ARSENAL FC YATEMBELEA PSPF KWA LENGO LA KUSAKA FURSA ZA MAHUSIANO YA KIBIASHARA

Mkurugenzi wa Mahusiano ya kimaendeleo wa Klabu ya Arsenal Bw. Sam Stone (Kulia) akimkabidhi jezi ya timu hiyo Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Mfuko wa Pensheni wa PSPF Bw. Adam Mayingu. Kushoto ni Bw. Daniel Willey, Meneja wa Mahusiano ya Kimaendeleo ya Arsenal. Maafisa hao wapo nchini kwa lengo la kukutana na wadau mbalimbali ili kufungua mahusiano ya kibiashara, katika mpango huo makocha wa timu hiyo na baadhi ya nyota waliowahi kuchezea timu hiyo watapata fursa kutembelea Tanzania. Klabu ya Arsenal ni kati ya klabu maarufu ulimwenguni ambayo inashiriki ligi maarufu duniani ya Barclyas.

Mkurgenzu Mkuu wa PSPF Bw. Adam Mayingu (kushoto) akimkabidhi zawadi Afisa Mtendaji Mkuu wa EAG Group, Bw Imani Kajura ambaye ni mwenyeji wa maafisa kutoka klabu ya Arsenal ambao wapo nchini kwa ajili ya kukutana na wadau mbalimbali kwa lengo kufungua mahusiano ya kibiashara.

Michuzi Blog

"DIPLOMACY LUNCH” WITH ONE OF THE GREAT TANZANIAN DIPLOMATS, H.E. PETER ALLAN KALLAGHE

Ambassador Kallaghe (second left), his wife Joyce (second right), Onesmo Ngowi (third left) and a couple of close friends including the chairperson of Tanzanian "Diaspora" to the UK, Apollo Temu (first right).

By Onesmo Alfred Mcbride Ngowi, President, World Trade Center Great Lakes Africa.

MOSHI, KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA: A career diplomat with over 30 years of service to the Tanzanian government, His Excellency Peter Allan Kallaghe is a seasoned diplomat who strolls great humor and fanfare in his work as a civil servant.

Today, I had a great pleasure to share a delicious lunch with Ambassador Kallaghe, his wife Joyce and couple of close friends including the chairperson of Tanzanian "Diaspora" to the UK Mr. Apollo Temu.

The lunch was hosted by a close and family friend Mr. Elizabeth Maro Minde who is also the chairperson of Kilimanjaro Women Exchange and Consultancy (KWIECO)

Mr Kallaghe’s father was a civil servant who rose to the positions of Permanent Secretary and later Ambassador to both the Congo and Russia. As a result, the young Mr Kallaghe grew up in a family ‘surrounded by discussions on political and international issues’.

UONGOZI WA ARSENAL WAZURU KWA KUENDELEZA SOKA NCHINI

Afisa Mtendani Mkuu wa Kampuni ya EAG Group, Iman Kajura (kushoto) akizungumza na waandishi wa habari (hawapo pichani) alipokuwa akiutambulisha Uongozi wa Timu ya Soka ya Arsenal kutoka nchini Uingereza, uliokuja Tanzania kwa ajili ya kuhamasisha na kuendeleza soka hapa nchini. Mkutnao huo ulifanyika kwenye hoteli ya Southan Sun jijini Dar es Salaam. Kulia ni Mkurugenzi wa Mahusiano na Maendeleo wa Timu ya Soka ya Arsenal, Sam Stone na katikati ni Meneja Mahusiano na Maendeleo wa timu hiyo, Daniel Willey.

Uongozi wa Timu ya Soka ya Arsenal kutoka nchini Uingereza umezuru Tanzania kwa ajili kuhamasisha na kuendeleza soka hapa nchini.

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari jijini Dar es salaam jana, Mkurugenzi wa Uhusiano na Maendeleo wa timu hiyo, Sam Stone amesema kuwa Tanzania ni nchi ya sita kwa ukubwa katika bara la Afrika hivyo watasaidia katika kukuza soka nchini.

BANKS USE SMARTPHONES TO ELIMINATE ATM CARDS

WinTrust customers hold smartphones over the QR code on the ATM, tap submit, and ATM dispenses cash.

Chicago — Want to see just how profoundly the smartphone can change a trip to the bank ATM? Head to Madison Street in downtown Chicago.

Responding to the growing use of smartphones, Wintrust Financial is rolling out 190 "cardless cash" ATMs that will give consumers the option of withdrawing cash using only their smartphones.

Wintrust, based in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, is riding a banking technology trend for 2015, according to Mercator Advisory Group. "We anticipate the increasing convergence of ATMs and mobile banking" in what's commonly called cardless cash access or mobile cash access, the Maynard, Massachusetts-based consulting firm said in its newly released report "2015 Outlook: Banking Channels."

BANKING START-UPS ADOPT NEW TOOLS FOR LENDING

Executives in a meeting at Affirm, which offers alternatives to credit cards for online purchases.

SAN FRANCISCO — When bankers of the future decide whether to make a loan, they may look to see if potential customers use only capital letters when filling out forms, or at the amount of time they spend online reading terms and conditions — and not so much at credit history.

