Simbarashe Msasanuri
Confusion reigns supreme as people jostle to buy different commodities displayed along the narrow streets, where vendors who are shouting on top of their voices in a bid to woe customers, are displaying their wares virtually blocking the road.
Different items are on sale at this illegal market where pedestrians find it difficult to pass through and go their way. A vendor could be heard shouting “Elfu Moja,. Elfu Moja “ while another one is shouting another amount to such an extent that one will be forgiven to mistake it to a psychiatric ward.
This describes a situation at Kariakoo especially during weekends where vendors continue to maintain a heavy presence despite a ban imposed by city fathers, prohibiting them from doing their business in undesignated areas.
These people have been blamed as the main causes of filthiness in the city. Dar es Salaam is in a sorry state where garbage carpets the streets and inconveniencing residents and passersby. In fact, a permanent solution to the problem seems to be eluding the powers that be.
In recent years, many attempts have been made to curb the problem but all efforts have been in vain. The city council having realized that petty traders contribute significantly to pollution in the city, employed city militia to arrest those found selling their wares at un designated areas. This however, seems to be failing since vendors and the militia play hide and seek game resulting in traders maintaining a heavy presence on our street
The city fathers and the police jointly formed an auxiliary police force last year to help deal with the problem of filthiness and vendors. The auxiliary police, headed by former police commanders, are there to enforce city by-laws including fining those that are found throwing garbage onto the streets.
Everyone found on the wrong side of the law will be fined 50 000/- . Speaking during a ceremony to inaugurate the force and allocate uniforms for the different municipalities in the region, then, Dar es Salaam Regional commissioner, William Lukuvi warned city residents that they should comply with city by-laws or leave, adding that those who fail to comply will face the wrath of the law.
It is unfortunate that no solution seems to be in sight for the problem of vendors in Dar es Salaam. Though vendors and petty traders have been labeled as a menace in the city, they use their small businesses to ward off the effects of the global economic crisis that is rocking the world.
The businesses have brought in smiles on the faces of most families whose members could be sleeping on empty stomachs but who are now having food on the table every evening. Many parents are using the proceeds from these businesses to send their children to school and provide for day to day needs of the family.
It also remains true that the informal and the private sectors contribute not only to the economy of this country but go a long way in improving the lives of the ordinary people. A lot more could be achieved if these people are assisted in establishing viable businesses.
The reports that government has pledged to further support the private sector could not have come at any better time than this. The government recently promised to support local investors to boost economic growth and reduce poverty.
This was said by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Shamsa Mwangunga, during a visit to small scale firm that deals in building materials.
She promised that the government would ensure that it enabled local investors and create a conducive environment for investment.
The minister said the government recognizes the contribution of such companies towards the economy of this country.
This, if implemented will go a long way in developing this country by boosting the economy and address the problem of poverty. But, instead of running loosing battles with vendors, the government should devise ways to support these entrepreneurs who are striving to eke a living.
The government and city fathers should designate strategic places where the vendors will have easy access to customers because at the moment they invade areas such as Kariakoo because they are strategic because they get more customers.
These traders also need financial support to develop their businesses. Once tense businesses expand, then they will be forced out of the streets as they will look for more secure places to do business.
It is vital, therefore, that support is extended to the informal sector, and a move that will go a long way in solving the problem of informal traders on the streets while on the other hand will help to keep the streets clean. Failure to do so, Dar es Salaam will remain an eyesore.
Ends.
Monday, August 16, 2010
War on counterfeits rages on as TBS introduces imported goods certification mark
Eugeniah Madhidha
Light seems to be shining at the end of a dark tunnel for the Tanzanian market, which for eons has been battling the presence of counterfeit goods, as the country’s products watchdog, Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), has made some inroads by introducing a new certification mark for all genuine imported goods.
The import standardization mark was presented to stakeholders by TBS Director, Charles Ekelege, during a pre-implementation conference for stakeholders held at the watchdog’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam recently.
The introduced mark is meant to ensure that genuine imported products are easily identified by consumers. This comes at a time when the war agai8nst fake commodities seemed to have been lost in this country because the rate at which counterfeits were invading this country then, it wasn’t going to be surprising if we ended up having fake people.
The country’s free economy, globalization, capitalism and laxity on policing have been blame for a long time as the primary contributing factors fueling the prevalence of fake goods on the market.
The problem of fake goods in this country has been with us for a long time now. And, this year alone TFDA had to deal with several cases in a bid to redress the situation.
Early this year, the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) banned the anti-malaria drug Metakelfin and ordered all vendors and health centres to return the remaining stocks to their wholesale suppliers.
TFDA Director Ms Magreth Ndomondo-Sigonda, was quoted saying that the order goes simultaneously with stopping the same drugs from being imported, distributed and sold in the country.
“We're stopping use of this drug until further notice,” Sigonda insisted during a press conference held at the TFDA offices in Dar es Salaam. Explaining the move, she said TFDA had noticed that many tablets imported and sold currently were counterfeits and had a poor efficacy in the curing of malaria.
“Vendors who bought the medicine legally should be refunded by the sellers ,” the TFDA director said. Laboratory observations conducted in March this year noted that drugs labeled Batch Number E378A were counterfeits and not fit for human treatment. Other batches in the list were G894A, G895A, G043A, G035A E378A and E088A. These have a low content of Sulphamethopyrazine and Pyrimethamine 25mg which are useful for curing malaria,” she said.
As if this problem was not enough, the media revealed the prevalence of fake S-26 breast milk substitute baby formula. This was condemned by a wide section of the society and revealed that thousands of babies’ lives were at risk in the country as the fake milk had negative effects on their health.
This forced TFDA to act swiftly and confiscate a total of 38,560 tins of S-26 infant formula manufactured by Pharmacare Woodmead- Sandton, South Africa which they sampled and declared unfit for human consumption after laboratory tests.
Then of late, the Tanzania Solar Energy Association (TASEA) has revealed that substandard and counterfeit solar panels are being sold in various shops selling electrical appliances in Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam,.
TASEA Executive Secretary Eng. Mathew Matimbwi, was quoted recently saying that, “after receiving many complaints, they carried out investigations and realized the existence of counterfeits in some shops visited during the exercise.
Eng. Matimbwi said that most of the solar panels that don't have instructions inscribed at the back side are said to be made in China and were sold for up to 400,000/- in some shops which is too expensive for 'wananchi'.
These are just but few incidents where the watchdogs have battled this social misnomer and in trying to contain it, TBS, recently announced that they were planning to carry out pre-shipment verification of consignment (PVoC) from the country or place of origin.
This move is meant to verify the status of all goods imported into this country before they even leave their country of origin.
And, addressing stakeholders when presenting a certification mark for imported item, Ekelege said: “We want to reach a point where there is no substandard product in the market, be it locally manufactured or imported,” adding that that the mark will go a long way in enhancing fair competition in the market.
To make sure that this will work, the director said, violators of the rules governing the mark will face various penalties, including licence termination, orders to withdraw products from the market and destruction of the product or returning it to the country of origin at the investor’s expense.
Addressing the same gathering, Acting Head of Quality Management Department Eng. Joshua Katabwa said the import standardization mark shall be affixed on all approved items, and called upon importers to comply with this new requirement.
“Electronic verification of the authenticity of the mark on products shall be conducted during inspections and any mark not traceable to the data base shall be treated as illegal and the culprits shall be traced for legal action,” he added.
