Serikali yapania uraia wa nchi mbili

Na Mobhare Matinyi, New York

WAZIRI wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Bw. Bernard Membe, amesema serikali itahakikisha sheria ya uraia wa nchi mbili inapitishwa kwa manufaa ya Watanzania na taifa na si vinginevyo.

Akizungumza na baadhi ya Watanzania waliokutana naye mjini New York wiki iliyopita katika hoteli ya Grand Hyatt, Waziri Membe alisema lengo la serikali ni kuwasaidia Watanzania na si kugawa uraia wa Tanzania kwa wageni wenye uraia wa nchi zao.

Alisema haingii akilini ni kwa nini Mtanzania wa kuzaliwa anyang’anywe uraia wa Tanzania kwa kuwa amechukua uraia wa nchi nyingine kutafuta faida za kielimu, ajira au hata matibabu.

“Ni kwa nini tumuadhibu huyu Mtanzania wa kuzaliwa kwa kuwa tu amechukua uraia wa nchi nyingine ili apate elimu ama ajira na kusaidia ndugu zake waliobaki Tanzania?” alihoji Waziri Membe.

Waziri alisisitiza kuwa sheria hiyo itakapopitishwa haitatoa mwanya kwa kila mtu kuuvamia uraia wa Tanzania bali itawalinda Watanzania wanaotaka kuchukua uraia wa nchi za nje kwa manufaa yao na taifa kwa ujumla.

Akitoa mfano mmojawapo bila kutaja majina ya wahusika, Waziri Membe alisema anaifahamu familia moja ya Watanzania ambayo ililazimika kuchukua uraia wa Kanada kwa sababu za matibabu, na kwamba kuwanyang’anya uraia watu hawa ni kuwaadhibu bila kujali uhai wao.

Alieleza kuwa familia hiyo ina watoto wawili ambao matibabu yao hugharimu dola 2,000 kwa kila mmoja kwa mwezi, na kwamba kwa kuchukua uraia wa Kanada, matibabu hayo yanakuwa bure. Alihoji je, ni haki kuwanyang’anya uraia wao wa Tanzania?

Akitoa mfano wa manufaa yanayopatikana Ghana, Waziri Membe aliwaambia Watanzania hao kwamba ni muhimu kwa Tanzania kutumia raia wake walioko nje kwa manufaa ya taifa na siyo kuwabagua.

“Mwaka jana pekee wananchi wa Ghana walioko nje waliingiza dola bilioni 2.5 kwa njia mbalimbali halali,” na akaongeza: “Taifa dogo kama Komoro, mwaka jana lilipata dola milioni 89 kutoka kwa wananchi wake walioko Ufaransa pekee.

Akifafanua zaidi, Waziri Membe alisema wakati akiwa Naibu Waziri wa Mambo ya Ndani kwa kipindi kisichofikia miaka miwili, Tanzania ilitoa uraia kwa wageni 101 na kushangaa ni kwa nini Watanzania wa kuzaliwa wapoteze uraia wao.

Waziri Membe aliwataka Watanzania kujenga umoja thabiti na kuwahakikishia kwamba serikali itakuwa pamoja nao ili kuleta maendeleo kwa taifa, na kwamba mawazo kuwa usalama wa taifa utakuwa hatarini si la jambo kuhofia iwapo sheria itatungwa vizuri.

Tanzania ina raia wake waliosambaa nchi mbalimbali duniani huku idadi kubwa ikiwa katika nchi za Kiarabu za Ghuba ambako wakati serikali ikiongeza ofisi moja ya Ubalozi nchini Oman miaka michache iliyopita ilikadiria kuwa kuna Watanzania laki tano.

Nchi nyingine ambazo Watanzania wanakadiriwa kuwa wengi ni za Marekani Kaskazini na Ulaya Magharibi ambako wako kwa maelfu, ambao wengi wao hukabiliwa pia na utata wa uraia wa watoto wao wanaozaliwa ugenini.

Mjadala wa suala la uraia wa nchi mbili umekuwa ukiendelea nchini katika siku za karibuni ambako kumeibuka kambi za wanaopinga kwa madai ya kulinda maslahi ya nchi na wanaounga mkono kwa madai hayo hayo ya kulinda maslahi ya nchi.

Kutoka kwa: http://issamichuzi.blogspot.com

Picha na kiungo: Chama Cha Watanzania Oslo.

Marta misery as Germans triumph

the Trophy is seen during their match for the third place of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup at the Hongkou Football Stadium in Shanghai September 30, 2007.

Germany's goalkeeper Nadine Angerer (C) tries to stop the ball during the team's final soccer match against Brazil at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup at the Hongkou Football Stadium in Shanghai September 30, 2007. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA)

Brazil's Marta reacts during the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament final against Germany at Hongkou Stadium in Shanghai, 30 September 2007. AFP PHOTO / DDP / MARCUS BRANDT

Brazil's Daniela lies on the field during the final soccer match against Germany at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup at the Hongkou Football Stadium in Shanghai, September 30, 2007. REUTERS/Claro Cortes Iv (CHINA)

Germany's PLAYER Simone LAUDEHR fights for a ball with Brazil's player ESTER,during the final match between Germany-Brazil,at the FIFA Women World Cup China 2007 in Shanghai,30 September 2007.

Germany's PLAYER Birgit PRINZ and Brazil's player MARTA are seen during the final match between Germany-Brazil,at the FIFA Women World Cup China 2007 in Shanghai,30 September 2007.

Germany's PLAYER Renate LINGOR fights for a ball with Brazil's player CRISTIANE,during the final match between Germany-Brazil,at the FIFA Women World Cup China 2007 in Shanghai,30 September 2007.
________________________

Marta proved the unlikeliest of FIFA Women's World Cup villains in Shanghai as Germany made history by completing the first successful title defence in the tournament's history.

Birgit Prinz and Simone Laudehr scored the all-important goals but it was Nadine Angerer who emerged as the German hero, saving a Marta penalty that would have brought Brazil level and in the process preserving her unblemished record of six successive clean sheets at China 2007.

The opening exchanges might have been tentative, with the sides' mutual respect clearly evident, but an evenly-matched contest sparked into life as early as the fifth minute when Marta tested Angerer at one end and, within seconds, Kerstin Garerfrekes burst through at the other to fire into the side-netting.

Brazil should, in fact, have taken the lead three minutes later when Formiga snatched at a superb chance, poking the ball wide after Angerer had uncharacteristically spilled a Daniela free-kick. The game ebbed and flowed throughout, however, and Sandra Smisek spurned an opportunity every bit as glaring soon after, scooping over from 14 yards after springing Brazil's offside trap.

