Tanzania Strives to Improve Energy Access Rates with World Bank and Global Environment Facility Support

Eighty-one-thousand rural and urban homes, as well as public services, will gain new access to electricity

December 20, 2007 - On the heels of a 2006 energy crisis that saw much of Tanzania’s population suffer through rolling blackouts, the East African country is working to build new energy investments that will power growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty.

The Energy Development and Access Expansion Project, a US$111.5 million hybrid International Development Association credit and Global Environment Facility grant, was approved December 13 by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors. It will help Tanzania improve electricity services and provide more energy to households, businesses, and public services.

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Ukosefu wa umeme wasababisha hasara ya mamilion Zanzibar

SHIRIKA la Umeme Zanzibar (ZECO) limepata hasara ya mamilimioni ya shilingi kufuatia umeme mjini Zanzibar kukosekana kwa siku tano mfululizo.

Akizungumza na mwandishi wa Mwananchi jana, Meneja wa Shirika hilo, Juma Is-haq Bakari alifahamisha kuwa wateja wao wanaoishi katika eneo la Mji Mkongwe huingiza zaidi ya milioni 5 kwa siku, hivyo kukatika kwa umeme huo kulilikosesha shirika lake kiasi hicho cha fedha kila siku kwenye eneo hilo.

�Wateja wetu wa Mji Mkongwe wanaotumia mita za kulipa kabla (Luku) na hutuingizia zaidi ya milioni tano kwa siku, hivyo tumepata hasara kubwa, ukiachia mbali maeneo mengine ambayo yalikosekana umeme kwa siku zote hizo,� alisema.

Tatizo la kukatika umeme katika Mji wa Zanzibar limeelezwa kuwa linatokana na kukatika kwa nyaya za umeme zinazopita chini ya ardhi, ambapo maeneo mawili yalioathirika zaidi ambayo Mkele na Malindi.

Alisema mafundi wa shirika hilo walibaini kwamba tatizo hilo lilitokea kwenye eneo ambalo lina jalala kubwa ambapo taka hukusanywa na kuchomwa moto na kusababisha baadhi ya nyaya kuungua.

Alifahamisha kuwa awali mafundi walidhani uharibifu huo ulisababishwa na wachimbaji wa mifereji unaofanywa na mradi wa SALCON unaosimamiwa na Manispaa ya Mji wa Zanzibar ambapo katika vipimo vyao waliona michoro ya kampuni hiyo iliyotumia kuzika mabomba yake ya maji machafu.

Alisema mabomba hayo yaligonga waya za umeme na kusababisha hitilafu iliyotokea,

lakini baadae walibaini kwamba tatizo si hilo, bali ni joto la takataka zinazochomwa moto kwenye jalala hilo.

Kukosekana kwa umeme siku nne mfululizo kumewasababishia hasara kubwa wafanyabiashara wa Zanzibar kutokana na baadhi yao kufunga maduka kwa kukosa wateja na wageni kwenye baadhi ya hoteli za kitalii wakihamia mahali pengine.

Katika athari zilizopatikana katika hospitali ya Mnazi Mnazi mmoja watoto wawili walifariki dunia kutokana na kukosekana umeme katika chumba cha watoto waliozaliwa kabla ya muda.

Hata hivyo, Waziri wa Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii Zanzibar, Sultan Mohammed Mugheiry alisema hana taarifa ya kutokea tukio la aina hiyo na kwamba anajua kuwa kwenye hospitali hiyo kuna jenereta la kufua umeme.

Maeneo yaliyoathirika kutokana na kukosekana kwa umeme ni Jongombe, Mombasa, Mji Mkongwe, Chukwani, Kiembe Samaki, Migombani na Mikunguni.

Source: Mwananchi, 25/2/2008

Zanzibar giza siku nne

SHUGHULI za kiuchumi mjini Zanzibar zimesimama kutokana na uhaba wa umeme ulioukumba mji huu kwa siku nne mfululizo sasa.

Uhaba wa umeme ulianza Ijumaa usiku kutokana na nyaya zinazosafirisha nishati hiyo zilizotandikwa chini ya ardhi katika eneo la Mchele na Mlandege kuungua moto.

Kutokana na hali hiyo, baadhi ya watumishi serikalini wamelazimika kuzikimbia ofisi zao baada ya kushindwa kufanya kazi kutokana na joto kali lililosababishwa na kukosekana kwa nishati ya kuendesha viyoyozi na kompyuta.

