sasa. Kwa sababu ya matatizo makubwa yanayoukabili uchumi wa dunia, baadhi ya malengo tuliyojiwekea kuhusu ukuaji na mwenendo wa uchumi wetu yameathiriwa.

Mfumuko wa Bei
Ndugu Wananchi;
Bei kubwa za mafuta zilizokuwepo kwa karibu miaka miwili mfululizo na hasa katika miezi kumi ya mwanzo ya mwaka huu zilipokuwa juu sana, imekuwa kichocheo kikubwa cha kupanda sana kwa mfumuko wa bei na ukali wa maisha hapa nchini. Aidha, kupanda sana kwa bei za vyakula tunavyoagiza kutoka nje kama vile ngano, mchele na vinginevyo viliifanya hali ya mfumuko wa bei kuwa mbaya zaidi.

Tulikuwa tumejiwekea lengo, kwa mfano, katika bajeti iliyopita kuwa tutateremsha mfumuko wa bei hadi kuwa asilimia 4.5 mwezi Juni, 2008 kutoka asilimia 5.9 ya mwezi Juni, 2007. Badala yake mfumuko wa bei ukawa asilimia 9.3 mwezi Juni, 2008 na kupanda hadi asilimia 12.3 ilipofika mwezi Novemba, 2008. Hivi sasa bei za mafuta zimeshuka kuanzia Oktoba, 2008 na hivi leo zimefikia dola za Kimarekani 38.4. Hali kadhalika, bei za baadhi ya vyakula nazo zimeshuka. Lakini, itachukua muda mpaka manufaa ya hali hiyo kuonekana kwa uchumi wa nchi yetu na wananchi wake.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Wakati mwingine hali huwa hivyo kwa sababu ya ukaidi na tamaa ya wafanyabiashara. Nimekwishawaagiza Mawaziri wahusika kuzibana mamlaka husika kutimiza ipasavyo wajibu wao kwa mujibu wa mamlaka waliyopewa kisheria kuwalinda wananchi dhidi ya wafanyabiashara wa aina hiyo. Wakati huo huo narudia kuwataka wafanyabiashara watoe ushirikiano unaostahili kwa maslahi ya wateja wao na taifa kwa jumla. Aidha, nazitaka mamlaka husika kutokuchelewa wala kuchelea kuchukua hatua zipasazo kwa wafanyabiashara wakaidi.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Kutetereka kwa mfumo wa fedha wa kimataifa na kuanguka kwa masoko ya hisa katika mataifa yaliyoendelea kumesababisha uchumi wa nchi hizo kudhoofika. Hali hiyo imekuwa na athari za namna na viwango mbalimbali kwa uchumi wa nchi zinazoendelea kama Tanzania.

Nilikwishalieleza siku za nyuma na napenda kurudia kusema kuwa sekta ya fedha hapa nchini bado ni tulivu. Haijaathiriwa na misukusuko inayoikumba sekta ya fedha ya kimataifa. Zipo sababu kuu mbili.

Kwanza, kwamba, sekta yetu ya fedha na soko la mitaji havijaunganishwa na mfumo wa fedha wa kimataifa na masoko ya hisa ya kimataifa. Hivyo basi, hakuna athari za moja kwa moja zinazotukuta hapa nchini kwa sasa.

Pili, kuna usimamizi mzuri wa soko na sekta ya fedha unaofanywa na Benki Kuu. Mpaka sasa, juhudi hizo za Benki Kuu zimesaidia. Hata hivyo, tunatambua haja na hoja ya kuendelea kuwa makini. Inaelekea matatizo ya mfumo wa fedha na uchumi katika nchi zilizoendelea yatachukua muda mrefu kutengemaa. Hatujui siku za usoni mambo ya yatakuwaje.

Serikali itaendelea kushirikiana na Benki Kuu kuzuia athari za soko la fedha duniani zisitufikie au kama zitatufikia, basi makali yake yawe nafuu. Kwa sasa mfumo wa ufuatiliaji (surveilance) na ule wa kutoa tahadhari ya mapema (early warning system) vinafanya kazi ipasavyo. Tuko tayari kuchukua hatua zaidi kama hapana budi.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Athari za hiyo Tsunami ya uchumi wa dunia, kama ilivyoitwa na baadhi ya watu, kwa uchumi wetu tumeanza kuziona kwa baadhi ya sekta. Tuchukue kwa mfano, sekta ya utalii. Katika mapumziko yangu ya mwisho wa mwaka huu nilitembelea mbuga zetu za hifadhi ya wanyama za Tarangire, Ziwa Manyara, Ngorongoro na Serengeti ya Kusini. Katika mazungumzo yangu na viongozi wa hoteli, hifadhi hizo na wale wa Shirika la Hifadhi za Taifa (TANAPA) nimeelezwa jinsi idadi ya watalii ilivyopungua na mapato yao kushuka kwa kati ya asilimia 7 na 18.

Aidha, nimezungumza na baadhi ya wamiliki wa viwanda vya kuchambua pamba na viongozi wa Bodi ya Pamba. Wote wamenieleza tabu wanayoipata ya kuuza pamba yao nje. Pia wanaelezea jinsi bei ya pamba ilivyoshuka katika soko la dunia. Katika kipindi cha mwezi Machi hadi Julai, 2008 bei ya pamba ilikuwa senti 82 za dola za Kimarekani kwa paundi na kushuka hadi senti 45 kwa paundi kwa sasa.