Daniela was the next to try her luck, and the Brazilian No11 could certainly not have gone any closer with a sensational, sweetly-struck 20-yard volley that came crashing back off the inside of the post. However, Germany are nothing if not resilient and, having weathered a storm of Brazilian attacks as half-time drew close, they emerged to strike with deadly and oh so predictable precision.

Smisek, an unsung hero of their triumphant China 2007 campaign, fashioned the goal with a clever lay-off to Prinz, and although the big striker's shot was not the cleanest or most powerful she has ever struck, it contained enough zip to squirm under Andreia's body into the net.

A goal down within six minutes of the restart, Brazil initially struggled to respond, and they might have fallen further behind just seven minutes later when Annike Krahn headed wide from all eight yards when Renate Lingor's superbly delivered corner merited a better connection.

Then, however, almost out of nothing, Brazil were handed what seemed like a route back into this match when Australian referee Tammy Ogston correctly awarded a penalty for Linda Bresonik's trip on Cristiane. Marta, the darling of the Chinese fans, stepped up to take the kick, but with everyone expecting the net to bulge, Angerer dived low to her right to save the Brazilian's timid effort.

The stop took the German keeper ever closer to breaking Walter Zenga's FIFA World Cup record of 517 minutes without conceding, and it was fitting that she should surpass that milestone on the very second that she again sprung across goal to push away a goalbound 30-yard free-kick from Daniela.

The Canarinha midfielder threw up her arms in exasperation and, with just four minutes remaining to save their FIFA Women's World Cup dream, Brazilian hearts were well and truly broken when Simone Laudehr rose to bullet home another inch-perfect Lingor corner.

Player of the Match: Nadine Angerer (GER)

Source: FIFA.com

Unemployment at record low

The unemployment rate in Norway has continued to drop, and at the end of September it reached the record low of 1.8 per cent of the total work force.

- It is positive that the drop in unemployment remains significant. And it is also positive that the drop is greatest among young people, a segment that up to now has had the highest unemployment rate, says Labour and Welfare Director Tor Saglie.

The lowest unemployment rate is found in the counties of Rogaland and Sogn og Fjordane, while it is highest in Oslo and in Finnmark.

Norway at the forefront of extractive industries transparency efforts

Minister of International Development Erik Solheim today announced that Norway will be the first Western country to fully implement the transparency principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

The purpose of the EITI is to encourage companies in the oil, gas and mining industries to publish what they pay to the authorities in host countries, and host countries to publish what they receive. The publication of revenue streams in a public report limits opportunities for corruption, and makes it possible to hold the authorities accountable for the use of revenues from national resources.

“Norway wants to be at the forefront of the international effort to combat corruption. Our role as a driving force in the EITI is an example of this. Until now, Norway has given the initiative financial and political support. We will now implement the EITI Principles fully. We will ourselves do what we ask other countries to do. This will enhance our credibility in the international fight against corruption in the raw materials industries,” said Minister of International Development Erik Solheim.

The Norwegian authorities, and the Norwegian oil and gas companies Statoil and Hydro have been involved in the EITI since 2003. In Norway, the taxes paid by the oil and gas industry are already made public, and Norway’s implementation of the EITI Principles and Criteria will in practice mean few changes to the relations between the industry and the state. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy will be responsible for ensuring that the Principles and Criteria are implemented.

Mr Solheim hopes that the EITI will help to ensure that a larger proportion of the revenues generated from the world’s oil and mineral resources is used to assist the poorest people in the world.

“Many developing countries that are rich in oil, gas and other natural resources have much lower economic growth than countries without such resources. Regimes have less need of a democratic base when they have access to resource revenues, which may also be used to support instability and conflict. Paradoxically, natural resources have become a curse in many countries. The EITI’s measures to increase transparency in relation to revenue streams are part of what is needed to break this curse,” said Mr Solheim.

The EITI was launched by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2002. Since then, 25 countries have joined the initiative, and large companies like ExxonMobile, ChevronTexaco, ENI, Shell, Total, BP, Statoil and Hydro are among the many private sector participants. Various NGOs, such as Transparency International and the Publish What You Pay coalition, are also involved. The EITI Board includes representatives from government, business sector and NGO representatives.

An international EITI secretariat has been established in Oslo with the support of the Norwegian authorities. It was officially opened on 26 September.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Profesa Ali Mazrui

Atafanya mhadhara mjini Oslo, Norway wenye kichwa

"Can African culture survive globalization?"

Siku: Jumatatu

Tarehe: 8 Septemba 2007

Mahali: Stiftelsen Horisont, Hausmannsgt. 27 kuingilia. Torggata

Saa: 17.00 za Ulaya ya kati (CET)

Ustadhi afunga ndoa na mke wa mgoni wake!

Akisimulia mkasa huo, Kidevu alisema kuwa yeye ni mpangaji katika nyumba ya familia ya Lunyungu, ingawa mwenye nyumba huyo alikuwa akiishi Mabibo lakini mara kwa mara alikuwa akifika nyumbani kwake (Kidevu) kumtembelea.

Kidevu alisema, siku moja kabla ya tukio, Lunyungu alifika nyumbani kwake ambapo kuna grosari na kuagiza kinywaji kisha baada ya muda yeye na mkewe wakatoweka.

"Kitendo cha kutoweka kwa mke wangu katika mazingira ya kutatanisha kukanifanya niingiwe na wasiwasi, hata hivyo, nikavuta subira nikiamini kuwa angerudi lakini hadi usiku hakurejea. Nikachukua jukumu la kwenda kwa dada yake anayeitwa Jaka anayeishi Kigogo kumtaarifu juu ya suala hilo," alieleza Kidevu

Aliongeza kuwa siku hiyo mkewe hakurudi kabisa nyumbani hadi kesho yake alipopewa taarifa na mke wa Lunyungu aitwaye Pili Said kuwa alimuona Leila akiwa na Lunyungu katika Baa ya Mississippi wakiponda raha na kumuomba waende kuwafumania.

"Taarifa hiyo ilinishtua, hivyo tulifuatana pamoja na wapambe hadi kwenye baa hiyo na kufanikiwa kuwafumania wagoni hao wakiwa katika mahaba mazito, lakini walipotuona walikimbia," alisema Kidevu.

Aliongeza kuwa baada ya wagoni wao kukimbia, yeye na Pili waliumia sana moyoni hivyo, waliamua kurudi nyumbani ili kuwasubiri lakini kilichowashangaza ni kuwa watu hao hawakurudi.

Aidha, Kidevu alisema baada ya kuona wawili hao hawatokei walikubaliana kuwa nao wafunge ndoa kwa vile mkewe na Lunyungu walikuwa wamesaliti ndoa zao.