Kwa upande mwingine, wafanyabiashara nao wamelazimika kuzimwaga bidhaa zao, hasa zile zinazooza kama vile samaki, nyama na matunda baada ya kuharibika kutokana na ukosefu wa umeme.

Aidha, katika maeneo ya Mji Mkongwe, watalii kadhaa walionekana wakihaha kutafuta mawasiliano ili kuwasiliana na watu wengine waliopo nje ya nchi.

Pia baadhi ya wafanyabiashara wa intaneti walilazimika kufunga shughuli zao kutokana na majenereta waliyokuwa wanayatumia kuishiwa na mafuta baada ya kufanya kazi kwa muda mrefu.

Maeneo yaliyoathirika zaidi na tatizo hilo nyumba ya Rais wa Zanzibar, Amani Abeid Karume, eneo la Mbweni, Chupwani, Kiembe Samaki na eneo lote la Mji Mkongwe.

Meneja wa Shirika la Umeme Zanzibar, Juma Isihak, alisema mafundi wanaendelea na juhudi za kurekebisha kasoro hiyo na kwamba tatizo limechukua muda mrefu kushughulikiwa kwa sababu awali mafundi walichelewa kufahamu palipotokea hitilafu hiyo.

“Sifikirii kuleta mafuta kutoka nje, bado mafundi wetu wanaendelea na wanaweza kurejesha hali kama kawaida,” alisema.

Hata hivyo, alisema shirika hilo halina mpango wa kulipa fidia kwa wateja walioathirika na tatizo hilo kwa kuwa limetokea kwa bahati mbaya.

“Hakuna sheria inayotulazimisha kumlipa fidia mteja itakapotokea hali kama hii,” alisema.

Uhaba huo wa umeme pia umesababisha uhaba wa maji mjini Zanzibar kutokana na mitambo ya kusukuma maji kushindwa kufanya kazi.

Waziri wa Maji, Ujenzi, Nishati na Ardhi, Mansour Yusuf Himid, alisema uhaba huo wa umeme umeathiri pia huduma ya maji kutokana na mashine kuzimwa.

Baadhi ya wananchi wamelalamika juu ya upatikanaji wa maji ambako sasa dumu la lita 20 linauzwa kati ya sh 400 hadi sh 500.

Walisema iwapo tatizo hilo litadumu kwa muda mrefu, kunaweza kutokea magonjwa ya mlipuko kwa kuwa maji yanayotumiwa na wananchi wengi si salama.

Source: Tanzania Daima, 25/2/2008

High power tariffs to stay -Tanesco

The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) has said it will not reduce power charges even if the controversial power purchase contracts are reviewed.

The contested Power Purchase Agreements are those of Richmond, Songas and IPTL. Tanesco pays almost half of its 30bn/- monthly income to service the agreements.

Speaking to The Guardian in an exclusive interview yesterday, Tanesco Managing Director Dr Idris Rashid said the power utility firm would never lower power tariffs.
``However, I would make sure that the tariffs were not hiked further,`` he told The Guardian.

He called on Tanesco customers to understand that the decision to hike power tariffs was in no way related to the Richmond or IPTL saga.

``We were forced to hike the tariffs so as to meet operational costs,`` he said, adding, ``after all, the 152m/- paid daily to Richmond as capacity charges comes from the government.``

Dr Rashid said that it was not possible for Tanesco to reduce electricity charges because the prices of oil and gas remained high and rainfall was not enough to ensure constant power supply.

``Tanzanians should demonstrate so that the prices of oil and gas are reduced. That is the only way we can reduce our operational costs, hence lower tariffs,`` he said.

He said that even if the Richmond/Dowans contract was terminated today, the prices of electricity would remain intact as there was no connection between Tanesco`s operations and the Richmond contract.

On Saturday, university students staged countrywide protests demanding that TANESCO reduces electricity charges due to the 152m/- controversially paid to Richmond, a briefcase firm, on daily basis, a cost that was being passed on to consumers.

The Secretary General of the Tanzania Higher Learning Institutions Organization (TAHLISO), Mtatiro Julius, said the aim of the protest marches was to compel the government to reduce power tariffs as they were too high for the majority.

``The government is taking a wrong track by continuing to milk its citizens, who are largely poor. They must be given time to strive for better living conditions and not struggle to pay for inflated power charges,`` he said.

