Lasting solutions needed to end Mwananyamala's problems

SIMBARASHE MSASANURI
Dar es Salaam

It never rains but pours for Mwananyamala hospital as the dust form the latest crisis, discovery of ten babies buried in one grave that stunned the whole country, is far from settling. On the other hand, the committee set up to probe the barbaric act is still to present its findings while debate continues raging on over its composition.

Though the hospital is now under relatively new hands - after the government transferred a good number of staff including top management - it seems as if the ghost of a bad reputation continues haunting the institution, well-known for the wrong reasons.

Service delivery had reached rock bottom at the hospital, where negligence, corruption, greedy and unethical behaviour by some medical staff had become the order of the day. The hospital during that time was widely condemned by the general public, civil society and some government officials who could not stomach the situation that was fast becoming dangerous for patients.

A dim light became visible at the end of this dark tunnel when on April 12, 2010, the then Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Mr. William Lukuvi, announced through media that 96 health workers at Mwananyamala hospital had been transferred to other working stations, majority within the Dar es Salaam region, attributing the transfer to the longstanding poor health care service provision at the hospital.

But, in a rejoinder, Sikika, a non governmental organisation reacted to the transfers condemning the move, highlighting that it was not the solution to the problem.

“We doubt if mere shuffling of staff around Dar es Salaam region is the right solution to those problems. Citizens are experiencing same problems in almost all public facilities in Dar es Salaam region. Historically, transfer would usually spread the vices. Again, this particular transfer seem to have punished bad and good workers, which is unjust, and therefore an indication of a weak management,” said Sikika Executive Director, Irenei Kiria, in a press statement.

He added that service users had complained about poor quality service delivery at Mwananyamala hospital (and other public health facilities) for years, regarding malpractices, negligence, unfriendly attitude of service providers, unavailability of medicines and diagnostic equipment, bribery, overcrowding, and long waiting period to be served.

Instead, Sikika called for measures such as ensuring timely availability of quality working tools including medicines, equipment and supplies; improve pay and benefits of all cadres at health facilities and strengthened hospital management and administration including corrective action against health workers who maltreat patients and whose performance is unsatisfactory, among others.

And, as if to vindicate Sikika for condemning the transfers, problems have recurred barely a year after the transfers.

The inhuman, unAfrican and barbaric act of not only burying ten infants in a rubbish pit, passed as a grave, but also placing them in one grave revealed how far a person can go, throwing all manners to the dogs, for the love for money.

It is romoured that the horrifying find was the work of wayward Mwananyamala hospital staff, who colluded with the mothers of the babies and was paid to dispose the bodies of the children who had died shortly after birth.

The government reacted swiftly by appointing an investigating team that has been a subject of debate among citizens as its composition leaves a lot to be desired. The inclusion of a police officer and doctors from Mwananyamala and other hospitals was seen as tantamount to watering down the investigations.

Sikika, was one of the organisations that condemned the composition of the committee, calling for the immediate dissolution of the committee. Speaking during a press conference, Kiria called on the government to pick a new independent committee, whose members should not include Mwananyamala hospital and Kinondoni municipality.

“There is no way Mwananyamala hospital and Kinondoni municipality can escape liability. It is they who should be investigated,” Kiria said.

He said that the fact that infants' bodies resulted from abortions or miscarriages was “no justification to throw them into a garbage pit in a residential area.”

He went on to urge the police to ignore the committee formed and independently conduct thorough investigations and bring the suspects to book without fear and favour.

With the whole country waiting with bated breath for the answers to the Mwananyamala hospital drama, fears are that the presence of those believed to be the accused in the committee might compromise investigations and at the end concealing vital informing, misleading the public.

Time has come for the government to take decisive measures on their problem child, Mwananyamala hospital, as it continues to tarnish the image of the medical profession by being notorious for scandals. Though the health sector is bedeviled by many problems, the government should strive to 'clean up' all troubled spots for the betterment of health delivery and for wananchi's sake.

THE VOICE OF PRAISE: Praise, worship weapons of spiritual warfare

SIMBARASHE MSASANURI
Dar es Salaam

MUSIC is an art form whose medium is sound and, though there are lot of common elements such as pitch, rhythm and dynamics, talent is what makes musicians. Many people have failed to make it in the music industry because they lack the talent to produce products that easily win the hearts of listeners.

It is only those with natural talent who can capture the attention of people and make an impact in an industry saturated by reputable musicians who are already household names.

The latest offing, a debut album, recently unleashed by The Voice of Praise, titled 'Tunakuabudu', is clear testimony that the voices behind the compositions are not mere pushovers and are destined for greater heights.