Though this is a turning point in the fight against fake products and will go a long way in curbing the cancer, more need to be done to educate wananchi on the mark so that they know and identify original goods from fake ones using the mark.
As long as wananchi are in the dark in as far as the existence of the mark is concerned then this will be tantamount to a man winking at a woman in the dark. In other words it will be wasted effort as the general public will continue being taken advantage of.
Ends.
Light seems to be shining at the end of a dark tunnel for the Tanzanian market, which for eons has been battling the presence of counterfeit goods, as the country’s products watchdog, Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), has made some inroads by introducing a new certification mark for all genuine imported goods.
The import standardization mark was presented to stakeholders by TBS Director, Charles Ekelege, during a pre-implementation conference for stakeholders held at the watchdog’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam recently.
The introduced mark is meant to ensure that genuine imported products are easily identified by consumers. This comes at a time when the war agai8nst fake commodities seemed to have been lost in this country because the rate at which counterfeits were invading this country then, it wasn’t going to be surprising if we ended up having fake people.
The country’s free economy, globalization, capitalism and laxity on policing have been blame for a long time as the primary contributing factors fueling the prevalence of fake goods on the market.
The problem of fake goods in this country has been with us for a long time now. And, this year alone TFDA had to deal with several cases in a bid to redress the situation.
Early this year, the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) banned the anti-malaria drug Metakelfin and ordered all vendors and health centres to return the remaining stocks to their wholesale suppliers.
TFDA Director Ms Magreth Ndomondo-Sigonda, was quoted saying that the order goes simultaneously with stopping the same drugs from being imported, distributed and sold in the country.
“We're stopping use of this drug until further notice,” Sigonda insisted during a press conference held at the TFDA offices in Dar es Salaam. Explaining the move, she said TFDA had noticed that many tablets imported and sold currently were counterfeits and had a poor efficacy in the curing of malaria.
“Vendors who bought the medicine legally should be refunded by the sellers ,” the TFDA director said. Laboratory observations conducted in March this year noted that drugs labeled Batch Number E378A were counterfeits and not fit for human treatment. Other batches in the list were G894A, G895A, G043A, G035A E378A and E088A. These have a low content of Sulphamethopyrazine and Pyrimethamine 25mg which are useful for curing malaria,” she said.
As if this problem was not enough, the media revealed the prevalence of fake S-26 breast milk substitute baby formula. This was condemned by a wide section of the society and revealed that thousands of babies’ lives were at risk in the country as the fake milk had negative effects on their health.
This forced TFDA to act swiftly and confiscate a total of 38,560 tins of S-26 infant formula manufactured by Pharmacare Woodmead- Sandton, South Africa which they sampled and declared unfit for human consumption after laboratory tests.
Then of late, the Tanzania Solar Energy Association (TASEA) has revealed that substandard and counterfeit solar panels are being sold in various shops selling electrical appliances in Kariakoo, Dar es Salaam,.
TASEA Executive Secretary Eng. Mathew Matimbwi, was quoted recently saying that, “after receiving many complaints, they carried out investigations and realized the existence of counterfeits in some shops visited during the exercise.
Eng. Matimbwi said that most of the solar panels that don't have instructions inscribed at the back side are said to be made in China and were sold for up to 400,000/- in some shops which is too expensive for 'wananchi'.
These are just but few incidents where the watchdogs have battled this social misnomer and in trying to contain it, TBS, recently announced that they were planning to carry out pre-shipment verification of consignment (PVoC) from the country or place of origin.
This move is meant to verify the status of all goods imported into this country before they even leave their country of origin.
And, addressing stakeholders when presenting a certification mark for imported item, Ekelege said: “We want to reach a point where there is no substandard product in the market, be it locally manufactured or imported,” adding that that the mark will go a long way in enhancing fair competition in the market.
To make sure that this will work, the director said, violators of the rules governing the mark will face various penalties, including licence termination, orders to withdraw products from the market and destruction of the product or returning it to the country of origin at the investor’s expense.
Addressing the same gathering, Acting Head of Quality Management Department Eng. Joshua Katabwa said the import standardization mark shall be affixed on all approved items, and called upon importers to comply with this new requirement.
“Electronic verification of the authenticity of the mark on products shall be conducted during inspections and any mark not traceable to the data base shall be treated as illegal and the culprits shall be traced for legal action,” he added.
Though this is a turning point in the fight against fake products and will go a long way in curbing the cancer, more need to be done to educate wananchi on the mark so that they know and identify original goods from fake ones using the mark.
As long as wananchi are in the dark in as far as the existence of the mark is concerned then this will be tantamount to a man winking at a woman in the dark. In other words it will be wasted effort as the general public will continue being taken advantage of.
Ends.
Will EWURA intervention solve Dar water problems?
Eugenia Madhidha
The place is crowded, women putting on kangas are miserably sitting on their buckets, some could be seen gossiping while others are anxiously waiting for their turn to draw water, scores of men with pushcarts loaded with empty plastic containers are also agonizingly waiting for their turn to get the precious liquid.
The place is a mess with water being splashed everywhere leaving the area wet and muddy. One will be forgiven to mistaken the place to a fish market, but alas, the place describes central water collection point in Yombo-Kilakala which is a common place in most high density suburbs in Dar es Salaam.
The water collection point popularly known as bombani are strategically located in these areas to an extent that residents draw water from central points in the suburbs. The problem, however, is that they are very few such that some have to walk for long distances to get to a nearest point. This problem has been mainly caused by vandalism and theft.
Last year, the Dar es Salaam Water and Sanitation Authority (DAWASA) and Dar es Salaam Water and Sanitation Corporation (DAWASCO), revealed that they suffered vandalism and theft despite steps to counter the stealing of pipes and other water equipment which were affecting the water supply network in the city.
According to DAWASA then, more than 360 pieces worth some 700m/- were stolen since 2006. The pieces include valves, fire hydrants, flanges, coupling, water meters, pipe joints and steel cover and were still working on recovering them.
These problems have been denying wananchi access to clean water in Dar es Salaam to an extent that some of the residents have been forced to fetch water from unprotected shallow wells, something that posses a great danger to their health.
This quest for making quick buck has seen many people engaging in uncouth activities such as stealing of water equipment or illegal connections to the water supply network. DAWASCO has been for a long-time discovered many illegal connections that they disconnected, by-passing official connections to avoid paying for the water used.
Last year, three people were arrested in Sinza, Dar es Salaam for allegedly tampering with DAWASCO infrastructure. The company’s chief commercial officer, Raymond Mndolwa said then that the suspects drilled into big eight inch water pipe and allegedly connected their pipes that enabled them to access water and started selling it to customers including big water vehicles.
Six water pumps were confiscated in the operation at three houses in the area. Such acts of sabotage are counter productive as they thwart efforts by the government to provide clean water to wananchi as greedy citizens take advantage and make it an opportunity to rack millions of dollars.
However all hope is not lost as the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) directed the DAWASA to improve the water supply and sewerage services, including installation of meters.
According to EWURA’s recent newsletter, DAWASA was given an ultimatum to increase the number of metered customers to 104,000 by the end of this month, helping customers to be charged according to consumption.
Areas expected to be metered by the end of this month include, Kimara,Kibaha, Dar es Salaam city centre and Boko.
More to that, the newsletter indicates that DAWASA should reduce unaccounted for water to 40% by June this year. This will go a long way in alleviating the problem of water shortages in the city as a lot of unaccounted for water is lost through vandalism and unattended to burst pipes.