These signals about behavior — picked up by sophisticated software that can scan thousands of pieces of data about online and offline lives — are the focus of a handful of start-ups that are creating new models of lending.

No single signal is definitive, but each is a piece in a mosaic, a predictive picture, compiled by collecting an array of information from diverse sources, including household buying habits, bill-paying records and social network connections. It amounts to a digital-age spin on the most basic principle of banking: Know your customer.

OIL INDUSTRY WITHDRAWS FROM HIGH COST AREAS

The oil industry is pulling back from some marginal areas of operation, slashing jobs and spending, and retrenching in the face of the ongoing slump in oil markets.

Signs of a shrinking footprint are beginning to pop up across the globe. Norway’s Statoil has let three of its exploration licenses expire in Greenland, an acknowledgement that exploring in frontier lands no longer makes sense with oil at $50 per barrel. Not too long ago, Greenland was hyped as an unexplored and pristine new oil region. The excitement was enough to fuel a bit of an independence movement within Greenland to pull away from Denmark.

However, drilling in Greenland would be highly technical, expensive, and would present geological and environmental risk. Statoil has decided to shelve its plans for now.

SHELL JUST SCRAPPED A US$6 BILLION PROJECT IN QATAR

The Qatar Petroleum headquarters in Doha.

Royal Dutch Shell and Qatar Petroleum have scrapped a 3-year-old plan to build a petrochemical plant in Qatar because the plunging price of oil has rendered the project unprofitable.

Since 2011, the two companies had planned to operate the al-Karaana facility at Ras Laffan in northeastern Qatar, with state-owned Qatar Petroleum holding an 80 percent share and Shell a stake of 20 percent. But the two companies said in a statement on Jan. 14 that they abandoned the project after studying estimates from engineering and construction firms bidding for work.

Shell and Qatar Petroleum said the cost of the complex “has rendered it commercially unfeasible, particularly in the current economic climate prevailing in the energy industry.” Crude oil prices have dropped by more than 50 percent since June 2014.

OIL COMPANIES ARE BEGGING THE UK GOVERNMENT TO BAIL THEM OUT

Chancellor George Osborne.

Oil companies are lobbying Chancellor George Osborne to have North Sea taxes slashed from 80% to 30% as the oil price collapse puts production under threat.

Since June last year the price of benchmark Brent crude oil has fallen over 50% from $117 a barrel to below $50 a barrel today.

The falling price is squeezing the margins of producers as their cost of extraction remains fixed while the profits they make on each barrel continue to decline. The sharp falls have already resulted in hundreds of North Sea job losses with oil behemoth BP announcing plans to cut 200 jobs and 100 contractor roles following similar moves from ConocoPhillips, Chevron and Shell.

BRN INITIATIVE EARNS INTERNATIONAL ACCOLADES

Big Results Now International Review Panel Chairman, former Botswana President, Festus Mogae (left) speaks in Dar es Salaam on Friday about the assessment of the one year report on BRN on the last day of the meeting. With him is Presidential Delivery Bureau Chief Executive Officer, Omari Issa.

Dar es Salaam. An international panel has endorsed the Big Results Now (BRN) initiative noting, however, that the shortfalls identified in the first year of its implementation should be resolved.

If the shortcomings are addressed properly, the team dubbed Independent Review Panel (IRP) comprising eight international experts, said there was high potential that Tanzania would benefit from the initiative in the long run.

They gave the nod to the programme during the second day of meeting on the implementation of BRN on Friday and involved ministries, development partners and other dignitaries.

FIRMS JOIN FORCES TO PROMOTE ONLINE SHOPPING IN TANZANIA

The number of Internet users in Tanzania is estimated at nine million. This is said to have been attracted by completion of the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) and the booming number of mobile phone users.

Dar es Salaam. Africa Internet Group (AIG), a network of companies offering online services, is targeting Tanzania’s middle class to transform the country into online shopping culture.

The group of firms like Carmudi, Kaymu, Jumia, Hellofood and Lamudi which also operate in Tanzania said that it was important to shift attention to online shopping as it remained simple and safe.

In their unity, the group says given the current internet penetration through mobile phone which is at about 20 per cent, it is an opportunity for the youth to use the technology for productive activities.

RAIS JAKAYA KIKWETE AKUTANA NA WAJUMBE WA JOPO LA KUTATHMINI PROGRAMU YA TEKELEZA KWA MATOKEO MAKUBWA SASA (BRN)

Rais Dkt. Jakaya Kikwete akifanya mazungumzo na wajumbe wa Jopo la Kutathmini Programu  ya Tekeleza kwa Matokeo Makubwa Sasa (BRN Independent Review Panel) linaloongozwa na Rais Mstaafu wa Botswana Mheshimiwa Dkt. Festus Mogae (aliyekaa wa kwanza kulia kwa Rais Kikwete) huko Ikulu tarehe 16.01.2015.

Rais Dkt. Jakaya Kikwete akikabidhi tuzo maalum ya Vision 2025 Big Results Now kwa Rais Mstaafu wa Botswana Mheshimiwa Dkt. Festus Mogae aliyeongoza jopo maalum la kutathmini Programu ya Tekeleza kwa Matokeo Makubwa Sasa huko Ikulu tarehe 16.01.2015.

