Unguja/Pemba. Ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi-Zanzibar has said it is ready to task state organs to investigate some of the claims that have been raised by opposition politicians on the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA).
Some of the claims include an alleged monthly payment of $70,000 to ground handling company Dnata Zanzibar as management fees and the manner which the stakes were acquired.
Speaking to The Citizen in a special interview at Kisiwandui, CCM’s Ideology and Publicity Secretary –Zanzibar Hamisi Mbeto Hamisi said that once the organs come out with their findings its only then that they can decide what to do.
“At the moment these are just mere allegations because there is no concrete evidence in the claims that ACT-Wazalendo has brought forward in the two rallies in Nungwi and Pemba,” said Mr Mbeto.
CCM’s Ideology and publicity secretary- Zanzibar, Hamis Mbeto Hamis speaking to journalists at the party’s headquarters in Kisiwandui.
ACT –Wazalendo’s claims
Last week opposition party ACT-Wazalendo leader Zitto Kabwe called for an urgent forensic investigations into the local ownership of the 35 percent shares of Dnata Zanzibar.
Speaking at Tibirinzi Grounds in Pemba, on Saturday, March 4, Mr Kabwe said the entire process of the acquisition of the stakes was dubious, questioning how the authorities allowed foreign nationals to own such shares.
“The law requires that when an investment of this nature is foreign owned should have a local partnership owns 35 percent but what we have discovered is that 35 percent is owned by some foreign nationals and a certain individual who is rather doubtful,” said Mr Kabwe.
He called upon the Zanzibar Anti-corruption and Economic Crimes Authority (ZAECA) to investigate the circumstances through which the stakes by a local company were acquired against the laws and regulations of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority.
The former Kigoma legislator also claimed that Dnata which is ZAA’s preferred ground handler at Terminal 3 whose operations was commissioned by President Mwinyi in January, 2023 was being paid a monthly management fee of $70,000 (Sh170 million).
“This is quite a unique arrangement which is not anywhere in any of the other airports in the United Republic of Tanzania and what we have found out is that some of this money goes into the pockets of government officials,” said Zitto.
The Citizen reached out to the Zanzibar Anti-corruption and Economic Crimes Authority (Zaeca) director general to find out if they were aware of the alleged suspicious transactions as claimed by ACT Wazalendo.
However, emails and messages seeking clarification on the issue were unanswered.
“I cannot comment on this on phone,” said the director general
Dnata Zanzibar speaks
Responding to the claims, Dnata Zanzibar’s public relations team said in an email sent to The Citizen that the company complied with all applicable legal requirements to operate at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (AAKIA) in Zanzibar.
“The Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) granted dnata Zanzibar a license to provide ground handling and cargo services at ‘Class II’ airports in the United Republic of Tanzania, such as AAKIA, following dnata Zanzibar’s compliance with applicable legal requirements,” reads the email.
It further stated: We will continue to work closely with the authorities and other relevant stakeholders to ensure continued full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations with respect to the execution and provision of our ground handling operations and services.
Regarding the alleged dubious identity of its owners the company said they had nothing to say.
“We have no further comment to add.”
In July, 2022, President Hussein Mwinyi defended the decision to award Dubai National Air Travel Agency (Dnata) a contract to operate ground handling services at the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport Terminal 3, saying that all the due processes were followed.
In November 2021, Dnata signed a contract with authorities in Zanzibar to provide ground handling services at newly built Terminal 3 at the airport.
As part of the contract, two other Emirates’ subsidiaries, Emirates Leisure Retail and MMI will operate all 13 retailers and two lounges in the terminal. These include restaurant, duty free and commercial outlets.
However despite the awarding of exclusive rights at Terminal Three by Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) the company had to wait until late in 2022 when it acquired an operational licence and a concession which was granted and approved by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA)
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Africa: Rwanda Gets a Grip Of Marburg, But Mpox ‘Not Yet Under Control’
Monrovia — The Rwanda Minister of State responsible for Health, Dr. Yvan Butera, cautioned that while the country is beginning to see positive signals in its fight against the Marburg virus, the outbreak is “not yet over”. He, however, expressed hope that “we are headed in that direction”. The minister said the epidemiology trend, since the disease was first discovered in the country more than a month ago, is moving towards fewer cases.
Dr. Butera, who was giving updates during an online briefing yesterday, said in the past two weeks, only two deaths were recorded while 14 people recovered from the disease. He said Rwanda was expanding its testing capacity with 16,000 people already inoculated against the disease.
The priority right now, Butera said, is “rapid testing and detection”.
Marburg is a highly virulent disease transmitted through human-to-human contact or contact with an infected animal. The fatality rate of cases, which has varied over the period, is more than 50%, according to the World Health Organization. WHO said the highest number of new confirmed cases in Rwanda were reported in the first two weeks of the outbreak. There’s been a “sharp decline” in the last few weeks, with the country now tackling over 60 cases.
At Thursday’s briefing, a senior official of the Africa Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, said mpox – the other infectious disease outbreak that countries in the region are fighting – was been reported in 19 countries, with Mauritius being the latest country to confirm a case. He said although no new cases have been recorded in recent weeks in several countries where outbreaks occurred previously – including Cameroon, South Africa, Guinea, and Gabon – Uganda confirmed its first Mpox death. This, he said, is one of two fatalities reported outside Central Africa.
Dr. Ngashi revealed that there was an increase in cases in Liberia and Uganda. He said mpox cases were still on an upward trend.
“The situation is not yet under control.”
Source: allafrica.com
Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
