Haliyetuletea hii picha anasema yeye alikuwa kati jengo la sita kulia wakati majengo mawili yakiangushwa mjini new york. Anadai mjini palikuwa hapakalikiThursday, December 18, 2008
South African Airways Announces New Non-Stop Service from New York JFK to Africa
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec 17, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- South African Airways has announced that it will operate new non-stop service from New York JFK to Johannesburg beginning May 1, 2009. Flight SA204, which will now depart at 11:35AM and arrive in Johannesburg at 8:45AM the following day, opens up a host of online connections, taking more travelers to more of Africa through SAA's Johannesburg hub.
The same-day connections feature flights to Botswana, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. As an African airline with global reach, SAA's unmatched African network will now make it possible to leave New York in the morning and connect throughout South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa as well as Africa's Indian Ocean islands, all with seamless connections. Within South Africa, SAA offers frequent service to cities such as Cape Town and Durban, and the new flight schedule will allow travelers to arrive at these popular cities mid-day. Coupled with SAA's commitment to excellence and its award-winning service, there is no better choice for service from the U.S. to Africa.
"Adjusting the New York flight to an earlier departure and operating it as a non-stop to Johannesburg means that business travelers and leisure travelers alike can start their business meetings or embark on their safaris even earlier, rather than having to spend the night in Johannesburg in order to catch a next-morning connection," said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president, North America for South African Airways. "We are especially proud that our new non-stop flights are the fastest way to fly to South Africa and the earliest arrivals to South Africa and southern Africa. In addition, when you realize that passengers now have the ability to depart during the day from JFK, or during the evening from Washington, D.C., SAA is without question the airline that offers the most flexibility and the best connections to the most points throughout Africa."
Sthu Zungu, president, South African Tourism-North America expressed excitement about the new non-stop service. "We are thrilled with the addition of this new service out of New York, which offers a most convenient alternative for both our business and leisure travelers to South Africa. As we expand the market for South Africa in the U.S., it is important that the options for air travel also keep pace, and thanks to South African Airways, we are assured that this is indeed the case."
While SA204 will operate non stop to South Africa, flight SA203 returning from Johannesburg to New York will continue to make a brief stop in Dakar, Senegal, and will continue to depart from Johannesburg at 7:05PM arriving into JFK at 7:40AM the following morning. As part of the schedule adjustment, SAA will now offer service to Dakar, Senegal, from Washington, D.C., effective May 1. Flight SA208 will depart Washington Dulles at 5:40PM, arriving into Dakar at 5:55AM the following morning. Flight SA208 will then depart Dakar at 6:55AM and arrive into Johannesburg at 5:20PM that same day. Flight SA207 from Johannesburg to Washington will depart at 5:25PM, make a brief stop in Dakar, and arrive in Washington at 6:00AM the following day.
The new non-stop departures from New York will allow for easy, same-day connections from our Johannesburg hub to 23 destinations in sub-Saharan Africa: 1. Cape Town, South Africa 9. Libreville, Gabon 18. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2. Durban, South Africa 10. Nairobi, Kenya 19. Entebbe, Uganda
3. East London, South Africa 11. Blantyre, Malawi 20. Livingstone, Zambia
4. George, South Africa 12. Lilongwe, Malawi 21. Lusaka, Zambia
5. Hoedspruit, South Africa 13. Walvis Bay, Namibia 22. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
6. Nelspruit (Kruger 14. Windhoek, Namibia 23. Harare, Zimbabwe
Mpumalanga), South Africa 15. Beira, Mozambique
7. Port Elizabeth, South Africa 16. Maputo, Mozambique
8. Gaborone, Botswana 17. Pemba, Mozambique
The schedule change has also been hailed as wonderful news by other SAA travel and business partners from the US and from other African destinations already served by SAA.
Stephen Hayes, president of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) views the new SAA service as a way to further strengthen the economic ties between Africa and the U.S. "Everyday, Africa becomes a more and more important economic partner with the United States. This new non-stop flight that South African Airways has launched will be the easiest way not only to South Africa, but to more of Africa from the U.S. than ever before. I am confident of the success of this new route and know that many members of the CCA were clamoring for better airline connections throughout Africa, and this new flight is exactly what was needed".