The opposition CUF members also demonstrated in Dar es Salaam on Sunday to pressure the government to reduce the hiked power tariffs.

Tanesco hiked the power tariffs by 23 percent last year for the 2008/9 period, after originally demanding a 40 percent electricity charges rise, which it still insists.

The power utility firm also hiked by 100 percent its service line connection charges to new customers.

It demanded that without the proposed 40 per cent increment, Tanesco would fail to roll out and connect power to its domestic and commercial customers.

However, reports have indicated that Tanesco may run bankrupt unless the major contracts it entered with foreign companies are reviewed.

According to the East African Business Week, Tanesco�s monthly collection is put at 30 billion shillings ($29m) but it is required to pay capacity charges to the tune of 14 billion shillings ($13m) monthly.

At the centre of controversy is the contract between Tanesco and Richmond Development Company (RDC), now Dowans, whereby Tanesco is to cough up $54 million annually.

Another controversial contract is that of Independent Power Tanzania Ltd (IPTL) whereby Tanesco pays IPTL $4.6 million a month, approximately $55.2 million a year and according to the contract, if Tanesco fails to foot the bill, the Treasury is committed to pay.

Total capacity charges over the 20-year life of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) are $672 million, excluding the cost of power generation.

The Tanesco-Songas is another controversial contract whereby its PPA requires Tanesco to pay $6.5 million as capacity charges on a monthly basis. Such PPA is also bleeding Tanesco�s financial resources.

According to the paper, the Tanzania government is facing a $27 million IPTL lawsuit in the US over �unpaid� capacity charges. The suit was filed at the United States District Court, Southern District of New York.

When contacted for comments on the issue yesterday, Professor Mwesiga Baregu of the University of Dar es Salaam said the government should review the whole thing in regard to power as well as rural electrification.

``It is not about the price, but rather about the whole system in regard to electricity. The report indicated that the amount paid was more than the power supply, which means something ought to be done to put things right.

The Energy and Water Utility Regulatory Authority should ensure that the price is affordable.

Failure to do so will mean that people will fail to afford it, thus cease to use electricity,� said Professor Baregu.

The Director of the Legal and Human Rights Centre Director Hellen Kijo Bisimba said it was sad to note that the government was yet to act even after knowing the source of the power tariff problem.

``The government should act immediately to solve the problem once and for all. We now know the source of the problem. The more the delay, the more people will suffer, ``said Bisimba.

For his part, Haruna Masebu, head of the Energy and Water Utility Regulatory Authority (Ewura) said it was too early to say whether the power tariffs would go down.

``It is too early to say anything. Following the release of the Richmond Report, a special government committee is working on the findings.

We will decide on the appropriate move once the report is handed over to us,`` said Masebu.

SOURCE: The Guardian, 25/2/2008

Mtoni dump to produce power next month

POWER generation from solid waste is expected to take place at the Mtoni dump next month. The Dar es Salaam City Council Environmental Engineer, Mr Mohammed Mkumba, told the Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Environment), Dr Batilda Burian, in Dar es Salaam today that the project would involve generation of 2.5 megawatts which would be fed into the National Grid.

Mr Mkumba said the project implemented by an Italian investor, Consorzio Stabile Globus, at a cost of 1.5million Euros (about 3bn/-) would used about 18 million tonnes of solid waste. Dr Burian said at the project site that such projects were very important in efforts to minimise the effects of climate change.

The Minister said she was in Monaco (France) recently where ministers for environment from all over the World were meeting to chart out strategies to control climate change. “We should introduce projects which could change solid waste to something which is useful for the national economy but without causing health hazards”, she said One of the residents near the project area, Ms Matuni Bakari, said people there were afraid of effects to be caused by emission of gas from the project.

However Mr Mkumba assured them that their health would not be endangered as a 10 – 15 metre long chimney would be built to reduce the spread of carbon gases. However, the DSM City Council told the minister that implementation of other projects was hampered by inadequate resources. Mr Mkumba mentioned the Sanitary Landfill project at Pugu Kinyamwezi and construction of a Solid Waste Transfer Station which he said needed about 5bn/- and 1.8bn/-, respectively to be finalised.

Source: Daily News; Tuesday,February 26, 2008 @17:02

Ngeleja ataka umeme usambae nchini kote

WAZIRI wa Nishati na Madini, William Ngeleja, amesema kuwa mikakati yake ya sasa ni kuimarisha zaidi miundombinu ya Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (TANESCO), ili kuweza kutoa huduma ya umeme katika maeneo mengi zaidi nchini.

