Dar es Salaam. Zambia Airways has re-established its direct flight route between Lusaka, Zambia, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
This move aims to bolster trade and stimulate the tourism sector for both countries.
Zambia Airways will operate the route with a Boeing 737, offering three flights per week.
At the official ceremony welcoming the first Zambia Airways flight to Tanzania, Tanzania Airport Authority (TAA) Director General Mussa Mbura hailed the resumption as a significant development.
“After a 16-year hiatus, we are delighted to welcome back Zambia Airways to Tanzania,” Mbura said. “We are committed to providing all necessary support for a successful operation, recognizing the importance of fostering a welcoming environment for new airlines.”
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Prof Godius Kahyarara, highlighted the recent meeting in Lubumbashi where the resumption of flights was discussed by ministers from both countries.
“This is a long-awaited moment,” Prof Kahyarara said. “Collaboration with Zambia is crucial, especially considering that 70 percent of cargo transported through Dar es Salaam port originates from or transits through Zambia. Zambia Airways will simplify the movement of people and goods, further strengthening our relationship.”
Expanding air transport options
Kahyarara also noted that while Air Tanzania currently offers five flights to Zambia, the new service by Zambia Airways will provide additional reliable air transport options for both nations.
Zambia’s Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Gary Nkombo, emphasised the importance of the relaunched airline as a symbol of regional connection and a milestone for cooperation.
“Institutions like the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) and the Tanzania-Zambia Pipeline (Tazama) have served our people for years,” Mr Nkombo said. “This airline will further solidify our ties and boost economic and tourism activity.”
Mr Nkombo expressed appreciation for Tanzania’s support and Zambia Airways’ commitment to using fuel-efficient practices to reduce their carbon footprint. “We are confident in making a positive impact in Tanzania,” he concluded.
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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
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