Peter Mwenguo, managing director, Tanzania Tourist Board, applauded SAA's move to provide same-day connections to Dar es Salaam. "The timing is excellent. Tanzania tourism is booming, and in 2007, we had more visitors from the U.S. than any other country worldwide. This new schedule from New York on SAA will be a big boost for American tour operators and travel agents. The Tanzania Tourist Board looks forward to working with SAA to promote this new route and the SAA Tanzania vacation packages."
The tourism board from Zambia is quite optimistic by SAA's schedule changes. "At the Zambia Tourism Board we are overjoyed to hear of this development. Same day connections will definitely make Zambia more accessible as travel time is reduced to a minimum, making travel packages to Zambia more attractive than before, since clients will not be required to spend an extra night in Johannesburg before proceeding to either Lusaka or Livingstone," said Margaret M. Makungo, director North America, Zambia Tourism Board.
South African Airways features the only nonstop service from the U.S. to South Africa with daily departures from Washington, D.C. (until April 30th, with a stop in Dakar commencing May 1), and daily direct service from New York (operating non stop effective May 1) that offer travel convenience and award-winning service. Travelers in premium class enjoy 180deg fully flat-bed seats, and in economy class enjoy the most legroom versus competitors. Every seat on board offers an individual on-demand entertainment system, plush pillow, warm blanket and amenity kit. SAA's unrivaled network, featuring seamless connections to more than 20 destinations within South Africa, and more than 20 cities across the rest of the continent, makes the airline the savvy traveler's "gateway to Africa." As a Star Alliance member, South African Airways is able to offer its customers 912 destinations in 159 countries and more than 16,500 flights daily, including convenient connections from more than 25 cities in the U.S. through code share service with Star Alliance member United Airlines. Members of United's Mileage Plus, US Airways' Dividend Miles and Air Canada's Aeroplan programs are able to earn and redeem miles on all SAA flights. For more information on South African Airways, please call (800) 722-9675 or visit http://www.flysaa.com/, where travelers can sign up to be notified of other great travel deals and vacation packages.
SOURCE: South African Airways South African Airways, Fort Lauderdale
Elizabeth Ninomiya, 954-769-5120
elizabethninomiya@flysaa.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
The same-day connections feature flights to Botswana, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. As an African airline with global reach, SAA's unmatched African network will now make it possible to leave New York in the morning and connect throughout South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa as well as Africa's Indian Ocean islands, all with seamless connections. Within South Africa, SAA offers frequent service to cities such as Cape Town and Durban, and the new flight schedule will allow travelers to arrive at these popular cities mid-day. Coupled with SAA's commitment to excellence and its award-winning service, there is no better choice for service from the U.S. to Africa.
"Adjusting the New York flight to an earlier departure and operating it as a non-stop to Johannesburg means that business travelers and leisure travelers alike can start their business meetings or embark on their safaris even earlier, rather than having to spend the night in Johannesburg in order to catch a next-morning connection," said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president, North America for South African Airways. "We are especially proud that our new non-stop flights are the fastest way to fly to South Africa and the earliest arrivals to South Africa and southern Africa. In addition, when you realize that passengers now have the ability to depart during the day from JFK, or during the evening from Washington, D.C., SAA is without question the airline that offers the most flexibility and the best connections to the most points throughout Africa."
Sthu Zungu, president, South African Tourism-North America expressed excitement about the new non-stop service. "We are thrilled with the addition of this new service out of New York, which offers a most convenient alternative for both our business and leisure travelers to South Africa. As we expand the market for South Africa in the U.S., it is important that the options for air travel also keep pace, and thanks to South African Airways, we are assured that this is indeed the case."
While SA204 will operate non stop to South Africa, flight SA203 returning from Johannesburg to New York will continue to make a brief stop in Dakar, Senegal, and will continue to depart from Johannesburg at 7:05PM arriving into JFK at 7:40AM the following morning. As part of the schedule adjustment, SAA will now offer service to Dakar, Senegal, from Washington, D.C., effective May 1. Flight SA208 will depart Washington Dulles at 5:40PM, arriving into Dakar at 5:55AM the following morning. Flight SA208 will then depart Dakar at 6:55AM and arrive into Johannesburg at 5:20PM that same day. Flight SA207 from Johannesburg to Washington will depart at 5:25PM, make a brief stop in Dakar, and arrive in Washington at 6:00AM the following day.
