Makangale SATELLITE

Na Mwandishi wetu, Arusha

Baraza la Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumi (NEEC) kupitia Program ya Imarisha Uchumi na Mama (SAMIA) linalenga kuyaongeze uwezo wa biashara na ujasirimali makundi ya Kinamama, Vijana na makundi maalum wa Mkoani Arusha hasa wanaofanya shughuli za kitalii na biashara za nafaka zinazosafirishwa kwenda nchi za Afrika Mashairi.

Kauli hiyo ilitolewa na Katibu Mtendaji wa Baraza hilo, Bi. Beng’i Issa wakati wa Baraza hilo lilipozindua Program ya Imarisha Uchumi na Mama Samia (IMASA) inayotekelezwa na baraza hilo kuwa MKoa wa rusha kuwa makundi hayo yataongezewa uwezo w kibiashara hasa katika maeneo ya utalii na nafaka zinazounzwa nje ya nchi.

Katibu Mtendaji wa Baraza la Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumi (NEEC}, Bi. Beng’i Issa akizungumza na mwakundi ya kinamama, vijana na makundi maalum wakati baraza hilo lilipozindua Program ya Imarisha Uchumi na Mama (SAMIA} mkoani Arusha. Picha na Mwandishi wetu, Arusha.

“Mkoa huu wa Arusha ni wa kimataifa na umeshamili shughuli za kitalii na ni mpaka wa kusafirisha mazao ya nafaka kwa nchini za Afrika Mashariki,” na alioneza kusema program hiyo inalenga kuwaongezea ujuzi na uwezeshaji ili waweze kutumia fursa kama hizo kwa mafanikio makubwa zaidi.

Alisema Royal Toure aliyofanya Rais Mama Samia Samia ilikuwa na mafanikio makubwa katika mkoa huo ambao ni Jijiji kwa hiyo program zote zinazolisha utalii zitatapata mafanikio kupitia utalii na IMAMA imejielekeza kwa fanya biashara wadogowadogo na wajasirimali katika sekta hiyo wanufaike na kufikia viwango vya kimataifa.

Alifafanuwa kwamba Arusha ni jiji na makundi ya kinamama, vijana na makundi maalum yamekuwa na mwamuko na shughuli zao hasa akimama kwa vile jiji linapokea watalii wanaposhuka, mikutano ya kitaifa na kimataifa inafanyika hapo.

Pia alisema akinamana wengi wanafanya shughuli za kuuza nafaka nje ya nchi na Tanzania ndiyo inayolima mazao ya nafaka na kulisha nchi za Afrika Mashiriki kati ya Tanzania na Kenya na hiyo ni fursa nzuri kwa watanzania kuvuka mpaka na kufanya biashara nchi nyingine.

Alisema mkoa huo makundi hayo yalionyesha mwitikio mkubwa wa kuipokea  programa ya IMASA na inakadiliwa kulikuwa zaidi ya washiriki 1500 wanawake, vijana, watu wenye ulemavu na wanaume.

Mshauri wa wa Rais Masuala ya Wanawake, Bi. Sophia Mjema alisema wale wote walioanjiandikisha wataingizwa katika kanzidata na aliyataka makundi hayo kuchaangamki fura hiyo kupitia IMASA.

Mshauri wa Rais Masuala ya akiwa na mwakundi ya kinamama, vijana na makundi maalum wakati Baraza la Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumi (NEEC) lilipozindua Program ya Imarisha Uchumi na Mama (SAMIA} mkoani Arusha kulia kwake ni Katibu Mtendaji wa baraza hilo, Bi.Beng’i Issa. Picha na Mwandishi wetu, Arusha.

“IMASA imejipanga kutoa uwezeshaji kwa akinamama, vijana na makundi maalum na hasa akinamama na hakuna atakaye achwanyuma,” na aliongeza kusema kila mmoja katika mtaa wake, kitongozi chake, wilaya yake anahitajika kujiandikisha kuingia katika mfumo.

Naye Bi. Sophia Amiri Makazi wa Arusha alisema wamepokea mafunzo kutoka IMASA na wanaona kuwa inalenga kuwakwamua watanzania akinamama ambao bado wapo chini.

” Program inataka kutunyanyuma akimama na makundi mengine na itamwezesha mwanamke anayeishi katika nyuma ya nyasi kuishi katika nyuma ya bati,” na aliongeza kusema anampongeza Rais Mama Samia kupitia baraza hilo kwa kupelekea programa hiyo

Alisema katika mkoa huo akinamama wanajishughulisha na shughuli mbalimbali za kiuchumi na ujio wa program hiyo inawawezesha kupata maarifa na uwezeshaji kukuza biahara na ujasirimali.

 Baraza la Uwezahaji Wananchi Kiuchumi NEEC kupitia programa IMASA lipo katika hatua ya kutoa mafunzo kwa makundi ya kinamama, vijana na Makundi Maalumu na kuwaingiza katika kanzidata na badaye watapatiwa uwezeshaji ili waweze kukuza shughuli za biashara na ujasiriamali,

MWISHO

N a Mwandishi Wetu Lindi

Baraza la Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumi (NEEC) limewataka viongozi wa Mkoa wa Lindi kutengeneza mkakati kabambe utakaozuia mimba za utotoni kwa wasichana ambazo zinawasabishia kukatisha masomo na badaye kushindwa kujishughulisha na shughuli za kiuchumi kutimiza ndoto zao.

