
Unguja, Zanzibar:
The Zanzibar Revenue Board (ZRB) has on Friday, January 13 been rebranded and renamed as the Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA) after the Government approved changes to law number 11 of 2022 to establish the authority.
As a result of the changes, President Hussein Mwinyi has appointed Yussuf Juma Mwenda as the Commissioner General of the ZRA.
The new changes will enhance the authority’s efficiency and in the process do away with institutions that were collecting tax without having the legal mandate to do so
Speaking to the media at the Authority’s offices in Mazizini, on Friday January 13, 2023, the Minister of State, Office of the President, Finance and Planning, Dr. Saada Mkuya, said that the step has been reached after the process was completed.
“The law was officially passed on December 14 by the House of Representatives and on December 29, 2022 the Honorable President signed it and it has already been announced in the Gazzete,” said Dr. Saada Mkuya
She said, along with the increase growth in revenue collection under ZRB, the government has seen the need to transform ZRB into a full authority not only to collect revenue, but to build a strong institution that will be respected and bring optimal operational results.
“We want this authority to improve and operate at international standards in line with other authorities in the East African Community as it has been given major responsibilities to manage the country’s revenue,” she said.
She emphasized the need for the authority to strengthen its systems and human resources to ensure that the government’s revenue is collected and to create a mechanism to make people pay taxes voluntarily.
On his part Commissioner Mwenda, has thanked President Mwinyi for showing confidence in him and other officials of that authority and promised that they will do everything possible to ensure that they fulfill his expectations, calling on all those who are eligible to pay taxes do so.
He has said that they hope to see the authority become a leading entity and provide better services to businessmen who are the biggest tax stakeholders.
Share this news
This Year’s Most Read News Stories
Ground handling firms in Zanzibar start cutting jobs
ZAT and Transworld, companies providing ground handling services at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, have to lay off workers to stay afloat.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%.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
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
Fast Satellite Internet in Kenya by June
Elon Musk’s satellite Internet firm Starlink announced it will launch in Kenya in the second quarter of this year.Continue Reading