The new non-stop departures from New York will allow for easy, same-day connections from our Johannesburg hub to 23 destinations in sub-Saharan Africa: 1. Cape Town, South Africa 9. Libreville, Gabon 18. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
2. Durban, South Africa 10. Nairobi, Kenya 19. Entebbe, Uganda
3. East London, South Africa 11. Blantyre, Malawi 20. Livingstone, Zambia
4. George, South Africa 12. Lilongwe, Malawi 21. Lusaka, Zambia
5. Hoedspruit, South Africa 13. Walvis Bay, Namibia 22. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
6. Nelspruit (Kruger 14. Windhoek, Namibia 23. Harare, Zimbabwe
Mpumalanga), South Africa 15. Beira, Mozambique
7. Port Elizabeth, South Africa 16. Maputo, Mozambique
8. Gaborone, Botswana 17. Pemba, Mozambique
The schedule change has also been hailed as wonderful news by other SAA travel and business partners from the US and from other African destinations already served by SAA.
Stephen Hayes, president of the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) views the new SAA service as a way to further strengthen the economic ties between Africa and the U.S. "Everyday, Africa becomes a more and more important economic partner with the United States. This new non-stop flight that South African Airways has launched will be the easiest way not only to South Africa, but to more of Africa from the U.S. than ever before. I am confident of the success of this new route and know that many members of the CCA were clamoring for better airline connections throughout Africa, and this new flight is exactly what was needed".
Peter Mwenguo, managing director, Tanzania Tourist Board, applauded SAA's move to provide same-day connections to Dar es Salaam. "The timing is excellent. Tanzania tourism is booming, and in 2007, we had more visitors from the U.S. than any other country worldwide. This new schedule from New York on SAA will be a big boost for American tour operators and travel agents. The Tanzania Tourist Board looks forward to working with SAA to promote this new route and the SAA Tanzania vacation packages."
The tourism board from Zambia is quite optimistic by SAA's schedule changes. "At the Zambia Tourism Board we are overjoyed to hear of this development. Same day connections will definitely make Zambia more accessible as travel time is reduced to a minimum, making travel packages to Zambia more attractive than before, since clients will not be required to spend an extra night in Johannesburg before proceeding to either Lusaka or Livingstone," said Margaret M. Makungo, director North America, Zambia Tourism Board.
South African Airways features the only nonstop service from the U.S. to South Africa with daily departures from Washington, D.C. (until April 30th, with a stop in Dakar commencing May 1), and daily direct service from New York (operating non stop effective May 1) that offer travel convenience and award-winning service. Travelers in premium class enjoy 180deg fully flat-bed seats, and in economy class enjoy the most legroom versus competitors. Every seat on board offers an individual on-demand entertainment system, plush pillow, warm blanket and amenity kit. SAA's unrivaled network, featuring seamless connections to more than 20 destinations within South Africa, and more than 20 cities across the rest of the continent, makes the airline the savvy traveler's "gateway to Africa." As a Star Alliance member, South African Airways is able to offer its customers 912 destinations in 159 countries and more than 16,500 flights daily, including convenient connections from more than 25 cities in the U.S. through code share service with Star Alliance member United Airlines. Members of United's Mileage Plus, US Airways' Dividend Miles and Air Canada's Aeroplan programs are able to earn and redeem miles on all SAA flights. For more information on South African Airways, please call (800) 722-9675 or visit http://www.flysaa.com/, where travelers can sign up to be notified of other great travel deals and vacation packages.