Akizungumza na ‘Tanzania Daima’ Dar es Salaam, jana, Ngeleja alisema kuwa mindombinu mingi ya shirika hilo ni mibovu na michakavu, hivyo kazi yake ya kwanza ni kufanya jitihada za kuiimarisha ili iweze kutoa huduma bora ya nishati ya umeme na kwa watu wengi zaidi.

Alisema kuwa mikakati ya kuimarisha miundombinu hiyo ipo mingi, lakini sehemu ya dola milioni 698 (zaidi ya sh bilioni 700) zilizotolewa msaada na Marekani kupitia Mpango wa Changamoto za Milenia (MCC), zitasaidia zaidi kuharakisha jitihada za wizara yake katika kupambana na matatizo ya umeme.

Alisema katika fedha hizo zilizotolewa na Marekani, wizara yake itapata fungu litakalosaidia zaidi kuimarisha utoaji wa huduma ya umeme hadi vijijini ambako kwa miaka mingi kumekosa umeme kutokana uchakavu wa mifumo ya kufikisha umeme.

“Kazi iliyopo sasa ni kuelekeza nguvu zaidi katika kuboresha mifumo ya kufikisha umeme maeneo mengi zaidi hasa ya vijijini ambako serikali imekuwa ikijitahidi, lakini uwezo ndio unaosumbua,” alisema Ngeleja.

Aliongeza kuwa juhudi za kuimarisha mifumo ya umeme itapewa kipaumbele katika mikoa ya Iringa, Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Mbeya, Tanga na Kigoma.

Alisema kuwa maeneo hayo yamekuwa na shida kubwa ya umeme, na kuongeza kuwa mbali ya mikoa hiyo pia wataangalia maeneo mengine ili kuhakikisha umeme unapatikana kwa manufaa ya umma.

Kuhusu suala la kupunguza bei ya umeme kwa watumiaji, alisema kwa sasa jukumu ambalo lipo mbele yao ni kuona jinsi watakavyoweza kuboresha kwa upatikanaji wa huduma na baada ya hapo mamlaka husika zikiwamo Mamlaka ya Usimamizi wa Nishati na Maji (Ewura) itaweza kutoa mapendekezo ya bei ya ulipaji wa nishati hiyo.

“Jukumu la kuongeza ama kupunguza bei ya umeme litafuata taratibu zake zinazoangalia mambo mengi ya msingi, hivyo ninachoweza kusema kwa sasa ni kwamba kwanza ni kuona wapi tunaweza kufanikiwa zaidi kwa kupeleka huduma ya umeme na mambo mengine yatafuata baadaye,” alisema Ngeleja.

Source: Tanzania Daima

Wizi wasababishia Tanesco Moro hasara ya bilioni 1/-

SHIRIKA la Umeme Tanzania (Tanesco) limesema limekuwapo ongezeko la matukio ya wizi wa vifaa na kusababisha kupata hasara ya zaidi ya Sh bilioni 1.2 mkoani humu kwa mwaka 2006 hadi Januari 2008.

Akizungumza na mwandishi mjini hapa jana, Meneja wa Tanesco wa Mkoa wa Morogoro, Bengiel Msofe, alisema katika kipindi hicho vimeibwa vifaa mbalimbali na kulipatia Shirika hilo hasara hiyo kwa kipindi kilichotajwa.

Kwa mujibu wa Meneja huyo, nyaya za umeme na vyuma ndivyo vilivyoongoza kwa kuibwa ambako kwa pamoja vimeliingizia shirika hilo hasara ya Sh milioni 676. Alisema katika kipindi hicho kumekuwa na matukio vya wizi wa vyuma na nyaya yaliyofikia 75 wakati matukio ya wizi wa mafuta ya transfoma ni 65.

Kwa mujibu wa Meneja huyo, wizi wa mafuta hayo umeharibu transfoma 67. Alisema kutokana na Mkoa wa Morogoro kuongoza katika matukio hayo ya uhujumu wa miundombinu ya shirika hilo limeisababishia utoaji wa huduma kwa wateja wake kuwa mgumu.

“Ili kuweza kuendelea kuboresha huduma za umeme katika mkoa tuwaomba wananchi kushirikiana na shirika kuwafichua wanaohujumu miundombinu hiyo kwa vyombo vya dola,” alisema.