Kauli hiyo ilitolewa na Katibu Mtendaji wa baraza hilo, Bi. Beng’i Issa wakati baraza hilo lilipozindua  programa ya Imarisha Uchumi na Mama Samia (IMASA)mkoani humo  kuwa kunahitajika kuweka mkakati wa kuzuia mimba za utotoni ili wasichana waweze kutimiza ndoto zao za kiuchumi baada ya kuhitimu masomo yao.

“Mkoa huu unamatatizo ya wasichana kuacha masomo hata wakiwa wamefaulu kujiunga na shule za sekondari hawaendi na inakadiliwa asilimia 30 hukatisha masomo kutokana na mimba za utotoni,” mimba za utotoni zinakatisha ndoto za kiuchumi za wasichana.

Alisema program ya IMASA imekuja kuwezesha Makundi ya kinamama, vijana na makundi maalum hivyo makundi ya vijana yakipata elimu ni nyenzo kubwa  ya kufikia malengo yao ya kiuchumi na ukizingatia mkoa huo unfursa nyingi za kiucumi.

Bi. Beng’i alisema mkoa huo wananchi wanajishughulisha na kilimo cha korosho,alzeti,uvuvi, mazao ya mwani, hivyo programa hiyo itashirikiana na mkoa huo kuweka vipaumbele ili kuandaa programa kwa ajili ya uwezeshaji wake.

Alisema program ilipokelewa  vizuri  mkoani humo na wananchi walitamani sana program ianze haraka na washiriki wengi walikuwa ni wafanya biashara, wakulima , wakulima wa kuongeza thamani mazao na madalali wa kilimo.

Pia aliutaka mkoa huo kuendelea na program zao za kawaida katika kilimo cha korosho, ubanguaji korosho kuongeza thamani  mazao na uvuvi  na zile za uwezeshaji za asilimia kumi na kuendelea kufuata maelekezo ya serikali.

Katibu wa Shirikisho la Watu Wenye Ulemavu Manispaa ya Lindi, Bi.Zuhura Meza alisema anamshukuru Rais mama samia kuanzisha program hiyo ambayo imekuja kuwainua kiuchumi wanawake kupitia mafunzo ya ujasirimali na uwezeshaji watakao pewa.

“Nikilirudi nyummbani naenda kuwaelimisha watu wenye ulemavu wale ambao hawajajisajili na program ili nao waende kujishajili kupata fursa ya mafunzo na uwezeshaji,” alidai fursa hii imekuja kuwakomboa watu wenye ulemavu.

Naye Mkulima wa Mwani kutoka kata ya Lindi Mjini ya Kitumbi Kwela Manispaa Lindi, Rukia Selemen alisema yeye ni mkulima na mchakataji wa bidhaa za mwani  anashukuru ujio wa program hiyo kufika katika manispa yao  kutoa  elimu ya ujasirimali na itamwezesha kufanya vizuri zaidi.

Mjasilimali toka Kilwa Masoko Bi. Fatuma Juma alisema anajishughuli na usindikaji wa mzao mbalimbali yakiwemo ya maziwayogati, juice ya mwani na anatengeneza bidhaa za urembo kama nguo na alidai kwa kusema kuwa program hiyo imewaingiza katika mfumo na kufanya kazi kwa ubora,

“Program hii imetupatia elimu ya ujasairimali na pia inalenga kutupatia uwezeshaji,” na alisema wao  wamejipanga kupokea uwezshaji huo ili waweze kukuza mitaji yao pamoja na biashara na ujasiriamali. 

Mkuu wa Wilaya la Lindi Shaibu Ndemanga akifuatilia jambo wakati Baraza la Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumiu (NEEC) lilipozindua  programa ya Imarisha Uchumi na Mama Samia (IMASA)mkoani humo, kushoto ni Katibu Mtendaji wa baraza hilo,Bi. Beng’i Issa na kulia ni Kaimu Katibu Tawala Mkoa huo, Bw. Majid Myao. Picha na mwandishi wetu.

 
Na Mwandishi Wetu, Dar es Salaam 

Bank of Africa Tanzania Limited imewahikisha wafanyabiashara wadogo wadogo na wa kati kwamba itaendelea kutoa mafunzo kuhusu matumizi ya fedha, kuweka kumbukumbu za biashara na elimu ya kodi kwa wateja wake ili kuhakikisha wanakua pamoja.

Akizungumza na waandishi wa Habari hivi karibuni jijini Dar es Salaam, Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa benki hiyo, Bi Esther Cecil Maruma alisema kwamba warsha hiyo yenye kauli mbiu “TUKUE PAMOJA” ilikuwa ni ahadi ya benki hiyo kutoa huduma na msaada kwa wafanyabishara wadogo na wa kati (SME) nchini.

