Saturday, May 23, 2009

Ignorance drives people into pyramid schemes – Economists

By Perege Gumbo
The guardian; Saturday 16, may 2009

The emerging and re-emerging of pyramid schemes that have been collecting huge amount of money from common Tanzanians calls for intensification of public awareness campaign over the importance of investing in company shares currently being traded at the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange, economists have said.

A cross section of economists in Dar es Salaam said yesterday that lack of awareness over the importance of investing in shares at both primary and secondary markets had been driving people to join pyramid schemes, some of them with interest rates as high as 200 per cent.

Chief Executive Officer of Core Securities Limited George Fumbuka said what happened with the controversial Development Entrepreneurship Community Initiative (DECI) signified high liquidity within the community.

“The fact that for the short period that DECI has existed manage to spread all over the country acquiring more than 700,000 members who contributed more than 50bn/- should be taken as an eye opener for the government to embark on strategic awareness campaigns over the importance of investing in the shares,” he said.

About 11 years since the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange started business, the highest number of investors in the shares has been less that 30,000.

Fumbuka said players in share trading seemed to have excluded the common man by targeting higher and middle class people.

He has re-examination of the mode of awareness plans to the Tanzanians to enable them participate in their economy through buying company shares was needed to reverse the current trend particularly after revealing ordinary people had enough liquidity.

An officer with the Tanzania Securities Limited said the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange in collaboration with the Capital Markets and Securities Authority needed to embark on intensive awareness programmes.

The officer who sought anonymity said the awareness programmes would increase the level of understanding among Tanzanians on the role and importance of investing in company shares traded at the DSE and other products available at the market.

He said in essence brokers had no funds to undertake such awareness programmes which he termed as critically important for the people to make informed decisions before they invest in the shares and other stocks.

The officer said he believe if the people would be informed they would not risk their monies in pyramid scheme but would rather invest in share stocks.
The government closed DECI operating early this year accusing it of operating illegally by accepting deposits, role reserved for banking institutions only.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND ANTITRUST

By Bert Foer, President, the American Antitrust Institute; May 15, 2009

With the Obama Administration now at least partially in place, it is becoming possible to say some things - but not very specific because there have as yet been no cases - about how the new regime will affect antitrust.

During the campaign, candidate Obama released a statement to the American Antitrust Institute which was highly critical of the Bush Administration' s lack of activity outside of the cartel area.

The statement gives the impression that President Obama is personally on top of the antitrust laws and of an interventionist persuasion. Whether this is true or a result of good staff work is yet to be established. Rarely in US history has a President involved himself in antitrust issues.
President Obama has now made three relevant appointments apart from Professor Cass Sunstein. First, the new Attorney General is Eric Holder and Christine Varney for the key position of Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust. At the Federal Trade Commission, the President nominated a sitting Commissioner, Jon Leibowitz, to be Chairman.

However, activist the new Administration will turn out to be, it will have to deal with one key fact-on-the- ground: the US courts, as a generality, are now quite conservative and hostile to antitrust enforcement, a legacy of the Bush years.

They will not suddenly become more favourably disposed toward antitrust, although it is likely that the Department of Justice's advocacy positions before the courts will be more favourable.

Abstract from the fothcoming issue of ReguLetter, i.e. April-June 2009

To read more, please visit: http://www.cuts- ccier.org

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Mwakyembe: haikuwa rahisi kuipa chati TBS

Na Sarah Mossi
Rai; Alhamis 15-21, Mei 2008

§ Ni maabara ya kwanza Tanzania Kujulikana kimataifa
§ Hata baada ya kustaafu amebaki kuwa kama chapa yake
§ Ni mtaalamu wa viwango, na alivisimamia mwenyewe
§ Sasa aanzisha TCAS kutetea haki na sauti za walaji wote

Leo hii ukiyaangalia mafanikio ya Shirika la Viwango Tanzania (TBS), hukosi kumhusisha na maendeleo hayo aliyekuwa Mkurugenzi Mkuu, Daimon Mwakyembe, ambaye sasa amestaafu.

Mwakyembe (61) amestaafu lakini atabaki kuwa ni kielelezo kizuri cha mafanikio yaliyopatikana ndani ya shirika hili kongwe nchini, alisukuma vyema maabara, alijituma na kubuni mikakati mbalimbali kuhakikisha TBS inakuja juu.

Huyu ni mmoja wa wale wazee waliotumikia taifa hili miaka mingi, tena kwa uaminifu, hii ni hazina ya taifa kwa maneno mengine. Ukiitaja TBS leo hii kwenye kundi la watu, wengine watakuuliza ni ile ya Mwakyembe? Wakimaanisha kwamba iliyokuwa inaongozwa na mwakyembe. Kumbe basi tunaweza kusema lwamba Mwakyembe ni sawa na chapa ya TBS.

Kutokana na umuhimu wake kwa Taifa hili, baada ya kustaafu mwaka 2006, Rai ilimtafuta Mwakyembe kwa mahojiano maalumu, hata hivyo aliomba aachwe kwa wakati huo apumzike. Mwakyembe alikataa kufanya mahojiano wakati huo kwa kigezo kuwa asije kuonekana ‘kimbelembele’au kwamba alikuwa anataka umaarufu. Bahati nzuri tulimuelewa.

Baada ya kipindi kirefu cha ukimya, Rai ilimtafuta tena mwakyembe na kumsihi akubali kufanya mahojiano, akakubali na Mei 7 mwaka huu alifanya hivyo kwa lengo la kuielezea jamii anafanya nini sasa baada ya kulitumikia Taifa miaka mingi kiasi hicho.

“Nilijiunga na TBS mwaka 1979, nikitokea TIPER ambapo nilifanya kazi kwa miaka saba, kule ndiko nilikojifunzia mambo ya viwango.”

Hii ndiyo kauli aliyoanza nayo Mwakyembe katika mahojiano yetu, akieleza namna alivyopata ujuzi wa kuelewa masuala ya viwango vya bidhaa. Anasema kwamba alipojiunga TBS, moja kwa moja akafanya kazi ndani ya maabara, akiwa na mtaalamu wa kuangalia viwango vya petrol na gesi mbalimbali, kama oksijeni, naitrojeni na kaboni dayoksaidi.

Mwakyembe anasema kwamba alifanya kazi hiyo kwa muda na baada ya kutangazwa nafasi za utawala, akapandishwa cheo na kuwa meneja viwango. Aidha anasema mwaka 1992 walistaafu wakurugenzi wengi ndani ya TBS, akiwamo aliyekuwa Mkurugenzi mkuu, Benedict Mwobahe, hapa ndipo alipokabidhiwa jukumu la kuliendesha shirika hilo.