Hali kwa zao la kahawa nayo siyo nzuri. Nimeambiwa kuwa kati ya mwezi Agosti, msimu wa kahawa ulipoanza, na tarehe 18 Disemba 2008, bei ya kahawa ya Arabica kwenye soko la dunia, imeshuka kutoka dola za Kimarekani 158 hadi 104 kwa gunia la kilo 50. Hii ni sawa na anguko la asilimia 34. Katika kipindi hicho hicho, bei ya kahawa ya robusta imeshuka kutoka wastani wa dola za Kimarekani 93.6 hadi dola 65.46 kwa gunia la kilo 50. Hii ni sawa na anguko la asilimia 30.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Hata kwa mazao mengine nayo kwa jumla, hali ni hiyo hiyo ya kupungua kwa mauzo nje na kushuka kwa bei. Matatizo tunayoyapata sisi kwa mazao yetu ndiyo yaliyoikuta bidhaa ya mafuta. Kwa sababu ya uchumi kutetereka katika nchi za Marekani, Ulaya Magharibi, Japan, China na India mahitaji ya mafuta yamepungua na bei ya mafuta imeanguka kupita kiasi.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Kupungua kwa mauzo nje na bei ya bidhaa zetu pamoja na kupungua kwa watalii kuna athari kwa uchumi wa nchi yetu. Mapato yetu ya fedha za kigeni yatapungua jambo ambalo litapunguza akiba yetu ya fedha za kigeni, hivyo kuathiri uwezo wetu wa kuagiza bidhaa na huduma kutoka nje. Aidha, mapato ya Serikali kwa kodi zitokanazo na mauzo hayo yatapungua, hivyo kuathiri uwezo wa Serikali wa kutimiza majukumu yake ya kiutawala na kiuchumi. Isitoshe ajira chache zilizopo katika sekta husika zitapungua na kusababisha watu hao kuwa na hali mbaya kiuchumi.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Hali mbaya ya uchumi wa dunia inasababisha uwekezaji wa kutoka nje nao kuathirika. Baadhi ya wawekezaji walioonyesha nia ya kuwekeza nchini wameahirisha nia yao. Ukiacha hofu inayotokana na hali mbaya ya uchumi wa dunia, wengine wamekuwa wanapata ugumu wa kupata mikopo kutoka katika mabenki. Mabenki yamekuwa yanasita kukopesha na pale yanapokopesha masharti yake huwa magumu kiasi cha kuwakatisha tamaa wakopaji.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Nimezitaja baadhi tu ya athari za kuyumba kwa uchumi wa dunia kwa uchumi wa nchi yetu ili tutambue kuwa tupo kwenye mazingira magumu na hali ya baadae ni ya mashaka. Tunaweza kunusurika kwenye eneo moja lakini tukaathirika kwenye maeneo mengine kwa sababu uchumi wetu ni uchumi wa dunia ya utandawazi. Kutokana na athari hizo inakadiriwa kuwa hatutafikia malengo yetu ya kukua kwa uchumi mwaka huu 2008 na hata mwaka ujao wa 2009. Inakadiriwa kuwa uchumi utakua kwa asilimia 7.7 badala ya 7.8 mwaka huu na mwakani utakua kwa asilimia 7.3 badala ya asilimia 8 iliyokadiriwa.

Ndugu zangu;
Watanzania wenzangu;
Napenda sote tutambue kuwa kuna kila dalili kuwa mwaka 2009 huenda tutatumia muda mwingi na nguvu nyingi kukabili athari za machafuko ya uchumi wa dunia. Kwa ajili hiyo, hatuna budi kutambua hivyo mapema na kuwa tayari kusimama kidete kukabiliana na athari zake. Sisi katika Serikali tunafuatilia kwa karibu hali inavyoendelea duniani na hapa nchini na kuamua hatua za kuchukua. Tutaendelea kupashana habari. Maombi yangu kwenu wananchi wenzangu ni uelewa wenu na ushirikiano wenu. Umoja, mshikamano na ushirikiano wetu wakati huu ndivyo vitakavyotukinga na kutuvusha katika tatizo hili kubwa.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Yapo mambo kadhaa ambayo hatuna budi kufanya katika kukabiliana na hali hii tete hapa nchini. Miongoni mwa hayo lipo suala la kujenga uwezo wa ndani wa kujitegemea kwa mambo fulani fulani kama vile chakula na bidhaa muhimu kwa matumizi ya watu. Pili, linalolingana na hilo, ni suala la kukuza utalii wa ndani na kutafuta vyanzo vipya vya watalii kama vile Mashariki ya Kati na Asia. Tatu, kukuza masoko ya ndani kwa bidhaa zetu na masoko ya kanda kama vile SADC na EAC. Wakati mwigine tunahangaikia masoko ya mbali wakati soko lipo hapa ndani au nchi jirani.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Kwangu mimi kauli mbiu muafaka kwa mwaka 2009 ni “Mwaka wa Kuhami na Kukuza Uchumi wa Taifa”. Bahati nzuri kauli mbiu hii inawiana na mpango wangu wa kazi nilipoingia madarakani. Nilikuwa nimepanga kuwa, katika nusu ya kwanza ya kipindi changu cha uongozi tuelekeze nguvu zetu katika upatikanaji wa huduma za kiuchumi na kijamii, na nusu ya pili tushughulikie kukuza uchumi. Nafurahi kwamba, tumefanikiwa kuweka misingi madhubuti ya kisera na mipango ya uhakika ya utekelezaji kuhusu elimu, afya, barabara, maji na umeme vijijini. Utekelezaji wake unaendelea na changamoto yetu kubwa ni upatikanaji wa fedha za kutosha kutekeleza malengo tuliyojiwekea.

Nashukuru kwamba ufanisi mkubwa tulioupata katika ukusanyaji wa mapato ya ndani na misaada ya washirika wetu wa maendeleo tumeweza kupata mafanikio tuliyoyapata mpaka sasa. Hata hivyo mahitaji ya rasilimali bado ni makubwa. Ni wajibu wetu kuendelea kutafuta.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Kuanzia mwaka 2009 Serikali itaelekeza nguvu katika kukuza uchumi wa nchi kwa lengo la kuongeza mapato ya nchi na wananchi wake. Bahati mbaya au nzuri yanayotokea sasa duniani yanasisitiza haja na hoja ya kufanya hivyo. Pia, yameongeza jambo jipya la kufanya, nalo ni la kuhami uchumi usitetereke.