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji huyo Aliongeza kwamba katika kufanikisha ukuaji wa kifedha na uthabiti wa biashara zao. Warsha hiyo ililenga kutoa elimu ya kifedha kwa kina, ambapo mada kama vile uwasilishaji wa rekodi za biashara, masuala ya kodi, na mikakati ya kuongeza uwezo wa huduma za kibenki ili kuchochea ukuaji wa mtaji zilijadiliwa kwa nia ya kuwainua wafanyabiashara

Aliogeza “Tangu tulipoanza rasmi programu hizi mnamo mwaka 2021, benki tayari imefikia wateja 500 wafanyabiashara wadogo wadogo (SME) na lengo la mwaka huu ni kufikia wateja 170. Matunda ya kile tunachofanya yanaonyeshwa katika matokeo mazuri tunayoshuhudia, ambapo faida ya benki imeongezeka kwa asilimia 33 kutoka Tsh 6.03 Bilioni hadi Tsh 9 Bilioni, kwa kulinganisha matokeo ya Juni mwaka jana na Juni mwaka huu." alisema Bi. Maruma.

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji huyo wa benki hiyo alifafanua kwamba "benki pia imeweza kupata matokeo mazuri katika mikopo chechefu, na katika kipindi kilichofikia Juni benki imefikia asilimia 1.5 ya mikopo chechefu, hii ni chini ya kiwango kinachohitajika na Benki Kuu ya Tanzania cha asilimia 5." Matokeo haya yanatuambia kuwa wateja wetu ni wazuri na wanalipa mikopo yao vizuri."

"Ningependa kutoa shukrani zangu za dhati kwa wateja wetu wote wa Bank of Africa Tanzania kwa kuendelea kutuunga mkono na pia naomba kwa wajasiriamali wa Tanzania, hasa wafanyabiashara wadogo wadogo na wa kati ((SME); kwamba benki iko tayari kuhakikisha mafanikio yao, kama kauli mbiu ya programu yetu "TUKUE PAMOJA" benki ina azma ya kuendelea kuwekeza katika sekta hii. Hii inaelezewa kwa uwazi katika mpango wa kimkakati wa miaka mitatu wa benki yetu, ukiwa na bajeti ya Tsh 62.23 Bilioni iliyopangwa kwa sekta ya wafanyabiashara wadogo wadogo na wa kati (SME) pekee kwa mwaka 2022-2024, na kwa kipindi cha mwaka jana tumetoa mikopo ya takriban Tsh 47.87 bilioni, huku zaidi ya Tsh 20.67 bilioni tayari zikiwa zimekopeshwa mwaka huu hadi Juni, zikifaidisha zaidi ya wateja 16,000 wa SME." alisema Bi. Maruma

Kaimu Mkuu wa Huduma za Kibenki kwa wateja wa Binafsi na Reja Reja, Bi. Mwamvua Majeshi aliwahakikishia wafanyabiashara kwamba huduma za mikopo zitapewa kwa wakati bila kuchelewa kulingana na kanuni za kbenki hapa nchini.

“Kwa Bank of Africa, wateja wetu kuhudumiwa kupitia matawi yetu, hata hivyo, benki pia imewekeza katika huduma za kidijitali kama vile huduma za benki kwa simu (B-Mobile), huduma za benki za mtandao (BOAWeb-Internet Banking) na hivi karibuni tumezindua huduma ya Bank of Africa WAKALA yenye mawakala zaidi ya 200 nchini.” alisema Bi. Majeshi.

Kwa upande wao , mfanyabiashara , Bw Frank Chaula aliyehudhuria programu hiyo aliipongeza BANK OF AFRICA kwa jinsi ilivyo wawezesha kupitia mikopo na kuinua biashara zao na kuomba benki iendelee kuboresha huduma zake ili kufaidisha Watanzania wengi zaidi.

“Tunashukuru BANK OF AFRICA kwa semina hii muhimu na leo nimejifunza nidhamu ya matumizi ya fedha , kuweka kumbukumbu, mauzo na manunuzi kwenye biashara kwa kweli nimepanua uelewa kwenye biashara nawashukuru sana,” alisema Bw Chaula

Naye, Elia Komba ambaye ni msafirishaji alisema kwamba mafunzo waliyopata kuhusu biashara na elimu ya mambo ya kodi yatawasaidia katika kufanya biashara zao kwa kushirikiana na Mamlaka Kodi Tanzania (TRA) jinsi ya kuweka hesabu vizuri ili kuongeza tija kwenye biashara zao.

Naye mwezeshaji kwenye semina hiyo ya siku moja , Bw Eric Crispin alisisitiza muhimu wa kuwa na nidhamu kwenye matumizi ya fedha kwenye biashara zao za kila siku ili kuweza kukua kibiashara.

“ni muhimu kuwa na nidhamu kwenye matumizi ya fedha na kuwa na utaratibu wa kuwa na kuweka malengo na bajeti kwa kila matumizi yako ya kila siku na kuweka mifumo ya kutunza kumbukumbuku ya fedha,” aliongeza.

Na Mwandishi wetu, Dar es Salaam

Ubalozi wa Uholanzi nchini kwa kushirikiana na wataalamu wa makampuni ya mbegu kutoka Uholanzi wameweka mazingira wezeshi kwa wakulima wadogo wadogo   kupata mbegu bora, maarifa na teknolojia inayohitajika ili kuongeza tija ya uzalishaji wa mazao ya mboga mboga na matunda yenye  kujenga uwezo wa kustahimili ukame na kuimarisha usalama wa chakula na ustawi hapa nchini.

