Arusha — TANZANIA representatives at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on Monday vowed to put the county’s interests on the forefront as they took oaths of office.
The members who were sworn here during the First Meeting, First Session of the regional Fifth Assembly at the East African Community (EAC) EALA’s chambers, despite pledging their allegiance to the community and to protect the Treaty, promised to prioritise Tanzania’s interest as they begin their new terms which span at a maximum of ten years.
James Ole Milya, who makes his maiden entry into the regional assembly after being out of political circles for some time, said he is ready to protect the country’s interests and priorities in the parliament.
The former Simanjiro MP noted that the EAC bloc was endowed with numerous resources, saying that as a new legislator he’ll be tasked to ensure that Tanzanians make the most of such opportunities.
“I’ve had enough experience of serving as an MP, my sole focus will be prioritising and defending Tanzania’s interests at EALA,” he assured.
As one of the founding members of the regional economic bloc, the politician cum advocate insisted that Tanzania has a lot to offer to bloc which turned 23, less than a month ago.
Echoing similar sentiments, the Chief Executive Officer of the National College of Tourism, Dr Shogo Mlozi said she was eager to hit the ground running in protecting and defending the interests of the country at the Legislative Assembly.
Dr Mlozi, who is also the wife to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Professor Eliamani Sedoyeka said all the partner states had a stake in the EAC, and that the onus was on the lawmakers to ensure that they remain focused in prioritising such interests.
Apart from the two, others who were sworn in on Monday include Machano Ali Machano, Mashaka Ngole, Ansar Kachwamba.
Others are Dr Ng’waru Maghembe, Abdullah Makame and Angela Kizigha.
Both, Dr Maghembe and Makame are finalising the five-year remaining term while Ms Kizigha is making a comeback having served at EALA’s Third Assembly between 2012 and 2017.
Tanzania’s minister for foreign affairs and East African cooperation, Dr Stergomena Tax also took oath of office as an ex officio member to the House.
Fielding questions from reporters, Dr Tax challenged the Tanzanian lawmakers to drive the EAC integration agenda forward.
“The country aspires to do more trade with its neighbours, I hope this is also among your top agenda as you begin your terms today,” she said.
The Minister equally challenged the EALA members to also prioritise the realisation of the East African Monetary Union, which is the third pillar of the six-member bloc’s integration.
Also, in attendance during the swearing in of the EALA members were CCM’s Vice-Chairperson Abdulrahman Kinana, the party’s secretary of Ideology and Publicity, Shaka Hamdu Shaka and Namtumbo Member of Parliament Vita Kawawa who represented the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Tulia Ackson.
Source: allafrica.com
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Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response
Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025</Strong> — Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths.
In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is mobilizing strong support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of twelve public health experts will be deployed as part of an advance mission in the next 24 hours. The multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory experts to provide on-ground support for surveillance, IPC, diagnostics, and community engagement.
The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has engaged with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Minister of Health to ensure coordinated efforts and secure political commitment for the response.
“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. To support the government’s efforts, we are committing US$ 2 million to bolster immediate response measures, including deploying public health experts, strengthening diagnostics, and enhancing case management. Building on Tanzania’s commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control,” Dr. Kaseya stated.
Africa CDC has recently supported efforts to enhance the diagnostic and sequencing capacity of public health laboratories in Tanzania. PCR Test kits and genomic sequencing reagents have been dispatched, with additional supplies in the pipeline. To ensure rapid identification and confirmation of cases, the institution will also provide technical assistance to strengthen detection and genome sequencing for better characterization of the pathogen. Additionally, support will be provided to improve case management protocols and enhance the capacity to deliver safe and effective treatment.
Africa CDC is committed to working closely with the Government of Tanzania, regional partners, international organizations, and global stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.
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