Kilimo Kipaumbele cha Kwanza
Ndugu Wananchi;
Katika agenda yetu ya kukuza uchumi, kilimo kimepewa kipaumbele cha kwanza. Tunafanya hivyo kwa sababu nzuri na za msingi kabisa. Kwanza, tunataka kuhakikisha kuwa tunajitosheleza kwa chakula na tunakuwa na ziada ya kutosha. Katika mazingira ya sasa ambapo bei za vyakula duniani ziko juu, kuwa na upungufu wa chakula na kulazimika kuagiza kutoka nje kutazua matatizo makubwa nchini. Mfumuko wa bei utatushinda kuudhibiti.

Pili, kilimo kitatupatia malighafi ya viwanda vya kusindika mazao ya kilimo na kuzalisha bidhaa kamili zinazotokana na mazao ya kilimo. Kuendeleza viwanda vya aina hii ni kipaumbele chetu cha pili katika agenda yetu ya kukuza uchumi wa taifa. Lazima tuanze safari ya kuuza nje mazao ya kilimo yakiwa yameongezewa thamani kuliko kuyauza yakiwa ghafi kama tufanyavyo sasa. Tutafanya kila liwezekanalo kuvutia wawekezaji wa ndani na nje ili kufanikisha azma yetu hiyo.

Tatu, kilimo ni chanzo kikubwa cha mapato ya fedha za kigeni kwa nchi, mapato ya serikali kupitia kodi na ni tegemeo la watu wengi nchini kwa uhai wao. Asilimia 8.5 ya fedha za kigeni hutokana na mazao ya kilimo na asilimia 80 ya Watanzania wanaishi vijijini ambapo kilimo ndiyo shughuli yao kuu ya kuwapatia mapato na maisha yao.

Hali ya Chakula
Ndugu Wananchi;
Hali ya upatikanaji wa chakula nchini ni nzuri kwa miaka miwili mfululizo sasa, yaani 2007 na 2008, na tumekuwa tunapata ziada ingawaje ni kidogo. Napenda kuwahakikishia kuwa hakuna tishio la njaa nchini. Hata yale maeneo ambayo yamekuwa yanapata upungufu wa chakula tumeweza kuyahudumia kwa kutumia ziada hiyo na akiba kutoka katika Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Chakula (SGR).
Kwa mfano, tathmini iliyofanywa mwezi Septemba, 2008 inaonyesha kuwa watu 240,544 katika Wilaya 20 nchini watakabiliwa na upungufu wa chakula kati ya Desemba, 2008 na Januari, 2009. Watu hao watahitaji tani 7,182 za chakula ambacho tayari kimekwishatengwa kutoka Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Chakula. Hifadhi hiyo sasa ina akiba ya tani 127,420.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Mvua za vuli hazikuwa nzuri kwa mikoa ya Pwani, Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Arusha na Manyara. Lakini, zimekuwa nzuri kwa mikoa ya Kagera, Mwanza na Mara. Hivyo basi mavuno ya vuli hayatakuwa mazuri katika mikoa iliyoathirika. Hali hiyo inaweza kuongeza iadi ya watu watakaohitaji msaada wa chakula. Hata hivyo, hakuna shaka yoyote tutaweza kuwahudumia. Matumaini yetu na sala zetu kwa mikoa hiyo ni kuwa mvua za masika zitakuwa nzuri. Ikiwa hivyo mzigo utapungua. Bahati nzuri mikoa mingine inayopata mvua moja hali ya mvua ni nzuri, hivyo inatutoa hofu ya upungufu mkubwa wa chakula nchini. Tuzidi kumuomba Mungu mvua zinyeshe kama kawaida katika mikoa hiyo nayo.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Dhamira yetu katika kuelekeza nguvu zetu katika kuendeleza kilimo ni kuongeza tija. Bahati mbaya kwa sasa tija iko chini sana jambo linaloelezea hofu za upungufu wa chakula, mazao ya biashara na hali duni ya maisha kwa wakulima wengi.

Kwa ajili hiyo Serikali imekusudia mwaka 2009 kutilia mkazo mambo matano:
a. Upatikanaji na matumizi ya mbegu bora;
b. Upatikanaji na matumizi ya mbolea;
c. Upatikanaji wa maafisa ugani;
d. Uendelezaji wa kilimo cha umwagiliaji pale inapowezekana; na
e. Upatikanaji na uimarishaji wa masoko ya mazao ya wakulima.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Mambo yote hayo na mengine ambayo sikuyataja si mapya. Tumekuwa tunayatekeleza katika miradi na programu mbalimbali za kuendeleza kilimo nchini kama vile DADP’s, PADEP na ASDP. Tunachokusudia kufanya mwaka ujao ni kutoa msukumo maalum wa kuendeleza kilimo kama tulivyofanya kwenye elimu na tunavyokusudia kufanya kwa upande wa afya.