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari jijini Dar es Salaam katika Maonyesho ya 48 ya Kimataifa ya Biashara Dar es Salaam  yanayoandaliwa kila mwaka na Mamlaka ya Maendeleo ya Biashara Tanzania (Tantrade) wiki iliyopita, Mkurugenzi wa Kampuni ya European African Seed Initiatives (EASI Seeds), Samson Lukumay alisema mbegu bora kutoka Uholanzi zile ambazo zimetengeneza kwa matumizi ya Tanzania zimesaidia wakulima wadogo wadogo kuzalisha mboga mboga na matunda zenye afya na mnyororo wa thamani.

"Kila mafanikio ya mavuno huanza na mbegu bora." Kauli hii inadhihirishwa na hatua za Ubalozi wa Uholanzi pamoja na wakala wa mashirika ya kiholanzi ya Mbegu , wakisaidia uzalishaji wa mbegu bora za kilimo cha mboga mboga na bustani za matunda nchini Tanzania kupitia kampuni za mbegu za Uholanzi,” anasema Lukumay katika viwanja vya Maonyesho ya 48 ya Biashara ya Kimataifa ya Dar es Salaam yanayoendelea jijini.

Kwa miaka mingi, makampuni ya mbegu ya Uholanzi yamekuwa yakishiriki katika uenezaji wa mbegu na kutoa mbegu zinazotoa mavuno mengi, kustahimili ukame, na kustahimili magonjwa. Juhudi hizi za ushirikiano zimechangia kuimarisha sekta ya mbegu za kilimo cha mboga mboga na matunda  na kusababisha ongezeko la fursa za ajira kwa vijana na wanawake hapa nchini na  kutoa chanzo cha fedha za kigeni kupitia mauzo ya nje, na kuwezesha uhamishaji wa maarifa na teknolojia kupitia mafunzo ya vitendo ya wakulima kwa kutumia mashamba ya darasa yaliyoanzishwa katika maeneo yao.

Mwaka huu katika maonyesho ya biashara ya Sabasaba, kampuni mbili za mbegu za Uholanzi - East West Seeds na EASI Seeds - zilionyesha mbinu bora za kupanda mboga mboga kwa kutumia aina zao za mbegu zilizoboreshwa.

Walikuwa na wataalamu wa kilimo wenye mafunzo ya hali ya juu waliokuwepo katika viwanja vya maonyesho vya Nane Nane kuelezea mbinu bora za kilimo kwa wakulima waliohudhuria. Wataalamu wa kilimo pia walitoa ushauri juu ya kulima aina tofauti za mboga mboga zinazofaa hali ya ndani.

"Tunazalisha na kusambaza aina mbalimbali za mbegu bora za mboga mboga ambazo zimefanyiwa utafiti wa kutosha kutoka hapa Tanzania na kutoka Uholanzi na mbegu bora zinahusika na afya ya mboga mboga na matunda yanayofaa kwa soko la Tanzania," alisema.

“Tunawaomba wakulima wadogo kutumia mbegu bora zilizosajiliwa kwa ufanisi na tija. Pia tuliwahimiza kutumia nyanja za maonyesho ambazo ni muhimu kwa maarifa, uvumbuzi na uhamishaji wa teknolojia.

Bw Lukumay alieleza kuwa mbegu hizo bora ziliwezesha uzalishaji bora na mauzo ya nje ya baadhi ya mazao kama maharage ambapo wanauza mpaka  Italia.

Alisema kilimo cha mboga mboga kiliwawezesha wakulima wadogo wadogo kuwa na uzalishaji wa mazao kwa mwaka mzima jambo ambalo limerahisisha mzunguko wa fedha na kupunguza umaskini wa kipato katika ngazi ya kaya hadi kitaifa.

"Ninatoa wito kwa vijana kuanza kujihusisha na kilimo cha mboga mboga  kama chanzo cha mapato na suluhisho la ukosefu wa ajira hapa nchini," alifafanua.

Alibainisha kuwa EASI Seeds ilishirikiana na wakulima wadogo wadogo  waliozalisha nyanya, pilipili, viazi, mchicha, karoti na matango na kulima kuanzia hekta 2-5.

Zaidi ya hayo, Bw. Lukumay alisema pia waliwashirikisha wakulima wadogo wadogo katika mashamba ya darasa kupitia mabwana shamba na maofisa ugani wa kilimo wa serikali wakulima wadogo walipata taarifa na ujuzi wa kitaalamu wa kutumia mbegu bora na kupata  mavuno mengi.

"Tunatumia nyanja za shamba darasa  kama majukwaa ya maarifa, uvumbuzi na uhamishaji wa teknolojia ambayo hufanya sekta ndogo ya mbegu nchini kuwa na ushindani zaidi, kukuza ajira na kushughulikia kupunguza umaskini miongoni mwa vijana na wanawake," alisisitiza.

"Hii ni safari ambayo imechangiwa na ushirikiano wa miaka 10 kati ya Tanzania na Uholanzi na imevutia kampuni za mbegu za Uholanzi kusajili aina zao za mbegu na kusaidia wakulima wadogo wadogo hapa nchini," alisema.

Kwa upande wake Mkurugenzi wa East West Seed Robert Kimonge alisema kampuni hiyo ilianzishwa tangu mwaka 2008 na ina matawi nchi nzima na kupitia Ubalozi wa Uholanzi jijini Dar es Salaam wameboresha maisha ya maelfu ya vijana na wanawake wa vijijini kupitia kilimo cha mboga mboga na matunda.