Rais Dkt. Jakaya Kikwete akikabidhi tuzo maalum ya Vision 2025 Big Result Now kwa Dkt. Sipho Moyo, Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa ONE wa Kanda ya Afrika aliyekuwa miongoni mwa wajumbe wa jopo la kutathmini Programu ya Tekeleza kwa Matokeo Makubwa Sasa. Rais Kikwete aliwakabidhi tuzo hizo huko Ikulu tarehe 16.01.2015.

Rais Dkt. Jakaya Kikwete akikabidhi Tuzo Maalum ya Vision 2025 Big Results Now kwa Bwana James Adams, Makamu wa Rais Mstaafu wa Benki ya Dunia aliyekuwa miongoni mwa wajumbe wa Jopo la Kutathmini Programu ya Tekeleza kwa Matokeo Makubwa Sasa (BRN) huko Ikulu tarehe 16.01.2015.

Rais Dkt. Jakaya Kikwete akiwa na Makamu wa Rais Dkt. Mohamed Gharib Bilal wakipiga picha ya pamoja na wajumbe wa Jopo la Kutathmini Programu ya Tekeleza kwa Matokeo Makubwa Sasa (BRN Independent Review Panel). Kulia kwa Mheshimiwa Rais Kikwete ni Rais Mstaafu wa Botswana Dkt. Festus Mogae akifuatiwa na Bwana James Adams (Makamu wa Rais Mstaafu wa Benki ya Dunia), aliyesimama wa kwanza kushoto ni Bibi Linah Mohohlo (Gavana wa Benki Kuu ya Botswana) na wa kwanza kulia ni Dkt. Sipho Moyo (Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Kanda ya Afrika, ONE). Waliosimama mstari wa nyuma (kulia kwenda kushoto) Dkt. Nkosana Moyo (Mwanzilishi wa Mandela Institute for Development Studies) akifuatiwa na Lord Peter Mandelson (Mwenyekiti, Global Counsel ‘Uingereza’), anayefuata ni Bwana Knut Kjaer, (Mwenyekiti, Trident Asset Management, ‘Norway’) - PICHA NA JOHN  LUKUWI 

Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Mheshimiwa Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Ijumaa, Januari 16, 2015, amekutana na kufanya mazungumzo na wajumbe wa Kamati Maalum Inayojitegemea Iliyofanya Tathmini ya Utekelezaji wa Mfumo wa Matokeo Makubwa Sasa (BRN). Katika mazungumzo hayo yaliyofanyika Ikulu, Dar es Salaam, Rais Kikwete amewashukuru wajumbe wa Kamati Maalum Inayojitegemea iliyofanya tathmini ya utekelezaji wa Mfumo wa Matokeo Makubwa Sasa (BRN). 

TANZANIA - RUSSIA INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON TRADE, INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION IN THE HORIZON

Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Bernard Kamilius Membe (L) in a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister, Hon. Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Saturday.

On Saturday, 17 January, 2015, the governments of Tanzania and Russia jointly agreed to speed up the process of establishing the Tanzanian - Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation to be signed during the first quarter of 2015. This was announced during the meeting between Hon. Bernard Membe, Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and his Russian counterpart H.E. Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. The commission aims at expanding trade and investment between the two countries is expected to boost trade which at the moment is at the minimum.

H.E. FESTUS MOGAE COMMENDS TANZANIAN PROJECT DELIVERING PROGRAMME

Former President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Festus Mogae.

The Independent Review Panel (IRP) led by former President of the Republic of Botswana, Festus Mogae has noted that the Big Results Now (BRN) programme initiated by the government of Tanzania represents a key effort towards a best practice system for transformational change in the way the government operates.

Presenting the Panel’s independent report after evaluating the program in Dar es Salaam, Mr. Mogae commended significant strides achieved during Year One. The IRP convened for the first time in Dar es Salaam to review the performance of the BRN Programme.

Ministers implementing first wave of BRN projects presented their first year achievements and challenges on Thursday last week before the Panel, followed by a rigorous question and answer session with the Independent Review Panel (IRP) members.

WAZIRI WA NISHATI NA MADINI AZINDUA RASMI BODI YA TANESCO

• Asisitiza siku za kuunganisha umeme kupungua

Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Profesa Sospeter Muhongo amezindua rasmi Bodi mpya ya Wakurugenzi wa Shirika la Umeme nchini (TANESCO) na kuipa vipaumbele vya utekelezaji wa majukumu vitakavyotekelezwa na Bodi hiyo kabla ya kufikia ukomo wake mnamo mwaka 2017.

Wajumbe wa Bodi ya TANESCO wakiongozwa na Mwenyekiti wa Bodi, Dkt. Mighanda J. Manyahi (wa sita kutoka kushoto) wakimsikiliza Kaimu Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Nishati na Madini Eng.Ngosi Mwihava (wa tano kulia) mara baada ya Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Profesa Sospeter Muhongo (katikati) kuizindua Bodi hiyo jijini Dar es Salaam.Wajumbe wengine wa Bodi hiyo (kutoka kushoto) ni Dkt. Nyamajeje C. Weggoro, Eng. Boniface C. Muhegi, Dkt. Mutesigwa I. Maingu, Bw. Shaaban S. Kayungilo, na Dkt. Haji H. Semboja. Wajumbe wengine (kutoka kulia) ni Bibi. Kissa Vivian Kilindu, Bw. Felix G. Kibodya na Eng. Juma F. Mkobya.