Listening to the album is a lifetime opportunity that leaves one craving for more, something that shows that the compilation was done in a manner that exhibits artistic prowess. It shows that, the two musicians behind the group, Anchilla Kimaro and Athanas Chagula, possess natural talent that will take them places.

Having a chance to watch these two perform is something that will leave people's lives changed for ever. And, this reporter besides having had a chance to witness one of the performances, managed to catch up with the musicians to tap more into the people behind the melodious voices.

“The name of the group was derived from Isaiah 43 verse 21 and 1 Peter 2 verse 9, that points out that people were created to praise God,” says Kimaro, adding that when God created man, He gave him one of the most unique instruments, the voice, which besides being a communication tool is meant to praise Him.

She added that it was last year when as a choir leader, she saw a gift in Athanas and decided to combine efforts and come up with an album.

On the topic of the album, Athanas says that it is in line with the name of the group because you can't praise somebody you don't worship. “The title of the album, 'Tunakuabudu', we are praising God and we urge people to praise Him with all their their being, resources and whole heartedly,” he adds.

The eight-track album, does not only depict maturity in the manner the songs are arranged but also contains bible-rich lyrics that easily ushers listeners into praising and worshiping God. The song 'Alpha and Omega' is a gem of a song that shows that only the sky is the limit for the two musicians as raw talent is at its best.

The song reminds Christians that God is the beginning and end of their lives to such an extent that without Him, they can't do anything. “He is above everything, there is no one we can trust rather than him and He is able,” says Kimaro.

Another song that is poised for greater heights is 'U Mwema'. “It talks about the goodness of God. It testifies about God's goodness. In this song, we used four languages, Swahili, Sukuma, Haya and Nyakusa,” says Athanas.

'Ni Wewe Tu' is another song that can easily win the hearts of listeners. The worshiping song focuses straight to God. “we are telling him that he is the only one in our lives. When we are blessed or challenged we go to him.”

'Tunakuimbia Sifa', 'Wewe Ndiwe Nguzo', 'Tunakuabudu' and 'Utawala' complete the album. They exhibit not only talent but maturity and will undoubtedly send shocking waves within the music circles, taking the talented musicians to another stage.

To show that talent runs in their veins and were born natural musicians, their talents can be traced as far as tender age. Kimaro was born in Nkaka Village, Nkenge District in Kagera Region and is the fifth born in a family of six children.

As if to prepare her for the task ahead, she enrolled at Kashasha Primary School, attended Kibasila Secondary School before crossing the border to enroll with Shallom Teachers' Training Centre in Nairobi.

Now, a teacher at Kingdom Heritage Model School in Dar es Salaam, Kimaro remembers that she liked singing and playing drums from a tender age. She joined church choir when she was in grade two and she was the attraction then as she used to sing with old people. This was not the end as at school she joined the school choir.

“When I got born again in 1985, one of the things that made me to be born again was the choir. I thank God because being in the choir made me to grow spiritually,” says the soft-spoken Kimaro, adding that she joined the Winners Chapel in 1997 and was one of the founding members of the choir in Dar es Salaam and have been singing in that choir ever since.

“I am one of the praise leaders in the choir and through the teaching I was getting, I realised that to me it's a gift and I decided to work on it. I have been reading books from our Bishop David Oyedepo and pastors working under him,” she adds.

Married to Fredrick Kimaro and blessed with four children, Kimaro thanks her husband for encouragement and being there for her. “ God has blessed me with four children and they are all singers to an extent that they can compose songs,” she says.

On the other hand, Athanas was born in 1984 in Geita District, Mwanza Region. And, just like Kimaro, he started singing at a tender age and has been singing with different groups since then. He also remembers singing with different groups in Shinyanga before moving to Dar es Salaam in 2003 where in 2004 he joined the AIC Dar es Salaam Choir until 2007.

“I then moved to Kitunda PATMO where I was a praise and worship leader up to 2008 in July when I joined Winners Chapel and have been there up today as a choir member and as one of the praise leaders,” says Athanas, adding “I thank God I met my sister here (Kimaro) and this is just but the beginning of where we are going.”

Kimaro interjects: “Everything one needs to reach his destiny is arranged. Athanas is an orphan, when he told me his story, I told him that what will take him further is in him. While he is doing his studies, it's good but there is something in us, you don't need to go to school for you to use your gift.”

She adds that as they named their album, they believe they are singing to praise God. “ We are not doing business, people will buy but our aim is that we want people to worship God,” adding that, we want to tell people that praising and worshiping God, when they do it with understanding they will get breakthroughs.