“Unajua mimi nilitoka kiwandani, nilijua kusukuma maabara za TBS na viwango navielewa, kuna International Accreditation, hii nidyo najivunia, nimeandika viwango na kusimamia maabara mwenyewe, TBS ni maabara ya kwanza Tanzania kujulikana kimataifa na kupata sifa, hili nimesimamia mwenyewe.

“Kabla ilikuwa haijulikani kimataifa, lakini sasa viwango vya TBS vinajulikana kimataifa kama kwenye vyakula, bidhaa hata kwenye minofu ya samaki.

Anasema viwango vya TBS vilianza kujulikana kimataifa, Novemba 1996 na kusisitiza sheria za kimataifa za viwango zinasema ili maabara ijulikane kimataifa ni lazima watalamu wa kimataifa waangalie hali ya maabara, ujuzi wa wataalamu, kemikali zinazotumika, pamoja na vyombo vinavyotumika kama vinakubalika kimataifa.

“Sisi kwetu walikuja wataalmu kutoka South Africa National Accreditation System, waliangalia ujuzi wetu, wataalamu, hali ya maabara yetu, vyombo vianavyotumika na kemikali, wakaafiki na kutuma cheti cha kiamataifa,” anasema Mwakyembe.

Lakini anaongeza kwamba, kazi ya kulifikisha shirika hilo hapo lilipo na viwango vyake kujulikana kimataifa haikuwa rahisi kama wanavyodhani, hasa baada ya kukabidhiwa kuliongoza mwaka 1992.

Anasema alipewa kazi ya kuongoza shirika hilo huku likiwa likikabiliwa na ukapa mkubwa wa fedha za kujiendesha. Anasema serikali wakati huo ilikuwa haitoi fedha za kuendesha maabara.

Hata hivyo, anabainisha kwamba hakukata tama, hivyo alianza kubuni mikakati ya kutafuta fedha za kujiendesha, akafanikiwa kukopa Sh milioni 15 kutoka mfuko wa Taifa wa Hifadhi ya Jamii (NSSF).

Anasema kwamba fedha hizo zilitumika kujenga baadhi ya majengo ya utawala, lakini kutokana na uhaba wa fedha wakashindwa kurejesha mkopo huo na NSSF wakakamata gari na vifaa vyote vya shirika.

Kwa mujibu wa Mwakyembe, tatizo lingine alilokumbana nalo alipoteuliwa kuwa Mkurugenzi mkuu ni kutokaguliwa ipasavyo hesabu za TBS. Anasema kipindi hicho ajira pia zilisimama.

Aidha, anasema kwamba kutokana n akuwa na uongozi wa pamoja ndani ya shirika hilo, waliweza kubuni mikakati ya kurejesha fedha hizo na kufanikiwa kulipa deni pamoja na kununua magari ya ofisi pamoja na vifaa vya ofisi.

“Miaka mitano ya mwanzo, mara baada ya kukabidhiwa shirika ilikuwa ni migumu kwangu lakini baada ya miaka 10 tutaweza kujikwamua na sasa wananchi wanajua 0.
umuhimu wa viwango, sasa maabara inatambuliwa kimataifa, TBS inatambuliwa na wananchi, hesabu za TBS zilikuwa hazikaguliwi ipasavyo, lakini baada ya miaka 10 hadi naondoka hesabu zinakwenda vizuri,”anasisistiza.

Mwakyembe anasema kwamba wakatai akiwa madarakani ya kuajiri na kutoa mafunzo kwa vijana wapya kwa kuamini kuwa wakati atakapostaafu bila shaka angefuatiwa na wengine ambao walitakiwa kustaafu kwa mujibu wa sheria na hiyo ingewapa wakati mgumu kutafuta watu wa kushika nafasi zao.

Mwanzoni tuliacha kuajiri, lakini nikaona mara nitakostaafu ningefuatiwa na wengine 10 waliotakiwa kustaafu, tukaanza kuajiri vijana ili tukiondoka wachukue nafasi zetu.

Mwakyembe anajivunia uongozi wa pamoja uliokuwapo ndani ya TBS, wakati akiwa mkurugenzi mkuu a hiyo anasema ilikuwa ni furaha yake kubwa.

“Sikumbuki kuchukua uamuzipekee bila kushirikisha mameneja au wafanyakazi, kama ni makosatulifanya wote, tulifanya kitu kwa uwazi na uongozi wa pamoja. Tumeweza kuboresha maslahi ya wafanyakazi, kuongeza marupurupu, tuliamini wafanyakazi wakilipwa vizuri wataweza kuepuka rushwa, najivunia mno kuboresha maslahi ya wafanyakazi,”anasema.

Mwakyembe pia anajivunia kurejesha uhusiano uliovunjika kati ya Jumuiya ya Wafanyakazi wa TBS na menejimenti, ambao ulizua migogoro ya mara kwa mara kwenye shirika.

“Nakumbuka wakati nachukua shirika mwaka 1992, kulikuwa na uhasama mkubwa kati ya wafanyakazi na menejimenti, nikayamaliza kwa pamoja na sasa uhusiano kati ya menejimenti na jumuiya yao umerudi.”

Mwakyembe anashukuru bodi ya Wakurugenzi ya TBS pamoja na aliyekuwa waziri wa viwanda na biashara wakati huo, Cleopa Msuya kwa kumuunga mkono wakati wote akiwa mkurugenzi mkuu na kusimama kidete kuhakikisha shirika linapata wafadhili mbalimbali kuweza kujiendesha, tofauti na miaka ya nyuma.

“Nazishukuru bodi tatu za mwisho zilitusapoti na kwa kutumia bodi hizi shirika sasa linakwenda vizuri, tukapata wafadhili, David Cleopa Msuya alipokuwa waziri wa Viwanda alitafuta wafadhili SIDA ambao wamejenga yale majengo, kupitia Bodi, serikali ilitusaidia. Lakini nawashukuru mawaziri wote baadae kwa ujumla walitusaidia,” anasisitiza.

Wahenga walisema ujuzi hauzeeki, msemo huo Mwakyembe anautumia ipasavyo na anasema kuwa bado anaendeleza taaluma yake na hayupo mbali na alichokuwa akifanya TBS. Anasema mwanadamu anaweza kuzeeka lakini ujuzi hauzeeki na sasa ameamua kuanzisha Sharika binafsi la kujitolea litakalokuwa na jukumu la kumlinda mlaji (mtumiaji wa bidhaa nchini). Analitaja shirika lenyewe kwamba litajulikana kama Shirika la kutetea Haki za Mlaji Tanzania (TCAS).