Moja ya matukio makubwa yaliyotokea hivi karibuni katika kuhujumu miundombinu ya shirika hilo ni watu wasiojulikana kukata nguzo kubwa ya msongo wa Gridi ya Taifa kutoka Kidatu uliofanyika katika eneo la Msamvu na kuufanya Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam kupata upungufu wa umeme.
Source: Habari Leo

Richmond sasa kuipasua kichwa wizara

WAZIRI wa Nishati na Madini, William Ngeleja, amesema changamoto kubwa inayoikabili wizara hiyo hivi sasa ni kupitia upya mkataba wa Kampuni ya Richmond iliyopewa zabuni ya kuzalisha umeme wa dharura.

Alisema ingawa kamati teule ya Bunge ya kuchunguza mkataba huo imetoa mapendekezo ambayo yanafanyiwa kazi chini ya waziri mkuu, wizara hiyo inapaswa kuupitia mkataba huo mapema kama sehemu ya utekelezaji wa mapendekezo hayo.

Katika mapendekezo, kamati hiyo iliyokuwa chini ya uenyekiti wa Mbunge wa Kyela, Dk. Harrison Mwakyembe, ilishauri pia kupitiwa kwa mkataba huo na mikataba mingine ya nishati nchini. Kamati hiyo imetoa muda wa miezi mitatu kwa serikali kutekeleza mapendekezo hayo.

Waziri Ngeleja alisema hayo jana katika hafla iliyoandaliwa na wafanyakazi wa wizara hiyo ya kuwakaribisha na kuwapongeza kwa kuteliwa, yeye pamoja na naibu wake, Adam Malima.

Alisema sambamba na changamoto hiyo, pia wizara hiyo inapaswa kuliimarisha Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (Tanesco), ili liweze kutoa huduma bora na za uhakika.

“Wizara yetu inakabiliwa na changamoto nyingi… tunapaswa kuimarisha upatikanaji wa huduma ya umeme wa uhakika na yenye ubora. Kwa sasa hali ya maji katika Bwawa la Mtera ni nzuri na hata mvua zisiponyesha, yaliyopo yanaweza kutufikisha katika msimu mwingine wa mvua,”
Source: Tanzania Daima

TANESCO yaendelea kuilipa Richmond mamiloni

TANESCO yaendelea kuilipa Richmond mamiloni

Licha ya Kamati ya Bunge kupendekeza kufutwa kwa mkataba wa Richmond na kutaka malipo ya Sh. milioni 152 yanayotolewa kwa Dowans kila siku yasitishwe hadi jana Shirika la Umeme(TANESCO) liliendelea kuilipa kampuni hiyo.

Meneja Uhusiano wa TANESCO, Bw. Daniel Mshana aliliambia gazeti hili jana katika mahojiano yaliyofanyika jijini Dar es Salaam kuwa shirika linasubiri maelekezo kutoka serikalini.

Alitoa ufafanuzi huo alipoulizwa iwapo TANESCO imejipanga kusitisha malipo hayo na pia aliulizwa kiasi cha fedha kilicholipwa kwa kampuni hiyo tangu kuanza kwa mkataba huo uliosainiwa mwaka jana.

``Bunge lilijadili suala hili na kupendekeza hivyo lakini hatujasitisha malipo maana serikali haijaanza kutekeleza pendekezo hilo. Nadhani bado ipo katika mchakato wa kuyapitia na kufanya taratibu kwa mujibu wa maelekezo,`` alisema.

Alipoulizwa lini mkataba utasimamishwa alisema ni jukumu la Wizara ya Nishati na Madini kuamua wakati wa kuchukua hatua hiyo.

Waziri wa wizara hiyo, Bw. William Ngeleja, alipoulizwa juu ya kusimamisha mkataba huo alisema hatma ya jambo hilo ipo mikononi mwa kamati ya sekta mbalimbali iliyoundwa na Waziri Mkuu Bw. Mizengo Pinda kupitia na kufuatilia utekelezaji wa mapendekezo hayo.

``Tupeni muda kidogo wakati kamati ile inachambua mapendekezo maana wao watatoa mwelekeo mzuri katika utekelezaji ripoti ya Bunge,`` alisema.

Alifafanua kuwa hata kama Dowans wataendelea kulipwa hatua za kisheria zitachukuliwa kurudisha fedha iwapo italazimika kufanya hivyo.