"Tulifikia uamuzi wa kuoana, baada ya kuona Lunyungu amekimbia na mke wangu nami ikabidi nimchukue mkewe, nikaandika talaka siku hiyo hiyo, saa kumi nikapeleka posa ya kumuoa mke wa Lunyungu na ikakubaliwa, hivyo tangu siku hiyo tunaishi pamoja," alisema Kidevu.

Naye aliyekuwa mke wa Lunyungu, Pili Said alimwambia mwandishi kuwa amefurahishwa na uamuzi waliouchukua kwani alikuwa akifikiria ataishi vipi baada ya kukimbiwa na mumewe.

"Leila amekimbia na mume wangu nami inabidi niishi na mume wake, nilikuwa nikifikiria wapi nitaenda lakini nimefurahishwa na uamuzi tuliouchukua, nina imani tutapendana na kuishi kwa amani katika ndoa yetu," alisema Pili.

Hata hivyo, habari zaidi zinasema kufuatia fumanizi hilo aliyekuwa mke wa Kidevu (Leila) amekuwa akimpigia simu mumewe na kuomba radhi ili warudiane lakini mumewe amekuwa akikataa.

Habari toka: Global Publishers (Tanzania)

Big-name corruption: Warioba has his say

THISDAY REPORTER

Dar es Salaam

FORMER prime minister Joseph Warioba yesterday mounted a public defence of retired president Benjamin Mkapa and some key figures in the current government alleged to have been involved in a string of questionable multi-billion shilling deals.

Warioba convened a news conference in Dar es Salaam to seek to dismiss widespread reports of high-level corruption against several big names in both the past and incumbent governments, rubbishing the now-famous ’List of Shame’ compiled by political opposition leaders and offering a blanket endorsement of Mkapa’s record as head of state from 1995 to 2005.

’’As a leader, Mr Mkapa has done tremendous things for this country. He should be appreciated and respected for all his efforts,’’ said Warioba, who is also a shareholder and chairman of the board of directors of Mwananchi Gold Company Limited.

A 2005/06 report by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised key audit queries on dubious payments amounting to several billions of shillings made by the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) to the privately-owned Mwananchi Gold company. The CAG report cites irregularities in the BoT’s involvement with Mwananchi Gold and queries dubious loans made to the company amounting to $5,512,398.55 (approx. 7bn/-) by last year.

However, when asked during yesterday’s news conference to first explain the controversies in Mwananchi Gold before starting to defend other personalities linked to other questionable deals, Warioba declined comment citing an ongoing civil suit before the courts.

Instead, he ventured to dismiss the corruption allegations and ’List of Shame’ compiled by opposition legislator Dr Wilbrod Slaa (Karatu - CHADEMA), saying there was nothing new or substantive in the allegations to merit ongoing national attention.

’’There have been a series of scandals - Buzwagi, List of Shame...I don’t know what’s next,’’ said the former premier, claiming that corruption allegations in Tanzania were now being used as a political tool.

’’People mention corruption not necessarily for the sake of fighting it, but rather to use it as a political weapon,’’ he said.

According to Warioba, national leaders have now unnecessarily begun giving too much attention to a mudslinging campaign prompted by accusations and counter-accusations, at the expense of national development priorities.

’’This is a time when the government should be addressing serious issues like modernising our agriculture sector and improving social services to the people. But our leaders are now quite occupied with these political issues,’’ he said.

The ex-PM, who chaired the famous Warioba Commission on Corruption in the 1990s, said corruption was today an even more serious problem than it was 10 years ago.

’’Today, when people talk of good governance and anti-corruption crusades, they seem to be advocating for regime change because they believe those in power have failed. Corruption is a huge problem and cannot be dealt with through mere regime changes,’’ he said.

’’When we reach the point of calling the president - the symbol of the nation - corrupt, then there is no national leadership,’’ he added.

When asked by another journalist whether he had been ’sent’ by anyone to clear the names of officials in the much-hyped ’List of Shame,’ Warioba said he had called the news conference out of his own volition.

’’I have a firm, independent position on issues - nobody can tell me what to say,’’ he retorted.

From: ThisDay (Tanzania)

Buzwagi deal: The London connection

THISDAY REPORTER

Dar es Salaam .

The controversial contract document states that all disputes will have to be settled by arbitration rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), administered by the London Court of International Arbitration.

’’The arbitration shall take place in London and the language to be used in arbitral proceedings shall be English,’’ says Article 13.5 of the agreement signed on February 17 by the Minister for Energy and Minerals, Nazir Karamagi, on behalf of the government and Barrick Gold Tanzania’s executive general manager in charge of operations, Gareth Taylor, representing Pangea Minerals Ltd.

It defines a ’dispute’ as any controversy or claim arising from the contract agreement or the mining licence granted to Pangea Minerals Ltd, itself being a subsidiary company of Barrick Gold, for the Buzwagi area.

Legal sector sources have confirmed to THISDAY that with such a clause included in the agreement, Tanzania?s own judicial system can have no say whatsoever in the handling of any dispute with a direct bearing on the agreement contents, the mining licence or the project implementation details.

This is despite the existence of another clause in the agreement ? under Article 17 dealing with miscellaneous provisions - where it is stated that ’’the agreement shall be governed by the law of Tanzania and such rules of international law as may be applicable’’.

Speculation has become rife regarding the circumstances behind the signing of the contract in London rather than within Tanzania, where the gold mining project is to be developed in Kahama District, Shinyanga Region.

Various critics have pointed out that while the choice of London as the signing venue was in itself not a violation of any particular law, the fact that Tanzanian government officials will have to fly to the British capital for arbitration with the investor company every time there is a dispute in either the contract or mining licence is enough to raise eyebrows.

It has been noted that the contract appears to give Pangea Minerals Limited, as the project developer, extraordinary leeway in areas of taxation and contributions to national and local government development. It also binds the government to maintain the same taxes and fiscal laws applicable to the company today for the entire duration of the mine, which is a minimum of the next 25 years and a maximum that by the terms of the contract could well be more or less indefinite.

It is stated therein that ’’the duration of the mining licence shall be for a period of 25 years with an option for the company to renew the licence on the same terms and conditions for a further 25 years.’’ This is basically as stipulated in the existing Mining Act of 1998. However, while the Act also stipulates that after being granted an initial 25-year licence, mining companies may be given a second and final licence renewal of just 25 years, the Buzwagi deal is open-ended in this area, effectively giving Pangea Minerals Ltd the option of renewing its licence even after this 50-year cap period, and continuing to do so for as long as it may decide.