Anafafanua kwa kusema kuwa katika utengenezaji bidhaa, kunahitajika mambo matatu ambayo ni mzalishaji, viwango na mlaji.

Anasema katika nchi zilizoendelea kama Marekani, Uingereza, mlaji au mtumiaji wa bidhaa ana sauti katika viwango na kupima. Anasema kwa Tanzania mambo ni kinyume kwa mtengenezaji kuwa na sauti dhidi ya mlaji.

Anaongeza kwamba hali hiyo imemsukuma kuanzisha shirika hilo litakalokuwa na jukumu la kutetea haki za mlaji pamoja na kuyafanya matakwa yake kufanyiwa kazi na watengenezaji bidhaa.

“Hapa kwetu mlaji anamtegemea TBS tu, hajui haki zake na hii tunataka Tanzania mlaji ajue haki zake, nimeanzisha shirika hili mwaka jana, nipo na wenzangu, ndio kwanza tunatafuta wafadhili,”anasema.

Hakuna ubishi kwamba kazi nyingi za TBS kabla zilikuwa hazijulikani na ilifikia wakati wananchi wakawa na maswali mengi yasiyo na majibu juu ya utendaji wa kazi wa shirika hilo.

Mwakyembe katika hilo anakiri na kusema hali hiyo ilitokana na shughuli nyingi za shirika kufanywa kimya kimya na pengine kinyemela zaidi. Anasema mara baada ya kukabidhiwa shirika alipata kuhudhuria moja ya kozi zilizoendeshwa na Taasisi ya Menejimenti ya Ireland, katika programu ya maofisa wakuu wa mashirika kwa ajili ya kuwezesha kuendesha mashirika yao.

“Ilikuwa nzuri, katika programu moja ya marketing (masoko) Mwalimu akasema lazima kila siku ufanye ubunifu, uunde na usherehekee, sasa nikasema kumbe ni lazima usherehekee. Hivi vyeti vya ubora wa bidhaa tulikuwa tunatoa kinyemela, niliporudi nikasema, kumbe lazima hivi vyeti tuvitoe kwenye sherehe na watu wakutusaidia ni media (vyombo vya habari).

“Nikasema bila Media huwezi ku celebrate na wananchi wakakusikia, nikasema Media wakijua watatutangaza nchi nzima tena bila malipo, ulikuwa ni umbumbumbu wetu, lakini training ilini alert. Baad aya hapo tukaweza kwenda juu kutokana na msaada wa Media, hawa wamenisaidia sana kufanya TBS ijulikane na wananchi kuelewa umuhimu wa shirika hili kwao,” anabainisha.

Tofauti na wataalamu wengine mara wanapostaafu au hata kabla ya kufikia muda wa kustaafu hujitumbukiza kwenye siasa kwa ajili ya kutafuta umaarufu zaidi na kuacha fani zao, lakini si hivyo kwa Mwakyembe ambaye alipoulizwa iwapo ataingia kwenye siasa kwa kuwa sasa amestaafu TBS, ilimchukua nusu sekunde tu kujibu, akisema, “Hapana si yupo bwana mdogo,” anajibu bila kumtaja, lakini Mwakyembe aliyepo kwenye siasa juu kwa sasa ni Mbunge wa Kyela, Dk. Harison Mwakyembe mwenye undugu na mkurugenzi huyu mstaafu.

Mwakyembe anatoa mwito kwa uongozi wa TBS kuhakikisha hali ya kifedha inakuwa nzuri na wananchi wanaelimishwa juu ya umuhimu wa viwango katika bidhaa wanazotumia.

“Zipo bidhaa nyingi ukimuuliza mlaji atakwambia anataka nini, kwenye kutengeneza bidhaa tumuulize mlaji anataka nini, kama kukiwa na uelewa mzuri wa mlaji, bidhaa feki zisingekuwepo,” asisistiza Mwakyembe.

‘Syndicate behind fake imports’

By Patrick Kisembo
The Guardian; Monday 8, October 2007

Counterfeit goods will stop flooring the country only after the government destroys the well-knit syndicate behind their importation, distribution and sale, highly regarded Tanzanian business consultant Nikubuka Shimwela has warned.

Shimwela, once an expert with the National Institute of productivity in Dar es Salaam and now CEO and lead con-suitant with Kasuto Company Ltd Economic and Business Consultants, issued the warming at a workshop on Consultation of Church Leaders on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) held in the city at the weekend.

He said authoritative research shows that counterfeit constitute about 38 per cent of all the products imported into the country, adding that fake products adversely affect both consumers and the government when it comes to destroying them.

“It is very expensive destroying counterfeit products, as clearly seen from the consignment of fake Kiwi shoe polish recently destroyed at Wazo Hill in Dar es Salaam because one has to pay the destruction teams heavily,” he stated.

According to the consultant, it is no easy task controlling the importation of counterfeit goods “because most importers are Tanzanians who deliberately order cheap products from outside so as to reap a windfall upon selling them in the local market”.

“It is not easy to control these products because we local businesspersons form the bulk of the people who import the goods in order to get super profits,” he said.

Shimwela, a member of the Tanzania Ecumenical Dialogue Group (TEDG) warmed that raining in people fond of importing fake products was further complicated by the fact that the whole business is supported and perpetrated by a sophisticated network of people who know how to evade law-enforcement agents.

“It is a very strong network that only the combined strength and force of all relevant government organs can beat,” he noted, adding that many members of the Tanzanian business community had made it a culture to import counterfeit goods.

“It is a very serious problem because they are the same ones who have created a virtual national culture of loving foreign things even if they are if poor quality,” he said.

Participants of the workshop had earlier wanted to know what the authorities overseeing the quality of imports and goods made locally were doing when the country was fast turning into a dumping site for fake goods, mostly foreign junk.

Grace Masalakulangwa of the African Evangelistic Enterprise questioned the government’s capacity to check the importation of counterfeits, regardless of the fact that the country is in a liberal market situation.

She said it was sad for local supermarkets to be fully stocked with foreign products.

“I once saw a heavy duty truck with a container full of substandard light bulbs. When I asked the owner about the origin of the products, he said he had paid all the relevant taxes and duties for their importation,” she explained.

A visibly upset Masalakulangwa said the owner of the container told people who had surrounded the truck of contact the Tanzania Revenue Authority commissioner general it their cared to so as confirm if the container had not gone through all the clearance stages.

“But all the contents in the container were fake and people knew that before it went through the ‘proper’ government channels,” she said.