SOURCE: South African Airways South African Airways, Fort Lauderdale
Elizabeth Ninomiya, 954-769-5120
elizabethninomiya@flysaa.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
Kansas city Power & light district
Hapa ni mjini Kansas City asubuhi hii kwenye kitongoji cha Kansas City Power & Light District. Kwa picha zaidi tembelea hapa http://www.powerandlightdistrict.com/Monday, December 15, 2008
TANZANIA CEREBRATE THE 47th INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY
The commander-in-chief President Jakaya Kikwete, waves to wananchi on his arrival at the National stadium in Dar es Salaam for the 47th Independence Anniversary celebrations on Deceber 9, 2008. With him is chief of defense forces , General Davis Mwamunyange
Monday, December 1, 2008
TANZANIA PREDICTING 25% GROWTH IN TELECOMS BY MID-2009;
Awards new licences
The director general of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), John Nkoma, says he expects the country will be home to 13 million fixed and mobile telephone connections by mid-2009, up 25% on the figure reported in mid-2008, with much of the growth coming from cellular connections. Nkoma notes that telecoms is one of the fastest growing segments in the country, increasing subscribers by 20.1% in 2007, up from 19.2% the previous year. The TCRA official notes that barely four years ago Tanzania could only muster two million fixed and mobile lines. ‘We do expect that by the end of this year, we should be hitting maybe 10.5 million or eleven million [subscribers]. It's largely driven by mobile,’ he said. By 30 June 2008 Tanzania had a total of 10.43 million fixed and mobile users, up from 8.48 million at the start of the year. However, with overall penetration of about 25%, the TCRA says there is still ample room for growth in the market, making it an attractive prospect for new entrants.Last week the TCRA issued new licences to two local companies, Egotel and MyCell, for fixed line and mobile networks, among other services. The regulator has also granted Zain Tanzania a concession to deploy an international gateway in the country. Zain is investing USD180 million on its Tanzanian networks and joins four other firms licensed to operate international gateway services. Meanwhile, another company, Smile Communications Tanzania, 65%-owned by Mauritius' Smile Telecoms Holdings, has an application pending to enter the telecoms sector in the future, while recently licensed HITS Telecom Tanzania and Dovetel, are also in the process of rolling out their networks, Nkoma said.
The director general of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), John Nkoma, says he expects the country will be home to 13 million fixed and mobile telephone connections by mid-2009, up 25% on the figure reported in mid-2008, with much of the growth coming from cellular connections. Nkoma notes that telecoms is one of the fastest growing segments in the country, increasing subscribers by 20.1% in 2007, up from 19.2% the previous year. The TCRA official notes that barely four years ago Tanzania could only muster two million fixed and mobile lines. ‘We do expect that by the end of this year, we should be hitting maybe 10.5 million or eleven million [subscribers]. It's largely driven by mobile,’ he said. By 30 June 2008 Tanzania had a total of 10.43 million fixed and mobile users, up from 8.48 million at the start of the year. However, with overall penetration of about 25%, the TCRA says there is still ample room for growth in the market, making it an attractive prospect for new entrants.Last week the TCRA issued new licences to two local companies, Egotel and MyCell, for fixed line and mobile networks, among other services. The regulator has also granted Zain Tanzania a concession to deploy an international gateway in the country. Zain is investing USD180 million on its Tanzanian networks and joins four other firms licensed to operate international gateway services. Meanwhile, another company, Smile Communications Tanzania, 65%-owned by Mauritius' Smile Telecoms Holdings, has an application pending to enter the telecoms sector in the future, while recently licensed HITS Telecom Tanzania and Dovetel, are also in the process of rolling out their networks, Nkoma said.
Kenya, Uganda fail US aid test again, Tanzania passes
Kenya and Uganda have once again been deemed ineligible for a special US development aid programme that is providing Tanzania with nearly $700 million over the next five years.
According to “scorecards” issued last week, Kenya fails to qualify for the Millennium Challenge assistance because it falls short of an anti-corruption standard for the fourth consecutive year.
That finding will have disappointed Foreign Minister Moses Wetang’ula.
He stated in an interview during a September visit to the United Nations that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had assured him that Kenya would soon be approved for a Millennium Challenge grant.
In addition to failing the anti-corruption test that countries must pass in order to qualify for the aid, Kenya was judged to be lagging in regard to rule of law, immunisation rates, health expenditures and fiscal policy.
The country was given passing grades on 12 criteria, including political rights and government effectiveness.
Uganda is not entitled to receive Millennium Challenge funds because it meets one less than the minimal number of standards for potential eligibility.
Uganda fails on measurements of political rights, civil liberties, immunisation rates, health expenditures, girls’ completion of primary education and fiscal policy.
Tanzanian and American officials are meanwhile completing preparations for a Millennium Challenge programme aimed at greatly improving the country’s road and electricity networks.
The scope of this initiative suggests that Kenya and Uganda could also receive substantial infrastructure aid if they were to pass the performance tests established by US monitors.
The $698 million development assistance compact with Tanzania is the largest package of aid among 16 that have so far been approved for developing countries.
The agreements total $5.5 billion, with more than half that amount going to eight countries in black Africa: Benin, Cape Verde, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Tanzania
For more than a year, Kenya and Uganda have both been getting help from US officials on how to meet the necessary aid criteria.