Kuhusu upatikanaji wa mbegu, tumepanga kuimarisha vituo vyetu vya utafiti wa mbegu na kuongeza uwezo wetu wa kuzalisha mbegu hapa nchini. Kwa ajili hiyo nimewaagiza Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa na Jeshi la Magereza watumie sehemu ya mashamba yao kuzalisha mbegu.
Nafuraji kwamba viongozi wa idara zetu hizo tayari wameshaelewana na wenzao wa Wakala wa Mbegu nchini kufanikisha mpango huo muhimu. Kwa upande wa mbolea nafurahi kusema kuwa kauli yangu niliyotoa Bungeni tarehe 21 Agosti, 2008 kuhusu pesa za EPA imeshaanza kutekelezwa. Shilingi bilioni 30 zimetengwa kwa ajili ya mbolea ya ruzuku na bilioni 10 kwa ajili ya madawa ya mimea. Madawa ya mifugo yametengewa shilingi bilioni 10 na mikopo ya kilimo TIB shilingi bilioni 10.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Nafurahi pia kuwa dhamira yetu ya kuzalisha mbolea hapa nchini inatekelezwa vizuri. Kiwanda cha kuzalisha mbolea ya phosphate pale Minjingu, mkoani Manyara kimekamilika na kimeshaanza kazi. Wakati huo huo mchakato wa ujenzi wa kiwanda cha kuzalisha mbolea ya NPK hapo Minjingu umeshaanza. Aidha, uamuzi wetu wa kujenga kiwanda cha mbolea ya urea na ammonia kule Mtwara umefikia hatua nzuri. Kampuni ya kuwekeza imekwishapatikana na shughuli za mchakato wa ujenzi wa kiwanda hicho ziko mbioni.

Hatua hizi zote zitakapokamilika, ndani ya miaka miwili ijayo, zitaiwezesha nchi yetu kuwa moja ya wazalishaji wakubwa wa mbolea katika kanda yetu ya SADC na Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki. Tutatosheleza mahitaji yetu na kuwa na ziada ya kuuza kwa wengine nchi za nje na kujipatia fedha za kigeni.

Mifugo
Ndugu Wananchi;
Juhudi za kuongeza tija katika kilimo zitaelekezwa pia kwenye mifugo. Nia yetu ni kuboresha ufugaji wetu ili tupate mifugo inayotoa nyama nyingi, maziwa mengi na ngozi zilizo bora. Juhudi hizo zitajumuisha kuboresha aina ya mifugo yetu kwa kutumia madume bora na uhamilishaji. Pia itahusisha upatikanaji wa huduma za kinga na tiba ya mifugo, majosho, malisho, maji, masoko ya mifugo na mazao ya mifugo. Suala la kuwa na viwanda vya kusindika mazao ya mifugo nalo tutalipa uzito unaostahili.

Uwekezaji
Ndugu Wananchi,
Katika mwaka 2009, tutaendelea kuboresha mazingira ya uwekezaji ili kuvutia wawekezaji wengi zaidi wa ndani na nje kuja kuwekeza nchini. Sifurahishwi na taarifa nizipatazo kuwa mazingira ya uwekezaji na kufanya biashara nchini bado hayajaboreka vya kutosha. Na, linalonisumbua zaidi ni kule kuanza kujengeka dhana kuwa Tanzania inaanza kupoteza sifa ya mahali rafiki kwa wawekezaji. Hii si dalili nzuri, lazima tuibadili haraka iwezekanavyo.

Ndugu Zangu;
Dunia nzima hata mataifa tajiri yanavutia wawekezaji seuze siye maskini? Uwekezaji ndiyo chachu ya kukua kwa uchumi. Bila ya uwekezaji uchumi haukui. Wote tunaowasifia kufanikiwa kiuchumi ni kutokana na uwekezaji. Hata China imeendelezwa na uwekezaji tena kutoka mataifa ya kibepari.
Tutayaainisha mambo yanayotufikisha hapo na kuyatafutia majawabu. Natambua kuwepo malalamiko kuhusu usumbufu na urasimu mkubwa katika kuwahudumia wawekezaji. Mlolongo na muda wa uamuzi ni mrefu, kuna usumbufu upande wa kodi na tuhuma za vitendo vya rushwa zinasikika. Wakati mwingine kauli za wanasiasa wetu zimekuwa zinawaogopesha wawekezaji. Yote haya na mengineyo ni mambo ambayo yapo kwenye uwezo wetu kuyarekebisha.

Tumedhamiria kuyakabili kwa dhati matatizo hayo ili tuifanye Tanzania kuwa nchi nzuri kuwekeza. Pamoja na kusimamia kwa karibu mradi wa Kuboresha Mazingira ya Biashara Tanzania (BEST), nakusudia kuanzisha kitengo maalum cha kusikiliza malalamiko ya wawekezaji na kuyatafutia ufumbuzi (Investors Complaints Bureau). Kitengo hicho kitakuwa chini ya Ofisi ya Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi na kazi yake itakuwa ni kutatua kwa haraka malalamiko ya wawekezaji.

Mikopo ya Wajasiriamali Wadogo na SACCOS
Ndugu Wananchi,
Miaka miwili iliyopita tulianzisha mpango wa mikopo kwa wajasiriamali wadogo wadogo ambao hawana sifa za kukopesheka katika mabenki kwa utaratibu wa kawaida. Tumefanya hivyo ili wanyonge nao wapate fursa ya kujiendeleza na kujikwamua. Kama tujuavyo, tulitenga shilingi bilioni moja kwa kila mkoa wa Tanzania Bara na shilingi milioni 100 kwa kila mkoa kwa mikoa minne ya Zanzibar na milioni 200 kwa mkoa wa Mjini Magharibi, Unguja.
Tulikubaliana kuwa mikopo hiyo itatolewa na Benki za CRDB na NMB na asasi ndogo za fedha kama vile Benki ya Posta, PRIDE, SELF n.k.
Taarifa zinaonyesha kuwa hadi Novemba 30, 2008 jumla ya shilingi bilioni 39 zimekopeshwa na NMB (16.1bn/=) na CRDB (22.9bn/=) na watu 48,339 wamenufaika pamoja na SACCOS 192 na vikundi 137. Benki na asasi nyingine 12 zimeshakopesha SACCOS 236 na shilingi 4.6 bilioni zimetumika katika wilaya 46 za Tanzania Bara.