It will also remain a sad story for many residents in high density suburbs as the ultimatum does not directly benefit them. Those who will smile most are those with the means to pay for the metered water and the responsible authorities should see to it that water is availed to everyone including the ordinary person on the streets.
But, with vandalism continuing to cripple the water distribution network and burst pipes taking long to be attended to, then the problem of water in Dar es Salaam is far from over. It is vital that everyone plays his or her part to safeguard the equipment failure to do that water provision will remain a nightmare for the powers that be in the city and the ordinary people will continue to suffer as Dar will remain a dry city
Ends.
The place is crowded, women putting on kangas are miserably sitting on their buckets, some could be seen gossiping while others are anxiously waiting for their turn to draw water, scores of men with pushcarts loaded with empty plastic containers are also agonizingly waiting for their turn to get the precious liquid.
The place is a mess with water being splashed everywhere leaving the area wet and muddy. One will be forgiven to mistaken the place to a fish market, but alas, the place describes central water collection point in Yombo-Kilakala which is a common place in most high density suburbs in Dar es Salaam.
The water collection point popularly known as bombani are strategically located in these areas to an extent that residents draw water from central points in the suburbs. The problem, however, is that they are very few such that some have to walk for long distances to get to a nearest point. This problem has been mainly caused by vandalism and theft.
Last year, the Dar es Salaam Water and Sanitation Authority (DAWASA) and Dar es Salaam Water and Sanitation Corporation (DAWASCO), revealed that they suffered vandalism and theft despite steps to counter the stealing of pipes and other water equipment which were affecting the water supply network in the city.
According to DAWASA then, more than 360 pieces worth some 700m/- were stolen since 2006. The pieces include valves, fire hydrants, flanges, coupling, water meters, pipe joints and steel cover and were still working on recovering them.
These problems have been denying wananchi access to clean water in Dar es Salaam to an extent that some of the residents have been forced to fetch water from unprotected shallow wells, something that posses a great danger to their health.
This quest for making quick buck has seen many people engaging in uncouth activities such as stealing of water equipment or illegal connections to the water supply network. DAWASCO has been for a long-time discovered many illegal connections that they disconnected, by-passing official connections to avoid paying for the water used.
Last year, three people were arrested in Sinza, Dar es Salaam for allegedly tampering with DAWASCO infrastructure. The company’s chief commercial officer, Raymond Mndolwa said then that the suspects drilled into big eight inch water pipe and allegedly connected their pipes that enabled them to access water and started selling it to customers including big water vehicles.
Six water pumps were confiscated in the operation at three houses in the area. Such acts of sabotage are counter productive as they thwart efforts by the government to provide clean water to wananchi as greedy citizens take advantage and make it an opportunity to rack millions of dollars.
However all hope is not lost as the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) directed the DAWASA to improve the water supply and sewerage services, including installation of meters.
According to EWURA’s recent newsletter, DAWASA was given an ultimatum to increase the number of metered customers to 104,000 by the end of this month, helping customers to be charged according to consumption.
Areas expected to be metered by the end of this month include, Kimara,Kibaha, Dar es Salaam city centre and Boko.
More to that, the newsletter indicates that DAWASA should reduce unaccounted for water to 40% by June this year. This will go a long way in alleviating the problem of water shortages in the city as a lot of unaccounted for water is lost through vandalism and unattended to burst pipes.
It will also remain a sad story for many residents in high density suburbs as the ultimatum does not directly benefit them. Those who will smile most are those with the means to pay for the metered water and the responsible authorities should see to it that water is availed to everyone including the ordinary person on the streets.
But, with vandalism continuing to cripple the water distribution network and burst pipes taking long to be attended to, then the problem of water in Dar es Salaam is far from over. It is vital that everyone plays his or her part to safeguard the equipment failure to do that water provision will remain a nightmare for the powers that be in the city and the ordinary people will continue to suffer as Dar will remain a dry city
Ends.
Dar businesses operate in fear of fire outbreaks
EUGENIA MADHIDHA
‘Fire! Fire! Call the fire brigade.’ This has become a common saying in Dar es Salaam as many fire outbreaks are being reported frequently leaving many businesspeople crippled and having nowhere to start from since their commodities would have been destroyed in the inferno.
Fire outbreaks have become so common that media houses are awash with reports of fire incidents within the city. In most cases, the causes of the outbreaks usually remain mysterious but in a few circumstances that the causes have been unearthed, most of them are linked to human error.
Fire can be caused by so many things which are countless. These include cigarettes, sparks from electrical machines or plugs just but to mention a few. That is why the words ‘no smocking’ are common in most business premises especially those that deal with inflammable substances such as fuel and gas.
Leaving electrical gadgets plugged and unswitched off when leaving business premises has also been blamed as another cause of fire in some premises.
Though many cases have been witnessed in Dar recently what comes to our mind is the recent incident when Tanzania Breweries Ltd was gutted by fire.
The overnight inferno destroyed dozens of crates with empty beer bottles estimated to be worth 4.5bn/-. The cause of the fire, however, is still being investigated though the incident was described as an act of sabotage.
A few days later another business premises was razed down by fire. Murzah Oil Mill’s Jumbo Packaging print industries in Kipawa, Dar es Salaam was reduced to ashes..
The fire was caused by flying sparks from a welding machine and destroyed property worth billions of shillings. Asked for a comment, the company’s managing director, Abdul Zakaria, could not immediately state the extent of the damage caused by the fire but he said each warehouse stored at least 1.000 tonnes of packaging rollers of papers estimated to be costing billions of shillings.
Besides the above major incidents to recently rock Dar, so many other fires were reported leaving businesspeople shading tears and wondering if ever they will be able to stand back to their feet again.
It is against this background that the business sector continues to operate in fear of fire outbreaks. What is more disturbing, however is that many businesspeople don’t know what to do when they are faced with this situation and worse still what steps to do to prevent the fires.
A snap survey carried out by this reporter revealed that most of the people don’t believe fires can be prevented. They attributed it to fate.
“I believe fire outbreaks don’t just occur. It’s a matter of bad luck and once it attacks you, you won’t escape from it, no matter hard you try to prevent the fire,” said Daudi Mlope a businessman who runs a successful grocery shop near Bakwata Busi Stand in Yombo.
Most businesspeople, however, blamed the fire brigade, popularly known as Zimamoto for their failure to quickly respond to fire outbreaks.
“The fire brigades are to blame, because they take urges to respond to a call and worst still they come unprepared either without adequate water or ill equipped,” said one businesswoman who requested anonymity.
She also added that a lot of property could be saved if the fire fighters put their house in order.
The fire brigade department has for a long time reiterated that they were doing their best to fight fires in the city, turning the blame on many barriers that stifle their efforts..
Traffic jams have been described as the main challenge this department is facing in executing their duties. This causes them to reach their destination very late and at a time when fire would have destroyed a larger chunk of the property.
Addressing the press recently the Dar es Salaam Head of Rescue and Fire Brigade, Fikiri Salla, not only did he blame the unplanned erection of tall buildings and traffic jams as major challenges the department was facing, but also highlighted the problem of insufficient water at fire brigade stations.
He said it was a challenge that is complicating fire extinguishing exercises in case of fire outbreaks.
Despite all these challenges facing the fire fighting department in the city, the responsible authorities are not helplessly watching as fire continue to wreck havoc but have embarked on measures to counter this social anomaly.
It is against this background that the city council recently sent ten employees to Germany for practical training on how to deal with fire incidents.