Alieleza kuwa kupitia mipango ya ushirikiano na maarifa/teknolojia kutoka kwa makampuni ya mbegu ya Uholanzi wengi wa vijana na wanawake walijishughulisha na uzalishaji wa bustani katika Kanda ya Kaskazini. "Hii imechangia kwa kiasi kikubwa mapato ya kaya na ushirikishwaji wa kiuchumi miongoni mwa vijana na wanawake nchini," alisema.

Bw Kimonge alisema mashamba ya darasa yaliboresha maisha ya wakulima wengi wadogo wadogo.

“Uwezo wa kijiografia na ardhi yenye rutuba imefungua njia kwa Watanzania kufurahia kilimo cha bustani ikilinganishwa na nchi jirani. Baadhi ya mazao yanayozalishwa hapa yanasafirishwa kwenda Kenya, Uganda, Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo (DRC) na Msumbiji,” alifafanua.

Bw Kimonge alisema kilimo cha mboga mboga kiliwezesha wakulima wadogo kujikimu kimaisha na kuboresha maisha yao. Aliongeza kuwa pia waliweza kupata  masoko kwa sababu waliongozwa na wataalamu wa kampuni ya kutoka Uholanzi.

"Ni matumaini yangu kwamba vijana wengi zaidi wa kiume na wa kike wataipenda sekta ya kilimo cha bustani, asilimia 40 ya wataalamu wetu wa kilimo ni vijana ambao wanaweza kuvutia makundi yanayolengwa zaidi," alibainisha.

Bw Kimonge alisema kando na hilo, pia ilivutia uwekezaji muhimu katika mnyororo wa thamani wa kilimo cha mboga mboga  na uwezekano mkubwa wa uzalishaji wa mboga ambao ulileta usalama wa chakula, mapato ya wakulima na kuunda fursa za ajira.

Alisisitiza kuwa kampuni yao ina vituo vya mafunzo/taarifa katika miji ya Moshi, Kahama, Iringa, Morogoro na Mbeya ambavyo vitawawezesha wakulima wadogo na wakulima wakubwa kupata taarifa na elimu ya mbegu bora na jinsi ya kuzitumia ipasavyo ili kukuza ufanisi na kukuza mazao na mavuno.

Bw. Kimonge alibainisha kuwa makampuni ya mbegu ya Uholanzi yamechangia kwa kiasi kikubwa Tanzania kijamii na kiuchumi katika suala la ajira, lishe kwa watu wengi, kukuza mbegu bora ambazo zilikuza mauzo ya mazao katika masoko ya nje na kuongeza mzunguko wa fedha kwa vijana wa kiume na wa kike.

 Tanzania ina zaidi ya makampuni 80 ya kilimo ya Uholanzi, ambayo mengi yanafanya kazi katika sekta ndogo ya kilimo cha bustani. Zaidi ya hayo, makampuni kadhaa ya kimataifa ya mbegu yako nchini Tanzania.

Kutokana na hali hii, Maonyesho ya Biashara ya Sabasaba jijini Dar es Salaam yanatoa jukwaa muhimu la kuonyesha mbegu bora za Uholanzi. Ni moja ya maonyesho makubwa zaidi za kibiashara katika Afrika Mashariki, ambayo imekuwa ikifanyika kila mwaka tangu miaka ya 1970. Ni tukio muhimu katika kukuza uchumi wa Tanzania na linatoa fursa ya kibiashara ya nchi kwa wawekezaji wa kikanda na kimataifa na washirika wa kibiashara.

Mwaka huu, Maonyesho ya Biashara ya Sabasaba yanashirikisha makampuni mashuhuri ya Uholanzi ya mbegu kama vile East-West Seeds na EASI Seeds. Kampuni hizi huzalisha aina maalum za mbegu kwa ajili ya soko la ndani la Tanzania.

Mkurugenzi wa East West kampuni ya mbegu Bw Robert Kimonge akiwa na mshauri wa kilimo kutoka ubalozi wa Uholanzi , Bi Theonestina Mutabingwa

Mkurugenzi wa kampuni ya easi seeds, Samson Lukumay akiwa kwenye moja ya mashamba ya kuonyesha wakazi wa Dar es Salaam waliojitokeza kuona na kujifunza kilimo cha mboga mboga na matunda kwa kutumia mbegu bora kutoka Uholanzi , mradi ambao unasukumwa na ubalonzi kwa kuleta makampuni ya mbegu na kusaidia kwenye utafiti na teknolojia katika kuleta ustawi wa wakulima wadogo wadogo hapa nchini , Mwingine ni  Mshauri wa kilimo kutoka Ubalozi wa Uholanzi  Theonestina Mutabingwa wakionyesha sampuli ya mboga za afya kutoka kwa mbegu bora zilizofanyiwa utafiti na kampuni za Uholanzi zinazozalisha kwa wakulima wadogo nchini katika viwanja vya Maonesho ya 48 ya Biashara Dar es Salaam yanayoendelea. wiki iliyopita jijini Dar

 The law firm successfully sought compensation for alleged human rights abuses from North Mara Gold Mine on behalf of 13 villagers.

Leigh Day is accused of doing injustice the London-based law firm claims to be against.