Wiki iliyopita, Bunge lilipitisha mapendekezo 23 yaliyotolewa na kamati yake likiwemo suala la kusitisha malipo ya Sh. milioni 152 kwa kampuni ya Dowans mapema iwezekanavyo.

* SOURCE: Nipashe

Wakulima Same kuanza kulima zao la Jatrofa

Wakulima Same kuanza kulima zao la Jatrofa

2008-01-31 13:58:20
Na ITV Habari

Baadhi ya wakulima wa wilaya ya Same mkoani Kilimanjaro wamehamasika na kuanza kulima zao la Jatrofa baada ya mafuta ya zao hilo kuanza kutumika kuendeshea injini za magari.

Wakizungumza baada ya kuona gari linalotumia mafuta yanayotokana na zao hilo wakulima hao wamesema wamepata matumaini makubwa ya kuondokana na umaskini kupitia zao hilo jipya la biashara.

Naye mwakilishi wa shirika linalotengezeza mafuta hayo kutoka nchini Uholanzi Bw. Adjan Deoswijk amesema mafuta hayo ambayo pia hutumika kwenye mashine za kuzalisha umeme zikiwemo genereta yameonyesha uwezo mkubwa wa kuendesha injini za magari.

* SOURCE: ITV

VAT on biogas gadgets holds back tech deployment

A section of Tanzania`s alternative energy experts believe that the charging of Value added Tax (VAT) on imported biogas gadgets hinders its deployment in rural areas where it is badly needed.

Though quite desirable, majority of rural dwellers are finding it difficult to adopt the green technology because even before the imposition of the 20 per cent VAT rate, basic investment is somewhat on the high side.

The use of biogas technology would be the only way rural communities will have access to sustainable sources of energy,if capital investiment would be reduced by removing VAT in equipments used for compact biogas installation.

Most of the rural dwellers are not connected with the national electricity grid due to poor facilities and lack of capital and if they are connected it`s very expensive.

The view that VAT on biogas equipment was not desirable is particularly championed by the Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI) executive director Nachiket Potnis, in the belief that its abolition would enable rural communities get access to the alternative, modern and cheap sources of power.

ARTI also argues that widespread use of biogas would enable the country save a lot of foreign exchange, now being expended on the importation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

The success of this measure would also strengthen and stabiles the value of the home currency.

In addition, ARTI also believes that the application of biogas technologies would help the low income earners in both rural and urban areas to reduce poverty as raw materials for its generation was amply available.

Presently, ARTI has engaged the government in a dialogue that is looking for ways for which biogas could be generated to the extent of meeting both household and industrial needs.

However, the removal of VAT on equipment for generating and supplying biogas needs to be carefully handled as this could be exploited by some unscrupulous manufacturers to evade tax payment obligation.

ARTI for instance suggests that VAT for domestically produced equipment such as specialised plastic tanks used in compact biogas generation and connection could be exempted.

The raw-materials for use in the Compact Biogas System are abundantly supplied from waste flour, vegetable residues, waste food, fruit peelings and rotten fruit.

These are used for generating natural gas generation in storage tanks.

The success of ARTI Tanzania and other alternative energy stakeholders would be to provide appropriate energy solutions and enable Tanzanians join the global fraternity in the fight against global warming and climate change, rapid deforestation, decreasing of fossil fuels and general pollution.

ARTI Tanzania is a non profit organisation aiming to develop, promote, standardise, popularise and commercialization of innovative, appropriate and sustainable technologies that are able to improve the quality of life and standard of living of the Tanzanian community.

* SOURCE: Guardian

Moshi wa Richmond wafukuta

Riroti ya Kamati ya Bunge ya kuchunguza mkataba wa Richmond inayosubiriwa na Watanzania wengi kujua kilichomo inatarajiwa kuanza kugawiwa kwa wabunge leo tayari kwa kujadiliwa muda wowote kuanzia sasa.

Habari ambazo hazikuthibitishwa jana, zilisema kuwa huenda ripoti hiyo ikaanza kujadiliwa na wabunge wa CCM leo katika vikao vyao vya siri.

Habari za uhakika zilizopatikana bungeni jana jioni zilisema kuwa wabunge wote wanatarajiwa kugawiwa ripoti hiyo ili waisome tayari kwa kuijadili.

