All News (Page 58)

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged stakeholders in the sports industry to fast-track constructions of stadiums countrywide ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preparations.

In her speech during the laying of the foundation stone for the Suluhu Sports Academy in Unguja South, President Suluhu emphasised the importance of the new facility in enhancing Zanzibar’s sports infrastructure.

She highlighted that the Academy will feature a 20,000-seat stadium, which will complement the existing Amaan Complex.

The initial assessment by the CAF president had shown that only the Amaan Complex met the necessary standards for hosting CAF games in Zanzibar.

By constructing this new stadium, Tanzania will increase the number of venues capable of hosting such AFCON finals, alongside the already qualified Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and the under construction Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium in Arusha.

The event, part of the ongoing 2024 Kizimkazi Festival, was attended by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, various dignitaries from both the Zanzibar and Union governments and sports club leaders.

“When I talked recently with the CAF president Patrice Motsepe about Dar es Salaam’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, he requested two additional stadiums for the tournament.

I have spoken with Prime Minister Majaliwa to see the acceleration of stadiums construction in Arusha and Dodoma,” she said.

The 2027 AFCON is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 18, 2027, with Kenya and Uganda also serving as co-hosts with Tanzania.

After inspecting the ‘Suluhu Academy’ grounds and reviewing the designs provided by contractors, the President expressed satisfaction with the progress of the academy’s first phase, which includes a 20,000-seat stadium due for completion by April next year.

She emphasised that once completed; the academy will serve as a venue for regional and international tournaments.

“I urge the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the Zanzibar Football Association (ZFA) to closely monitor the construction to ensure it meets global standards.”

President Samia also highlighted the significance of the project for the youth of South Unguja and Tanzania as a whole.

“A large portion of Tanzania’s population consists of young people who need infrastructure for their economic, health and cultural activities.

This is why the government is investing in youth-oriented projects.

We are pleased that the Kizimkazi Festival 2024 addresses the needs of the youth and this is part of our commitment,” she stated.

She also extended her gratitude to the project’s funders, led by CRDB Bank, calling the academy a legacy that will foster young talent, with sports providing both health and economic benefits.

The President announced that the construction of Suluhu Sports Academy, supported by various organisations, has seen contributions amounting to 2bn/- from the local communities of Kizimkazi and Unguja South.

ALSO READ: Kizimkazi festival programme sharpen skills of 500 youths

She also expressed appreciation for stakeholders who sponsor local teams and revealed that she has engaged with two potential sponsors for the major Tanzanian teams, Simba and Young Africans.

Although she did not disclose the sponsors, she promised to reveal their identities in the near future.

On his part Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa praised President Samia as a champion of social development and sports, noting that her efforts to promote sports and motivate teams like Simba and Yanga since taking office are exemplary.

Zanzibar’s Minister for Information, Youth, Arts, Culture and Sports, Tabia Maulid Mwita, also thanked President Samia for her vision in sports, announcing that Zanzibar is on track with preparations for the 2027 AFCON and CHAN finals.

Abdulmajid Nsekela, Chairman of the Suluhu Sports Academy project funding team and CEO of CRDB Bank, informed attendees that the state of-the-art complex in Kizimkazi will feature additional facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, basketball and netball courts, a shopping mall, an administration block, a leisure centre, a gym and a hotel.

The centre will be fully equipped to host international tournaments such as AFCON 2027

Source: allafrica.com

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WaterAid Tanzania’s project in Kisarawe District, Coast Region, has made significant strides in enhancing access to safe and dignified sanitation and hygiene services in local schools and healthcare facilities.

The project, titled “Effectiveness of Hygiene Behavior in Schools and Healthcare Facilities,” ran from 2021 to 2024 and was implemented across 45 institutions, including 30 schools and 15 healthcare facilities.

At a dissemination workshop held in Dar es Salaam yesterday, attended by Minister for Industry and Trade Selemani Jafo, Dr Happiness Willbroad, Head of Programmes at WaterAid Tanzania, shared an overview of the project’s impact.

Dr. Willbroad highlighted the positive changes experienced by thousands of students, teachers, and healthcare workers due to the initiative.