According to the agreement, after every 25 years it will be up to the minister of the day in charge of the mining portfolio to use his or her own discretion to grant the licence renewal, with no specified limits of duration.

Other notable areas of the contract include Article 8, which appears to provide Pangea Minerals Ltd?s expatriate personnel and hired foreign sub-contractors for the project with certain, unrestricted favours like expedited issuance of work permits, employment passes, visas and the like.

The company and its contractors will also be allowed to import, without restriction, all items required for the design, construction, installation and operation of the project, including fuel, spare parts and replacements to the spare parts inventory.

The importation of these goods will be subject to compliance with the country’s own normal administrative requirements, ’’provided that any imposts applicable to the importation of fuel, including road toll contribution, will be subject to an annual limit of $200,000’’, says the contract.

Each expatriate coming into Tanzania under the Buzwagi project banner will also be permitted to bring in their personal and household effects, including one car on their first arrival, free of import duty and other taxes. And according to Article 8.5 of the agreement, they will be allowed to export their salaries and pension benefits out of the country during and after employment.

The contract also prohibits the government from ’’nationalizing or compulsorily acquiring’’ the Buzwagi gold mine itself or the mining licence granted to Pangea Minerals Ltd, adding that if it (government) decides to do so anyway, then it should ’’pay compensation in US dollars to an account outside Tanzania specified by the company in an amount and manner that is prompt, adequate and effective.’’

Pangea Minerals Ltd is expected to invest some $400m (approx. 520bn/-) in the Buzwagi gold mining project.

From: ThisDay (Tanzania)

Chama Cha Watanzania Oslo (CCW Oslo) kinawaomba/wakumbusha kuwa, kila Mtanzania mwenye wazo lolote la kuboresha utendaji kazi wa chama, anakaribishwa. Tafadhali tuandikie kwa barua pepe:

tanzania@online.no

au
tuma ujumbe mfupi (SMS) simu:

+ 47 95 78 21 96

Asante kwa mawazo yako ya kukijenga chama.

Wenu,

kamati ya utendaji,

Chama Cha Watanzania Oslo.

Buzwagi: Was the govt taken for a ride?

-The burning questions continue to pile up

THISDAY REPORTER
Dar es Salaam

NEW discoveries in the controversial Buzwagi gold mining agreement signed between the government and Barrick Gold Corporation subsidiary company Pangea Minerals Limited suggest even less value in terms of state revenue and national economic benefits from the planned $400m (approx. 520bn/-) investment.

While royalty on exports has been set at the industry standard of 3 per cent (for gold) and 5 per cent (diamonds), there are specific caps set on exactly what the investor company will pay to both the central government and local government authorities in Kahama District, Shinyanga Region where the mine will be located.

The agreement, signed in London last February by Energy and Minerals Minister Nazir Karamagi on behalf of the government and Barrick Gold Tanzania Limited’s executive general manager (operations) Gareth Taylor representing Pangea Minerals Ltd, specifies a set limit of $200,000 (approx. 260m/-) in maximum amount that Pangea Minerals Limited would be legally obliged to pay each year in local government tax.

A similar ceiling is also cited for road toll taxes that the project shall be required to pay every year under the Fuel and Road Tolls Act of 1985.

Furthermore, the project implementing company may not pay more than $10,000 (approx. 13m/-) in any one year for ’’any duty, levy, charge, fee or compulsory contribution’’ that has not been specified in the agreement.

With regard to the land at Buzwagi where the mine is to be set up - an area covering about 24.49 square kilometres Pangea Minerals Ltd is not required to pay any taxes on the property in excess of $2,000 (approx. 2.6m/-) per square kilometre per annum.

Legal experts have confirmed to THISDAY that this means regardless of any developments made on the land or any future increases in the property value, the investor may pay a maximum of just $48,980 (approx. 63m/-) per year in taxes on the land throughout the lifespan of the mine.

Another interesting clause in the agreement is Article 4.1.3, which specifies that Pangea Minerals Ltd will make a fixed contribution of $125,000 (approx. 162.5m/-) by December 31 of each calendar year of production to the state-run national economic empowerment fund.

But as legal experts point out, there is a catch here too. For the document defines a ’’Year of Production’ as a time when production from the mine reaches a ’minimum of 20,000 ounces of gold contained in ore or concentrate, as the case may be, during the applicable calendar year.’’ In other words, for each year that the gold mine management declares production to be less than the stated 20,000 ounces, the government will get no contribution for its empowerment fund.

’’So, minus the 3 per cent royalty which is itself negligible, Tanzania as a country will earn a mere $583,980 (approx. 760m/-) from the Buzwagi gold mine each year,’’ Dar es Salaam-based lawyer Tundu Lissu told a local television talk show earlier this week.

Lissu, who works with the Lawyers Environment Action Team (LEAT) and is noted for his extensive researches into the country’s mining industry, described the Buzwagi deal as ’scandalous’ and asserted that the planned investment would be of little benefit to the national economy.

He cited government figures presented in parliament recently suggesting that out of $2.614bn (approx. 3.4tr/-) in total gold exports over the past ten years, Tanzania earned just $78m (approx. 100bn/-) in royalty.

According to the government’s 2006/07 figures, minerals (almost entirely dominated by gold) accounted for around 63 per cent of the country’s total export revenues. But paradoxically, the minerals sector (particularly gold) contributes a paltry 2.7 per cent to Tanzania’s gross domestic product (GDP), or total economic output.

Meanwhile, minister Karamagi has this week steadfastly avoided making any comment on the Buzwagi deal or his own role in it, especially with regard to the circumstances of its signing in a London hotel on February 17 this year.

Among other things, the agreement legally binds the government to maintain the same taxes and fiscal laws applicable to Pangea Minerals Ltd today for the entire duration of the mine, which is a minimum of the next 25 years and a maximum that by the terms of the pact is more or less indefinite.

The minister responsible for mining is given extraordinary discretionary powers to extend the company’s special mining licence as he or she sees fit, without any limits on duration.

An earlier report by THISDAY revealed that at least one key provision in the original final draft of the agreement, approved by the government’s advisory committee on minerals, was deleted by hand just before the signing, effectively exempting Pangea Minerals Ltd from paying any taxes falling under the East African Customs Management Act of 2004.

And going by the document itself and signatures therein, it appears there were no witnesses to the signing for either of the two parties involved.

At the time the Buzwagi deal was signed, the fourth phase government under President Kikwete had announced the start of a formal review of the various existing gold mining policies, laws and contracts, and the suspension of any new major mining contract signings until the review process was completed.

From ThisDay (Tanzania)

US floored by brilliant Brazil

Action picture during the semi-final match between USA-Brazil,at the FIFA Women World Cup China 2007 in Hangzhou, 27 September 2007.

