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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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: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
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On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