Hatua hiyo imekuja baada ya Spika wa Bunge, Bw. Samwel Sitta, kusitisha safari ya kikazi ya kwenda Marekani.

Taarifa za kusitisha safari hiyo zilitangazwa Bungeni juzi na Naibu Spika, Bi. Anne Makinda ambapo, hata hivyo, hakutoa sababu zilizomfanya Spika Sitta kufuta ziara yake aliyopanga kuondoka juzi.

Wiki iliyopita Bw. Sitta aliwaaga wabunge kuwa hatohudhuria vikao vya Bunge kwa wiki nzima kwa vile atakuwa nchini Marekani, kisha akazuia kuwasilishwa na kusikilizwa kwa ripoti ya Richmond hadi hapo atakaporejea.

Pia alizuia kujadiliwa kwa ripoti ya upotevu wa mamilioni ya pesa Benki Kuu ya Tanzania (BoT) bila yeye kuwepo.

Bw. Sitta alitoa kauli hiyo kwa maelezo kwamba masuala hayo ni nyeti na kwamba yanapaswa kujadiliwa akiwepo.

Katika hatua ambayo haikutarajiwa, majuzi wabunge walisusia semina ya miswada ya sheria za nishati (umeme na mafuta) iliyoandaliwa na Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Bw. Nazir Karamagi.

Wabunge hao kwanza walitaka wafahamu kilichomo kwenye ripoti ya Richomond ndipo wajadili umuhimu wa mabadiliko yatakayoletwa na sheria hizo mpya.

Source: The Guardian, 6/2/2008

Ripoti ya Richmond 'kuanikwa' leo

HATIMAYE hamu ya wabunge kutaka kuona na kujua wahusika katika mkataba wenye utata wa kampuni ya kuzalisha umeme ya Richmond itakidhiwa leo wakatakapokabidhiwa rasmi ripoti ya Kamati Teule ya Bunge iliyoundwa Katika mkutano uliopita.

Habari za uhakika kutoka vyanzo mbalimbali zilieleza kuwa hadi jana asubuhi, kazi ya kukamilisha ripoti hiyo ilikuwa ikiendelea na ilitarajiwa kumalizika jioni na kuwasilishwa mezani kwa Spika leo na baadaye kugawiwa kwa wawakilishi hao wa wananchi.

“Ripoti ile ni kubwa sana, si kama zile ambazo tulizoea kutoka kwa mawaziri (kauli za mawaziri), kuanzia wiki nzima inafanyiwa kazi ya maandalizi na leo (jana) ilikuwa kwenye hatua za kuwekwa majalada ili kesho (leo) wagawiwe wabunge,” kilisema chanzo chetu.

Akizungumza na Majira kwa njia ya simu jana, Spika wa Bunge, Bw. Samwel Sitta, hakukataa wala kukubali kuwasilishwa kwa ripoti hiyo leo na kusisitiza kuwa atatangaza kila kitu leo asubuhi.

“Nitatangaza kila kitu kesho (leo) saa nne asubuhi, kikubwa tu mtu wako asikose kuwapo,” alisisitiza Bw. sitta na kuomba mwandishi wa habari hizi kuvuta subira mpaka leo atakapoweka mambo hadharani.

Wakizungumza na Majira baadhi ya wabunge wa CCM ambao hawakupenda majina yao yatajwe, walisema wao hawana taarifa hizo, ila wamepata matumaini mapya kama itakuwa hivyo, hasa baada ya Spika kusitisha ziara yake ya Marekani na kusisitiza kuwa ndicho walichokuwa wanasubiri kwa hamu.

“Ni wazi, kwamba hizo ni habari njema sana kwetu na kwa wananchi waliotutuma kuwasemea, lakini nakuhakikishia kuwa hatutamlinda mtu yeyote atayeonekana alishiriki kinyume na taratibu,” alisema mmoja wa wabunge wa CCM.

Kuanzia juzi, vikao kadhaa vya wabunge wa CCM vilikuwa vikiendelea huku jambo kubwa ikidokezwa kuwa ni juhudi za kutaka kuweka mambo sawa, hasa baada ya joto zaidi kupanda, hata wabunge kugoma kujadili muswada wa umeme na biashara ya mafuta, hadi watakapopokea ripoti ya Richmond na kujua kilichomo.