By Staff Writer, Tanzania

A London-based law firm is accused of shortchanging Tanzanian villagers a gold mine compensated for purpoted human rights abuses; , news sources within Tanzania learnt

Leigh Day, which deals in employment law, human rights, clinical negligence and personal injury, sought the compensation on behalf of 13 villagers at North Mara Gold Mine.

The litigation against Acacia Mining Plc. owning the mine was settled out of court in 2015, compelling the gold mine to pay staggering Sterling Pounds 143,501.

Leigh Day though refutes taking a lion’s share of the compensation paid, available evidence shows the firm pocketed over 61 per cent, leaving one of the victims with the remaining 38 per cent.

One of the represented villagers Charles Marwa (not his real name) admits signing the Leigh Day’s letter on January 16, 2015, detailing his payment after the case was settled.

Leigh Day spokesperson Caroline Ivison says the intensity at which African Barrick Gold defended itself in the litigation as well as the duration of the case led to significant legal case costs, denying the law firm benefiting from claimants.

Marwa was finally paid Sterling Pounds 55,500 while the firm took home Sterling Pounds 88,001.

Leigh Day spokesperson Caroline Ivison, nonetheless, denied the firm benefiting from claimants as was the case with Marwa saying the allegations were false.

“We strongly refute the allegations on inappropriate and excessive fees,” said Ivison, explaining that significant legal costs were compounded by the intensity at which African Barrick Gold defended itself in the litigation as well as the duration of the case.

“No money allocated to claimants’ compensation was deducted for legal costs, we explained everything clearly to every client,” said Ivison as she declined to divulge details of their clients’ payments saying they were confidential.

Marwa was shot and injured in 2008 when invading the mine. A politician and activists linked him up with Leigh Day which filed a law suit in the UK before it was settled out of court.

Intruders invade North Mara Gold Mine in Tanzania. PHOTOS | FILE

Marwa, who is only one of the victims Leigh Day filed law suits against the gold mine on their behalf, said the politicians and activists told him the firm raised funds in support of claimants like him.

“So, all what we needed was giving full cooperation and following their instructions, assuring us that we would be compensated handsomely,” said Marwa as he recalled:

“I was happy when I received the Sterling Pounds 55,500 before my visiting cousin, who is a teacher at a neighboring village, clarified to me what exactly was in the agreement letter I signed.

His cousin wondered the firm, which pledged to assist the claimant free of charge, walked away with more than Sterling Pounds 88,001.

“It pained me a lot, I felt and still feel they used my problem for their own benefit,” Marwa lamented.

In its agreement letter, Leigh Day states: “Given the difficulties and risks of litigation, including extremely substantial risk of not being successful in the litigation, we consider that the total sum constitutes very good settlement of the claim.

“If you accept the settlement, the compensation paid in respect of the claim will be significantly more than you would have achieved if you had sought to resolve the claim without Leigh Day through the North Mara Gold Limited Grievance Mechanism.

“The amount that is proposed to be paid in settlement of a claim has been calculated by using the maximum total amount that could potentially have been awarded if your claim was successful.”

Marwa mulled resorting to court to seek assistance only to be discouraged by the politician he considered supporting him not picking calls after the payment was done.

Litigations and lawsuits on allegations on human rights abuse at North Mara Gold Mine is a climax of a well calculated syndicate.

Barrick president and Chief Executive Officer Mark Bristow says he is proud of North Mara Gold Mine’s strong working relations with its host community. PHOTO | MINING GMX

A cartel comprising business persons, politicians and local and international human rights activists have for quite a long time been spoiling ties between the gold mine and the hosting community.

On the frontage, intrusions into North Mara appear as grievances against the mine, but a deep dive into the deadlock debunks the ugly organised criminal invasions.

Marwa admits some sponsors had organised the incident that led to his injuries, assuring him and his accomplices of their safety, as police officers on duty had agreed to cooperate with the intruders.

The intruders never noticed the law enforcers agreed with were not on guard at the area, they kept on moving forward even after several warnings.

“The police officers were resolute, making us angry, thinking they were betraying the deal into which they entered with our boss

We decided to fight and I got injured as we confronted the police officers, several law enforcers were injured as well,” Marwa explained.

A several months’ investigation by The Tranquility News reportersteam revealed that the so-called mining invasions are actually an organised crime.

Wealthier and influential business persons, politicians and civil servants run the cartel assisted by several unfaithful mine’s staffs.

The cartel has all along been enjoying the cover of human rights abuses once its invading squads clash with police officers guarding the mine.

The invasions are categorised in four classes, with the first one involving youth, women, and the elderly having little or no harm at all.

Allegations on human rights violation against North Mara Gold Mine in Tanzania often call into question the credibility of activists.

All what the first unarmed category does is collecting few stones around the mine without intruding into the mine or causing any violence.

The second and notorious category comprises hired youth from different parts of the Lake Zone. The third category, which consists of direct beneficiaries of gold ores stolen from the mine includes influential and wealthier people who recruit the youth in the second category.

This is the violent category armed with machetes, daggers and other tradition weapons that invades the mine in a broad daylight, as they dare police officers in their large numbers.

“On the façade they look like just youths aggrieved by the presence of the mine, fooling some human rights outfits to regard them as victims.

“They are very good at playing the victims’ role, but in reality, they are the assaulters,” says Timasi Peter, the chairman of Mujata, an NGO that deals with welfare of the society.