In addition, it spent 12m/- as transport costs for two special fire engines, from Japan to Tanzania, meant to enhance fire fighting in the city.
The vehicles have been donated by the government of Japan and are part of the bilateral cooperation in supporting the social development in the country.
As much important as it is to educate business people on how to deal with the fire when it visit them, it is also important to teach them on how to prevent the problem. As the saying goes ‘prevention is better than cure.’
Ends
‘Fire! Fire! Call the fire brigade.’ This has become a common saying in Dar es Salaam as many fire outbreaks are being reported frequently leaving many businesspeople crippled and having nowhere to start from since their commodities would have been destroyed in the inferno.
Fire outbreaks have become so common that media houses are awash with reports of fire incidents within the city. In most cases, the causes of the outbreaks usually remain mysterious but in a few circumstances that the causes have been unearthed, most of them are linked to human error.
Fire can be caused by so many things which are countless. These include cigarettes, sparks from electrical machines or plugs just but to mention a few. That is why the words ‘no smocking’ are common in most business premises especially those that deal with inflammable substances such as fuel and gas.
Leaving electrical gadgets plugged and unswitched off when leaving business premises has also been blamed as another cause of fire in some premises.
Though many cases have been witnessed in Dar recently what comes to our mind is the recent incident when Tanzania Breweries Ltd was gutted by fire.
The overnight inferno destroyed dozens of crates with empty beer bottles estimated to be worth 4.5bn/-. The cause of the fire, however, is still being investigated though the incident was described as an act of sabotage.
A few days later another business premises was razed down by fire. Murzah Oil Mill’s Jumbo Packaging print industries in Kipawa, Dar es Salaam was reduced to ashes..
The fire was caused by flying sparks from a welding machine and destroyed property worth billions of shillings. Asked for a comment, the company’s managing director, Abdul Zakaria, could not immediately state the extent of the damage caused by the fire but he said each warehouse stored at least 1.000 tonnes of packaging rollers of papers estimated to be costing billions of shillings.
Besides the above major incidents to recently rock Dar, so many other fires were reported leaving businesspeople shading tears and wondering if ever they will be able to stand back to their feet again.
It is against this background that the business sector continues to operate in fear of fire outbreaks. What is more disturbing, however is that many businesspeople don’t know what to do when they are faced with this situation and worse still what steps to do to prevent the fires.
A snap survey carried out by this reporter revealed that most of the people don’t believe fires can be prevented. They attributed it to fate.
“I believe fire outbreaks don’t just occur. It’s a matter of bad luck and once it attacks you, you won’t escape from it, no matter hard you try to prevent the fire,” said Daudi Mlope a businessman who runs a successful grocery shop near Bakwata Busi Stand in Yombo.
Most businesspeople, however, blamed the fire brigade, popularly known as Zimamoto for their failure to quickly respond to fire outbreaks.
“The fire brigades are to blame, because they take urges to respond to a call and worst still they come unprepared either without adequate water or ill equipped,” said one businesswoman who requested anonymity.
She also added that a lot of property could be saved if the fire fighters put their house in order.
The fire brigade department has for a long time reiterated that they were doing their best to fight fires in the city, turning the blame on many barriers that stifle their efforts..
Traffic jams have been described as the main challenge this department is facing in executing their duties. This causes them to reach their destination very late and at a time when fire would have destroyed a larger chunk of the property.
Addressing the press recently the Dar es Salaam Head of Rescue and Fire Brigade, Fikiri Salla, not only did he blame the unplanned erection of tall buildings and traffic jams as major challenges the department was facing, but also highlighted the problem of insufficient water at fire brigade stations.
He said it was a challenge that is complicating fire extinguishing exercises in case of fire outbreaks.
Despite all these challenges facing the fire fighting department in the city, the responsible authorities are not helplessly watching as fire continue to wreck havoc but have embarked on measures to counter this social anomaly.
It is against this background that the city council recently sent ten employees to Germany for practical training on how to deal with fire incidents.
In addition, it spent 12m/- as transport costs for two special fire engines, from Japan to Tanzania, meant to enhance fire fighting in the city.
The vehicles have been donated by the government of Japan and are part of the bilateral cooperation in supporting the social development in the country.
As much important as it is to educate business people on how to deal with the fire when it visit them, it is also important to teach them on how to prevent the problem. As the saying goes ‘prevention is better than cure.’
Ends
‘Fast foods’ – business or death sentence
Eugeniah Madhidha
The coming in of the global economic crisis has seen most families venturing into small businesses to save themselves from the devastating effects. This has seen many Tanzanians venturing into food businesses selling various types of foods, ranging from roasted chicken, chips, fruits and so on just but to mention a few.
Though these businesses have brought in smiles on the faces of most families whose members could be sleeping on empty stomachs but who are now having food on the table every evening, these food vendors have for a long time now been blamed for operating under unhygienic areas something that can fuel diseases.
These vendors have been blamed not only of spreading the dreaded cholera, but have also been blamed for fueling reckless eating habits for the ordinary people in this country who eat what ever they come across as long as it is cheap.
A cardiologist from India's Nayarayana Hrudulayala Heart Institute, Dr Pujar Suresh, over the weekend said the majority of Tanzanians risk getting diabetes and high blood pressure due to poor eating habits.
The heart specialist made the remarks in Dar es Salaam shortly after examining about 200 patients at the Regency Medical Centre during a two-day free heart testing.
Dr Suresh noted that his examinations found out that the number of patients were overweight and shown signs of diabetes, whose cause is over eating as well as eating haphazardly.
A snap survey by this reporter revealed that many people eat blindly as they don’t care much as to what goes into their mouths as long as it is affordable.
“ I usually do not mind what I eat, though I have my favourite food which is fish and rice. I eat a wide range of foods. What determines what I eat is my pocket. Sometimes I just buy a soft drink and chips or chicken if I have money,” said a man who identified himself as Pendo, a resident of Yombo, Kilakala
He went on to say that food is readily accessible in Dar es Salaam and that normally he eats at a number of places and different meals though he has his favourite place.
Another resident, who couldn’t be drawn into mentioning her name confirmed that many people eat haphazardly and that what usually determine what people eat, is the size of their pockets.
The Acting Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Evance Balama, has already issued a statement warning the vendors to stop operating from unhygienic places such as open areas to curb the cholera pandemic, but this if fully implemented will not only save the public when it comes to the pandemic, but will go a long way in reducing eating of fast foods that are hurriedly prepared, that have been attributed to the heart problems facing many people.
It is unfortunate that the RC’s order has been stalled by laxity and bribery allegations amongst city executives and militiamen. On the other hand, the vendors have remained adamant that they will continue with their businesses despite the existence of an order barring them from doing so.
Dr Pujar Suresh went on to urge the government to take immediate actions by providing education to the public through mass media to save people from the risks.
This will go a long way in conscientising people so that they worry of their health and eat healthy foods. Failure to do, many ordinary people will continue to eat their way to their graves after succumbing to heart diseases, something not good for development.
Ends.
The coming in of the global economic crisis has seen most families venturing into small businesses to save themselves from the devastating effects. This has seen many Tanzanians venturing into food businesses selling various types of foods, ranging from roasted chicken, chips, fruits and so on just but to mention a few.
Though these businesses have brought in smiles on the faces of most families whose members could be sleeping on empty stomachs but who are now having food on the table every evening, these food vendors have for a long time now been blamed for operating under unhygienic areas something that can fuel diseases.