Brazil's Marta (C) celebrates after scoring against the U.S during their semi-final soccer match of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup at the Hangzhou Dragon Stadium in Hangzhou September 27, 2007. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA)

USA's PLAYER Shannon BOXX fights for a ball with Brazil's PLAYER FORMIGA,in their semi-final match at the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Hangzhou Dragon Stadium in Hangzhou, 27 September 2007.

Brazil's goalkeeper ANDREIA celebrates their goal during the semi-final match between USA-Brazil,at the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Hangzhou Dragon Stadium in Hangzhou, 27 September 2007.

USA's PLAYER Leslie OSBORNE fights for a ball with Brazil's PLAYER DANIELA,in their semi-final match at the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Hangzhou Dragon Stadium in Hangzhou, 27 September 2007.

Brazil's players celebrate their goal during the semi-final match between USA-Brazil,at the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Hangzhou Dragon Stadium in Hangzhou, 27 September 2007.
_________________________________

Brazil created football history as only Brazil can, advancing to their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup final with a majestic, Marta-inspired 4-0 win over pre-tournament favourites USA. The North Americans had gone into this match on the back of a 51-game unbeaten streak but although their cause was hindered considerably by the first-half dismissal of Shannon Boxx, they could have no complaints with the margin of this, the heaviest defeat in their history.

All the pre-match discussion had centred on Greg Ryan's decision to ditch his erstwhile first choice, Hope Solo, but replacement Briana Scurry could do nothing about Brazil's opening goal after 20 minutes. Just as in yesterday's semi-final between Germany and Norway, it was an own goal that broke the deadlock, with Leslie Osbourne the unfortunate perpetrator on this occasion. Stooping in an attempt to cut out Formiga's inswinging corner at the near post, she succeeded only in glancing the ball past her helpless keeper.

Despite the circumstances in which it arrived, the lead was merited and it took Brazil just seven minutes to double it, the peerless Marta cutting in from the right past two US defenders and unleashing a low, left-foot drive that skidded through Scurry's grasp and into the bottom right-hand corner. If Ryan's side already had a mountain to climb, their task became near-impossible as the first half entered stoppage time, when a coming-together between Boxx and Cristiane resulted in a second yellow card for the combative USA midfielder.

Ryan's response was to throw on Carli Lloyd and go to three at the back, but the US continued to find themselves engulfed beneath wave after wave of Canarinha attacks. Indeed, it was only after Daniela had burst in from the left to crash an effort just wide of the far post that Formiga found space on the same flank and, with the American defence exposed, teed up Cristiane who had time and space to side-foot home a low shot. Marta, showcasing her full repertoire of tricks and twirls, then provided the pièce de résistance with 11 minutes remaining, flicking the ball cheekily over Tina Ellerston before drilling it under Scurry's body.

Player of the Match: Marta (BRA)

Source: FIFA.com

“UREMBO SIO UZURI”-HASHIM LUNDENGA

Ni vigumu sana kuzungumzia mashindano ya urembo nchini Tanzania hususani yale ya Miss Tanzania bila kumtaja Hashim Lundenga au Uncle Hashim kama ambavyo wengi hupenda kumuita. Sio tu kwamba Hashim Lundenga ndio aliyafufua tena mashindano ya urembo mwaka 1994 bali kampuni yake ya Lino International Agency Limited ndio haswa mratibu wa mashindano hayo ambayo kila mwaka yanazidi kuwa maarufu na hivyo kuwa tukio linalosubiriwa kila mwaka kwa hamu.

Kwa mwaka huu wa 2007,mashindano ya Miss Tanzania huenda yakawa yameandika historia mpya kabisa nchini Tanzania. Mshindi wa mwaka huu,Richa Adhia, ni mtanzania wa kwanza mwenye asili ya Asia (India) kutwaa taji hilo.Isitoshe ushindi wake umepokelewa kwa hisia tofauti miongoni mwa watanzania jambo ambalo limebakia kuwa gumzo mpaka hivi leo.

Sasa ili kujua kwa undani kuhusu mashindano haya ya urembo huna budi kumuuliza Hashim Lundenga.Hivyo ndivyo tulivyofanya hivi karibuni katika mahojiano naye ambapo aliweka wazi nini kilimsukuma kufufua mashindano haya, anasemaje kuhusu ushindi wa Richa Adhia na nini watanzania tutegemee kutoka katika mashindano ya dunia (Miss World) mwaka huu? Pia Hashim anajibu swali ambalo limekuwa likiulizwa sana na wananchi;Je mashindano ya urembo ni kwa watoto wa “vizito’ peke yao?Haya hapa mahojiano kamili;
(more…)

Kutoka Bongo Celebrity.

Chama Cha Watanzania Oslo (CCW Oslo) kinawaomba/wakumbusha kuwa, kila Mtanzania mwenye wazo lolote la kuboresha utendaji kazi wa chama, anakaribishwa. Tafadhali tuandikie kwa barua pepe:

tanzania@online.no

au
tuma ujumbe mfupi (SMS) simu:

+ 47 95 78 21 96

Asante kwa mawazo yako ya kukijenga chama.

Wenu,

kamati ya utendaji,

Chama Cha Watanzania Oslo.

Prinz leads Germany into final

Germany's Kerstin Stegemann (2nd R) scores a goal against Norway in their semi-final match in the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium in Tianjin, 26 September 2007. Germany won the match 3-0 and qualified for the final against Brazil or the USA. AFP PHOTO/MARCUS BRANDT

Germany's Kerstin Garefrekes (R) and Norway's Lene Storlokken clash as they fight for the ball in their semi-final match in the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium in Tianjin, 26 September 2007. German beat Norway 3-0 to qualify for the final. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN

German players celebrate their win over Norway after their semi-final match in the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium in Tianjin, 26 September 2007. Germany defeated Norway 3-0 to reach the final. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS

Norway's goalkeeper Bente Nordby saves a shot against Germany in their semi-final match in the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium in Tianjin, 26 September 2007. German beat Norway 3-0 to qualify for the final. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN

Germany's PLAYER Nadine ANGERER and Ariane HINGST celebrate their victory during the semi-final match between Germany-Norway,at the FIFA Women's World Cup football tournament at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium in Tianjin, 26 September 2007.
_________________________________

Holders Germany powered into the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup with a 3-0 win over Norway in Tianjin. The result did not paint the full picture, however, with the Scandinavians running their rivals close for much of the game until quick-fire goals from Kerstin Stegemann and Martina Mueller in the last 20 minutes put the game beyond their reach.