Mara Regional Commissioner Col Evans Mtambi says a lot of disinformation surround regular invasions of North Mara Gold Mine and that the matter has been politicised for both political and financial gains.

The third category facilitates all activities, including bribing officials when the need arises, and hiring, paying and protecting the youth invading the mine to fetch them gold ores ready for processing and selling at gold markets within Tarime District.

“The invasionsare well focused and calculated to make them appear as just expressions of grievances against the mine,” former village leader said on condition of anonymity.

“The litigations and lawsuits are not against the mine, they are actually against Tanzanians owning the mine through Twiga Minerals Corporation,” Timasi said.

Barrick and the Tanzania Government had jointly set a model for the natural-resource rich country to benefit from the godsend and avert resource curse, Timasi, who resides at Nyakunguru Village situated a stone’s throw away from the mine, explainedΩ

Ends.

Na Mwandishi Wetu, Dar es Salaam,

WITO umetolewa kwa taasisi za serikali, mamlaka, wafanyabiashara na wadau wengine wa maendeleo kuwashirikisha watanzania kwenye miradi mikubwa kama moja ya hatua ya kuwakuza ili kuchochea mapato ya nchini kwa ujumla.

Akizungumza wakati akifunga kongamano la nne la Ushiriki wa watanzania kwenye uchumi na uwekezaji (Local Content) ambapo lilihudhuriwa na washirikia takribani 300 hivi karibuni jijini Dar es Salaam, Naibu Waziri Mkuu na Waziri wa Nishati , Dkt Dotto Biteko alisema kwamba ushirikishaji wananchi kuingia kwenye miradi mikubwa kutafungua milango ya ukuaji wao.

“Ushirikishaji wanachi kuingia katika miradi mikubwa ya kimkakati ya kitaifa ni moja ya hatua ya kuwakuza watanzania kushiriki katika uchumi wao na taifa kujiepusha na fedha zake kwenda nje nchi kwa vile kwa muda mrefu miradi mikubwa ilikuwa inatekelezwa na wageni ambao faida walikuwa wanazipeleka nchini kwao na kukuza uchumi wa mataifa yao,” alisisitiza Naibu Waziri Mkuu na Waziri wa Nishati

Aliongeza pia hii ni hatua muhimu kwa vile taifa letu katika kipindi hiki lipo katika hatua ya kujenga miradi mbalimbali ya kimkakati ambayo kimsingi lengo lake ni kuchochea uchumi na kukuza ustawi wa wananchi hivyo kupitia mkakati huo wananchi hawataachwa nyuma na uchumi utaimarika Zaidi.

Dkt Biteko alisema kwamba serikali ipo tayari kutoa fursa kwa watanzania kuweza kushiriki kwenye miradi hiyo na watanzania wajitokeze kuchangamkia fursa hizo na kwa sasa kuna mradi kama ya Bomba la mafuta kutoka Uganda kupitia Tanga, mradi mwingine wa bomba la mafuta Uganda kuja hapa nchini na muhimu watanzania wakapambana kupata kazi hizo.

“Mheshimiwa Rais Dkt Samia Suluhu Hassan pia alisema kuna upanuzi wa bomba la mafuta la Tazama , kuna mafuta mengi yanakwenda Zambia tunataka kufanya upanuzi mkubwa na kupunguza msongamano wa malori yanayoingia Dar es Salaam kuja kuchukua mafuta na hii miradi yote inataka ushiriki wa watanzania,” alisema Dkt Biteko.

Dkt Biteko pamoja na mambo mengine katika kuchangamkia hizi fursa aliwaasa taasisi za serikali na watanzania kuacha kuendekeza vitendo vya rushwa wakati wa kutoa au utafutaji na mchakato wa kupata tenda hizo za kazi hasa miradi hii ya kimkakati.

“Tuache vitendo vya kutoa rushwa ili kupata tenda za kiserikali hii muhimu katika kudumisha umuhimu wa kuzingatia ushiriki wa watanzania kwenye shughuli za uwekezaji na biashara, alisisitiza Dkt Biteko kwenye kongamano hilo ambapo lilihudhuriwa pia na wawekezaji kutoka nje,”

“Madhara ya kutoa fedha huku na kule ile kupata kazi matokeo yake ukipata kazi husika unashidwa kuikamilisha kwa sababu ya kutumia fedha nyingi na kukosa faida , matokeo namba zinagoma jamani tuache vitendo hivi vya rushwa,” alifafanua Dkt Biteko

Aliendelea tuache tabia pia za kusema bado hatujawa tayari kuendelea kujitafuta na hili jambo ndio linawarudisha nyuma watanzania kama kuamini kazi kubwa za miradi ya kimkakati hapa nchini.

Kwa upande wake, Waziri wa Nchini, Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu , Sera , Bunge na Uratibu, Bi Jenista Mhagama alisema kwamba serikali kupitia ofisi ya waziri mkuu itaendelea kuhakikisha watanzania wanpata fursa ya kushiriki kwenye uwekezaji na uchumi wa nchini yao.

“Mheshimiwa mgeni rasmi kwa upande serikali tutahakikisha kwamba tunakuwa na sera ya kitaifa ya ushirikia wa watanzania kwenye miradi hii na uchumi kwa ujumla kwa kutunga sheria na kanuni mbalimbali ili kupanua wigo wa watanzania kwenye biashara na uwekezaji,” aliongeza Bi Mhagama.