Katika ziara zangu katika mikoa ya Bara nimepokea malalamiko ya watu kuhusu upatikanaji wa mikopo hiyo. Moja ya jambo nililojifunza ni kuwa, mahitaji ya mikopo ni makubwa na fedha zilizotolewa ni kidogo. Jawabu lake ni kuongeza fedha, jambo ambalo tuko tayari kufanya.
Jambo la pili nililojifunza ni kuwa fedha zilizolipwa na wakopaji wa awali hazijazungushwa. Jawabu lake ni kuzizungusha ili wengine nao wakope. Tunazungumza na mabenki juu ya jambo hilo. Ni dhamira yangu mwaka ujao wa 2009 tufanye tathmini ya kina ya mpango huu ili tubaini mapungufu yake na mbinu za kuyarekebisha ili tuongeze fedha na kunufaisha watu wengi zaidi wa kipato cha chini wainue hali zao za maisha.

Kwa nia ile ile ya kuwasaidia watu wasiokuwa na sifa za kukopesheka moja kwa moja na mabenki wapate mitaji ya kufanyia shughuli zao za kujipatia kipato, tuliwahimiza wananchi waanzishe Vyama vya Kuweka na Kukopa. Tulipoingia madarakani kulikuwa na SACCOS 1,875 na sasa zipo 4,780 kutokana na msukumo maalum tulioutoa kwa uanzishwaji wake.
Fedha nyingi za akiba zimewekwa na wanachama wa SACCOS hizo na mikopo mingi imetolewa kwa wanachama hao. Aidha, SACCOS kadhaa zimeweza kupata mikopo ya kawaida ya mabenki na kupitia mikopo ya wajasiriamali wadogo wadogo.

Pamoja na kujenga utamaduni mzuri wa watu kuweka akiba, SACCOS zimekuwa nyenzo muhimu ya kukuza uchumi na vyombo vya kutumainiwa na wananchi wa kawaida katika harakati zao dhidi ya umaskini. Napenda kuahidi kuwa ni makusudio yetu kuendeleza juhudi za kuimarisha na kuanzisha SACCOS nchini.
Huduma za Kiuchumi na Kijamii
Ndugu Wananchi;
Katika mwaka ujao tutaendeleza jitihada za kuongeza na kuboresha upatikanaji wa huduma muhimu za kiuchumi na kijamii hususan elimu, afya, maji, umeme na barabara. Kazi kubwa imefanyika na watu wengi sasa wanapata huduma hizo, lakini bado hazijatosheleza mahitaji na viwango vya ubora.
Tunatambua wajibu wa Serikali wa kuongeza fedha katika bajeti za sekta hizo ili miradi mingi zaidi itekelezwe na kukidhi mahitaji ya wananchi. Hiyo ndiyo dhamira yetu kufanya katika mwaka 2009 na miaka ijayo. Sekta ya maji na umeme vijijini tutazipa kipaumbele stahiki.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Kwa upande wa elimu ya sekondari napenda kwa mara nyingine tena kuwashukuru na kuwapongeza sana wananchi kwa moyo wao wa kujitolea na kujituma. Moyo wao huo na ushirikiano wao na Serikali ndiyo siri iliyotufanya tuendelee kupata mafanikio makubwa katika upanuzi wa elimu ya sekondari nchini.
Hivi sasa, nchini tunazo sekondari za Serikali 3,039 kutoka 1,202 mwaka 2005 na idadi ya wanafunzi imeongezeka kutoka 524,325 mwaka 2005 hadi 1,222,403 mwaka huu. Haya si mafanikio madogo katika kipindi kifupi hivi.

Naomba moyo huo wa kujitolea na ushirikiano viendelee kwa manufaa ya watoto wetu na wajukuu wetu waliopo sasa na wajao. Sisi katika Serikali tunaahidi kuendelea kutimiza wajibu wetu katika ushirikiano wetu huo. Tutaendelea kukabili changamoto za upatikanaji wa walimu, vitabu, vifaa vya kufundishia, maabara na nyumba za walimu. Tunatambua kuwa ni mzigo mkubwa lakini hatuna budi kuubeba kwa maslahi ya taifa letu.

Matokeo ya Darasa la Saba
Ndugu Wananchi;
Kwa miaka miwili mfululizo matokeo ya mitihani ya darasa la saba yamekuwa si mazuri. Mwaka wa jana kiwango cha kufaulu kilikuwa asilimia 54.2 na mwaka huu ni asilimia 51.2. Hali hii si nzuri na hatuwezi kuacha iendelee. Hatuna budi kujiuliza kulikoni na kutafuta majawabu muafaka. Nimeiagiza Wizara ya Elimu na Mafunzo ya Ufundi kufanya uchunguzi wa kina ili kubaini kasoro zilizopo na kupendekeza hatua za kuchukua. Aidha, nimemuagiza Waziri Mkuu kulisimamia suala hili kwa ukamilifu.

Barabara
Ndugu Wananchi;
Katika mwaka huu tunaoumaliza leo, tuliendelea kutoa kipaumbele cha juu kwa sekta ya miundombinu. Tumeongeza bajeti ya miundombinu na sasa ni ya pili kwa ukubwa baada ya elimu. Kiasi cha shilingi bilioni 973.3 zimetengwa kwa ajili ya ujenzi wa miundombinu nchini katika mwaka wa fedha 2008/09. Tumeendelea kujenga barabara mpya za lami, za changarawe na za udongo. Pia tumekarabati na kuimarisha barabara zilizopo.