These vendors have been blamed not only of spreading the dreaded cholera, but have also been blamed for fueling reckless eating habits for the ordinary people in this country who eat what ever they come across as long as it is cheap.
A cardiologist from India's Nayarayana Hrudulayala Heart Institute, Dr Pujar Suresh, over the weekend said the majority of Tanzanians risk getting diabetes and high blood pressure due to poor eating habits.
The heart specialist made the remarks in Dar es Salaam shortly after examining about 200 patients at the Regency Medical Centre during a two-day free heart testing.
Dr Suresh noted that his examinations found out that the number of patients were overweight and shown signs of diabetes, whose cause is over eating as well as eating haphazardly.
A snap survey by this reporter revealed that many people eat blindly as they don’t care much as to what goes into their mouths as long as it is affordable.
“ I usually do not mind what I eat, though I have my favourite food which is fish and rice. I eat a wide range of foods. What determines what I eat is my pocket. Sometimes I just buy a soft drink and chips or chicken if I have money,” said a man who identified himself as Pendo, a resident of Yombo, Kilakala
He went on to say that food is readily accessible in Dar es Salaam and that normally he eats at a number of places and different meals though he has his favourite place.
Another resident, who couldn’t be drawn into mentioning her name confirmed that many people eat haphazardly and that what usually determine what people eat, is the size of their pockets.
The Acting Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Evance Balama, has already issued a statement warning the vendors to stop operating from unhygienic places such as open areas to curb the cholera pandemic, but this if fully implemented will not only save the public when it comes to the pandemic, but will go a long way in reducing eating of fast foods that are hurriedly prepared, that have been attributed to the heart problems facing many people.
It is unfortunate that the RC’s order has been stalled by laxity and bribery allegations amongst city executives and militiamen. On the other hand, the vendors have remained adamant that they will continue with their businesses despite the existence of an order barring them from doing so.
Dr Pujar Suresh went on to urge the government to take immediate actions by providing education to the public through mass media to save people from the risks.
This will go a long way in conscientising people so that they worry of their health and eat healthy foods. Failure to do, many ordinary people will continue to eat their way to their graves after succumbing to heart diseases, something not good for development.
Ends.
Whither war on cholera
. . . as food vendors defy orders to stop selling unhygienic foods
EUGENIA MADHIDHA
THE cholera pandemic continues to cause untold suffering to wananchi through out the country despite concerted efforts by the authorities to curb the social anomaly. If reality on the ground and recent figures on reported and recorded cholera cases are to go by, then there is no light at the end of the tunnel as the disease is spreading like veld fire.
The coming in of the rain season, coupled with the general populace’s lack of hygienic consciousness has been blamed for the ever increasing number of cholera cases recorded through out the country.
Though no latest updates on cholera cases could be obtained by the time of going to press, statistics availed last week revealed that Dar es Salaam Region had a total of 211 cases that had been reported so far.
Temeke District was said to be having the highest number of reported cholera cases where 73 had been recorded while Kinondoni District had 68 and Ilala had 70.
Contacted for comment then, the Acting Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Evance Balama, said: “I want to remind people to observe hygiene especially when preparing food as city executives are working on modalities to bring awareness to the public on the disease.”
The RC also expressed fear that city executives are taking bribes as they were ignoring an order he issued earlier banning all food vendors preparing and selling food in open and unhygienic areas, instructing the city authorities to descend on them.
According to the order, all vendors operating from unhygienic areas were supposed to stop their business or face legal action. This was so because they were blamed for fueling the spreading of cholera.
The RC’s fears were confirmed by Ilala municipal authorities recently who admitted the presence of bribery and corruption amongst city executive officers and city militia when it comes to an exercise of removing food vendors operating in open and unhygienic areas.
This was confirmed by the Ilala Municipal Director, Gabriel Fiume that it was true that some militia are involved in such acts.
According to him, it is difficult for the exercise to be implemented at once because of these problems so in a bid to curb bribery, city militia men were now deployed on rotational basis, saying that no militiaman will be assigned to work in one place for more than one week.
“The reshuffle system will help given the fact that vendors do not develop friendships with militiamen and thus cannot create any chance for her/him to be bribed,” he said.
Despite all these efforts and laxity by city authorities in as far as dealing with cholera is concerned, reality on the ground shows that the war against the disease is far from being won. A visit by this reporter in Temeke District, one of the most affected districts in this region reveals that city fathers still have a lot of work to do.
The situation in Tandika is pathetic to say the list. Food vendors openly and continue to sell food under unhygienic environment despite the order. In separate interviews with this reporter, vendors in Tandika said they have no other source of income and life is difficult so they will continue to risk and defy the order in order for them to feed their families.
“We are aware that there is an order banning us from selling food items in open areas, but, if we are to abandon this business then what will we do? We have hungry mouths to feed at home, so if they want us to stop this then they should give us hygienic places to do our business,” said a sugarcane vendor who requested anonymity.
The situation at Mwembe Yanga was not pleasing also as vendors were operating near pools of dirty rainy water mixed with garbage. On the near side is a fried chicken vendor whose operational environment leaves a lot to be desired. Other vendors could also be seen, crowded at the same area selling different types of foodstuffs such as mangoes, oranges, sugarcane and many other types of foods.
The busy area, which also operates as a bus stand, is in a sorry state and food vendors there became suspicious of this reporter, despite having identified herself, they were not cooperating as they thought the reporter was one of the council officials who had come to implement the ban. However, they confirmed being aware of the ban but could not shed more light on their defiance.
At Yombo Kilakala and Vituka areas the situation wasn’t any better. The situation is worse in this godforsaken area where women in these suburbs prepare and sell different kinds of foods such as chapatti, mihogo and mandazi just but to mention few by the roadside where the environment they prepare food is not hygienic at all. Their wares are not covered and dust from the passing vehicles quickly settles onto the food, not to talk about swarms of flies that will be feasting on the food.
A look at meat vendors especially those selling chicken pieces, is not pleasing. The meat is exposed both to dust and flies to an extent that it needs people with stronger hearts to buy and worse still cook and eat. Asked why they continue defying an order banning them, some professed ignorance while others cited economic hardships as their main reasons.
With no solution in sight for the problem of unhygienic foods being sold on our streets, then the problem of cholera is here to stay. It remains true that with the global economic recession taking its toll on ordinary citizens, then they wouldn’t let go their sole source of income without a fight or resistance, making the job of city authorities to clear the streets of unhygienic foods an insurmountable task.
As long as no solution is found for the problem of food vending, with vendors continue to defy orders to stop selling from unhygienic places, then winning the war against cholera will just but remain a dream.
Ends.
EUGENIA MADHIDHA
THE cholera pandemic continues to cause untold suffering to wananchi through out the country despite concerted efforts by the authorities to curb the social anomaly. If reality on the ground and recent figures on reported and recorded cholera cases are to go by, then there is no light at the end of the tunnel as the disease is spreading like veld fire.
The coming in of the rain season, coupled with the general populace’s lack of hygienic consciousness has been blamed for the ever increasing number of cholera cases recorded through out the country.
Though no latest updates on cholera cases could be obtained by the time of going to press, statistics availed last week revealed that Dar es Salaam Region had a total of 211 cases that had been reported so far.
Temeke District was said to be having the highest number of reported cholera cases where 73 had been recorded while Kinondoni District had 68 and Ilala had 70.