She challenged government and other authorities “not to gamble with people’s lives by accepting bribers from a few unscrupulous and greedy elements.”

Another participant, Prof Francis Matambalya, named the Tanzania Bureau of Standards as the authority officially charged with ensuring conformity to certified standard and added that the academic world to which he belonged was there merely to educate and sensitise people on such matters.

Problems associated with controlling counterfeit products do not have to do only with the absence of presence or proper mechanisms but also with the manner in which the relevant state organs deals with corruption, he argued.

Chipping in to clarify on some issues after the debate had especially heated, Shimwela said the Government enacted the Fair Competition Act in 2004 and later set up the Fair Competition Commission to deal with counterfeits.

“But as you may be aware, the competition is practically toothless. It only has powers to conduct inspections in godowns and other retail outlets to impound counterfeit products,” he observed, adding that the government is reviewing the law governing FCC to give it legal teeth that bite.

Last month police and FCC personnel impounded large consignments of imitation goods in Dar es Salaam, including Hitachi television sets and Kiwi shoe polish, which sources said were imported from China.

Recently, FCC said half of all consignment of Chinese made goods sold in Dar es Salaam markets are fakes. However, China struck back shortly later, denying the charges and instead heaping the blame on dishonest traders using the Far Eastern country as a transit route for their exports to Tanzania.

Over 200 companies to mark CSR Day on May 22

By Immaculate Njalangi
The Guardian; Thursday 7, May 2009

The corporate sector in Tanzania will, for the first time, mark Corporate Social Responsibility Day (CSR) on Monday 22, this year. Briefing journalists in Dar es Salaam, events coordinator Elly Kimbwereza, urged firms and institution which considered CSR as good business practise not to reduce workforce but rather sacrifice profit margins.

Kimbwereza said that Tanzania faced a number of challenges, among them being unemployment compounded by the ongoing world economic crisis. He said most companies, when faced with the problems they rushed to reduce the workforce, while CSR emphasised that they should consider reducing profits and maintain staffs.

Kimbwereza said that since 80 per cent of the country’s population depended on agriculture, more CSR activities would be directed on it. He however added that the CSR day will gather high level delegation from various firms and organisations active in CSR activities.

“CSR requires a commitment to social development principles that provide several advantages to communities to help them avoid negative economic, social and environment impacts,” said Kimbwereza.

He clarified that the day would also champion for corporate citizens to become a sustainable model of excellence in offering corporate social responsibility to communities found in the vicinity of their working stations.

The coordinator of the event, Anthony John, said that more than 200 firms are expected to take part in marking the day. He said CSR goes beyond donations to projects, development programmes and charities.

Education key to sustainable future, says global consumer body

By Allen Mushatsi
Business Times; Friday 17 – 23, October 2008

Consumer organizations round the world have called on national governments to implement the UNEP Guidelines on Education for Sustainable Consumption in formal education. The message has been put forward by consumer international body which organized Consumer Action Day recently worldwide.

The Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society (TCAS) under its Executive Director Bernard Kihiyo, joined global consumer movement in call for education for sustainable consumption. The coordinate day of action has bee organized by the global consumer movement as a means of empowering consumer to make responsible decisions from a young age.

As outlined in UNEP’s here and now: Education for Sustainable Consumption, sustainable consumer choices are crucial to social development and environment protection. Sustainable consumption is also a key theme within the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

“This is why Consumers International member organizations around the world, including Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society, are calling on ministries of environment to endorse the UNEP Guidelines and asking ministries of education to incorporate the recommendations on sustainable consumption within the national curriculum”, said Kihiyo.

According to the organisers, the aim of the consumer action day is to draw attention to the importance of Education for Sustainable Consumption and the Guidelines. Moreover, it gives ministries the opportunity to publicly voice their support for the adoption of the Guidelines on national level as part of formal education in the national curricula and on international lever as part of 10YFP.

During the event, Samuel Ochieng, president of Consumer International, said, “The world recognises the need for sustainable choices if we are to meet our development goals and secure a fair and just future for our children. Consumers, government and corporations must all take responsibility here, and we believe teaching our younger generations about sustainable consumption practise is the best way to help realise that responsibility in the long term.”

On his part Daimon Mwakyembe, Chairman of Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society said, “it is only when Tanzania consumers are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities that Tanzania can attain sustainable development, which covers all people from all walks of lives.”

Consumer International (CI) is the only independent global campaigning voice for consumers. With over 220 member organization in 115 countries, CI builds a powerful international consumer movement to help protect and empower consumers everywhere.

Tanzania Consumer advocacy Society is a support member of consumes International’s activities. It is an independent consumers’ voice whose intention is to forge a strong Consumers-Private-Public-Partnership with all sectoral regulatory authorities existing in Tanzania, local and international non-governmental organizations to supplement government efforts on promotion and protection of consumers’ rights in Tanzania.

Bulk of Kariakoo imported good fake

By Angel Navuri
The Guardian; Wednesday 12, September 2007

The fair Competition Commission (FCC) has said that about 50 per cent of all imported goods from China and sold in Kariakoo shops in Dar es Salaam are counterfeit. Speaking to the Guardian yesterday, the FCC Director of Consumer Affairs and Administration, Michael Shilla, said many local traders took sample of specific products to China where fake brands were manufactured.

“Traders take the samples and fly with them to China to have substandard goods manufactured for them. They then sell them in the local market at a cheaper price compared to that of original goods,” said Shilla

Shilla said that counterfeit goods had a negative effect on the country’s economy as well as genuine entrepreneurs. “Imitation goods, whose quality is poor, are widely sold in Tanzania market at low price. Most of them pose harm to human beings,” he said.

Electronics are among the leading phone goods overwhelming the Tanzania’s chief market location – Kariakoo in Dar es Salaam. He said dealers in genuine goods were incurring losses as customers opted for cheaper items, causing the government to lose projected revenue.

Shilla said bogus products were a major problem in the country at the moment. He said the commission was waiting for the government to amend the law regulating its functions so as to give it more teeth. “At the moment, we are only allowed to inspect goods at the port and not otherwise. We can only inspect the shops with a court order in hand,” he said.

He said in most cases, they got court orders rather late, only to find out that the suspected dealers had already hidden the counterfeit goods. “We can catch the fake items but we are normally required to get a court order, which, in most cases, takes too long to allow us nab the culprits,” he said.

Asked why FCC preferred burning counterfeits to burying them, the official said: “Environmentalists have advised us to burn them because some have chemicals which are a health hazard. Burying them could result into some irresponsible individuals digging them out and injecting them into the market.”