The two countries were accepted into a “threshold programme” designed to address problems that have prevented selected countries from qualifying for a full Millennium Challenge compact.
Kenya was awarded $12.7 million for efforts to reduce corruption in the public procurement system.
The Kenyan government had previously identified the Ministry of Health and its Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) as being “particularly susceptible to waste, fraud and abuse throughout the procurement and delivery process,” according to a Millennium Challenge report.
The threshold programme has thus involved a series of workshops on public procurement reforms in which 43 Kenyan procurement entities have so far taken part.
A review of Kemsa’s procurement practices has also been carried out.
A Millennium Challenge status report on Kenya published last month says this assessment of Kemsa “marks a giant step forward in transparency.”
Also as part of the Millennium threshold initiative, Kenyan procurement overseers took part earlier this year in a study visit to the Tanzania Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.
The Tanzanians offered advice on how Kenya might improve its performance in this realm.
Uganda’s $10.4 million threshold programme is focused on procurement reforms as well, with the added aim of improving the effectiveness of investigations by the National Fraud Squad.
“Progress was sustained in mobilising civil society and the private sector in the fight against corruption,” according to a Millennium Challenge status report on Uganda.
Tanzania has been undergoing its own threshold programme even though it has qualified for full Millennium Challenge assistance.
This initiative “has provided critical assistance to sustain Tanzania’s anti-corruption reform movement,” a Millennium Challenge report says.
It notes that 77 districts in the country have established public expenditure tracking systems while 360 villages now have notice boards on which residents can see income and expenditure information for their local areas.
More than 150 prosecutors have recently been hired through the threshold programme as part of Tanzania’s efforts to pursue corruption cases more vigorously.
According to “scorecards” issued last week, Kenya fails to qualify for the Millennium Challenge assistance because it falls short of an anti-corruption standard for the fourth consecutive year.
That finding will have disappointed Foreign Minister Moses Wetang’ula.
He stated in an interview during a September visit to the United Nations that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had assured him that Kenya would soon be approved for a Millennium Challenge grant.
In addition to failing the anti-corruption test that countries must pass in order to qualify for the aid, Kenya was judged to be lagging in regard to rule of law, immunisation rates, health expenditures and fiscal policy.
The country was given passing grades on 12 criteria, including political rights and government effectiveness.
Uganda is not entitled to receive Millennium Challenge funds because it meets one less than the minimal number of standards for potential eligibility.
Uganda fails on measurements of political rights, civil liberties, immunisation rates, health expenditures, girls’ completion of primary education and fiscal policy.
Tanzanian and American officials are meanwhile completing preparations for a Millennium Challenge programme aimed at greatly improving the country’s road and electricity networks.
The scope of this initiative suggests that Kenya and Uganda could also receive substantial infrastructure aid if they were to pass the performance tests established by US monitors.
The $698 million development assistance compact with Tanzania is the largest package of aid among 16 that have so far been approved for developing countries.
The agreements total $5.5 billion, with more than half that amount going to eight countries in black Africa: Benin, Cape Verde, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Tanzania
For more than a year, Kenya and Uganda have both been getting help from US officials on how to meet the necessary aid criteria.
The two countries were accepted into a “threshold programme” designed to address problems that have prevented selected countries from qualifying for a full Millennium Challenge compact.
Kenya was awarded $12.7 million for efforts to reduce corruption in the public procurement system.
The Kenyan government had previously identified the Ministry of Health and its Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) as being “particularly susceptible to waste, fraud and abuse throughout the procurement and delivery process,” according to a Millennium Challenge report.
The threshold programme has thus involved a series of workshops on public procurement reforms in which 43 Kenyan procurement entities have so far taken part.
A review of Kemsa’s procurement practices has also been carried out.
A Millennium Challenge status report on Kenya published last month says this assessment of Kemsa “marks a giant step forward in transparency.”
Also as part of the Millennium threshold initiative, Kenyan procurement overseers took part earlier this year in a study visit to the Tanzania Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.
The Tanzanians offered advice on how Kenya might improve its performance in this realm.
Uganda’s $10.4 million threshold programme is focused on procurement reforms as well, with the added aim of improving the effectiveness of investigations by the National Fraud Squad.
“Progress was sustained in mobilising civil society and the private sector in the fight against corruption,” according to a Millennium Challenge status report on Uganda.
Tanzania has been undergoing its own threshold programme even though it has qualified for full Millennium Challenge assistance.