Uzinduzi wa Bodi hiyo ulifanyika jijini Dar es Salaam katika Makao Makuu ya Wizara ya Nishati  na Madini na kuhudhuriwa na viongozi wa Wizara ya Nishati na Madini akiwemo Naibu Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Stephen Masele, Naibu Katibu Mkuu, Mhandisi Ngosi Mwihava na Menejimenti ya Tanesco.

Waziri Muhongo aliieleza Bodi hiyo kuwa ina jukumu kubwa la kuliongoza Shirika hilo kwa ufanisi na kuhakikisha kuwa Shirika hilo linajitegemea na hivyo kupunguza utegemezi wa fedha kutoka serikalini.

“Kwa kipindi kirefu, serikali imekuwa inatoa  fedha nyingi kuisaidia Tanesco kutekeleza miradi katika maeneo ya uzalishaji, usafirishaji na usambazaji wa umeme hivyo Bodi hii ionyeshe jinsi mtakavyolibadilisha Shirika hili ili hii misaada kutoka serikalini ipungue na ifike mahala Shirika hili lijitegemee,” alisema Profesa Muhongo.

Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Profesa Sospeter Muhongo (wa kwanza kutoka kushoto), Naibu Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Stephen Masele (wa tatu kutoka kushoto), Kaimu Katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Nishati na Madini, Eng.Ngosi Mwihava (wa nne kutoka kushoto) na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa TANESCO, Eng. Felchesmi Mramba (wa pili kulia), wakimsikiliza mmoja wa wajumbe wa Bodi ya Wakurugenzi ya TANESCO (haonekani pichani) wakati wa hafla ya uzinduzi wa Bodi hiyo iliyofanyika katika Makao Makuu ya Wizara ya Nishati na Madini jijini Dar es Salaam. Wa kwanza kulia ni mmoja wa wajumbe wa Bodi hiyo, Eng. Juma Mkobya.

Kuhusu madeni ambayo Tanesco inadai kutoka kwa Taasisi za Umma, binafsi na watu binafsi, Waziri Muhongo aliiagiza Bodi hiyo kulisimamia suala hilo na kuja na mkakati utakaoliwezesha Shirika hilo kukusanya madeni hayo kwani lengo la serikali ni kuona Shirika hilo linakusanya madeni kutoka kwa wadeni wake wakubwa na wadogo ili Shirika hilo nalo liweze kulipa madeni linalodaiwa na wadau wake.

Suala la wananchi  kufungiwa umeme ndani ya siku 30 mara wanapopeleka maombi hayo Tanesco lilimkera Profesa Muhongo na kuiagiza Bodi hiyo kulishughulikia suala hilo ili siku hizo zipungue.

“Bodi simamieni maombi ya kufungiwa umeme ambayo sasa yanaelezwa kushughulikiwa ndani ya siku 30, hii lazima ibadilike, watanzania lazima wapewe umeme ndani ya wiki, zaidi ya hapo haikubaliki. EWURA waelezwe kuhusu suala hili ili kuona namna ya kupunguza hizi siku sababu wao wanahusika katika suala la upangaji wa siku husika,” alisisitiza Profesa Muhongo.

Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Wakurugenzi wa TANESCO, Dkt. Mighanda J. Manyahi (aliyesimama) akizungumza mara baada ya Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Profesa Sospeter Muhongo kuizindua Bodi hiyo jijini Dar es Salaam. Wanaomsikiliza ni Waziri, Profesa Muhongo (kulia) na Mjumbe wa Bodi hiyo, Dkt. Haji H. Semboja (kushoto).

Vilevile Profesa Muhongo aliiagiza Bodi mpya ya Tanesco kuhakikisha kuwa Shirika hilo linashirikiana na sekta binafsi katika miradi yake ya uzalishaji, usafirishaji na usambazaji umeme ili kufanikisha lengo la serikali la kuzalisha umeme wa kiasi cha megawati 10,000 ifikapo mwaka 2025.

Profesa Muhongo alieleza kuwa kulingana na sera zilizopo, uendelezaji wa sekta ya umeme unahitaji  ushirikishwaji wa sekta binafsi kwa kuwa uwekezaji  katika sekta hiyo unahitaji kiasi kikubwa cha fedha za kigeni, kiwango ambacho kinahitaji ushirikiano na sekta hizo kupitia mitindo ya IPP na PPP. Alisema Tanesco inapaswa kuonesha nia thabiti ya kuunga mkono juhudi za serikali za kukamilisha majadiliano na wawekezaji na waendelezaji wa miradi bila kuwakatisha tamaa.