Asked how they differentiate between an original and fake brand, the official said they normally collaborated with the manufacturer’s representative of a specific product. Responding to a question on measures taken against the illegal dealers, the Commissions legal officer Laiton Mhesa those caught were required to foot the cost of destroying the condemned merchandise or risk a three-year jail sentence or a 5m/ - fine.

On whether such action had helped to curb the flow of given goods, Mhesa said the punishment had in a way helped to reduce the number of those involved in the illegal business.

At least 300 cartons of fake Kiwi shoe polish products worth 21m/- were recently impounded during a crackdown against counterfeit products, which have saturated the country’s markets.
Source from business circles have revealed that most if the counterfeit products originate from China.

In an exclusive interview with the Guardian yesterday, FCC Consumer Complaints Officer Frank Mdimi confirmed that a consignment of imitated Kiwi shoe was impounded two weeks ago by the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) following a tip-off from a Good Samaritan.

The 261 cartons-each containing 30 boxes and the 42 others cartons, each with 20 boxes, were imported from China, being property of Nkumba Amon Kitula and Nchikichi Trading Company, respectively. The fake Kiwi cartons were destroyed yesterday at Wazo Hill on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam.

“We got a tip off from a Good Samaritan that there was a bogus Kiwi stock at the port. After the alert, we carried investigations and unearthed the consignment,” said Mdimi. He said that normally, before the commission destroyed the products, quality inspectors were supposed to verify that the goods were counterfeit.

“People always think that we are not doing our work. However, the Merchandise Marks Act of 1963 doesn’t give us the power to seize fake products that are already on the market,” he said.

Police on Sunday impounded a large number of alleged counterfeit Hitachi TV sets, which were also imported from China, impeccable sources told The Guardian.

World must work on violations of consumers’ rights

By Eric Toroka
Business Times; Friday 30 may – 5 June, 2007

The issue of violation of consumers’ rights has not been given due weight by a number of countries in the world and therefore urged action is needed to tackle the problem as contrary to that many states will fall short of realising their MDGs, says executive director for Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society (TCAS), Bernard Kihiyo.

He said if we real want countries to make progress in reducing poverty and attaining the MDGs Tanzanians have a think twice and analyse the trend of events with the intention to help countries realise the intended goals.

In 2000 the UN Millennium Declaration, adopted at the largest-even gathering of heads of state and governments, committed countries (rich and poor).

The TCAS executive director elaborated, he should acknowledge; this strategy as one of the best ever being adopted by the UN and agreed that by 2015 all 191 United Nations member state should have:
· Eradicated extreme poverty and hunger,
· Achieved universal primary education;
· Promoted gender equality and empower women;
· Reduced child mortality;
· Improved maternal health;
· Combated HIV/Aids, Malaria and other diseases;
· Ensured environmental sustainability;
· Developed a global partnership for development “We are almost half way to 2015; however, I have the feeling that so many countries around the world (including Tanzania) will far short the Millennium Development Goals if the world will not urgently take into account consumers’ rights violation as the matter of concern” he said.

For instance, how can a country eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, if the market is full of counterfeit products, poor services and unfair charges?

How can a country eradicate poverty while business form cartels to reap more profit out of the little income/resource of the poor especial on food, fuel, essential human drugs, building materials, farming equipment and the like?

How can a country reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/Aids, Malaria and other diseases; while the market is full of fake drugs of all sorts with very poor customer services characterized with unprofessional conducts; with millennium checks and balance by consumers themselves and other stakeholders?

How can a country ensure environment sustainability while consumes and producers don’t know their responsibilities to attain sustainable consumption and production? For instance, the demand for safe sanitation and environment depends far more on hygiene education.

“How can the countries develop a global partnership for development while trade polices in developed countries remain highly discriminatory against developing country exports at the same time encourage sabotage on economies of weaker partners (unfair contracts, counterfeit goods) as a result, we found in our countries more globalization losers than winners”, Kihiyo noted.

Others factors such as declining lever of aid pledge were made by rich countries to allocate at least 0.7 per cent of their gross national income to development by 2015 but; many countries are by far behind this, how can MDGs be attained under these worlds must be backed these circumstances?

Rich countries have made promises to support MDG but these worlds must be backed by deeds.

It is not about hard work, support or individual efforts that will reduce poverty, but also it is about all potential opportunities to eradicate poverty; should be part of the system with ensure equal rewarding to the hard work or opportunity gained or given to individuals especially the poor.

Thus, to achieve a higher rate of successful national strategic program interventions to achieve MDGs, consumer rights protection and a promotion program is of paramount importance.

Section IV 1999-Un Consumer Protection guidelines, underscores the need for governments and international organizations to promote and facilitate capacity-building in the area of consumerism.

Tanzania to Commemorate Consumers’ Rghts Day

By the Express reporter, Singida
The express; 21-27 February, 2008

Tanzania will join other countries in the world to commemorate the world Consumers’ Rights day, which will be held on 15th of next mouth.

Speaking at in interview in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, the Executive Director of Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society, Bernard Kihiyo, said the commemoration day was set to address consumer rights violation challenges in the world, including Tanzania.

This years World Consumer Right Day theme is ‘Junk food generation - to the marketing of unhealthy food’.

Junk foods are foods high in sugar, salt and fat content, and as result of confusing labelling and extensive promotion it can be difficult to tell apart what food of drink is healthy or not healthy.

He said TCAS intend to organize consumers’ week, eventful consumers’ rights related activities days, before the climax of commemorating the World Consumers Rights Day.

On 13th, March, TCAS will convene a round table meeting to sensitize people about marking the WCRD on 15th march.

The society also plants to hold a press conference to extend an invitation to members of the general public, media houses, and members of professional bodies, like medical doctors from Muhimbili, Tanzania Bureau of Standards personnel and Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority personnel, to take about their efforts to curb junk food generation, and to determine a way forward for this campaign.

Others activities include conducting a Round table meeting to celebrate WCRD with the focus on consumers’ empowerment, and awareness creation on consumers’ rights and remedies on the one hand, and on the other way sounding a note of warning about junk Food Generation.

During the day, TCAS will hold a peaceful rally from Kariakoo to Mnazi Mmoja grounds, in the morning, later to make a key word on World Consumers’ Rights Day at Mnazi Mmoja grounds, where TCAS management group representatives and key government officials will deliver speeches.

The main message to mark the day will focus on awareness creation of junk food Generation, throughout the final event and through media coverage by newspapers, radio and Television.

World Consumers’ rights Day have its origins in former US President John F. Kennedy, in his 15th March 1962 declaration to the US Congress.