“Singing and praising God is one of the weapons you can use to defeat Satan. It is a weapon of spiritual warfare and it's more than dancing and jumping. People should do it with meaning,” she says elaborating that she has practiced what she is teaching as she is a living testimony of praising and worshiping.

“I don't know going to hospital and getting admitted, even with my children. It has been a weapon of warfare. I believe God even I am sick,” she adds.

On their future plans in the music industry, the musicians say that they were believing God for a DVD album and that people should be on the look out for another gem soon.

Government should intensify commitment to stop unnecessary spending

By Eugenia Madhidha

One day, some officials belonging to a certain organisation went for a workshop outside the country which was supposed to go for five days. Unfortunately due to reasons beyond their control, the workshop had to go for four days. And, when they got back to their office they claimed allowances for five days. Interestingly, their employer was wise enough to define the allowances for one day they did not attend the workshop as “unnecessary” which made the officials despondent claiming that they were treated unfairly.

The problem of unnecessary spending has been haunting humanity for a long time, but, just as another man's meat can be another's poison, so is the issue of spending where the classification of ‘unnecessary expenditure’ has been manipulated by some people who hide behind fingers to justify their spending.

However, though it might remain true that what people call unnecessary spending can vary and differ according to perception, the government in this country, realised that there was this problem within its ranks and vowed to tackle it.

It is against this background that, Sikika, a non-governmental that deals with health advocacy in Tanzania, recently warned the government (in a press release) that it should intensify its commitment to stop unnecessary spending for the benefit of the tax-payers and channel the money to developmental projects.

Though it came as good news that the sum of all unnecessary expenditures in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as regions fell from 684 billion (bn) Tanzanian Shillings (TSh) in financial year (FY) 2008/09 to 530 bn TSh in FY 2009/10, which is a reduction of 22.4 percent. But, for the FY 2010/11 these expenditures are expected to rise slightly to 537 bn TSh, a move which contradicts the government’s stated commitment to spend its resources more wisely.

“People have a habit of “over claiming” when it comes to allowances and other benefits such as fuel. For example, someone wants to embark on a journey that will need only one gallon of fuel but will discover that the person claims two gallons. Why would one need two gallons of fuel when one is enough”, said Rufaro Chatora, one of the presenters representing WHO during a monthly breakfast debate organized by Policy Forum on controlling unnecessary expenditure at the British Council Dar es Salaam where the book titled Unnecessary expenditures: A Brief on the Government’s Initiative to Refocus Expenditure was launched.

It is impressive that Sikika in collaboration with Policy Forum, in the brief that can be found at www.sikika.or.tz and its first edition was produced in April 2010, identified six budget items that are considered to be severely laden with unnecessary expenditures as:- Training (domestic and foreign), Allowances (non-discretionary, discretionary, and in-kind), Travel (in-country and out-of-country), Acquisition of New Vehicles, Fuel, Oil and Lubricants and Hospitality Supplies and Services.

As much as the above-mentioned are important, the main concern here is that they are supposed to be reduced, for example, why should we have nine facilitators for one workshop which can be facilitated by three or so people and why should one get paid for attending allowances for five days while in actual fact he or she would have attended three days? Why should we keep on training the same people, the same thing and not giving others a chance?

It is fortunate that the government has also recognized this problem of unnecessary expenditure and has through its top officials like the Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda committed to increase control over and economize those expenditures. However, urgent measures have to be taken before the problem gets out of hand. The overwhelming rise of unnecessary expenditures is really distasteful and something has to be done about it as the money wasted can be utilised somewhere else for the benefit of the general public.
Urgent measures, therefore, need to be taken in curbing the problem which in most cases benefits the same group of people. It is high time that the government realizes unnecessary spending has ripple effects as in the long run, leads to failure in service delivery and lagging behind in development, something that disadvantages the public, who in most cases are the taxpayers.
It is also important that the general public have access to information when it comes to budgets, so that they can also be in a position to monitor and follow up on how funds meant to benefit them are used. This will go a long way in empowering wananchi so that their voices can be heard once their funds are misused.
The government should, therefore, put in place measures to curb unnecessary expenditure for the benefit of the public and make Tanzania a better place for everyone.

Unity of purpose key to solving medicines and staff shortages

Eugenia Madhidha
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

FOR a place to be deemed a health facility, there are things that are considered to be necessities such as human resources and medicinal drugs, among many others. However, we find so many health facilities in this country failing to meet these standards thereby being reduced to nothing but white elephants.
Recently, it was reported that Dar es Salaam municipal hospitals are facing serious shortages of medicines and medical staff such as nurses and doctors, something that cripples the operations of these health facilities, aggravating the suffering of the general public as they fail to provide quality services to patients.