OBI SETS SIGHTS ON AFRICA SMARTPHONE MARKET; BRAND BY FORMER APPLE CEO TO LAUNCH IN TANZANIA, Q1 2015

• New venture led by former Apple CEO, former president of PepsiCo, and renowned tech investor John Sculley aims for rapid global expansion.
• Following its successful launch in India and the Middle East, Obi Mobiles plans substantial investments in to the Tanzania smartphone market.
• Signs on renowned regional IT distributor DESPEC as exclusive channel partner in Tanzania and other African countries

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: 19 January, 2015 – Obi Mobiles, the new smartphone brand co-founded by veteran marketer and former Apple CEO John Sculley, is preparing an ambitious launch in Tanzania and other countries in East Africa, and has signed on DESPEC, the leading IT distributor as its exclusive channel partner in the region. The firm is set to roll out a superior line-up of Obi devices suited to consumers in the region in Q1 2015, with an aim to capture 5% market share by the end of this year.

John Sculley is an internationally renowned marketing expert, entrepreneur and investor in high-tech startups. He was vice-president (1970–1977) and president of PepsiCo (1977–1983), until he became CEO of Apple in 1983. He held that position till 1993 and, under his management, annual sales at Apple increased from $800 million to $8 billion.

EXIM BANK TANZANIA INTRODUCES "FAIDA EMV DEBIT CARD" FOR SAFE AND MORE SECURE TRANSACTIONS

Exim Bank Head of Risk and Compliance, David Lusala (right), speaks during a press conference to introduce the Faida EMV Debit Card, which will replace the existing Magnetic Stripe Faida Debit Card, in Dar es Salaam yesterday. He is flanked by the bank’s Head of Treasury, George Shumbusho.  Faida EMV Debit Card provides enhanced security through an embedded chip that processes the customer’s data with unparallel security hence making it virtually impossible to copy or tamper with such data.

Exim Bank Head of Treasury, George Shumbusho (left), speaks during a press conference to introduce the Faida EMV Debit Card, which will replace the existing Magnetic Stripe Faida Debit Card, in Dar es Salaam yesterday. He is flanked by the bank’s Head of Risk and Compliance, David Lusala.  The Faida EMV Debit Card provides enhanced security through an embedded chip that processes the customer’s data with unparallel security and hence making it virtually impossible to copy or tamper with such data.

Exim Bank Head of Treasury, George Shumbusho cuts a ribbon to symbolise the official launch of the Faida EMV Debit Card during a press conference to introduce the card, which will replace the existing Magnetic Stripe Faida Debit Card, in Dar es Salaam yesterday. He is flanked by the bank’s Head of Risk and Compliance, David Lusala (right) and the bank’s marketing officer Noel Tuga. The Faida EMV Debit Card provides enhanced security through an embedded chip that processes the customer’s data with unparallel security and hence making it virtually impossible to copy or tamper with such data.

In an effort to make banking services more secure and convenient to its customers, Exim Bank Tanzania has introduced the Faida EMV Debit Card to replace the existing Magnetic Stripe Faida Debit Card.

The Faida EMV Debit Card provides enhanced security through an embedded chip that processes the customer’s data with unparallel security and hence making it virtually impossible to copy or tamper. This will enable the bank’s customers to make their daily business transactions in a safe and secured manner.

BENKI YA NBC YAKABIDHI MSAADA WA MADAWATI KWA SHULE YA MSINGI MAWENI, KIGAMBONI, DAR ES SALAAM

Mkuu wa Kitengo cha Kudhibiti Hali Hatarishi wa Benki ya Taifa ya Biashara (NBC), Nicholaus Paul (wa nne kushoto) akikata utepe kuashiria makabidhiano ya msaada wa madawati yenye thamani ya zaidi ya sh milioni 3 yaliyotolewa na wafanyakazi wa kitengo cha mikopo ya makampuni cha benki hiyo kwa Shule ya Msingi Maweni. Hafla ya makabidhiano ilifanyika shuleni hapo, Kigamboni nje kidogo ya Jiji la Dar es Salaam juzi. Wengine kutoka kulia ni Mwenyekiti wa Mtaa wa Maweni, Sylvester Roche, Mwalimu Mkuu Msaidizi wa shule hiyo, Martha Silavwe, Mwalimu Mkuu, Zuhura Mwaliko na baadhi ya wafanyakazi wa NBC.

Mwalimu Mkuu wa Shule ya Msingi Maweni, Zuhura Mwaliko (wa pili kulia) akimshukuru Mkuu wa Kitengo cha Kudhibiti Hali Hatarishi wa Benki ya NBC, Nicholaus Paul baada ya kupokea msaada wa madawati yenye thamani ya zaidi ya sh milioni 3 yalitolewa na wafanyakazi wa kitengo cha mikopo ya makampuni cha NBC. Hafla hiyo ilifanyika shuleni hapo, Kigamboni, nje kidogo ya Jiji la Dar es Salaam. Kushoto ni Meneja wa Kitengo cha Mikopo ya Makampuni, Beatrice Musira na mwalimu mkuu msaidizi wa shule hiyo, Martha Silavwe.

Meneja wa Kitengo cha Mikopo ya Makampuni wa Benki ya Taifa ya Biashara NBC, Beatrice Musira (kulia) akisalimiana na mmoja wa wanafunzi wa Shule ya Msingi Maweni, Msafiri Habakuki, wakati wa hafla hiyo shuleni hapo juzi.