The project focused on enhancing WASH infrastructure and services by constructing latrines, handwashing stations, and water connections and storage facilities. It directly benefited 13,580 students, 240 teachers, and 60 healthcare facility staff.

Key achievements included the construction of rain harvesting systems with a 20,000-liter capacity, 72 improved sanitation facilities, and 19 new accessible latrines in schools and healthcare facilities.

Additionally, the project developed two comprehensive hygiene packages providing step-by-step guidance for conducting hygiene sessions and implementing behavior change campaigns in the 30 schools and 15 healthcare facilities involved.

In her opening remarks, WaterAid Tanzania Country Director Ms Anna Mzinga emphasised the transformative impact of the new infrastructure. However, she also stressed that infrastructure alone is not enough to create lasting change.

“The behavior change interventions were crucial in empowering communities and embedding lifelong hygiene practices,” Ms Mzinga noted.

Minister Jafo, who is also the MP for Kisarawe warned about the economic and health impacts of waterborne diseases. He commended WaterAid and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their contributions.

“The challenge of waterborne diseases, particularly among children, has been significant. The WASH infrastructure and awareness campaigns are crucial steps towards addressing this issue,” he said.

He highlighted that the project has successfully supported Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, and SDG 6, which focuses on ensuring access to water and sanitation for all.

Minister Jafo urged Kisarawe District officials and experts to continue making positive changes in sanitation and personal hygiene, recommending budget allocations for infrastructure maintenance and collaboration with stakeholders.

“This can be achieved by maintaining our infrastructure and ensuring continued cooperation in the implementation of various projects,” he added.

Source: allafrica.com

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The construction of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mother station has reached 33.5 per cent completion.

This project represents a significant advancement in Tanzania’s energy infrastructure, contributing to environmental sustainability, economic growth and energy security.

The facility, being built by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) at Mlimani City in Dar es Salaam is valued at 14.55bn/- and is expected to be completed by December this year.

The TPDC Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, made this announcement during a site visit by board members to assess the project’s progress.

“The construction of this facility represents a significant step forward in enhancing the availability and use of natural gas in Tanzania. This will help reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change effects,” Amb Sefue stated.

He emphasised that the project aligns with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s push for clean energy, highlighting the President’s global recognition for promoting natural gas as a cleaner alternative to other energy sources.

The mother station will feature four gas dispensers, with the capacity to accommodate eight vehicles simultaneously and three loading gantries for CNG tube trailers, which will distribute gas to smaller stations.

This central station will supply gas to various smaller stations across the country, particularly in areas lacking access to gas. The refuelling time for each container will range from 45 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the container’s size, which ranges from 10 to 40 feet.

CNG Project Manager from TPDC, Engineer Aristides Katto said that two additional stations will also be completed by December this year, one at Muhimbili area in Dar es Salaam and another in Zegereni in Kibaha, Coast Region.

The design and production of the necessary equipment are ongoing in China, with progress reaching 76 per cent.

The equipment production is expected to be completed by September. Mr Katto noted that TPDC’s team will travel to China at the end of September to inspect the equipment before it is shipped to Tanzania.

“We anticipate the equipment will arrive in mid-November and we expect construction to be completed by December,” Mr Katto said.

Additionally, TPDC will deploy six mobile stations, each capable of refuelling two vehicles at a time, in Dodoma City and Morogoro Municipality. Over 40 private companies have been authorised to establish CNG stations throughout the country.

The project, which commenced in May this year, also includes the construction of a garage for converting vehicles to operate on the gas system.

ALSO READ: Govt directs completion of CNG station construction

Experts say the CNG Mother Station is crucial for Tanzania because among other reasons, it will enhance energy security through diversification of energy sources. By developing a CNG infrastructure, Tanzania diversifies its energy sources beyond traditional fuels like diesel and petrol. This diversification helps stabilise energy supply and reduce dependency on imported fuels.

It also carries environmental benefits by reducing carbon emissions. CNG is a cleaner alternative to conventional fuels, emitting significantly lower levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants. This shift contributes to reducing the country’s carbon footprint and combating climate change.

The economic advantages include cost savings, whereby CNG is often cheaper than petrol or diesel. This cost-effectiveness can lower operational costs for businesses and transportation sectors, leading to broader economic benefits.

Source: allafrica.com

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