The most saddening thing is that they continue singing the old song, blaming it on financial constraints as the major root of the problems.

According to the reports, Mwananyamala Municipal Hospital Medical Officer-In-Charge Zuhura Majapa, said that the hospital is currently facing shortage of doctors, nurses and they do not have sufficient medicines. On the other hand, the Amana Municipal Hospital Medical Officer-In-Charge told the media that the hospital is also facing shortage of doctors and nurses and the available specialists cannot efficiently serve the increasing number of patient.

The situation at these two major hospitals in Dar es Salaam, is a cancer affecting many other health facilities throughout the country. The problem of medicinal drugs shortages has been a cause for concern especially for many poor rural dwellers who cannot afford to buy them from pharmacies or those who live in remote areas where pharmacies are either too far away or nonexistent.

It is important to note that medicines are a vital component in a human’s body as they restore human health. Though they can be traced as far back as humanity, they go a long way in saving lives in a world full of dreaded diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, malaria and cholera and so on. It is unfortunate, however, that despite the existence of these medicines many people, especially in Tanzania succumb to diseases because of acute shortages of drugs.
The shortage of medicinal drugs has been prevailing for eons now and, with the look of things, no permanent solution is in sight for the problem as blame game is the order of the day. It is unfortunate that many citizens think that medical practitioners are to blame for the non availability of medicines at health centers. For example a Sikika (NGO that deals with health issues) volunteer who identified himself as Redemptus came across some patients who were complaining about the non availability of medicines at Kafuma health facility and he had to help the doctor-in-charge to explain to angry patients the procedures and steps taken until medicines are delivered to health facilities.
In most cases, when confronted by patients who will be eager to know the reasons for the shortages, medical practitioners shift the blame on the MSD for not supplying the medicines while on the other hand the MSD blames both the government, for owing them money, a move that cripples their operations and the medical practitioners in health centers for misusing the medicines by selling them in private pharmacies.
On the other hand, the government blames both the MSD and health officials for the problem. The blame game is in most cases counterproductive as the root cause of the problem remains unaddressed.
Citizens, therefore, should not be vilified when they complain about the problems they come across whenever they visit health facilities. It remains true that some have lost trust in these health centres as they are either forced to spend long hours waiting to be served because of lack of medical staff or are forced to fork out their hard earned cash to buy medicines from pharmacies. This seems to have cultivated a dangerous practice where some people don't seek medical treatment, hoping that the diseases will complete their cycle and they will be healed naturally.
According to the speech by the Minister for Health and Social Welfare when he was presenting ministry budget for FY 2010/11 in the parliament on 28th June 2010 an amount of Tsh 61.6 billion was allocated for buying of drugs and supplies( vifatiba na vitendanishi katika Zahanati, vituo vya afya na hospitali za umma) and Tsh 287 billion for buying and distribution of HIV and malaria drugs around the country . But, what is surprising is that health facilities throughout the country continue facing medicinal drugs shortages despite a huge amount being reserved to address the problem.
And, with the look of things, it seems no solution is in sight for the problem and this disadvantages the ordinary person on the street. It is, therefore, important to note that it remains the responsibility of the MSD, government and the medical practitioners to make sure that medicines reach the intended target. This, however, can only be done if each one of these responsible authorities do their job diligently and stop pointing fingers at each other.
On the other hand, it is important for the powers that be to address the perennial shortage of medical staff. Much noise has been made about it while less action seems to have been taken to address it.
This, therefore, means that there is need for concerted effort to end these social anomalies to not only make life easier for ordinary citizens but also save lives.
Ends

Fare ye well Chakanetsa Chidyamatiyo

By Simbarashe Msasanuri

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

A quarrel between two first year students at the Midlands State University in the Media and Society Studies August Intake class, ten years ago, could have been disastrous for two aspiring journalists had it degenerated into a fist fight as it could have signaled the end of their dreams. According to the regulations of the institution, outright expulsion was the price paid by those who traded books for fists.

However, the maturity shown by one of the students in trying to prevent the situation from getting out of hand saved the day. Had he reacted in a manner that any other ordinary person could have done, we could have been talking of a different story today.