Katika hali iliyoonekana kuwa si ya kawaida, kikao cha Kamati ya Uongozi ya CCM, pia kilifanyika juzi na kuhudhuriwa na Katibu Mkuu wa CCM, Bw. Yusufu Makamba, ambapo ilidaiwa kuwa ajenda kuu ilikuwa ni kujipanga kwa ajili ya ripoti ya Richmond.

Awali akitoa matangazo baada ya kipindi cha maswali na majibu jana asubuhi, Naibu Spika wa Bunge, Bi Anna Makinda, alisema kikao cha Kamati ya Wabunge wa CCM ambacho kilipangwa kufanyika jana sasa kitafanyika leo saa 2 usiku.

“Kwa hali ilivyokuwa, kuna uwezekano mkubwa kuwa ndicho chanzo cha kuahirishwa kwa kikao chetu leo (jana), kuna mambo ambayo yalikuwa hayajakaa sawa, hivyo ilibidi kwanza kiahirishwe mpaka hayo yakamilike kwanza,” kilisema chanzo chetu kutoka miongoni mwa wabunge wa CCM.

Habari zaidi zilieleza kuwa Kamati ya Uongozi ya chama hicho kilichofanyika juzi, kilihoji uwezekano wa wabunge wa CCM kukutana kabla ya kukabidhiwa ripoti hiyo na kwamba yaliyomo ni lazima yajadiliwe kwanza na wabunge hao kabla ya kutoa mawazo yao bungeni kesho.

Wakati huo huo, Rais Jakaya Kikwete, anatarajiwa kuwasili mjini hapa kuongoza kikao cha Baraza la Mawaziri huku kukiwa na taarifa kwamba baada ya kikao hicho, kutakuwa na jambo jipya linaloweza kuleta mabadiliko makubwa katika siasa na uongozi wa nchi.

Source: majira, 6/2/2008

TANESCO yamwongezea mteja mzigo

TANESCO yamwongezea mteja mzigo

SHIRIKA la Umeme Tanzania (TANESCO) kwa mara nyingine imeanzisha mbinu zaidi za kumkamua mteja wake kwa kuongeza asilimia moja katika malipo yake ya LUKU na Ankara.

Kwa mujibu wa matangazo ya shirika hilo kwenye vyombo vya habari jana, watoa huduma za maji na nishati nchini wanapaswa kuchangia asilimia moja ya mapato yao kwa Mamlaka ya Udhibiti wa Maji na Nishati (EWURA).

"Kwa mujibu wa sheria namba 414 ya EWURA kifungu cha 43(3) watoa huduma za maji na nishati wanapaswa kuchangia asilimia moja ya mapato yao kwa EWURA.

"Kutokana na sheria hiyo, kuanzia Februari mosi mwaka huu, TANESCO imeingiza gharama hiyo ya asilimia moja, kwenye malipo ya umeme na kuonesha kwenye risiti za kununua umeme wa LUKU na ankara," lilisema tangazo la TANESCO jana.

Ili kufafanua hatua hiyo, shirika hilo ambalo hivi karibuni lilipandisha bei ya umeme wake, lilibainisha kuwa kuanzia wakati huo ankara zake zitasomeka: "VAT(20%)+ EWURA CHARGES (1%)" na kwenye risiti itakuwa: "VAT(20%)+EWURA CHARGES (1%)".

Wakati huo huo, Shirika hilo limewaeleza wateja wake kuwa muda wa kulipa madeni ya umeme bila riba ya asilimia mbili inayotozwa kwa wateja wenye madeni, umeongezwa kuanzia Februari mosi hadi Aprili 30 mwaka huu.

"Kama mtakumbuka, wakati wa kampeni ya kukusanya madeni mwishoni mwa mwaka jana, wateja ambao wamelimbikiza madeni ya umeme, walitakiwa kulipia madeni yao yote na hivyo kupewa motisha ya kufutiwa riba inayotozwa kwa wateja waliolimbikiza madeni," ilisema taarifa ya TANESCO.

Ilisema kwa hali hiyo, wateja ambao hawakuweza kulipa madeni yao wakati wa kampeni, wanaombwa kulipa madeni yao ili waweze kupewa motisha ya kufutiwa riba katika kipindi cha miezi mitatu.

Ilisisitiza kuwa kwa wateja ambao watashindwa kulipia madeni yao katika muda uliotolewa, hatua stahili zitachukuliwa, ikiwa ni pamoja na kukatiwa umeme.

Source: Majira, 6/2/2007