Lengo letu la kuunganisha Makao Makuu ya Mikoa yote kwa barabara za lami sasa lina muelekeo mzuri. Mipango kwa kuunganisha mikoa ya Lindi, Mtwara, Rukwa na Ruvuma imefikia mahali pazuri.
Hivi sasa nguvu zetu tunazielekeza kwa mikoa ya Kigoma na Tabora ambapo naamini mpaka katikati ya mwaka 2009 sura kamili inaweza kuwa imejitokeza. Nafurahi hata hivyo kwamba, taratibu za ujenzi wa daraja la Mto Malagarasi zimefikia hatua za mwisho.

Tunasikitika kwamba misukosuko ya mfumo wa fedha wa kimataifa umetulazimisha kuahirisha kutekeleza mpango wetu wa kupata fedha kwa kutumia hati fungani (soverign bounds) kwa ajili ya kujenga kwa kiwango cha lami barabara zetu kuu nyingi hapa nchini. Ni matumaini yetu kuwa hali ikitengemaa tutautazama upya mpango huo.

Bandari, Reli na ATCL
Ndugu Wananchi;
Katika mwaka 2009 tutaendelea kufuatilia na kusimamia kwa karibu hali katika mashirika ya reli, bandari na shirika la ndege. Hali ya huduma hizo muhimu hairidhishi hata kidogo. Yapo matatizo ya uendeshaji ambayo yamesababisha huduma zitolewazo kuwa za kiwango kisichoridhisha. Tutafanya kila tuwezavyo kurekebisha mambo ili huduma hizo ziboreke na kuwafanya watumiaji kufurahi.

Mapato ya Serikali
Ndugu Wananchi;
Kama ilivyo ada mwaka ujao tutaendeleza juhudi za kuhakikisha kuwa mapato ya Serikali yanaendelea kuongezeka. Tutaendelea kuimarisha Mamlaka ya Mapato na kuziba mianya inayopoteza mapato ya Serikali.

Napenda kutumia nafasi hii, kuwapongeza sana viongozi na watumishi wa TRA kwa kazi kubwa wanayoifanya ya kukusanya mapato ya Serikali. Pamoja na matatizo ya hapa na pale hali ya mapato ya Serikali imeimarika.
Mara mbili katika mwaka huu wamevunja rekodi ya ukusanyaji wa mapato ya Serikali. Mara ya kwanza ilikuwa mwezi wa Juni walipokusanya shilingi 346.7 bilioni na mara ya pili ilikuwa mwezi wa Septemba walipokusanya shilingi 420.8 bilioni. Tunatambua na kuthamini juhudi zao na nakusudia kuwatunza kwa mafanikio hayo mwishoni mwa mwaka huu wa fedha.

Nidhamu ya Matumizi
Ndugu Wananchi;
Sambamba na juhudi za kuongeza na kuimarisha mapato ya Serikali hatuna budi kuhakikisha kuwa kunakuwepo na nidhamu na uaminifu katika matumizi ya fedha na rasilimali za Serikali. Nimelisisitiza sana jambo hili na kuwataka viongozi wenzangu na watumishi wa Serikali kusoma na kuzingatia maoni na mapendekezo ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali yaliyomo katika taarifa zake za kila mwaka.
Nimeagiza Viongozi na Watendaji Wakuu wa Wizara, Idara, Mikoa, Wilaya na Halmashauri za Wilaya, Miji, Manispaa na Majiji kusimamia kwa karibu utekelezaji wa Sheria ya Fedha na mali za Serikali na Kanuni zake. Kuna dalili za mabadiliko chanya, lakini hali bado si ya kiwango cha kutufanya tufurahi sana. Mwaka ujao tutaendelea kubanana katika jambo hili ili tufikie ufanisi unaotakiwa.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Kuanzia mwaka ujao nitawaomba wakaguzi wa mahesabu ya Serikali kumkabidhi kwenye vyombo vya sheria mtumishi wa Serikali aliyehusika na wizi au ubadhirifu mara watakapougundua. Najua utaratibu wa sasa hauko hivyo. Nataka tuutazame upya utaratibu wetu wa sasa ili isaidie kujenga nidhamu hata kama ni ya woga wa kufungwa. Itasaidia kunusuru fedha nyingi za umma zinazotumiwa isivyo.

Ni matumaini yangu pia kwamba Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali ataendeleza kwa kasi na nguvu zaidi kazi waliyoianza ya ukaguzi wa thamani ya fedha zilizotumiwa na kulinganisha na kazi iliyofanyika (value for money audit). Ukaguzi wa asili umekuwa unahusu uandishi wa vitabu kwa mujibu wa kanuni za fedha. Lakini, inawezekana kabisa vitabu vya hesabu vikaandikwa vizuri lakini pesa zikatumika vibaya au hata kuibiwa. Tunataka ulinganifu sawia wa fedha zilizotumika na kazi iliyofanywa.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Nimewaelekeza wenzetu wa Taasisi ya Kuzuia na Kupambana na Rushwa kufanya kazi kwa karibu na ofisi ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali kusaidia kupambana na wasiozingatia nidhamu ya matumizi ya fedha na mali za umma hususan wezi na wabadhirifu wa fedha za umma.
Bahati nzuri Sheria ya Mwaka 2007 iliyounda PCCB mpya imetoa mamlaka ya kufanya hivyo. Nimewataka wawe wakali kwa wala rushwa kama wafanyavyo sasa, lakini pia wawe wakali kwa wale wote wanaokiuka kanuni za fedha za Serikali. Vitendo hivyo siyo tu vinaitia hasara Serikali bali pia vinapunguza uwezo wa Serikali kuwahudumia wananchi walioiweka madarakani.
Nimewataka waitumie vyema sheria mpya na fursa waliyonayo ya kuwaongezea uwezo wa rasilimali tuliyowapa kwa kutumiza ipasavyo wajibu wao. Nimewasihi pia kwamba katika kufanya hivyo wasionee wala kupendelea watu bali watende haki.