We were all new during that time and we hardily knew each other but, the traits revealed by this guy showed that he was destined for greatness. It didn't take me another day to know the name of the person I am talking about, who was none other than Chakanetsa Chidyamatiyo. A guy who rose to greater heights in the journalism fraternity but whose ambitions were cut abruptly after a horrific car crash claimed his life last week.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I stumbled upon a message on Facebook that journalist Chakanetsa Chidyamatiyo had been killed in a road accident the previous night. But, after a series of enquiries, reality dawned on me that one of the 39- media moguls was no more. I knew that part of the journeys of our lives we had travelled together had come to an end. A common Shona saying that munhu akanaka haararami rightly applies to Chaka whose existence on this earth was restricted to 30years. A journey he had started when when Mr and Mrs Chidyamatiyo were blessed with a baby boy in Mazowe and decided to name him Chakanetsa.

With a bleeding heart, I had no choice but to thank God for the few years that we had spent together, the years that shaped our lives and destinies. A life that started at MSU where the drama I mentioned earlier on occurred.

When I witnessed that incident in 2000, I personally admired him for he was not only slow to anger but had shown everyone that he could coexist with his fellow students without a problem. It wasn’t surprising, therefore, that we ended up befriending each other. A friendship that was cemented by the fact that the August intake was more of a family due to the vilification we were getting from other sectors of the institution because the group was full of extraordinary talent.

I still vividly remember the days we spent together, joked together and helped each other to tackle tough assignments at college. We used to walk the then narrow strip from Senga to the campus and back as you,Chaka, used to live a stone’s throw away from where I lived. We were more like a family then together with your roommates, Innocent Chiyadzwa and Samuel Mujaka.

The days when we used to survive on green vegetables after our payouts (VTL) ran out or the powers that be would, due to one reason or the other, have delayed the disbursement. Those days, we used to sleep late writing assignments or doing group discussions in preparation for the final exams. How we braved the chilly Gweru weather in winter and excessive heat in summer at the famous Hunger Square studying, something that became a launch pad to the profession we loved and were passionate about.

During all that time, you showed that you were a team player as you were always available every time other students needed your input. You were also enterprising, something that was aided by your sociability as in some cases you could use all that to get some materials especially from students who were in classes ahead of us.

These qualities helped you to fit into this thankless profession that went on to claim your life. Eulogies on your Facebook profile show that you were a man of the people. Scores of people among them journalists did not hide their utter disbelief and grief over your departure.

You were willing to share your knowledge with your juniors and your colleagues, some of whom sounded their appreciation (on Facebook) especially on how you shaped their careers by guiding them. It also emerged that you were still having all the other qualities of being a team player, always willing to share information and of being an enterprising man.

These are the same traits that helped you to make a name for yourself in this profession, in 2002, when you joined The Herald for your industrial attachment. I remember being proud of you then especially when I came across your by-lined stories. It was obvious by then that you were destined for greater heights.

After graduation, uncertainty engulfed us as reality had struck in our theory laden heads that time for group discussions were over and what was only left was for us to put into practice what we had acquired for four years. Little did we know that our journeys were once again to collide as we found ourselves working together at The Daily Mirror in 2005 and 2006.

Your departure to rejoin The Herald on June 1, 2006, when you were appointed the paper's Mashonaland Central bureau chief, based in Bindura never came as a surprise to me given what you were capable of doing, not mentioning what you had accomplished. Though we continued to communicate during that time, I didn’t know that destiny had it that were going to work together again, when I joined The Herald exactly a year after you had left The Daily Mirror.

Though you were based in Bindura, you really showed that you were a journalist par-excellence. You continued to show the world what you were made of. I still remember those juicy stories from Mashonaland Central and every time I worked on them or came across them in the newspaper, I could feel that sense of belonging, as if I had played a part in them because they reminded me of a fellow cde, a friend who had his work at heart.

Chaka as we used to call you at college or Chidya as you were affectionately known by fellow journalists in the industry were a down to earth person, a team worker, an outstanding journalist, well respected for your informed analysis.

We had to part again when I left The Herald but we continued communicating especially on Facebook. My heart goes to your family, especially your little kids you loved so much. The ones you struggled for unto death. I remember we had a long conversation recently when you told me to check the prices of some commodities this side. Those you wanted to use to prepare for the future of these beloved angels.

I remember checking the prices, and I advised you to try down south (South Africa) as their prices this side, were beyond reach. This conversation, where we promised each other that we will meet in December and try to map the way forward, became the last. Little did we know that we were building castles in the air.

I couldn’t be there when you were laid to rest last Friday, but from what I heard and from the scores of people who came to bid you farewell, you had won the hearts of the people. The people who loved you even unto death

Fare ye well Chaka, you fought a good fight and you walked your journey on this earth leaving indelible marks in our hearts. You will sadly be missed media mogul. May your soul rest in eternal peace Chaka. Famba murugare Chidya, till we meet again.

simsasanuri@yahoo.com

Supporting informal traders key to economic development

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.

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.