This initiative “has provided critical assistance to sustain Tanzania’s anti-corruption reform movement,” a Millennium Challenge report says.
It notes that 77 districts in the country have established public expenditure tracking systems while 360 villages now have notice boards on which residents can see income and expenditure information for their local areas.
More than 150 prosecutors have recently been hired through the threshold programme as part of Tanzania’s efforts to pursue corruption cases more vigorously.
WHO IS NEXT ?
By Staff Reporter
President Kikwete has finally followed in the path of leaders from Zambia, Malawi, South Africa and Nigeria by arresting and prosecuting individuals alleged to have been involved in corrupt deals, but now that he has shown he will follow through with stern action, he has opened a floodgate of speculation across the country over who could be the next target of investigation. But as the nation waits to see how these ongoing court battles will play out against those accused of corruption and abuse of office, the lingering question - in a country with so many scandals and so little headway made in mitigating them - remains: Who is next? Kikwete`s pledge to fight corruption is under close donor scrutiny and, compounded by a groundswell of public dissatisfaction with the litany of graft cases in the country, he has had little choice but to show a willingness to combat grand corruption seriously and aggressively. However, with the fresh move to arrest and prosecute prominent individuals implicated in various dubious deals, President Kikwete has strongly revived his once plummeting credibility, with majority of the 38million plus said to be rallying behind him, according to the latest research findings released on Friday. What started with the prosecution of suspects in the Bank of Tanzania?s External Payment Arrears account scandal earlier this month has taken a dramatic twist this week when former two cabinet ministers, Basil Mramba and Daniel Yona, were arrested and charged before a court of law. The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau and lawyers from the Director of Public Prosecutions have been working to put key evidence together in a host of corruption cases before taking legal action. The current pending files include the controversial BAE radar deal, the Buzwagi Mineral Development Agreement contract, the Richmond energy contract, and dubious deals involving Kiwira coal and Meremeta Gold Mine. According to well-placed sources, so far the radar investigation has been fully completed, but it has not been made clear whether the accused will be taken to court in the coming weeks. Sailesh Vithlani organised a $40m deal between the UK arms suppliers British Aerospace Engineering (BAE system) and the Tanzanian government, and allegedly received kickbacks amounting to $12m that he shared with at least seven high-ranking officials from the previous Tanzanian administration. He fled the country two years ago, soon after he was charged with perjury, and reportedly has three passports - Indian, UK and Tanzanian - and dual citizenship in Tanzania and India. The UK?s Serious Fraud Office has just completed its investigation on the dubious radar deal, but has said it will not make the report public. Early this year, former Attorney General and the minister for infrastructure Andrew Chenge resigned after the SFO found $2m in his offshore bank account. Chenge said he stepped down from his post in order to pave the way for a thorough investigation against him to take place independently. So far it is not clear whether the monies in the offshore account had been part of the BAE System money paid to Vithlani`s Swiss bank account or not. Another scandal is the Buzwagi mine deal, which spurred strong criticism from opposition legislators as well some of their counterparts from the ruling party, leading to the expulsion of Kigoma North legislator Zito Kabwe from the August parliament last year. According to an official from PCCB who spoke under condition of anonymity, there are still some technicalities that need to be fully sorted out before legal action is taken. Former Minister of Energy and Minerals Nazir Karamagi signed the Buzwagi contract in London early in February last year, paving the way for Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold Corporation to invest about $400m in the construction of an open pit mine. The deal drew fierce criticism for having been penned outside the country. Contacted for comment on Friday, Karamagi said: ?If I signed the contract for my personal interest then let the law take its course, but I did it for the interest of my country and the government.`` As for Mramba and Yona`s arrests and the implication they may have for him, Karamagi said he had not been following the week`s events. ``I haven`t been in the country for about a week?I have just returned today(Friday) and have no clear picture of what`s going on,`` he said, adding: ``There`s a tendency of celebrating the misfortune of others where people want to judge you outside the court of law.`` ``Of course if there`s any wrongdoing during my services as a minister, let the law take its path,`` he insisted. After the dramatic arrest of Mramba and Yona, some political commentators are now saying those named in the Richmond energy scandal as well as other dubious deals should also be taken to court. Contacted for comment on the ongoing war against grand corruption, Kigoma North MP Zitto Kabwe said: ``There are still a number of serious issues that need to be thoroughly dealt with, which could lead to the prosecutions of more top officials.