Mwalimu Mkuu wa Shule ya Msingi Maweni, Zuhura Mwaliko (katikati) akimshukuru  Mkuu wa Idara ya Mikopo Mikubwa ya Makampuni wa Benki ya Taifa ya Biashara (NBC), Salehe Mohamedi, baada ya kupokea msaada huo. Kulia ni Mkuu wa Usaidizi wa Biashara na Ukusanyaji wa Mikopo wa NBC, Faith Majiwa.

Mmoja wa wafanyakazi wa Benki ya NBC, Noela Ishebabi (kulia) akiwapa viburudisho wanafunzi wa shule hiyo wakati wa hafla ya makabidhiano ya madawati shuleni hapo juzi. 

Baadhi ya wanafunzi wa Shule ya Msingi Maweni wakiimba kwa furaha wakati wakipokea msaada wa madawati kutoka Benki ya Taifa ya Biashara (NBC), shuleni hapo, Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam juzi.

Baadhi ya wafanyakazi wa NBC wakipozi kwa picha na mmoja wa wanafunzi wa shule hiyo mara baada ya kuwasili shuleni hapo, Kigamboni nje kidogo ya Jiji la Dar es Salaam.

CHINA'S SECOND CHILD PUSH FALLS SHORT

China’s push to encourage more couples to have a second child after decades of restrictivefamily planning policies has fallen short in its first year.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission received less than half of anestimated 2 million annual applications for couples to have a second child, it saidyesterday, without giving exact numbers.

However, the number of applications was still in line with expectation, Mao Quan’an, aspokesman with the commission told a press conference yesterday.

The figures will add to growing calls for the government to scrap all family planningrestrictions as China faces the prospect of becoming the first country in the world to getold before it gets rich.

RELIEF AFTER BAN ON TANZANIA TOUR VANS LIFTED

Kenyan authorities had banned Tanzanian-registered vehicles from dropping or picking up passengers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

Tanzanian tour operators have breathed a sigh of relief after Kenya temporarily lifted its ban on their tour vans.

On December 22, Kenya barred Tanzanian vehicles from dropping off or picking up travellers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). While no official statement was issued in Nairobi, industry sources said the move was in retaliation for Tanzania’s refusal to allow Kenyan tour operators to take tourists directly to its national parks.

READ: EAC wants Kenya, Tanzania tour van dispute resolved

Kenya’s Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie announced a three-week moratorium after a meeting with her Tanzanian counterpart, Lazaro Nyalandu, in Nairobi on Friday. Ms Kandie said Kenya had agreed to allow Tanzanian vehicles to operate as the two countries prepare for a bilateral meeting to be held in three weeks.

THREE MORE CHARGED OVER ESCROW BILLIONS

Bank of Tanzania finance director Julius Rutta covers his face upon his arrival at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Rutta, Tanzania Electric Supply Company lawyer Stephan Urasa (second left) and Tanzania Revenue Authority tax exemption manager Kyabukoba Mutabingwa (third left) were charged with corruptly receiving money from the Tegeta escrow account.

Dar es Salaam. Three more top government officials were charged yesterday with dishonestly receiving over Sh2 billion from Mr James Rugemalira of VIP Engineering--the company that pocketed over Sh100 billion after selling its 30 percent stake to Pan Africa Power Solutions Tanzania Limited(PAP).

The money is believed to be part of the Tegeta escrow billions that were controversially paid to PAP between November and December 2013 after the company claimed it had legally bought 70 percent of Independent Power Tanzania Limited(IPTL) from a Malaysia-based firm, Mechmar, at a cost of $300,000 (Sh510 million).

After claiming it had legally acquired IPTL’s 70 percent shares in 2010, PAP bought the other 30 percent owned by VIP at a cost of $75million in 2013.

An escrow account is a temporary pass-through account held by a third party during a transaction between two parties. After Tanesco disputed IPTL’s capacity charges, the two parties filed for arbitration at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in Washington in 2006.

EDWARD HOSEAH, PCCB BOSS: NO ONE WILL BE SPARED

“There is no cause for alarm...Just give us time to discharge our duties and you will soon see more people dragged to court immediately after we accomplish our investigations” Dr Edward Hoseah, PCCB Boss.

Dar es Salaam. Not a single public servant who pocketed a share of the escrow billions from VIP Engineering and Marketing’s James Rugemalira will be spared, the head of the anti-corruption watchdog told The Citizen yesterday.

If anything, according to the director-general of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), more suspects will be brought to court any time now to face graft charges. Dr Edward Hoseah’s assurance comes barely two days after two senior public servants were charged with corruption in the Tegeta escrow account scam on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam.

They stand accused of corruptly receiving nearly Sh500 million from the traceable to the Tegeta escrow account. These are Mr Rugonzibwa Mujunangoma, the director of legal services at the ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, and Mr Theophillo Bwakea, a principal engineer at the Rural Energy Agency (REA).

Mr Mujunangoma reportedly received Sh323.4 million from Mr Rugemalira. The money is said to have been a reward for handling IPTL affairs favourably as a liquidator. Mr Bwakea has been charged with receiving Sh161.7 million for allegedly “facilitating” the policy under which the private sector would be allowed to produce and sell electricity to Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco).