Contacted for comment then, the Acting Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Evance Balama, said: “I want to remind people to observe hygiene especially when preparing food as city executives are working on modalities to bring awareness to the public on the disease.”
The RC also expressed fear that city executives are taking bribes as they were ignoring an order he issued earlier banning all food vendors preparing and selling food in open and unhygienic areas, instructing the city authorities to descend on them.
According to the order, all vendors operating from unhygienic areas were supposed to stop their business or face legal action. This was so because they were blamed for fueling the spreading of cholera.
The RC’s fears were confirmed by Ilala municipal authorities recently who admitted the presence of bribery and corruption amongst city executive officers and city militia when it comes to an exercise of removing food vendors operating in open and unhygienic areas.
This was confirmed by the Ilala Municipal Director, Gabriel Fiume that it was true that some militia are involved in such acts.
According to him, it is difficult for the exercise to be implemented at once because of these problems so in a bid to curb bribery, city militia men were now deployed on rotational basis, saying that no militiaman will be assigned to work in one place for more than one week.
“The reshuffle system will help given the fact that vendors do not develop friendships with militiamen and thus cannot create any chance for her/him to be bribed,” he said.
Despite all these efforts and laxity by city authorities in as far as dealing with cholera is concerned, reality on the ground shows that the war against the disease is far from being won. A visit by this reporter in Temeke District, one of the most affected districts in this region reveals that city fathers still have a lot of work to do.
The situation in Tandika is pathetic to say the list. Food vendors openly and continue to sell food under unhygienic environment despite the order. In separate interviews with this reporter, vendors in Tandika said they have no other source of income and life is difficult so they will continue to risk and defy the order in order for them to feed their families.
“We are aware that there is an order banning us from selling food items in open areas, but, if we are to abandon this business then what will we do? We have hungry mouths to feed at home, so if they want us to stop this then they should give us hygienic places to do our business,” said a sugarcane vendor who requested anonymity.
The situation at Mwembe Yanga was not pleasing also as vendors were operating near pools of dirty rainy water mixed with garbage. On the near side is a fried chicken vendor whose operational environment leaves a lot to be desired. Other vendors could also be seen, crowded at the same area selling different types of foodstuffs such as mangoes, oranges, sugarcane and many other types of foods.
The busy area, which also operates as a bus stand, is in a sorry state and food vendors there became suspicious of this reporter, despite having identified herself, they were not cooperating as they thought the reporter was one of the council officials who had come to implement the ban. However, they confirmed being aware of the ban but could not shed more light on their defiance.
At Yombo Kilakala and Vituka areas the situation wasn’t any better. The situation is worse in this godforsaken area where women in these suburbs prepare and sell different kinds of foods such as chapatti, mihogo and mandazi just but to mention few by the roadside where the environment they prepare food is not hygienic at all. Their wares are not covered and dust from the passing vehicles quickly settles onto the food, not to talk about swarms of flies that will be feasting on the food.
A look at meat vendors especially those selling chicken pieces, is not pleasing. The meat is exposed both to dust and flies to an extent that it needs people with stronger hearts to buy and worse still cook and eat. Asked why they continue defying an order banning them, some professed ignorance while others cited economic hardships as their main reasons.
With no solution in sight for the problem of unhygienic foods being sold on our streets, then the problem of cholera is here to stay. It remains true that with the global economic recession taking its toll on ordinary citizens, then they wouldn’t let go their sole source of income without a fight or resistance, making the job of city authorities to clear the streets of unhygienic foods an insurmountable task.
As long as no solution is found for the problem of food vending, with vendors continue to defy orders to stop selling from unhygienic places, then winning the war against cholera will just but remain a dream.
Ends.
Will Dar auxiliary police end the problem of garbage?
EUGENIA MADHIDHA
The place is filthy as heaps of garbage keep on piling especially from vegetable vendors strategically positioned along the street and those from a nearby market. Not only is the place an eyesore, but also a pungent smell comes out of the dump causing everyone who passes through that place to spit.
Surprisingly, just a few meters away from there is a woman selling food stuffs, opposite is a restaurant and a swam of flies probably from the garbage dump are not only unwanted visitors but are an inconvenience to those enjoying their delicious meals.
The dinners are not only forced to ward off the flies but find themselves removing those that would have been fried together with their meals. This is not a fictitious story from a novel but describes the situation on the ground along one of the streets in Karakoo.
At the place you can find all kinds of garbage you may think of, banana, oranges and other fruit peals, rotten vegetables, papers, empty water bottles and so on. What flabbergast me most is that the people contributing to the ever piling rubbish are aware of the consequences. Diseases like cholera, dysentery, stomach upsets just to mention three are not exceptions when it comes to dirty environment.
“We know of the problems we might face from throwing rubbish everywhere but we have no option because there are no rubbish bins”, said a nearby food vendor who requested anonymity. She added that even if one happens to buy a rubbish bin the city council takes ages to collect the garbage.
A snap survey conducted by this reporter indicates that it is true there are no adequate rubbish bins on the streets of Dar es Salaam. One can walk from corner to corner without coming across a rubbish bin. This is the main reason people throw garbage everywhere in the streets.
Summer season is the hottest and there is no doubt water sales are increasing day by day. The weather causes people to buy water in a short space of time for them not to suffer from dehydration. Also, this is the season where we find many fruits so their prices decline and many people are found buying them a lot, hence the rate at which people are going to be throwing of garbage is bound to increase.
The problem of garbage carpeting the streets and inconveniencing residents and passersby in Dar es Salaam has been with us for a longtime now. In fact, a permanent solution to the problem seems to be eluding the powers be.
In recent years, many attempts have been made to curb the problem but all efforts have been in vain. The city council having realized that petty traders contribute significantly to pollution in the city, employed city militia to arrest those found selling their wares at un designated areas. This however, seems to be failing since vendors and the militia play hide and seek game resulting in traders maintaining a heavy presence on our streets.
At this darkest hour of the evening, light seems to be shining in Dar es Salaam since the police and the city council have teamed up to curb this problem.
They jointly formed an auxiliary police force that will be operating in the Dar es Salaam region. The auxiliary police, headed by former police commanders, will be there to enforce city by-laws including fining those that are found throwing garbage onto the streets.
Everyone found on the wrong side of the law will be fined $50 000/- . Speaking during a ceremony to inaugurate the force and allocate uniforms for the different municipalities in the region, this week, Dar es Salaam Regional commissioner, William Lukuvi warned city residents that they should comply with city by-laws or leave, adding that those who fail to comply will face the wrath of the law.
At the ceremony, Temeke municipality auxiliary police were given grey coluor, Ilala municipality auxiliary police will wear green while Kinondoni got maroon and the Dar es Salaam city council police will put on blue.
The RC said that the exercise will nab those who litter the city haphazardly throwing food leftovers, plastic bottles and papers on the streets.
Though this is a step towards the right direction, more seems to be needed in order to put an end to the problem of litter. Fining people for throwing litter onto the streets alone will not help as there are no bins for them to use. This therefore means that there is need for concerted efforts by both the public and private sectors to fight this social anomaly.
This is so because as long as there are no rubbish bins in the streets, and garbage remains uncollected for months then Dar es Salaam will continue being an eyesore.
Ends.
The place is filthy as heaps of garbage keep on piling especially from vegetable vendors strategically positioned along the street and those from a nearby market. Not only is the place an eyesore, but also a pungent smell comes out of the dump causing everyone who passes through that place to spit.