Luck also deserted the Norwegians when they conceded their first two goals, an own goal and a deflected strike contriving to put them 2-0 behind. Birgit Prinz played a key hand in both of those efforts, and the winner of tomorrow's second semi-final between USA and Brazil will have their hands full trying to contain her.

If Germany fans were disappointed to see Melanie Behringer leave the field on 40 minutes, then this disappointment quickly turned to joy when they opened the scoring two minutes later. The move emanated from the feet of her replacement, Fatmire Bajramaj, who raced from the edge of her own box into the opposition half before releasing Prinz. The No9 powered to the byline and from her cut-back, the luckless Trine Ronning turned the ball into her own net.

Prinz then combined strength and invention to tee up Stegemann for Germany's second, the latter's strike taking a wicked deflection off a Norwegian defender and looping over Bente Nordby and in off the post. Two quickly became three, Mueller sprinting on to a loose pass-back to slide the ball past the Norway No1 for the 100th goal of the tournament.

Norway, though, can take heart from a positive performance against formidable opponents. Bjarne Berntsen's side had 49 per cent of the possession, registered 13 shots and earned seven corners to their adversaries' three.

They will now look to take the bronze medal home from an impressive campaign, which included progressing to the knockout stage as Group C winners and then eliminating hosts China PR. However, it is Germany who can now look forward to their third FIFA Women's World Cup final in Shanghai on Sunday.

Player of the Match: Birgit Prinz

Source: FIFA.com

Norwegian companies insult foreign clients, lose business contracts and are reluctant to expand into new markets because of the poor English language skills of employees and business leaders, according to a new survey. "Norwegians think their English is much better than what it really is," philologist Glenn Ole Hellekjær said.

More than half of the Norwegian business leaders in a recently conducted survey admitted that they had insulted foreign business partners because of insufficient knowledge of the English language, newspaper Aftenposten reported Wednesday.

The survey, conducted by philologist Glenn Ole Hellekjær on behalf of The Norwegian Centre for Foreign Languages in Education, is disappointing reading for Norwegian business. Almost 30 percent of the 664 business leaders surveyed said that their business had avoided expansion into new markets because they did not believe they had the English skills required.

Approximately 40 percent also said that representatives from their business had experienced difficulty socialising with foreign business contacts, and had avoided to follow up on new contacts because they felt unable to express themselves in English.

Worse still, 40 percent of business leaders said that they had lost business deals with foreign clients as a direct result of poor English skills.

Not surprisingly, Hellekjær commented that, "Norwegians think their English is much better than what it really is." Hellekjær said that businesses would benefit from "thinking about language more professionally," and that sending their employees on language courses would increase both language skills and cultural understanding.

Aftenposten English Web Desk

Kristin Solberg

kwa picha

http://jijiladar.blogspot.com

Chama Cha Watanzania Oslo (CCW Oslo) kinawaomba/wakumbusha kuwa, kila Mtanzania mwenye wazo lolote la kuboresha utendaji kazi wa chama, anakaribishwa. Tafadhali tuandikie kwa barua pepe:

tanzania@online.no

au piga simu au tuma ujumbe mfupi kwa:

95 78 21 96

Asante kwa mawazo yako ya kukijenga chama.

Wenu,

kamati ya utendaji,

Chama Cha Watanzania Oslo.

Muslims feel they are being watched

Many Muslims living in Norway feel they are being watched as terrorist suspects by the Norwegian authorities, and are afraid they cannot speak freely.

Spokespersons for the Muslim Student Association and the Muslim Council Norway say they fear that phones are being monitored and that their e-mails are being screened by the police.

Several Muslims say they experience that they are regarded as a security risk.

The Police Security Service (PST) say they do not keep Muslims in general under surveillance, but confirm that there are groups in Norway that support terrorism abroad.

Source: Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation/Norway Post.

...........becoming another drug-fuelled paradise?

DANIEL DICKINSON of BBC

Daily News; Tuesday,September 25, 2007 @00:04

JUST a few minutes walk from the winding picturesque alleyways of Zanzibar's historic and much visited Stone Town is a sight that most tourists will not get to see. Crouching in small fishing boats and dugout canoes on the shore of Malindi, Stone Town's port are a number of young men injecting themselves with a cocktail of heroin and cocaine.

It is a scene at odds with Zanzibar's image of an exotic beach paradise for well-heeled tourists but for a growing number of Zanzibaris this is the reality of life on an impoverished island off the coast of Tanzanian mainland.

Saluum Ibrahim Jiddawi started taking drugs when he was just 15 years old. His reasons for doing so were probably no different from teenagers anywhere in the world; he thought it was cool, his friends were doing it and he was bored at school. And his life unravelled along predictable lines.

He graduated from smoking cannabis to injecting heroin and over the 15 years of his addiction, lost all his friends, his self-respect, put his family under huge stress and took to stealing and lying to feed his 15 US dollar-a-day habit, a heavy financial burden on an island where the average wage is less than one US dollar a day.

Mr Saluum managed to kick the habit two years ago and now runs an outboard motor repair shop on the Malindi shoreline where addicts remind him on a daily basis of the "biggest mistake" of his life. "I wasted 15 years of my life and I regret all the pain I put my family through," he laments. Mr Saluum was lucky to get out of the drugs scene when he did, as the temptation of drugs on the island is as strong as it has ever been.

Drugs are more available now as Zanzibar is on the international drug routes but the quality is deteriorating as cocaine and heroin are being mixed with flour. Small packets of foil wrapped ‘brown sugar’, as heroin is called locally, is easy to pick up in Malindi for just one US dollar but because of the poor quality addicts are increasingly injecting rather than smoking it. "Users prefer injecting as the drug goes straight into the blood stream and has a bigger effect," Mr Saluum said.

Spread of HIV

And now addicts are adopting a new technique, which is worrying drug abuse specialists. Young men inject themselves with a cocktail of heroin and cocaine. It is called "flash blood". A user injects heroin, then withdraws a syringe-full of blood which contains a smaller amount of heroin and which is passed to a second user who injects it. The technique means that addicts who cannot afford to buy their own drugs can still get a fix, however diluted.

"Such sharing is terribly dangerous," says Dr Steven Nsimba of the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences. "It could have devastating consequences for HIV/AIDS. If the first person is infected the second person will get a direct transmission of the virus," he adds.

The prevalence of HIV is under one per cent in Zanzibar, well below the seven per cent on mainland Tanzania but Dr Nsimba believes that could change. "The spread of HIV could be very fast depending on the number of people who are doing flash blood," he adds.

No one knows just how many addicts are using the flash blood technique, although the health authorities in Zanzibar are now trying to gather reliable data.