OILFIELD SERVICES COMPANY SCHLUMBERGER IS CUTTING 9,000 JOBS

Here come the oil-related job cuts. 

In its fourth quarter earnings announcement on Thursday, oilfield services company Schlumberger announced that it will cut 9,000 jobs, or about 8% of its workforce.

The company said the job cuts come, "In response to lower commodity pricing and anticipated lower exploration and production spending in 2015."

Schlumberger is a provider of equipment and services to oil and gas companies, and over the last six months shares of the $100 billion company have declined more than 30% amid the crash in oil prices. 

THE SWISS FRANK IS OUT OF CONTROL

More than three years of stability between the euro and Swiss franc just ended suddenly, as the Swiss central bank abandoned attempts to cap the currency's value. 

The bank previously aimed to let the franc rise no higher than 1.20 to the euro (about €0.83 to each franc). As soon as the change was announced, it smashed immediately higher, breaking through the previous "ceiling". It broke through a 1:1 exchange rate, surging above €1.10. 

Here's the euro plunging against the franc, down by nearly 28% as the news broke, an astonishing move for a currency:

WHY TANZANIA OIL USERS WON'T GAIN MUCH

A filling station attendant refuels a motorist’s vehicle at a Dar es Salaam outlet. Tanzanian consumers wonder why they are experiencing no relief in buying a product whose price in the world market has fallen by 40 per cent. Ewura says prices might go down effective February.

Dar es Salaam. Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) yesterday told a parliamentary committee that since 40 per cent of the pump charges in Tanzania comprises taxes, the unprecedented price fall of crude oil at the world market will be of minimal relief to consumers in the country.

Ewura petroleum principal commercial officer Lorivii Long’idu told the committee that regardless of the prices calculated from the world market, a litre of petrol in Tanzania has an additional cost of Sh878, diesel Sh754 and Sh701 for kerosene.

In this country, it appears like taxes and levies on fuel (petrol, kerosene and diesel) are fixed and don’t necessarily depend on the market price paid by importers.

TANZANIA LISTS PROJECTS FOR SH1.4 TRILLION FUNDING PLAN

“We take the lead in attracting investors largely due to the fact that we offer a positive peaceful and stable environment for business and investment” FINANCE MINISTER SAADA MKUYA. 

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has submitted projects worth more than Sh1.4 trillion to the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Badea) for possible funding.

The projects are contained in a document titled ‘The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Investment Promotion Forum in Tanzania, that was presented at a meeting involving government officials and members of the private sector from East Africa’s second largest economy and from member states of the GCC.

The GCC is a regional intergovernmental political and economic union consisting of all Arab states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The projects range from agriculture, education, manufacturing, real estate, tourism, fianance and mining.

TANZANIA PORTS AUTHORITY (TPA) IN TROUBLE OVER STAFF ALLOWANCES

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Zitto Kabwe speaks to Ministry of Transport and Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) officials in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Left is PAC member Ismail Aden Rage and PAC deputy chairman Deo Filikunjombe. 

Dar es Salaam. The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday urged the management of the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to recover the money in allowances paid to its employees before approval.

PAC chairperson Zitto Kabwe said that TPA requested its board of directors to raise its employees’ travel allowance in 2011, and prior to the approval by the Registrar of the Treasury, they started paying the new rates of allowances.

“The Controller and Auditor General (CAG) detected that you started paying your employees the raised allowances instead of waiting for the treasury registrar’s approval, now the Committee orders you to re-collect that money and give it back to the authority (TPA),” he said.

NYALANDU AKARIBISHA WAFANYABIASHARA WA SAUDI ARABIA KUWEKEZA SEKTA YA UTALII NCHINI

Ujumbe wa Serikali ya Tanzania ukiongozwa na Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii Mhe. Lazaro Nyalandu (wa tano kushoto) ukiwa katika picha ya pamoja na Mwenyekiti wa Chemba ya Biashara ya Saudia Dk. Abdulrahman Al-Zamil (wa sita kushoto) mara baada ya kumalizika kwa mazungumzo baina ya pande mbili jijini Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Wengine pichani kutoka kushoto ni pamoja na Mkurugenzi wa Wanyamapori Herman Keraryo; Mkurugenzi Mkuu TANAPA Allan Kijazi; Mhe James Lembeli; Mhe Peter Msigwa; Katibu Mkuu Maliasili na Utalii Dk. Adelhelm Meru pamoja na maafisa kutoka Chemba ya Biashara ya Saudi Arabia.

Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii Mhe. Lazaro Nyalandu (wa pili kushoto) akimsikiliza kwa makini Mwenyekiti wa Chemba ya Biashara ya Saudi Arabia Dk. Abdulrahman Al-Zamil (wa tatu kushoto) jijini Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Wengine katika picha kutoka kulia ni Mshauri wa Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa wa Mamlaka ya Wanyamapori ya Saudi Arabia Mohammad Sulayem; Katibu Mkuu wa Maliasili na Utalii Dk. Adelhelm Meru na Balozi wa Tanzania nchini Saudi Arabia Prof. Abdillah Omari.

Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii Mhe. Lazaro Nyalandu (kushoto) katika mazungumzo na Mwenyekiti wa Chemba ya Biashara ya Saudi Arabia Dk. Abdulrahman Al-Zamil jijini Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Waziri Kivuli wa Maliasili na Utalii Mhe. Peter Msigwa (kushoto) akikaribishwa na Mwenyekiti wa Chemba ya Biashara ya Saudi Arabia, Dk. Abdulrahman Al-Zamil jijini Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Kudumu ya Bunge ya Ardhi, Maliasili na Mazingira Mhe. James Lembeli (kushoto) akikaribishwa na Mwenyekiti wa Chemba ya Biashara ya Saudi Arabia, Dk. Abdulrahman Al-Zamil jijini Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii Mhe. Lazaro Nyalandu amewakaribisha wafanyabiashara kutoka Saudi Arabia kuwekeza katika sekta ya utalii nchini ambayo ina fursa nyingi za uwekezaji. Nyalandu alitoa wito huo kufuatia mazungumzo yake na Mwenyekiti wa Chemba ya Wafanyabiashara ya Saudi Arabia Dk. Abdulrahman Al-Zamil yaliyofanyika Riyadh, Saudi Arabia juzi.

Waziri Nyalandu ambaye anaongoza ujumbe wa Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii nchini Saudia alibainisha kuwa mazingira ya uwekezaji nchini yanavutia na kutaja maeneo hayo kuwa ni pamoja na ujenzi wa hoteli na loji za kisasa zitakazoweza kuvutia watalii wengi zaidi katika maeneo ya mijini pamoja na ndani ya maeneo ya uhifadhi.

Alisema kuwa utalii wa Tanzania unakua kwa kasi nzuri kutokana na jitihada zinazofanywa na serikali pamoja na wadau mbalimbali katika kutangaza vivutio vya utalii na kuwa juhudi hizo lazima ziende sambamba na upatikanaji wa huduma bora za malazi. "Upatikanaji wa huduma nzuri za malazi ya bei nafuu utasaidia kuvutia watalii wengi zaidi nchini na kwa maana hiyo tunawakaribisha kuja kuzitumia fursa zilizopo ili kuweza kukuza uchumi wa nchi yetu", alisema Nyalandu.

PRESIDENT JAKAYA KIKWETE MEETS MILLICOM INTERNATIONAL CELLULAR SA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR AFRICA, MR ARTHUR BASTINGS

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete chats with Millicom International Cellular SA Executive Vice President for Africa, Mr Arthur Bastings, who paid a courtesy call on him Wednesday January 14, 2015 at State House in Dar es salaam.

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete chats with Millicom International Cellular SA Executive Vice President for Africa, Mr Arthur Bastings, who paid a courtesy call on him Wednesday January 14, 2015 at State House in Dar es salaam.

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete shakes hands with Millicom International Cellular SA Executive Vice President for Africa, Mr Arthur Bastings, who paid a courtesy call on him Wednesday January 14, 2015 at State House in Dar es salaam. Second left is Ambassador Ami Mpungwe and right the Chairman of MIC Tanzania (TIGO), Mr Diego Gutierrez. Others second right are TIGO's Head of regulatory Ms Sylvia Balwire and extreme left is Tigo's Public Retations Manager MS Halima Okash. 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STATE HOUSE

WAZIRI MKUU AFUNGUA MKUTANO WA KIMATAIFA WA TATHMINI YA MPANGO WA MATOKEO MAKUBWA SASA (BRN)

 Waziri Mkuu, Mizengo Pinda akijadiliana jambo na kiongozo wa Jopo la Kimataifa la Tathmini (IRP), Rais Mstaafu wa Botswana, Festus Mogae (wa pili kulia) wakati wa ufunguzi wa mkutano wa jopo hilo kutathmini mwaka mmoja wa utekelezaji wa Mpango wa Matokeo Makubwa Sasa (BRN), jijini Dar es Salaam jana.

Mtendaji Mkuu wa Ofisi ya Rais - Usimamizi wa Utekelezaji wa Miradi (PDB) inayosimamia mpango wa Matokeo Makubwa Sasa (BRN), Omari Issa, akichangia mada wakati wa mkutano wa tathmini ya jopo la kimataifa kuhusu mwaka mmoja wa BRN uliofanyika jijini Dar es Salaam jana.

Waziri wa Elimu, Dkt. Shukuru Kawambwa akifurahia jambo na Mkurugenzi wa Sekta za Kijamii katika Ofisi ya Rais - Usimamizi wa Utekelezaji wa Miradi (PDB) inayosimamia mpango wa Matokeo Makubwa Sasa (BRN), Dkt. Linda Ezekiel, wakati wa mkutano wa tathmini ya jopo la kimataifa kuhusu mwaka mmoja wa BRN uliofanyika jijini Dar es Salaam jana.

Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi, Balozi Ombeni Sefue akijadiliana jambo na naibu Waziri wa Sheria na Katiba, Angela Kairuki wakati wa mapumziko kwenye mkutano wa tathmini ya jopo la kimataifa kuhusu mwaka mmoja wa BRN uliofanyika jijini Dar es Salaam jana.

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