Ulinzi na Usalama
Ndugu Wananchi,
Tunaumaliza mwaka wa 2008 hali ya ulinzi na usalama wa nchi ikiwa ya kuridhisha. Mipaka ya nchi yetu ni salama na nchi ni tulivu. Hatuna budi kutoa pongeza maalum kwa vyombo vyetu vya ulinzi na usalama kwa kazi nzuri waliyoifanya na wanayoendelea kuifanya. Uhalifu wa makosa makubwa ya jinai kama vile mauaji, unyang’anyi wa kutumia silaha na unyang’anyi wa kutumia nguvu umepungua.
Taarifa za Januari hadi Novemba, 2008 zinaonyesha kuwa kulikuwa na matukio ya aina hiyo 8,330 ukilinganisha na matukio 10,381 katika kipindi kama hicho mwaka 2007. Huu ni ushahidi kuwa Polisi wanafanikiwa kudhibiti uhalifu, hata hivyo bado juhudi ziongezwe ili matukio ya uhalifu yapungue zaidi. Nafurahi pia kwamba hata ajali za barabarani zimepungua mwaka huu ukilinganisha na mwaka wa jana.
Mwaka wa jana kulitokea ajali 16,196 kati ya Januari na Novemba, wakati mwaka huu zimetokea ajali 5,500. Hata idadi ya watu waliopoteza maisha imepungua kutoka 2,757 mwaka 2007 hadi 1,270 mwaka huu.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Wakati tunawapongeza wadau na Jeshi la Polisi kwa maendeleo hayo bado naamini kuwa ajali za barabarani pamoja na idadi ya watu wanaopoteza maisha au kujeruhiwa na mali kuharibiwa vinaweza kupungua zaidi. Ajali nyingi za barabarani husababishwa na makosa ya madereva kutokuheshimu sheria ya usalama barabarani.
Lakini, pia kuna mchango wa Jeshi la Polisi hasa wale wa usalama barabarani kutodhibiti ipasavyo madereva wazembe. Tatizo hili lipo kwenye uwezo wa Polisi na wadau kulidhibiti.

Madereva wakubali kuzingatia na kuheshimu sheria ya usalama barabarani. Wenye magari wahakikishe wanaajiri madereva wenye sifa nzuri. Aidha, madereva wa mabasi ya abiria watambue kuwa wanabeba binadamu wenzao ambao kwa kipindi chote cha safari usalama wao uko mikononi mwao.
Makosa madogo ya dereva yanaweza kuwapotezea watu uhai au kuwapa vilema vya maisha. Lazima watambue umuhimu wa wao kuwa waangalifu. Polisi nao lazima watimize ipasavyo wajibu wao.
Polisi lazima wawe wakali kuhakikisha sheria za usalama barabarani zinafuatwa. Naamini Polisi wakiwa wakali tofauti itaonekana.

Mauaji ya Albino
Ndugu Wananchi;
Suala la mauaji ya ndugu zetu wenye ulemavu wa ngozi, yaani albino nimekwishalisemea mara mbili tatu mwaka huu, na mara ya mwisho wakati wa Baraza la Idd tarehe 8 Desemba, 2008. Ni mauaji na mateso ambayo hayana sababu ya kutokea kwa sababu chanzo chake ni cha kipuuzi. Imani kwamba kiungo cha albino kinampa mtu utajiri ni jambo la kijinga. Nirudie kuwasihi wenzetu hawa wanaotafuta utajiri wa haraka haraka kuwa juhudi na maarifa yao ndiyo siri ya kufanikiwa kwao na si vinginevyo. Lakini, kwa vile wapo watu wanaoamini kuwa wakipata viungo vya albino watatajirika na wapo waganga na wauwaji, Serikali haina budi kuchukua hatua za kuwabana watu wote hao na kulitokomeza kabisa tatizo hili.

Tumeunda kikosi-kazi kinachojumuisha Polisi na Idara ya Usalama wa Taifa cha kuendesha mapambano haya. Hivi sasa wanaendelea na uchunguzi wa kina nchi nzima kuwatambua wahalifu na kuwafikisha mbele ya vyombo vya sheria. Mpaka sasa watu 91 wamekamatwa na kufikishwa mahakamani na mapambano yanaendelea.

Kwa nia ya kuongeza kasi na nguvu ya mapambano haya, mapema mwaka ujao tutaendesha zoezi la kura ya maoni nchi nzima. Tutawataka wananchi wawataje watu wanaowajua kuwa wanajihusisha na mauaji au kukata viungo vya albino. Wawataje waganga wanaohusika, wauawaji wa albino, wauzaji wa viungo vya albino na wafanyabiashara wanaotumia viungo hivyo.
Taarifa hizo zitasaidia kuwafuatilia na kuwakamata watu hawa waovu. Utaratibu kama huu ulitusaidia katika mapambano dhidi ya ujambazi nchini. Naamini utasaidia kwa hili. Tunafanya matayarisho ya zoezi hilo. Wakati utakapowadia watu wataarifiwa namna ya kushiriki. Naomba ushirikiano wa hali ya juu wa wananchi wakati huo. Jitokezeni kuwataja ili isaidie kukomesha aibu hii kwa taifa letu.

Hitimisho
Ndugu Wananchi,
Tunaumaliza mwaka nchi ikiwa na sifa kubwa katika medani ya kimataifa. Uhusiano wetu na mataifa yote duniani ni mzuri. Hatuna adui. Hali kadhalika uhusiano wetu na mashirika ya kimataifa ya kisiasa na kiuchumi ni mzuri.
Nchi yetu inaheshimika na kutumainiwa katika diplomasia ya kimataifa. Tumepokea wageni wengi mashuhuri na wengine ni wa kihistoria kama ziara ya siku nne ya Rais wa Marekani, Mheshimiwa George W. Bush. Tumekuwa Mwenyekiti wa Umoja wa Afrika kwa mwaka huu.
Pamoja na ugumu wake lakini tumeifanya kazi hiyo vizuri na yapo mambo kadhaa mazuri ambayo nchi yetu itakumbukwa nayo. Miongoni mwa hayo ni amani ya Kenya, kurejesha umoja wa taifa la Comoro, kuongoza vyema mijadala kuhusu masuala magumu kama yale ya uundaji wa Serikali ya Umoja wa Afrika na kuyafikisha mahali pazuri.

