Dar es Salaam. Swissport Tanzania recorded a 21.4 percent increase in net profit last year, thanks to a significant business recovery from the impact of Covid-19 and increased Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) operations.
The ground handler’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2022, indicate that the company’s net profit jumped to ShSh2.61 billion from Sh2.15 billion realised in the preceding year.
During the period under review, the flight frequencies increased by 53 percent, and the volume of cargo handled increased by 20 percent. As a result, total revenue increased by 25 percent to Sh38.29 billion, according to the report signed by the board’s chair, Mr Dirk Goovaerts, and the company’s CEO, Mr Mrisho Yassin.
With last year’s handsome performance, the board announced a final dividend of Sh1.51 billion, or Sh42 per issued and fully paid share. However, no interim dividend was declared and paid during the year.
Promising future
According to the report, both the ground handling and cargo handling business segments have fully recovered from the impact of the pandemic.
Airlines are operating at their normal capacity and have plans to increase frequencies. The planned growth of ATCL, the national flag carrier, is also expected to stir further growth in the aviation market.
ATCL has a fleet of 12 aircraft: one Dash 8-Q300, five Dash 8-Q400, four Airbus A220-300, and two Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. Before the end of this year, the airline expects to add to its fleet one Dash 8 Q400, two Boeing 737 Max 9, one Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, and one Boeing 767 Freighter, bringing the total number of its aircraft to 17.
Going by Swissport’s report, the lounge business is envisaged to continue growing and contribute positively to the business.
“These developments, coupled with the improved business environment over the past years, are expected to increase flight frequencies and the volume of cargo in 2023,” reads a part of the report. This will in turn have a positive impact on the financial performance of the company. “To sustain and grow the business in 2023, improving the quality of services offered to airlines, maintaining operational and cost efficiencies, and investing in human resources will remain key priorities for Swissport,” reads a part of the report.
The list of priorities also includes investment in technology, training, ground support equipment and cargo infrastructures, product innovation, retention of customers, and winning new profitable business.
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Zanzibar free from outbreak of Marburg virus
The Zanzibar government has on Friday April 7 assured international travelers that the Isle is safe and open for business.Continue Reading
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
Tanzania’s opposition party ACT Wazalendo honours veteran politician under new policy
Unguja. Opposition party ACT Wazalendo today officially bids farewell to its former Chairman, Juma Duni Haji, also known as Babu Duni, as part of a new policy designed to honor retired senior leaders at a ceremony held at Kiembesamaki, Zanzibar.
The initiative highlights the party’s commitment to recognizing and supporting individuals who have served with dedication and integrity.
Babu Duni, who stepped down earlier this year, was succeeded by Othman Masoud, now the First Vice President of Zanzibar.
The policy aims to provide ongoing respect and support to retired leaders, ensuring their continued recognition and contribution to the party’s development.
“Recognizing their significant contributions to the development and prosperity of the party, this policy ensures that retired leaders continue to be acknowledged and respected by both the party and the community,” the policy states.
To benefit from this policy, leaders must not have left or been expelled from the party. They must have served the party with honor and dedication. The national leadership committee will determine whether a leader has fulfilled these criteria.
The policy seeks to honor retired leaders, protect their dignity, acknowledge their contributions, leverage their ideas for the party’s growth, and support them to the best of the party’s ability.
In honoring these leaders, the party will provide a vehicle, the type of which will be determined by the national leadership committee. Additionally, they will receive a monthly allowance, with the amount also set by this committee.
Other benefits include health insurance. If a leader does not own a home, the party will cover their rent at a rate decided by the committee.
The leadership committee may also grant special recognition based on the leader’s contributions. Retired leaders will participate in decision-making meetings according to procedures outlined in the party’s constitution.
Depending on the party’s resources at the time, the policy may also apply to retired deputy chairpersons for both the mainland and Zanzibar, the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General for both mainland and Zanzibar, and the party’s Attorney General.
Additionally, leaders, executives, or members with exceptional contributions to the party’s protection, advocacy, and defense may also benefit, as determined by the leadership committee.
Currently, those who are eligible for benefits under this policy include Juma Duni Haji (retired party Chairman) and Zitto Kabwe (retired party leader).Continue Reading