World Consumers’ rights Day was first observed on 15th March 1983 in the US and UK, later in the developed world, Egypt, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, just to mention a few, and has since become an important occasion for mobilising citizen action under the leadership of the world consumers’ organization body know as “Consumers International”.

Lease financing and Tanzania’s economy

By Eric Toroka
Business Times; Friday, 7-13 march,2008

The economy of Tanzania is said to be missing the multiple effects that are associated with the lease financing business. It is general agreed that lease financing is a significant financial marketing product. This is in the sense that is furthers capital investment, SME development, domestic production, industrial diversification and proper people welfare and infrastructure improvements – thus overall contributing to national economic growth.

Speaking in an interview with Business Times in Dar es Salaam Tuesday last week, an expert in the field, Bernard Elia Kihiyo, said “Tanzania was missing the multiple effects of the leasing finance business”, adding that” leasing can provide additional marketing channels for financial services”.

Kihiyo, who is the executive director of the Tanzania Consumer advocacy Society (TCAS0, we want on: “Equipment suppliers can link customers to leasing companies and banks …these can also provide credit lines to independent leasing companies once these are established”.

Finance lease is similar to capital lease. This is when a financial institution effectively allows a firm or an individual to acquire or use an asset or equipment, even if the firm never owns the asset.

Typically, a finance lease will give the lessee control over any asset for a large proportion of the assets useful life, providing the lessee with the benefits-and risks-of ownership.

Kihiyo said one of the effects of lack of access to leasing finance is that doing business will require huge sums of money.

“This is because a lot of capital would be tied up in equipment, installation, freight, consulting and software, living fewer funds available for items such as inventory, safety improvement, advertising consumer’s education, marketing and personnel,” he explained.

Usually, “banks want a 20 – 40 per cent down payment instead of upfront 100 per cent costs of not with leasing finance support”, he said, noting that “buying or selling a house, for example, was going to be a difficult task, as the country would be having the so-called stagnant economy with idle or dormant capital assets.

“Without leasing finance”, Kihiyo went on, “business and individuals would not be protected from obsolete equipment, and the costs associated with property disposition of outdated equipment.

“Certain lease structures are 100 per cent tax-deductible. The full cost of leasing can often be treated as an expense item for income tax purpose, and may result in a large tax deduction. The opposite is true-as business or individuals have to pay a substantial amount on tax,” he stressed.

“Without a proper legal framework, financial institutions and service users operate in fear-also creating a great chance for banks and other financial institutions to give loans with fear”.

Financial leasing is a system which allows people to access financial services from banks through hiring equipment of assets. This is done through the so called hiring or contractual purchase of items such as production equipment, working tools, cars and homes mortgage.

People in developed and stable economies routinely enjoy the benefits of leasing finance – especially in electronic goods such mobile phones. When selling or buying houses, and also for business, lease financing is one of the keys to success.

“We would like to see companies in Tanzania – such as Vodacom, Celtel, Tigo, and Zantel – assisting local and poorer customers in acquiring durable and reliable mobile handsets. The real estate industry could also get into similar arrangement in selling and buying homes – thereby stimulating the dormant capital on housing,” Kihiyo stated.

In regard to the treatment of leasing for local financing banks – a majority of whom are not doing leasing finance – he said:

“Leasing finance is one of the most difficult forms of financial business especially in a turbulent economy like Tanzania’s with unstable currency and an inflation rate that sometimes reached double digits …. That is one of the reasons why a majority of the local banks are not investing in this venture”.

A part from the tax benefit, Kihiyo said the lack of legal and regulatory frameworks that are necessary for financial leasing development, mobilization and proper channel of available financial resources into leasing operations is one of the limitations that prevent most of the local banks from venturing into finance leasing.

“Nonetheless, TCAS believes there should be proper protection of interests of financiers, the government and customers … There should also be clearly laid out rules and regulations, such as the right and obligations of parties, as well as the allocation of financial risks … these are not present in Tanzania”.

Recently, the programmes manage of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) under the SECO-IFC Tanzania leasing programme, Moyo Violet Ndonde, mentioned some of the achievements recorded in Tanzania since its inception towards the end of 2005.

These include increasing understanding and awareness of finance leasing, as well as its importance and benefits to the national economy and SMEs amongst stakeholders.

“During the year under review, various programme initiatives supported by Switzerland included the publication of a quarterly newsletter and the launch of a public website, as well as sensitization seminars reaching over 4500 stakeholders in Tanzania,” Ndonde noted.

The first reading of the Finance Leasing Bill had already been gone through in the National assembly, and it was expected that the Bill would be enacted by the Parliament during the next sitting this year.

She explained that the Bill includes proposals for amendments of other laws affecting leasing, as well as for the clear application of the extant tax laws on finance leasing development in Tanzania.

“About six new independent leasing firms, both domestic and international, were in the process of being established – with the expectation of more players in the future”, she noted.

Consumer Education Essential to Curb Unfair Trade Practices

By Eric Toroka
Business Times; Friday, 10-16 October, 2008

For quiet sometime, fuel consumers in Tanzania have bee victims of unfair practice by thieving traders who temper with scales and measurements in various petroleum stations. And on several occasions they never notice that hey are being robbed, and even when they know, they don’t know where to go assistance.

Another problem faced by consumers is adulteration-mixing fuel with kerosene, which compromises quality, leading to increased costs of maintenance and repair of vehicles. In response to such situations, some fuel consumers have opted to purchases fuel in light containers to avoid being cheated.

Worse still, there are about four government sect oral regulatory authorities and agencies in controlling and coordination of fuel and fuel business. These include Tanzania Bureau of Standards, Energy Water and Utility Regulatory Authority (UWURA), Weight and Measurement Agency (WMA) and Fair Competition Commission (FCC).

Despite the existence of the above regulatory bodies, consumer abuse and violation of their rights is still on the rise and is affecting dearly the economic welfare of many consumers in the country.

According to Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society (TCAS), Executive Director, Bernard Kihiyo, most of these regulatory bodies lack the capacity to investigate, litigate and monitor the increasing consumer abuses among fuel suppliers and service providers in the market. He says that all of them are still understaffed and lack resources to perform their duties such as consumer protection all over this country.

TBS for instance, he said that TBS deals with quality control in this respect, EWURA with fuel business regulation, weight and measurement agency with monitoring of calibration in support of EWURA, FCC ensure fair conducts such on the part of consumers and deals in the market.

He warned that no matter how strict the inspection on quality, regulation, and measurement could be, it is impossible to inspect all the time given the weaknesses still prevailing in the regulatory bodies.