Surprisingly, just a few meters away from there is a woman selling food stuffs, opposite is a restaurant and a swam of flies probably from the garbage dump are not only unwanted visitors but are an inconvenience to those enjoying their delicious meals.
The dinners are not only forced to ward off the flies but find themselves removing those that would have been fried together with their meals. This is not a fictitious story from a novel but describes the situation on the ground along one of the streets in Karakoo.
At the place you can find all kinds of garbage you may think of, banana, oranges and other fruit peals, rotten vegetables, papers, empty water bottles and so on. What flabbergast me most is that the people contributing to the ever piling rubbish are aware of the consequences. Diseases like cholera, dysentery, stomach upsets just to mention three are not exceptions when it comes to dirty environment.
“We know of the problems we might face from throwing rubbish everywhere but we have no option because there are no rubbish bins”, said a nearby food vendor who requested anonymity. She added that even if one happens to buy a rubbish bin the city council takes ages to collect the garbage.
A snap survey conducted by this reporter indicates that it is true there are no adequate rubbish bins on the streets of Dar es Salaam. One can walk from corner to corner without coming across a rubbish bin. This is the main reason people throw garbage everywhere in the streets.
Summer season is the hottest and there is no doubt water sales are increasing day by day. The weather causes people to buy water in a short space of time for them not to suffer from dehydration. Also, this is the season where we find many fruits so their prices decline and many people are found buying them a lot, hence the rate at which people are going to be throwing of garbage is bound to increase.
The problem of garbage carpeting the streets and inconveniencing residents and passersby in Dar es Salaam has been with us for a longtime now. In fact, a permanent solution to the problem seems to be eluding the powers be.
In recent years, many attempts have been made to curb the problem but all efforts have been in vain. The city council having realized that petty traders contribute significantly to pollution in the city, employed city militia to arrest those found selling their wares at un designated areas. This however, seems to be failing since vendors and the militia play hide and seek game resulting in traders maintaining a heavy presence on our streets.
At this darkest hour of the evening, light seems to be shining in Dar es Salaam since the police and the city council have teamed up to curb this problem.
They jointly formed an auxiliary police force that will be operating in the Dar es Salaam region. The auxiliary police, headed by former police commanders, will be there to enforce city by-laws including fining those that are found throwing garbage onto the streets.
Everyone found on the wrong side of the law will be fined $50 000/- . Speaking during a ceremony to inaugurate the force and allocate uniforms for the different municipalities in the region, this week, Dar es Salaam Regional commissioner, William Lukuvi warned city residents that they should comply with city by-laws or leave, adding that those who fail to comply will face the wrath of the law.
At the ceremony, Temeke municipality auxiliary police were given grey coluor, Ilala municipality auxiliary police will wear green while Kinondoni got maroon and the Dar es Salaam city council police will put on blue.
The RC said that the exercise will nab those who litter the city haphazardly throwing food leftovers, plastic bottles and papers on the streets.
Though this is a step towards the right direction, more seems to be needed in order to put an end to the problem of litter. Fining people for throwing litter onto the streets alone will not help as there are no bins for them to use. This therefore means that there is need for concerted efforts by both the public and private sectors to fight this social anomaly.
This is so because as long as there are no rubbish bins in the streets, and garbage remains uncollected for months then Dar es Salaam will continue being an eyesore.
Ends.
Coins selling – A necessity or liability?
EUGENIA MADHIDHA
TWO boys were digging a hole at their parents’ house as they were playing and one of them said that if they get (from their digging) a 200/- coin they were going to buy some sweets. The other one disagreed and said that they were going to buy books and write what they want. A heated debate ensured degenerating into a fist fight.
Their mother heard of the noise and came out of the house and demanded to know why they were fighting.
But undeterred by the presence of the mother, the boys continued arguing, “No! We are going to buy books,” said one of the boys. “You stupid, I told you we are going to buy sweets,” argued the other.
Out of curiosity the mother asked where the money was and where they got it from.
Then one of the boys said “We haven’t got it yet.”
Surely, coins are important such that even kids become happy if you give them some. The shrewd ones have decided to earn a living out of coins and indeed they are smiling everyday because coins are on demand especially to bus conductors.
Early this year, the Surface and Marine Transport Regulation Authority (SUMATRA) reduced transport costs of transport costs especially for urban areas. In Dar for example, fares were reduced from 300/- to 250/- for shorter distances.
This gave conductors a lot of headaches since it was difficult to get 50/- coins for change. As a result, a lot of commuters cried foul over losing a lot of 50/- to conductors.
This then necessitated coin sellers to provide the much needed coins and there has been a remarkable increase in the number of people trading in coins.
As the situation threatened to go out of hand, the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) imposed a ban on the practice arguing that it was illegal and fuels corruption.
A snap survey carried out by the Times unearthed that the ban has fallen on deaf ears as the coins business is thriving.
The coins sellers do it in broad day light and openly display their wares without fear of being reprimanded. With these difficult times aggravated by the global economic recession, those undertaking the business are eking a living out of it.
According to them, they are now able to feed their families and fulfill other obligations. Countless commuters and buses are always on the road, which means more business to the coins sellers.
“I don’t know anything about the banning of coins, but even though, this is my only way of surviving. I have been in this kind of business for sometime now and I can’t complain,” said a coins seller at Bakwata in Yombo who just identified himself as Mudi.
This man is selling 950/- of coins at 1000/- and can get thousands of shillings though he did not specify. They are three in his family and all are in the same type of business, his brothers are operating from other business centres.
However, the price of coins varies according to places. At the new Post Office in town, the price is higher as compared to Bakwata. A woman at Posta is selling 800/- coins for 1000/-.
The woman who requested anonymity, said life is going on well. “I’m earning a living out of trading in coins,” she said adding that if the police decide to come after them like they once did, she will not know where to start from.
Though a paradox remains as to whether coins business is a necessity or a liability the BoT should weigh the merits and demerits of the business and come up with a bold move.
Though labeled as illegal and fueling corruption, the sector feeds many mouths in Tanzania and provides relief to many commuters who for a long time had been losing a lot of money through change problems as bus conductors were hiding behind the scarcity of 50/- coins to amass extra cash.
TWO boys were digging a hole at their parents’ house as they were playing and one of them said that if they get (from their digging) a 200/- coin they were going to buy some sweets. The other one disagreed and said that they were going to buy books and write what they want. A heated debate ensured degenerating into a fist fight.
Their mother heard of the noise and came out of the house and demanded to know why they were fighting.
But undeterred by the presence of the mother, the boys continued arguing, “No! We are going to buy books,” said one of the boys. “You stupid, I told you we are going to buy sweets,” argued the other.
Out of curiosity the mother asked where the money was and where they got it from.
Then one of the boys said “We haven’t got it yet.”
Surely, coins are important such that even kids become happy if you give them some. The shrewd ones have decided to earn a living out of coins and indeed they are smiling everyday because coins are on demand especially to bus conductors.
Early this year, the Surface and Marine Transport Regulation Authority (SUMATRA) reduced transport costs of transport costs especially for urban areas. In Dar for example, fares were reduced from 300/- to 250/- for shorter distances.
This gave conductors a lot of headaches since it was difficult to get 50/- coins for change. As a result, a lot of commuters cried foul over losing a lot of 50/- to conductors.
This then necessitated coin sellers to provide the much needed coins and there has been a remarkable increase in the number of people trading in coins.
As the situation threatened to go out of hand, the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) imposed a ban on the practice arguing that it was illegal and fuels corruption.
