Chake Chake. The Opposition party ACT Wazalendo has emphasised that Zanzibar’s closeness to mainland Africa, which should offer economic advantages, has instead turned into a significant challenge for its people.
The party’s Vice Chairman, Mr Ismail Jussa Ladhu, highlighted the stark contrast between Zanzibar and distant islands, noting that despite its rich natural resources, Zanzibar remains mired in poverty.
The party’s leaders criticised the current budgeting system and governmental missteps that have hindered economic progress and development opportunities.
Speaking in Wawi on the third day of their tour of Pemba, Mr Ladhu noted that islands located farther away have better economic conditions than Zanzibar, which is just a stone’s throw from the mainland.
“Our island is rich in natural resources compared to others in the Indian Ocean, yet our people remain trapped in poverty,” Jussa said. He attributed the stalled progress partly to Zanzibar’s budgeting system, which targets the same businesses every year with heavy taxes.
“These high taxes have become a burden on the people. Normally, a government should foster economic growth through friendly policies that attract investments,” he explained.
Jussa also criticized the costs associated with the rehabilitation of Gombani Stadium, which was originally budgeted at Sh2.8 billion but ballooned to Sh5.6 billion.
“The CAG report indicates that the tendering process did not follow public procurement guidelines and the contractor failed to meet the necessary requirements,” he noted.
Othman Masoud Othman, the party’s national chairman, lamented the missed opportunities for Zanzibar to become an economic powerhouse.
He recounted an initiative from 1996 when the government hired a UK company to establish a system for registering offshore companies.
“I spent two months in the UK learning how this system works,” he said.
However, despite preparing a bill that reached the committee stage, progress was halted when then-finance minister Kigoma Malima wrote a brief letter blocking the initiative.
As a result of this slow progress, islands like Mauritius seized the opportunity, and today, numerous companies are based there, contributing to its economic growth.
Mauritius has become one of the world’s most credible offshore jurisdictions, benefiting from no capital gains or withholding taxes and access to a network of double tax treaties (37 DTTs), supported by a strong government commitment to the financial sector.
Othman highlighted that the company registration system was not the only area where Zanzibar faced stagnation, citing a proposal for the formation of Zanzibar Airlines.
“Recently, an event was held in Mkoani to inaugurate the new container berth. However, issues related to ports and air transport are enshrined as Union matters in the constitution, meaning we cannot even enact laws to govern such facilities,” he stated.
A statement released yesterday indicated that the renovation through the Ports Authority cost the government Sh6.4 billion.
This project included the construction of a 4,200-square-meter container storage area with secure fencing capable of accommodating 580 containers.
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Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades
EXIM Bank to raise 300m/- over the next three years for financing essential services and infrastructure upgrades in mental health facilities.
The bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications Stanley Kafu unveiled this when introducing Exim Bima Festival 2024 as a platform for bringing together individuals, organisations and various sectors for raising the funds.
“Exim’s initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, including mental health services,” he said.
The initiative, which is one of the events for celebrating the bank’s 27th anniversary is scheduled for Wednesday this week in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Kafu highlights that this year’s festival is not only about raising awareness of the importance of insurance in the society but also focuses on enhancing access to mental health services and improving the overall well-being of the nation.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health shows a staggering 82 per cent increase in mental health cases over the past decade.
Mental cases have risen from 386,358 in 2012 to 2,102,726 in 2021, making the need for mental health services more urgent than ever.
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Unfortunately, the country’s ability to address this growing challenge is hindered by a shortage of mental health professionals, infrastructure, medical equipment and essential medication.
For example, out of the 28 regions in the country, only five have facilities that provide adequate mental health services.
The most affected group is the youth aged 15 to 39, who represent the nation’s workforce, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to safeguard this generation for Tanzania’s future well-being and development.
Mr Kafu said by improving mental health services, Exim aims to contribute to the creation of a network of communities that can access care quickly and affordably.
Exim Insurance Department Manager Tike Mwakyoma said they are appreciating the support from partners in the insurance industry, who have stood by them since the last festival.
“Let’s continue this unity for the development of all Tanzanians and our nation as a whole,” the manager said.
Source: allafrica.com
Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