“The only best backup solution to this is to build a society of well-informed and knowledgeable consumers who can report for any problem to the respective authorities for action, he said.

He said that all the above authorities are not well known to the majority of consumers, whom he said are also ignorant of the roles these regulatory bodies play in protecting their rights.

“These authorities should give relevant consumer education and sensitise the public on complaint procedures and give contact information in case consumers needs their assistance,” he said.

His advice that telephone numbers of these authorities’ consumer complaints departments must be placed at each dispensing station. Through this way consumers will supplement the gaps of most of these authorities by reporting any discrepancy found in the market.

TCAS is working toward supplementing government efforts by giving consumer education on changing consumer behaviour and altitude toward their feeling of powerlessness through advocating for economic justice and their consumer rights.

He said that his organization (TCAS) is in support of the idea that fuel traders at petrol stations be obliged to apply transparent pipes instead of the current black ones that are a majority source of cheating.

Additionally, he said there must be deliberate efforts by the government to strengthen regulatory institutions and building their capacity to deliver the intended goals. If these authorities work to their full capacities, they will contribute enormously to reduction in acts which lead to the marginalization of the poor to acquire their economic potentials and hence help to alleviate poverty.

TCAS works on promoting access of citizens to information on product safety, and advises them on where to go fight for their rights, as well as promoting wide public discussion on challenges facing consumers in Tanzania. “TCAS works on supplementing government efforts of working toward emergence of knowledgeable consumers in the market.”

Kihiyo said that its only when consumers are educated, treated equally and fairly into all economic forums and there be equitable growth, that the problem of consumer exploitation will be solved.

Students support consumers against counterfeits

By Eric Toroka
Business Times; Friday, 20-26 June, 2008

More than 200 students from local higher learning institutions have formed a group that will drum-up support for consumers against sub-standard products being sold in the country.

Speaking to this paper during the first meeting on consumer rights held in Dar es Salaam last week, Ally Suleiman, a second year student from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), said that the student team would also educate the public on the effects of substandard products.

The students are from the University of Dar es Salaam, Ardhi University, the Institute of Finance Management, the College of Business Education (CBE) and the Dodoma University. The meeting was organized by the Dar es Salaam based Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society (TCAS), attracting more than 150 students.

He said the violation of consumer’s right had been on the increase and in that case they were intending to educate consumers on their rights. “We have been witnessing a lot of violation of consumer right in almost every thing starting from food, Many people do not take trouble to red the expiry dates of product or cannot even distinguish between fake and genuine ones, so we want provide them with education to clothes, unfortunately they do not have a place to deliver their complaints”, he said.

Suleiman said the student had planned to be part of consumer’s voice especially in protecting their rights once violated. Speaking in the same meeting, Dr. Rose Shayo, from the Institute of Development Studies at UDSM, thanked the students for their decision, but insisted that the move should be based on education about fake goods.

She said a number of consumers across the country failed to identify fake goods, therefore, there was a need for launching an intensive education campaign to help them. “Many people do not fake trouble to read the expiry date of product or cannot even distinguish between fake and genuine ones, so we to provide them with education,” she said.

She revealed further that even the victims of those fake products failed to exactly know they should lodge their complaints and instead up lamenting for incurring unnecessary costs. Dr. Shayo urged all academicians from higher learning institute in the country to climb on the bandwagon.

For this part, the TCAS chairman, Daimon Mwakyembe, said his society had planned to conduct more campaigns on educating the public about the effects of sub-standard products through various ways.

The lobby group claims that 80 per of consumers in Tanzania do suffer from lack of awareness on what rights they really entitled to enjoy from the suppliers of goods and services. In recent years, he said, investors were apparently becoming more concerned to invest in companies that were seen to be acting in a socially responsible manner.

According him, transparency and a commitment to responsible business could give a company an advantage in securing public contracts. Mwakyembe, the immediate past Director General of the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), said the goal was to work toward addressing consumer’s rights for quality products as well as getting best deals for the value their money.

TCAS, which has been in operation since 2005, provides an advocacy platform that makes the voice of consumers be heard, hence making markets work better for both urban and rural consumers in Tanzania.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

TBS says it will give support to bonafide manufacturers

By Mgeta Mganga
The Guardian; 3.March.2009

The Tanzania Bureau of standards (TBS) has said it will always stand alongside manufactures whose products have been competition with counterfeit products. This was revealed last week in Dar es Salaam by TBS Director Charles Ekelege, soon after granting standards mark licences to manufactures whose product have been proved to conform to required standards

“We will happy you by leading the fight against substandard products in the local markets”, he said, adding that one of the Bureau’s statutory function was to implement standards and to promote standardisation and quality assurance services in the country.

He said through destination, entry point, surveillance inspections and the on- track Pre-shipment Verification of Conformity to Standards (PVoC) programme scheduled for launched In March; TBS has enhanced the war against substandard products.

However, he called upon manufactures whose products have been certified not to let TBS down by taking quality for granted. We will make follow-ups to ensure that you keep producing according to the standards against with your products have been certified,” he insisted.

A total of 10 manufactures had their products certified to use the TBS standards mark of quality. Explaining the success story of TBS, he said it has enhanced its standardisation and quality assurance activities through sensitisation seminars throughout the country, and destination, entry point and surveillance inspections.

He said the Pre-shipment Verification of Conformity to Standards (PVoC) programme is on track and will be launched in March. He mentioned other areas of success as the functioning of the Packaging Technology Centre (PTC), accreditation of labs and the on-track Client Service Charter, which due to be finalised by July.

Meanwhile, Industry, Trade and Marketing minister Dr. Mary Nagu said there was no reason whatsoever, for the country to have substandard and counterfeit products in the local market.

Speaking during inauguration of TBS Executive Council (EC) recently, she urged the standards body to educate student on quality matters, and to improve the nation’s ability to compete internationally.

EWURA NOT PROTECTING CONSUMERS

By Sunday Moshi
The Guardian; 27.January.2009

Many people had the feeling long before December 11, when Yona Killagane, the director of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation was quoted by a news paper saying oils dealers have been robbing consumers for a long time.

He explained that there was no competition but only about four oligopolistic companies that were importing petroleum products and then selling it to others at price that best suited interests and passed the heavy load on to the consumers. Regarding the quantity they imported, the senior official said it was not true that they were importing large stocks that lasted for over three or months, hence sold it at the high price.

In support of the director’s affirmation, the deputy minister for Energy and Minerals, Adam Malima, said the oil dealers were importing small amount of oil, fearing further price decline in the world market. “The availability of the commodity as from today (December 29, 2008) is satisfactory since we have stocks to last for month demand,” the deputy minister had said.