Akizungumza kwenye kongamano hilo la nne Katibu Mtendaji wa Baraza la Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumi (NEEC), Bi Beng’I Issa alisema kwamba kongamano hilo hufanyika kila baada ya miaka miwili na hutoa fursa kwa wadau, serikali na wafanyabiashara kufanya tathimini ya ushiriki wa watanzania kwenye uchumi wao.

 “tangu tumeanza na sera na kanuni hizi za kuwataka wawekezaji kutoka nje wanaoshika miradi mikubwa kutoa fursa kwa watanzania kushiriki kwenye shughuli zao za kiuchumi na tumepata mafanikio makubwa sana idadi ya watanzania inaongezeka kila siku,” alisema Bi Issa

Aliongeza kwamba baraza hilo litaendelea kujenga uwezo wa watanzania kushirki kwenye miradi hiyo ya kimkakati ili waendelee kupata ajira, kutengeneza bidhaa ambazo zitapata masoko ya uhakika na kuweza kuinua kipato cha mtu mmoja mmoja.

Bi Issa alifafanua kwamba kongamano hilo lilianza rasmi 2017 na lengo la kuwa nayo kila baada ya miaka miwili ni kuongeza uelewa wa watanzania umuhimu wa kushiriki kwenye uwekezaji unaofanyika hapa nchini na kuweza kuzitambua fursa huku serikali ikiendelea kutengeneza mazingira mazuri kw awatu wake kushiriki kimamilifu.

Naibu Waziri Mkuu na Waziri wa Nishati Dkt Dotto Biteko (Katikati) akimpa tuzo, Bw Waisile Bairi , Meneja Mahusiano wa AKO Group kwa kutambua mchango wao katika kutekeleza dhana ya ushiriki wa watanzania kwenye uchumi na uwekezaji (Local Content) , Kulia kwa Naibu Waziri Mkuu , Mwenyekiti wa Bodi wa (NEEC) Profesa Aulelia Kamuzora na mwanzo kulia ni Katibu Mtendaji wa (NEEC) Bi Beng’I Issa 

Naibu Waziri Mkuu na Waziri wa Nishati , Dkt Dotto Biteko (Katikati) akimpa tuzo , Bi Neema Kweka msimamizi wa Sheria za wazawa kwenye mradi wa Bomba la Mafuta , kulia kwa Naibu Waziri Mkuu , Mwenyekiti wa Bodi wa (NEEC) Profes Aulelia Kamuzora na mwanzo kulia ni katibu Mtendaji wa (NEEC0 Bi Beng;I Issa

Aliongeza kwamba tangu kuanza kwa mfumo wa (Local content ) ajira 162,968 za moja kwa moja zimepatikana lenye ongezeko la 37.8% na vijana wenye umri kati ya miaka 18 hadi 35 walipata ajira 112,572 ambayo ni sawa na 69.1% ya ajira zote.

Alisema kwamba ajira za vijana 70% zilikuwa za ujuzi wa chini na 19% zilikuwa na ujuzi wa kati na 11% zilikuwa za ujuzi wa juu huku kampuni takaribani 3,360 za kitanzania zimepata fursa katika sekta za uziduaji (madini, mafuta na gesi) fedha, bima, uwekezaji, nishati, ujenzi, uchukuzi na ununuzi zimepiga hatua kubwa kwenye local content.

“Juhudi moja wapo za serikali ni kutungwa kwa sheria na kanuni zinazozingatia masuala ya ushirki wa watanzania , kwa mfano wakandarasi waliongia ubia ni 64 , haya ni mafanikio makubwa, “alisema Bi Issa

Alisema kwamba idadi ya miradi ya ujenzi iliyotekelezwa ni 4,539 yenye thamani ya Tsh 8.5 Trilioni na miradi iliyotekelezwa na wakandarasi wa ndani ilikuwa 4,404 yenye thamani ya Tsh 3.6 Trillioni.

“Kwa uhakika tumepiga hatua kubwa sana na miradi iliyotekelezwa na wakandarasi wa kigeni ilikuwa ni 135 yenye thamani ya Tsh 4.9 Trillioni na ushiriki wa wakandarasi wa ndani ulikuwa ni 97% na thamani ya mradi ni 42.4% na ushiriki wa wakandarasi wan je ulikuwa ni 3% na thamani ya miradi ilikuwa 57.6%,” alifafanua Katibu Mtendaji huyo

idadi ya watanzania kwenye ushiriki wa uwekezaji na biashara hapa nchini umeongezeka na upatikanaji wa ajira unaleta matumaini na  uwekezaji , masoko na kutengeneza bidhaa

Aliongeza kwamba kongamano hilo lilihudhuriwa na washiriki takribani 300 kutoka sekta mbalimbali binafsi , taasisi za umma na wawekezaji wa ndani na nje ya nchini chini wa uratibu wa  Baraza la Taifa la Uwezeshaji Wananchi Kiuchumi (NEEC).

Na katika kongamano hilo baadhi ya makampuni ya ndani na nje yalipata tuzo ya kutambua mchango wao na kufanikiwa kwa kutekeleza kwa vitendo dhana ya ushiriki wa watanzania kwenye uwekezaji na uchumi (Local Content)