A snap survey carried out by the Times unearthed that the ban has fallen on deaf ears as the coins business is thriving.
The coins sellers do it in broad day light and openly display their wares without fear of being reprimanded. With these difficult times aggravated by the global economic recession, those undertaking the business are eking a living out of it.
According to them, they are now able to feed their families and fulfill other obligations. Countless commuters and buses are always on the road, which means more business to the coins sellers.
“I don’t know anything about the banning of coins, but even though, this is my only way of surviving. I have been in this kind of business for sometime now and I can’t complain,” said a coins seller at Bakwata in Yombo who just identified himself as Mudi.
This man is selling 950/- of coins at 1000/- and can get thousands of shillings though he did not specify. They are three in his family and all are in the same type of business, his brothers are operating from other business centres.
However, the price of coins varies according to places. At the new Post Office in town, the price is higher as compared to Bakwata. A woman at Posta is selling 800/- coins for 1000/-.
The woman who requested anonymity, said life is going on well. “I’m earning a living out of trading in coins,” she said adding that if the police decide to come after them like they once did, she will not know where to start from.
Though a paradox remains as to whether coins business is a necessity or a liability the BoT should weigh the merits and demerits of the business and come up with a bold move.
Though labeled as illegal and fueling corruption, the sector feeds many mouths in Tanzania and provides relief to many commuters who for a long time had been losing a lot of money through change problems as bus conductors were hiding behind the scarcity of 50/- coins to amass extra cash.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Mourning the untimely demise of THISDAY chief graphic designer
SIMBARASHE MSASANURI
Dar es Salaam
THE atmosphere was pregnant with sorrow and it was a heart-rending experience as the IPP Executive Chairman, Reginald Mengi, led scores of mourners, among them relatives, workmates and friends to pay their last respects to Redemptus Angelo Ngereza. The visibly shaken and heart broken mourners were slowly moving in a queue to catch a last glimpse of the deceased at the Kinondoni Cemetery in Dar es Salaam last Thursday.
Many people could not contain their composure as streams of tears could be seen rolling down their cheeks, others were sobbing while others were struggling to show their bravery as they looked, shook their heads in disbelief as if to protest to God on why he had taken their beloved colleague, a man who for many had gone too early.
The whole drama started on 23 April, 1971 in Mrutungulu Village, Ukerewe District, in Mwanza Region, when a boy was born. His parents named him Redemptus, a Latin name meaning emancipated, redeemed, liberated or freed. And, true to the meaning of his name, Redemptus, grew up into someone who was always willing to help by redeeming others through sound advices and an exemplary life many people lived to emulate.
To prepare for duties and tasks ahead of him, Redemptus joined Mrutungulu Primary School for his primary education before moving to Dar es Salaam where he enrolled with Mgulani Secondary School in 1987 to start his secondary education.
After completing his Ordinary Level in 1990, he later crossed the border to Nairobi, Kenya where he joined St Joseph’s Worker Training Centre for a certificate in Computer Software skills which he completed in 1995.
Soon after completing the course, he immediately joined the Guardian Limited as a graphic designer before moving to Mwananchi Communications Limited. (MCL) It was when he was at The Guardian that he gained a lot of experience and was a darling of many workers. Most of his workmates then, knew him for his ever smiling face and they nicknamed him Tembe.
Tembe left MCL in September 2005 to become one of the founding members of Media Solutions Limited as a graphic designer where he rose through the ranks to become the Chief Graphic Designer for both papers, THISDAY and KULIKONI.
It was a sombre mood in the newsroom last week on Monday after the news about the untimely death of the soft spoken Redemptus had filtered through. Many of his workmates could not believe it as he had last visited the office less than 24 hours before his death, in a jovial mood as usual. There was no sign on him that could suggest that he was not going to make it through the next 24 hours.
It had happened, Rede as he was affectionately known, had completed his journey on earth the previous day, August 1, 2010, after succumbing to what doctors say is Intracerebral haemorrhage or acute blood pressure (BP).
In utter shock and disbelief most of his colleagues could be heard reliving the last moments they had with the deceased. They, however, heaped praises on him, counting the losses as Rede's shoes were too big to be filled by anyone else.
John Badi, the Chief Photographer with Media Solutions Limited could not hide his disappointment. “ I knew him from the time we were together at Mwananchi Communications in 2005 before we moved to Media Solutions at the same time.”
“He was a good man, mcheshi, cooperative and we worked together harmoniously to produce the newspapers. He never quarreled with anybody, what he did best was his job. He was also a good adviser and consultant who was always willing to give advice and his input in both social and work matters,” he added.
Badi also said that the gap he has left will be very difficult to fill, He vividly remembers the last time he talked to him, soon after finishing producing last week's issue of THISDAY when Redemptus said the weekend was not going to be good as his pockets were empty. And they laughed over it hoping to meet on Monday but that was never to be.
Innocent Shirima, an IT and Database Administrator said: “I have known and worked with him for about five years. He was a very charming person and he was full of jokes.”
“He was a person who listened and had the time to advise you on anything. He spoke his mind and was always frank. He was very keen and sharp to his work. A few days before he died, he came to our office and was talking to almost everyone, telling stories and a lot of jokes as if he was bidding us farewell. We will sadly miss him.” he added.
At the grave yard, the Managing Editor of Media Solutions, Evarist Mwitumba, heaped praises on Redemptus saying he was a hardworking, dedicated and highly skilled worker who did not complain much about his job. He was cheerful, resilient and had the company, especially the newspapers at heart and this could be seen by the products he produced.
The IPP Executive Chairman, Reginald Mengi also addressing the gathering touched on an important aspect humanity seems to be overlooking. He said that in most cases when a person dies, many people cry to God asking Him why, but they don't even bother to thank him for the period they spent with that person.
He said it was time humanity changed the perception of death whereby they would thank God for having been given the opportunity to have that person in their lives. He sighted examples that wives can thank God for having lived with the husband for a certain period and having had children and cherish their successes instead of blaming God for the death.
He went on to promise unconditional support to the family, by completing the house Red was building and to continue taking care of the widow and her child amid applause from mourners.
It really was a painful moment for many, especially when the coffin was being lowered into the grave. The widow could not stomach it as it was beginning to register in her mind that what will be left of her loved one are only imaginations and memories of the good and bad times they spent together.
As the undertakers were mixing concrete and at the same time covering the grave while mourners were singing Ee Bwana Bwana Ee Bwana, Wewe ndiwe mwenye haki . . . . , it was clear that our dear Red had finished his journey on this earth and was beginning another elsewhere.
When the Tegeta Roman Catholic Parish Priest, Richard Tiganya, finally laid the epitaph on the grave, it was like as if he was putting a seal to an era that had prematurely ended. An era many people will live to cherish.
Judging by the scores of people who gathered at the cemetery to bid him farewell, Rede was a man of the people, and as if to show him that he was loved even unto death, people took turns to decorate his grave with flowers. It was even more painful for many people as they watched the deceased's only child accompanying her mother to put flowers on the grave with her future looking bleak after having lost one of the most important people in her life, a father.
When the burial was finally over and mourners dispersing to their respective areas they knew they had given their loved one a befitting send-off. And, though he might be physically dead, his works will live to remind us of a warm and considerate person who completed his journey on this earth while we still needed him. Fare ye well Redemptus, a.k.a Tembe, a.k.a Rede, May your soul rest in eternal peace. Amen!
Ends.
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