However, contrary to the deputy minister’s statement, oil dealers including BP, Gapco, Oilcom and Oryx in separate interview by the press, said they could not lower the prices since they were still clearing the old stock. It should be remembered that the deputy minister said that this after there had been a brief scarcity of oil in the country, particularly petrol. One BP official further confused the public when he said that the government should not pressure oil dealers to slash down prices as it was aware of the real situation.

One wonders what that real situation the government was aware of: was there another situation than the global oil price decline and availability of the commodity in the country? Were there authorized parties flourishing in the high oil sale’s proceeds as benefactors? Or was it merely the policy of privatization or free trade which should indeed be left free to strangle the Wananchi? This needs clarification because heavy clouds of doubt still hang in the air and there are a number of unanswered questions. Nevertheless, what was clear was that President Jakaya Kikwete called upon EWURA to regulate the prices. There would be no way out of the problem.

As we have seen, the deputy minister for minerals and energy said he dealers were importing small amounts fearing global price decline. This minister was also quoted by a daily English language newspaper of January 1st, as saying that Somali piracy was did not have a hand in the fluctuating oil price. However the EWURA communications and public relations officer, Titus Kaguo, said the commodity’s shortage had been caused by delayed arrivals of tankers in Dar es Salaam port,

Citing security reasons linked to increased piracy of the Indian Ocean cost of Somalia. This is reported in an English language daily newspaper of December 29th - the same day the minister dismissed such allegations.

After the dealers had been fleecing the public for a long time the TPDC director then hit hard on oil dealers stressing that indeed they had been unfairly milking the public. EWURA still kept silent until a month later when it acted by slightly slashing the price, but not coming to even a quarter of the world price decline.

A Swahili language daily newspaper of January 2nd, this year reported that new prices were to be 1,166/- per litre of petrol and 1,271/- for diesel. Before these prices were announced, petrol was selling at between 1,400/- and 1,600/- per litre, while diesel was selling at 1,300/- and 1,400/-

If we turn to the price of the commodity in the world market in July, 2008, we find that it had reached USD 150 per barrel of crude oil. Pump prices in the country were then at 1,500/- per litre of diesel. Today as the world price has dropped to USD 36 a barrel, EWURA has slashed the retail price of diesel to 1,271- and petrol to 1,166/-

The authority has also set the price of kerosene to 814/- and 875 for Morogoro and Dar es Salaam respectively. Only about three weeks ago the commodity was selling at 770/- per litre in Morogoro. So are the new prices in favour of dealers or consumers? Is the reduction effected by EWURA really significant?

To elaborate my point, let us play with figures: Is the ratio of 150: 1500 equivalents to 36: 1166? Is it not 36: 360? Oil dealers might laugh at this figure, claiming oil cannot be sold at 360/- per litre. They may even call the figure a daydreamer’s wishful thinking as they enumerate a number of costs like flight, insurance and many others.

However, their argument is wrong because the costs they are talking about have always been there regardless of price fluctuation. These costs did not emerge from the price decline and under circumstances, the price cannot came down to 360/- , but cannot be above 1,000/- either.

To be sincere, may I point out this: EWURA is an organ comprising of people like oil dealers and consumer as well, but there is a 1 per cent levy imposed on every litre of oil for EWURA – a point which makes EWURA more like dealers than consumers

President Jakaya Kikwete said EWURA was quick to accept pump rises announced by dealers who justified them to rises in world prices, while they were silent on the drastic drops of the world prises. One editor of an English language daily recently wrote that EWURA and the oil importers have formed a cartel. Indeed it is! I wonder why majority of Tanzania do not see the truth in this opinion because the former is not doing enough to protect the consumer.

A columnist in a weekly newspaper of January 3rd – 4th has written that EWURA lacks a full mandate to order or instruct any oil dealer to reduce the price at the pump even if the oil bought at zero cost. If it really can’t do this, how can it serve as a mediator between consumers and the dealers? Moreover, EWURA has something to lose by lowering the oil prices.

Under these circumstances, world oil price drop will not benefit Tanzanians as a nation, but a few who stick on high prices and those who keep such people in the business. It is hard to say why these dealers are not restrained.

A daily English language newspaper of December 27th 2008, reported that Zambia which is landlocked and imports its oil through Tanzania, imposed an oil price reduction of 24 per cent, due to the sharp decline of global oil prices. Considering the huge transport costs above those of our country, it’s a pity that the Tanzania Government which preaches better life to every Tanzanian, has been waiting for its agencies to have mercy on its poor and voiceless population, as it is being fleeced by the greedy, unscrupulous and wealthy minority.

It’s my pleasure to remind the secular authority that the sharp price decline of petroleum product in the world market should bring relief to the whole nation as fares and freights are lowered by Sumatra.

Against Sumatra might say there are several factors which account for the high fares and freights, as one official claimed that oil counts for only 45 per cent of vehicles running costs.
But when the 20 per cent raise was imposed on bus fares in July 2008, it was attributed solely on oil. What about this drastic decline of 60 per cent and above in oil price?

Moreover, do the authorities want to tell the mass that the global oil price decline benefits consumers? This cannot be; may be if the government is a sleep, or has neglected its subjects. I know this government is neither a sleep nor has its forgotten its subjects.

Consumer Society declares war on low quality products

By Mgeta Mganga
The Guardian; 01.April.2009

Tanzania Consumers Advocacy Society, TCAS which has received affiliation membership to the world Consumer International, has wowed to be more active in protecting consumers against poor quality product,

Speaking in an interview in Dar es Salaam on Monday, the TCAS executive director Bernard Kihiyo said: “it is good to let consumers know that; since March, 2009; Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society had been accepted by a very reputable world consumers association known as it’s affiliated member”, he said.

Kihiyo said the move had been possible after collective efforts by all TCAS members for the past two years. “This will allow TCAS to join about 255 other consumer associations in fighting for consumer rights in Tanzania and the world over”, he said.

He noted TCAS will be pushing for the enforcement of product standards and quality laws to protect consumers from consumption of products of poor quality. He asked the government to put in place a mechanism to enhance the enforcement of standard and laws in the wake of massive circulation of low-quality products in the country.

He said enforcement of legal procedures and regulations to protect consumer against poor-quality products was difficult as many consumers were still unaware of their rights. Kihiyo said domestic markets were flooded with low-quality products, including edible oil and spare parts.

“Apart from foodstuffs, there several imported products with are below standard, lives and health of consumers,” he said. In addition to that he said “It’s high time the government, through relevant authorities and organs, started protecting consumers against the dangers posed by poor-quality products imported into the country”.