Drug-fuelled paradise?

Mgeni Hassan from Zayedesa, a local NGO that offers support to addicts, paints a gloomy picture. "We are seeing the effects of drug abuse, the increase in crime. Young people do not know what they are doing. We believe every household in the urban centres has one or two children affected."

And it seems that Zanzibar may be getting a reputation as a place for drug tourism. One hotelier, who wants to remain anonymous, said he had met tourists who came from Europe to sample cheap heroin and cocaine. One recent case involving a British tourist ended in tragedy. A 26-year-old man collapsed and died after taking drugs he had bought on the island.

Most tourists will, of course, enjoy drug free holidays in Zanzibar and will not be aware of the growing local addiction problem. The authorities on the island are no doubt hoping that Zanzibar never picks up a reputation as a drug-fuelled paradise.

Revealed: Details of the Buzwagi contract

SIGNATORIES: The minister, Nazir Karamagi (left), and Pangea Minerals Ltd representative Gareth Taylor, who is also executive general manager of Barrick Gold Tanzania Limited in-charge of operations.
_______________________________

-Final draft prepared by experts was further amended before signing in London

THISDAY REPORTER
Dar es Salaam

A KEY provision in the Buzwagi gold contract was deleted by hand at the controversial signing of the deal in London early this year, effectively exempting the Barrick Gold subsidiary handling the project from paying all taxes falling under the East African Customs Management Act of 2004.

According to the leaked contract seen by THISDAY, a sentence in Article 4.2 of the agreement obliging the investor to pay the government any tax, duty, fee or other fiscal obligation under the EA customs union - was struck out of the final contract draft before signing.

The agreement for the development of a gold mine at the Buzwagi area in Kahama District, Shinyanga Region was signed by the Minister for Energy and Minerals, Nazir Karamagi, representing the Tanzanian Government on one hand, and Gareth Taylor of Pangea Minerals Limited - a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corporation on the other. Taylor is also the executive general manager of Barrick Gold Tanzania Limited in-charge of operations.

No witnesses on either side of the pact, signed in the UK capital on February 17 this year, were listed.

Under the terms of the agreement, the government is to grant a special 25-year mining licence to Pangea Minerals Ltd ’’as soon as possible and in any event not later than 60 days’’ after the Barrick Gold subsidiary lodges an application for such a licence.

The Buzwagi contract was signed at a time when the government was in the process of reviewing the various gold mining policies, laws and contracts in the country, with a view towards creating what has been officially termed a ’win-win’ situation.

However, at least two independent sources familiar with the deal have told THISDAY that the signatories to the agreement - Karamagi and Taylor - amended the final draft by hand during the signing function in London.

It is now understood that the original contract, drafted by a team of experts from the Ministry of Energy and Minerals in Dar es Salaam, took into account the fact that the East African Customs Management Act of 2004 was in force and should be duly incorporated in the agreement.

But in what now appears to have been a surprise move, the key sentence was penned out with Karamagi’s approval just before the signing.

’’All other major mining contracts in Tanzania were signed before 2004 - that’s why they don’t fall under the East African customs union. But the Buzwagi contract is different because it was signed after the customs union came into force, and should therefore have fallen under the East African Customs Management Act,’’ said one well-placed insider on the deal.

Under other fiscal terms of the agreement on the same Article 4 provision, Pangea Minerals Ltd would be required to pay the (Tanzanian) government ’’a royalty at the rate of 3% on the Net Back Value of all minerals produced from the Contract Area, other than diamonds, in respect of which the royalty shall equal 5% of the Net Back Value.’’

The company is also legally bound to pay the government ’’stamp duty under the Stamp Duty Act No.20 of 1972, as in effect on the Fiscal Stabilization Date,’’ and $125,000 by December 31 of every year of production as a contribution to the state’s Empowerment Fund.

On payments to local government, the agreement stipulates that the rates and taxes should not exceed those generally applicable in Tanzania; should not be based on profit, turnover, sales or output from mining operations; and should not be based on the value of land used for the mine, mining infrastructure or installations.

This, however, is provided that the aggregate of such rates does not exceed $200,000 in any one calendar year.

The signing of the Buzwagi contract in London has raised a lot of controversy with opposition Member of Parliament Zitto Kabwe (Kigoma North-CHADEMA) demanding a parliamentary probe into the deal.

For all his insistence, the MP ended up being suspended from parliamentary duties. But this somewhat bizarre turn of events only served to gift the political opposition camp with a popular platform to further advance their convictions on the subject of mismanagement of the country’s natural resources.

Minister Karamagi has endeavoured to defend himself on the Buzwagi affair, claiming that there were no irregularities involved and maintaining that the agreement signing was fast-tracked to meet strict funding and production schedules.

Barrick Gold Tanzania Limited has also sought to clear the air over the deal, asserting that there was no wrongdoing involved as suggested by opposition politicians.

The company’s executive general manager (corporate and legal affairs), Deo Mwanyika, told a news conference in Dar es Salaam recently that the agreement was pre-approved by relevant government authorities in the country after ’thorough negotiations’ spanning a period of about eight months.

’’(During the negotiations) we were asked to give very detailed presentations to the government’s advisory committee on minerals, which has the legal obligation of advising the minister of energy and minerals on matters related to minerals development and mines,’’ said Mwanyika.

It is further noted that although Barrick Gold officials have claimed the agreement was signed in the presence of Tanzania’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ms Mwanaidi Maajar, her signature does not appear anywhere in the document, as a witness or otherwise.

This is despite the fact that Ms Maajar herself is also a well-known lawyer.

The Buzwagi area has proven and probable gold reserves of around 2.64 million ounces, where Barrick Gold has announced plans to invest up to $400m (approx. 520bn/-) for mine development purposes.

From: ThisDay (Tanzania)

Kama utani, miaka miwili iliyopita, mpiga picha maarufu nchini Tanzania, Muhidini Issa Michuzi, alianzisha kitu ambacho tunaweza kusema kimekuwa ‘a national phenomena kama sio international phenomena”. Alichokianzisha ni blog ambayo hivi leo ndio imetimiza miaka miwili tangu kuanzishwa kwake rasmi.

Kwa mara ya tatu Michuzi ametupa nafasi adimu ya kufanya naye mahojiano.Wakati huu tumeongea naye kuhusiana na siku hii ya kusheherekea miaka miwili ya blog yake, kutafakari pamoja muelekeo wa blog yake katika siku za mbeleni, ushauri wake kwa vyombo vya habari kuhusiana na tekinolojia n.k. Unajua Michuzi anaogopa mambo gani maishani? Nini siri ya mafanikio yake? Kwa majibu ya maswali hayo na mengine mengi haya hapa mahojiano kamili yanayoambatana na picha kibao;

(more…)

Kutoka: Bongo Celebrity.