`` For instance the dubious Meremeta Gold deal reportedly cost the nation close to $150m, a figure greater than even the billions of shillings looted under the EPA scam, but little attention has been paid to this scandal, Kabwe told The Guardian on Sunday. Another pending case which, if fully pursued as recommended by the parliamentary select committee, could lead to the prosecutions of prominent individuals within the government is the controversial Richmond-a Texan energy firm which purpoted to provide emergency power generators for the country during in 2006. The controversial Richmond scam caused the resignation of former premier Edward Lowassa, former energy and minerals minister Nazir Karamagi, and former minister for East African community affairs Ibrahim Msabaha. But critics have made it clear that resignations alone aren`t enough, urging the government to prosecute those responsible if there`s enough evidence to stand up in court. The investigative report on the Richmond contract also named anti-graft czar Edward Hosea and Attorney General Johnson Mwanyika to be disciplined for their failure to advise the government wisely during deal-signing. The two officials have strongly denied any wrongdoing. On the docket for investigation is also the mysterious Kagoda Agricultural Development Company, which pocketed a big chunk of the EPA billions but whose ownership has so far remained a mystery. Although some powerful politicians and businessmen including Yusuf Manji have been linked to Kagoda, no official statement has been issued by the Attorney General-led task force on the real owners of the company that made off with 40bn/- in the EPA racket. Still skeptical Kabwe said the public should treat the ongoing war on corruption with great caution, adding that it might be a well-calculated move aimed at restoring public confidence in the Kikwete administration ahead of the 2010 general election. ``Having two ministers in remand is not a normal thing and this is good news...but remember President Mkapa also did the same during his first term in office when he arrested and prosecuted a cabinet minister and a permanent secretary, but later on abandoned the war on corruption,`` Kabwe said. In his early days in office, acting on the corruption dossier issued by Judge Joseph Warioba, Mkapa`s regime arrested Nalaila Kiula, who served as the minister for works during the second phase regime, and his PS George Mlingwa. The duo were found guilty and sentenced to three years in jail. Looking at the laundry list of scams still on the government`s plate - the Buzwagi deal the Kiwira coal mine contract associated with Yona and Mkapa, the Richmond scam, Meremeta gold, the EPA scam and the BAE radar deal - it is clear that more big shots may be following in Yona and Mramba?s chained footsteps sooner rather than later.
SOURCE: Sunday Observer
President Kikwete has finally followed in the path of leaders from Zambia, Malawi, South Africa and Nigeria by arresting and prosecuting individuals alleged to have been involved in corrupt deals, but now that he has shown he will follow through with stern action, he has opened a floodgate of speculation across the country over who could be the next target of investigation. But as the nation waits to see how these ongoing court battles will play out against those accused of corruption and abuse of office, the lingering question - in a country with so many scandals and so little headway made in mitigating them - remains: Who is next? Kikwete`s pledge to fight corruption is under close donor scrutiny and, compounded by a groundswell of public dissatisfaction with the litany of graft cases in the country, he has had little choice but to show a willingness to combat grand corruption seriously and aggressively. However, with the fresh move to arrest and prosecute prominent individuals implicated in various dubious deals, President Kikwete has strongly revived his once plummeting credibility, with majority of the 38million plus said to be rallying behind him, according to the latest research findings released on Friday. What started with the prosecution of suspects in the Bank of Tanzania?s External Payment Arrears account scandal earlier this month has taken a dramatic twist this week when former two cabinet ministers, Basil Mramba and Daniel Yona, were arrested and charged before a court of law. The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau and lawyers from the Director of Public Prosecutions have been working to put key evidence together in a host of corruption cases before taking legal action. The current pending files include the controversial BAE radar deal, the Buzwagi Mineral Development Agreement contract, the Richmond energy contract, and dubious deals involving Kiwira coal and Meremeta Gold Mine. According to well-placed sources, so far the radar investigation has been fully completed, but it has not been made clear whether the accused will be taken to court in the coming weeks. Sailesh Vithlani organised a $40m deal between the UK arms suppliers British Aerospace Engineering (BAE system) and the Tanzanian government, and allegedly received kickbacks amounting to $12m that he shared with at least seven high-ranking officials from the previous Tanzanian administration. He fled the country two years ago, soon after he was charged with perjury, and reportedly