Mwaka 2009 nchi yetu itakabidhi uongozi wa Umoja wa Afrika kwa heshima na upendo mkubwa kutoka kwa wanachama wenzetu na mataifa mengine duniani.
Ndugu Wananchi;
Tunaumaliza mwaka nchi ikiwa tulivu. Hii inathibitisha kuwa nchi inaweza kuwa tulivu isipokuwa pale ambapo baadhi yetu tutakapokuwa tumeamua kuwa isiwe hivyo. Naomba mwaka 2009 uwe tofauti.
Tuache vitendo vya kuchochea ghasia kwa kisingizio chochote kile. Vitendo hivyo havitavumiliwa hata kidogo. Ni vizuri tukaambiana mapema tusije tukalaumiana. Naomba Watanzania wenzangu wote na hasa wanasiasa wenzangu tuyatambue hayo na tujiepushe nayo.
Naomba makundi ya kijamii yatambue ukweli huo na waache kuwaendekeza wanasiasa hasidi.

Ndugu Wananchi;
Naomba nimalize kwa kuwakushukuru kwa mara nyingine tena Watanzania wenzangu wote kwa ushirikiano wenu na uelewa wenu na msaada wenu kwangu na kwa wenzangu wote serikalini katika kipindi chote cha mwaka huu tunaouaga leo. Tumepita vipindi vya raha na vigumu kwa pamoja na tunaumaliza mwaka tukiwa wamoja na watu wenye mshikamano.
Naomba tuingie mwaka mpya na moyo huo na tuendelee hivyo.

Nitakuwa mtovu wa fadhila kama sitamshukuru Mwenyezi Mungu kwa wema na upendo wake na kutuvusha salama mwaka 2008. Tuzidi kumuomba atuongoze na kutuvusha salama mwaka ujao na miaka ijayo.
Mimi si Sheikh na wala si mwanazuoni, mimi na mfuasi tu. Lipo wazo nimekuwa napewa mara kadhaa kuwa pengine si vibaya kila mwishoni au mwanzoni mwa mwaka tungekuwa na siku ya maombi ya pamoja watu wote wote wa dini tukiongozwa na viongozi wa dini zetu kumshukuru Mwenyezi Mungu kwa mwaka tulioumaliza na kuliombea taifa mema kwa mwaka unaofuata.
Ni wazo linalovutia wengi lakini sidhani kuwa ni ni jambo la kufanywa kwa amri ya Serikali. Nawaachia viongozi wa dini zetu watuongoze.

Naomba tutakiane heri na fanaka tele katika mwaka mpya, 2009.

Mungu Ibariki Afrika
Mungu Ibariki Tanzania
Ahsanteni kwa kunisiliza.

Tanzania’s New Cabinet - 22% smaller

As you may be aware... Tanzania went through what could have been a political "sunami"!
Following the resignation of then prime Minister (Edward Lowassa) who was implicated in the "Richmond" corruption scandal, the president dissolved the cabinet, and wasted no time in nominating the then little known Mr. Mizengo Peter Pinda to succeed Mr. Lowassa. The Parliament moved swiftly to confirm Mr. Pinda and he (the newly-elected PM) was sworn in last Saturday in Dodoma.

Well... it is late afternoon here (4p.m.Monday Feb. 12) and the President of the U.R of Tanzania (Hon. J.K. Kikwete), just finished announcing his new cabinet of 26 ministers (instead of 29) and 21 deputies (instead of 31); Total = 47. Quick math page this size at approximately 22% less than the former cabinet

Notable missing:
- Mama Zakia Meghji
- Basili Mramba
- Bakari Mapachu
- Dr. Juma Ngasongwa
- Anthony Diallo
- Joseph Mungai – requested to retire
- Mzee Kingunge Ngombale Mwiru (70 yrs old)– requested to retire

Notable new: George Mkuchika

Basis for this cabinet:
- Government responsibilities to its people
- Election manifesto
- Effectiveness of the cabinet

Some notable changes:
- Planning combined with Finance: - Minister: Mustapha Nkulu
- Interior combined with public safety – Minister: Lawrence Masha
- Science & Technology – now with telecommunications & IT development
- Infrastructure to deal primarily with roads, transportations etc
- Deputy chief Justice No longer deputy of the constitutional affairs
- Stephen Wasira – moved to TAMISEMI (regional admin) under PM’s office

Other highlights:
- Finance, economy & planning: Mustapha Nkulu
- Energy & Minerals: William Ngeleja (Deputy Adam Malima)
- Defense: Hussein Mwinyi
- Land: John Chiligati
- Labor: Prof. Juma Kapuya
- Water & Irrigation: Mark Mwandosya
- Agriculture: Prof. Msolla
- Community dev, gender & children: Mama M. Sitta
- Livestock & Fisheries: John Magufuli
- Interior & public safety: Lawrence Masha
- East African affairs: Dr. D. Kamala
- Trade & Industries: dr. Mary Nagu (deputy Cyril Chami)
- Foreign affairs: Bernard Membe
- Sports, Broadcasting & Culture: George Haruna (Joel Bendera – Deputy)
- Infrastructure: Dr. Chenge

well... I am not a journalist and I know I have missed lots of names... but at least you get the gist of it
what do you think? You may blog in swahili OR english

ned