State to tighten 'au pair' rules

State labour officials want to prevent Norwegians from bringing young women to Norway as "au pairs" as a means of obtaining cheap housekeepers and babysitters.

The state intends to demand that host families pay for Norwegian classes for the women, and provide them with standard written work contracts.

State Secretary Libe Rieber-Mohn of the Labour Party told newspaper Dagsavisen that the rules would "help keep au pairs from ending up as underpaid housekeepers in Norwegian homes."

Sociologist Marianne Hovdan, who's written a master's thesis on au pairs in Norway, doesn't think the rules will guard against exploitation of the women.

Hovdan determined in her thesis that au pairs function mainly as household help in Norway, and she believes it will be difficult for the state to enforce its rules.

Rieber-Mohn continues to view the au pair system as part of a cultural exchange. In the past year, 1,511 persons have been granted working permission as au pairs in Norway, up from 277 in 2000. More than 60 percent of the au pairs came from the Philippines.

Aftenposten English Web Desk/NTB

Ray C: Promota kaniyeyusha

Ile Tour iliyotangazwa saana na kuzua gumzo mjini kuwa Ray C kapata deal la nguvu la kuzunguka mabara kadhaa duniani limeenda ndivyo sivyo.

Akielezea sakata hilo mwanadada machachari jukwaani alisema kuwa promota alimyeyusha hivyo amekatisha tour yake nayupo around

....Unajua nilimuamini promota na sikuchukua advance ndilo kosa nililofanya katikati ya tour nikagundua jamaa ni longo longo kulikuwa hakuna mpangilio wowote wa tour hiyo licha ya kuitangaza vya kutosha......alisema Ray czzzzooo

Ray c alisema, alianza kuzinguana na promota baada ya kupiga kama show nne hivi alipotaka mapene ndipo jamaa alipoleta miyeyusho na kuamua kuua dili nakurudi zake home

Tour hiyo ilikuwa imeandaliwa na kampuni ya George Inc ambayo Ray C aliongozana na msanii kutoka kundi la Nako2Nako lenye maskani yake Arusha.

Habari hizi kutoka: DarHotWire.

Tanzania faces aid freeze as Ballali clings on to job

-EMBATTLED CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR SEEN AS LIABILITY TO PRESIDENT KIKWETE’S GOVERNMENT

THISDAY REPORTER, Dar es Salaam.

TANZANIA now faces a serious threat of aid freeze from some of the country’s biggest donors if the government does not show more seriousness in addressing widespread corruption allegations sooner rather than later.

The United States, United Kingdom and more recently Netherlands, have all made a chorus of calls for decisive government action against wrongdoers in graft allegations.

Diplomats are concerned that corruption could see billions of shillings in aid money line the pockets of dishonest officials while ordinary Tanzanians continue to struggle in conditions of abject poverty.

But as development partners are making repeated public warnings on aid cuts, the embattled Governor of the Bank of Tanzania, Dr Daudi Ballali, who is at the centre of most of these allegations is trying desperately to cling on to his job.

Analysts say a freeze in international aid could considerably weaken the position of President Jakaya Kikwete?s government in the anti-poverty drive and derail many of the 2005 election promises that guaranteed a landslide victory for the ruling party.

’’The message from donor countries to the government is clear -- get your act together on fighting corruption or we are cutting off our aid,’’ a well-placed government source told THISDAY on condition of not being named.

He added: ’’Ballali has obviously become a liability to both the government and millions of Tanzanians who depend on donor aid for better healthcare, education, water and roads.’’

Ballali himself has rejected calls for his resignation from some members of parliament to pave way for an official investigation. The government, on the other hand, seems reluctant to take any action against the governor, citing an ongoing special audit on the central bank.

’’The government can keep on defending officials facing well-known corruption allegations at its own peril,’’ warned another source. Donors are largely disappointed with the way the Tanzanian government has been handling the allegations of high-level corruption by failing to take any real action, diplomats told THISDAY.

In the strongest warning yet to the government, the Dutch Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Karel van Kesteren, warned that the government faces a possible aid freeze because of its inaction in fighting corruption.

’’I am very concerned about the corruption allegations we read so much about these days. Allegations related to the Bank of Tanzania (its external payment account, which is now subject to an independent external audit and the construction costs of the BoT’s twin towers) as well as strong indications for corrupt practices related to management of the natural resources of the country, to mention just the most conspicuous examples,’’ he said.

Ambassador Kesteren, speaking at a function at his Dar es Salaam residence on Thursday evening, said ’’timely, robust and credible responses by the government on the corruption allegations were needed’’.

It is necessary for the Tanzanian government to send positive signals to the outside world, potential investors as well as to other governments, parliamentarians and tax payers in donor countries, he remarked.

’’Delays in government action could delay aid commitments by donor countries and could deter investors,’’ he warned.

The Dutch ambassador was vividly amazed at the embarrassment of riches in natural resources that Tanzania has, yet the nation was paradoxically still one of the world?s poorest countries.

’’Africa is lagging behind in the world unnecessarily because the potential is there particularly in Tanzania. And, I do not refer to tanzanites, gold or natural gas,’’ he said.

He added: ’’I have the privilege of being Dutch ambassador to some other countries as well, among them Mauritius ? a small island in the middle of the ocean. It has no gold, no gas ? nothing. And they are doing well, with a per capita income of $5,000 per year, instead of the $350 here in Tanzania.’’

The former US ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Michael Retzer, recently publicly criticised the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) for dismissing corruption allegations due to a person’s current or previous position.

Like the American envoy, Britain’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Philip Parham, also challenged the Tanzanian government to make serious follow-ups on what he described as ’big stories’ on suspected grand corruption appearing in the local media to establish the facts behind them. He cited stories like the Richmond power generation contract, the Buzwagi gold deal involving Barrick Gold Corporation, military trucks and helicopters purchases.

In its latest country report on Tanzania, the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) echoes similar concerns about Tanzania’s commitment to remove high-level corruption despite recently passing a new anti-graft legislation ostensibly aimed at strengthening this stated resolve.

Denmark cut aid worth $3.16 million to Tanzania late last year over delays passing the new anti-corruption legislation.

In the past few years, chiefly thanks to donor aid, Tanzania has made impressive strides in reducing poverty indicators by building more schools, hospitals, rural roads and improving access to clean and safe drinking water.

All this progress now appears to be undermined by the cost of corruption to continued aid flow to Tanzania, diplomats say. Around 42 per cent of the Tanzanian government’s total budget expenditure depends on donor aid.