has three passports - Indian, UK and Tanzanian - and dual citizenship in Tanzania and India. The UK?s Serious Fraud Office has just completed its investigation on the dubious radar deal, but has said it will not make the report public. Early this year, former Attorney General and the minister for infrastructure Andrew Chenge resigned after the SFO found $2m in his offshore bank account. Chenge said he stepped down from his post in order to pave the way for a thorough investigation against him to take place independently. So far it is not clear whether the monies in the offshore account had been part of the BAE System money paid to Vithlani`s Swiss bank account or not. Another scandal is the Buzwagi mine deal, which spurred strong criticism from opposition legislators as well some of their counterparts from the ruling party, leading to the expulsion of Kigoma North legislator Zito Kabwe from the August parliament last year. According to an official from PCCB who spoke under condition of anonymity, there are still some technicalities that need to be fully sorted out before legal action is taken. Former Minister of Energy and Minerals Nazir Karamagi signed the Buzwagi contract in London early in February last year, paving the way for Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold Corporation to invest about $400m in the construction of an open pit mine. The deal drew fierce criticism for having been penned outside the country. Contacted for comment on Friday, Karamagi said: ?If I signed the contract for my personal interest then let the law take its course, but I did it for the interest of my country and the government.`` As for Mramba and Yona`s arrests and the implication they may have for him, Karamagi said he had not been following the week`s events. ``I haven`t been in the country for about a week?I have just returned today(Friday) and have no clear picture of what`s going on,`` he said, adding: ``There`s a tendency of celebrating the misfortune of others where people want to judge you outside the court of law.`` ``Of course if there`s any wrongdoing during my services as a minister, let the law take its path,`` he insisted. After the dramatic arrest of Mramba and Yona, some political commentators are now saying those named in the Richmond energy scandal as well as other dubious deals should also be taken to court. Contacted for comment on the ongoing war against grand corruption, Kigoma North MP Zitto Kabwe said: ``There are still a number of serious issues that need to be thoroughly dealt with, which could lead to the prosecutions of more top officials.`` For instance the dubious Meremeta Gold deal reportedly cost the nation close to $150m, a figure greater than even the billions of shillings looted under the EPA scam, but little attention has been paid to this scandal, Kabwe told The Guardian on Sunday. Another pending case which, if fully pursued as recommended by the parliamentary select committee, could lead to the prosecutions of prominent individuals within the government is the controversial Richmond-a Texan energy firm which purpoted to provide emergency power generators for the country during in 2006. The controversial Richmond scam caused the resignation of former premier Edward Lowassa, former energy and minerals minister Nazir Karamagi, and former minister for East African community affairs Ibrahim Msabaha. But critics have made it clear that resignations alone aren`t enough, urging the government to prosecute those responsible if there`s enough evidence to stand up in court. The investigative report on the Richmond contract also named anti-graft czar Edward Hosea and Attorney General Johnson Mwanyika to be disciplined for their failure to advise the government wisely during deal-signing. The two officials have strongly denied any wrongdoing. On the docket for investigation is also the mysterious Kagoda Agricultural Development Company, which pocketed a big chunk of the EPA billions but whose ownership has so far remained a mystery. Although some powerful politicians and businessmen including Yusuf Manji have been linked to Kagoda, no official statement has been issued by the Attorney General-led task force on the real owners of the company that made off with 40bn/- in the EPA racket. Still skeptical Kabwe said the public should treat the ongoing war on corruption with great caution, adding that it might be a well-calculated move aimed at restoring public confidence in the Kikwete administration ahead of the 2010 general election. ``Having two ministers in remand is not a normal thing and this is good news...but remember President Mkapa also did the same during his first term in office when he arrested and prosecuted a cabinet minister and a permanent secretary, but later on abandoned the war on corruption,`` Kabwe said. In his early days in office, acting on the corruption dossier issued by Judge Joseph Warioba, Mkapa`s regime arrested Nalaila Kiula, who served as the minister for works during the second phase regime, and his PS George Mlingwa. The duo were found guilty and sentenced to three years in jail. Looking at the laundry list of scams still on the government`s plate - the Buzwagi deal the Kiwira coal mine contract associated with Yona and Mkapa, the Richmond scam, Meremeta gold, the EPA scam and the BAE radar deal - it is clear that more big shots may be following in Yona and Mramba?s chained footsteps sooner rather than later.
SOURCE: Sunday Observer
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