The Guardian; Tuesday; 25th.Aug.2009
By Correspondent; Felix Andrew
Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society (TCAS) has hailed the recent decision by the East African Community to criminalizing the importation of counterfeits saying the move would bring the dirt business to a halt.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam at the weekend, the society’s executive director, Bernard Kihiyo, said the decision taken by EAC would help to reduce the ever increasing importation of fake products to the region.
He said counterfeit goods would stop flowing into any of the member states only after the EAC governments destroyed the well-knit syndicate behind the importation, distribution and the sale of sub-standard goods. Authoritative research shows that counterfeit constitutes about 38 percent of all products imported into the country, adding that fake products adversely affect both consumers and the government.
He urged the EAC to take stem measures against culprits importing counterfeits into the region. According to Kihiyo, controlling the importation of counterfeit goods was not an easy task ‘’because most importers are Tanzanians who deliberately order cheap products from outside the country so as to reap a windfall upon selling them.
He warned that the business of importing fake products was further complicated by the fact that it was supported and perpetrated by a sophisticated network of people who know how to evade law-enforcement organs’’.
‘’It is a strong network that only the combined force of all relevant government organs can beat’’ he noted, adding that some members of Tanzania business community had made it a culture of import counterfeits to their country.
Kihiyo said domestic markets were flooded with low quality products including edible oil and spare parts. Apart from foodstuffs, there are several imported products that are below standards, thereby threatening the lives and health of consumers, he said.
Speaking to members of the press last week, the EAC General Secretary Ambassador Juma Mwapachu said the community is in the final stage of enacting a legislation to criminalize importation of counterfeit goods in all the five partner states.
The legislation is expected to be ready before November’s East African legislative assembly (EALA) whereby it will be discussed before being passed into law and ratified by respective national parliaments.
He said the counterfeit are targeting East African markets where law enforcement on imports is not strict and resources to do so are scarce. The counterfeit legislation will help harmonize laws in the EAC partner states and impose much stricter penalties including confiscation of the goods and imprisonment for their importers. The legislation is being drafted with the assistance of Investment Climate for Africa (ICA).
He warned that if unchecked, counterfeit will negatively impact on the region’s economy and concerted efforts for economic growth will roll backwards. He further said that apart from costing government in terms of revenue loss, the counterfeits will kill local and emerging regional industries, which are crucial to the regional economic sustainability competitiveness and job creation.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Education on financial savings importance
BUSINESS TIMES: FRIDAY, 12 - 18 JUNE 2009
BY ERIC TOROKA
The Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society (TCAS) is a non governmental, independent consumer’s organisation, which has been established with interest to promote, protect, disseminate, and advocate for consumers’ right in Tanzania. Our reporter, Erick Toroka had an interview with the Executive Director for TCAS, Bernard Kihiyo, on the importance of education on financial savings.
Kihiyo says TCAS would like to be a Bank of Tanzania (BoT) advocacy implementing partner, on supplementing BoT’s honourable efforts in controlling and regulating banking industry and financial institutions in Tanzania to have sound financial management and financial accountability.
It has been habitual for most of the banks and financial institutions in Tanzania to favour big business on capital investment and ignore the poor (low-income consumers) due to their lack of security; however with the government project like MKURABITA this is not going to be an obstacle any more.
In recent years a number of good achievements happened in financial market in Tanzania; one being an abrupt increase in the number of Banks, SACCOS, and other financial lending institutions in Tanzania.
As the world is in the era of globalised economy, banking and financial customers all over the world (including Tanzania) are forced to be competent with; e-banking, e-business, e-commerce, international banking; which associate with the high degree of fraudsters and money laundry.
And it has been revealed that more than 80 per cent of consumers (including those of banking and financial services) in Tanzania suffer from lack of understanding of their consumers rights. They remain unaware, vulnerable, with no ability to fight or claim for their rights.
It is against this background whereby his organisation’s management feels that it is equally important to establish viable campaigns on raising customers awareness on several banking and financial issue under the partnership between BoT and TCAS.
“This campaign will provide information and capacity-building support to the customers to realize their potential and actively take part in country economy development in this foreseeable expanding financial market in Tanzania,” he states.
For instance, Ally Goronya says, there is a need for fraud prevention campaigns; we think personal customer safety is of paramount importance; the campaign should revolve around importance of chip and pin on fighting credit or debit card fraud, advocate for several different ways of reducing fraud and risk of identity theft.
there must be an intensive advocacy to money lenders on their rights and obligation that aim to raise borrower’s awareness on the true rate of interest being charged, loan’s terms and conditions, default, borrower’s right to restate, foreclosure procedures; arming preventing customers from being unfairly penalized or exploited unknowingly.
The campaign should also involve lobbying and advocacy on introduction of common money-lenders payment protection scheme; TCAS would like to work hand in hand with BoT, and the government on having fair insurance cover scheme that meet the demands and needs of those customers who wish to ensure that their payment protection needs are met.
The TCAS boss also notes that the scheme should cover any failure of moneylender to service his/her loan due to unforeseeable accident or sickness, involuntary unemployment, loss of business, hospitalization, death and general calamities like war, riot, commotion or other similar events.
Other unforeseeable like; case of theft-fraud, money laundering, loss acquired through misuse of e-banking card by someone else without holders permission should also be considered on the cover.
“We think the campaign should also advocate for responsible lending practices, issues such as minimum payment while serving a loan; frequent sharing of information on loan servicing, banks interest rates, default charges and insist on the banks/financial institution to have court order during enforcement on a customer who bleached a contact,” he says.
Other rights and obligation to be emphasized during the campaign are; what if someone is getting unsatisfactory services from the banks which lead to failure on paying the loan and interest in time – can the borrower sue the banker? Customer’s right to cancel loan agreements, complaint procedures, Rights to take legal proceeding, confidentiality on customer’s information.
Overall objectives of this proposed; TCAS/BoT Advocacy campaign are;- To raise customers’ awareness on banking and financial rights, increase customers familiarity with banking and financial services, inform customers about specific feature of a financial services, indicate distinctive features and/or benefit of a service, establish credibility of financial product or services, and Encourage potential customers to use such service.
Others are; to maintain loyalty of existing customers, Expand the reach of financial market, Overall enhancement of investment climate; with required necessary financial support and schemes, Catalyze effective competition in financial market, Raise customers’ financial discipline.
there is no way one can talk of citizens economic empowerment in this globalised economy without having plans in place on raising consumers’ awareness on their consumers rights, and consumers awareness is the back born of country’s sustainable economic growth.
“Let us work together to achieve the fundamental trust of the government in power to bring the benefits of banking and financial institutions to the poor people”, Kihiyo concludes.
BY ERIC TOROKA
The Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society (TCAS) is a non governmental, independent consumer’s organisation, which has been established with interest to promote, protect, disseminate, and advocate for consumers’ right in Tanzania. Our reporter, Erick Toroka had an interview with the Executive Director for TCAS, Bernard Kihiyo, on the importance of education on financial savings.
Kihiyo says TCAS would like to be a Bank of Tanzania (BoT) advocacy implementing partner, on supplementing BoT’s honourable efforts in controlling and regulating banking industry and financial institutions in Tanzania to have sound financial management and financial accountability.
It has been habitual for most of the banks and financial institutions in Tanzania to favour big business on capital investment and ignore the poor (low-income consumers) due to their lack of security; however with the government project like MKURABITA this is not going to be an obstacle any more.
In recent years a number of good achievements happened in financial market in Tanzania; one being an abrupt increase in the number of Banks, SACCOS, and other financial lending institutions in Tanzania.
As the world is in the era of globalised economy, banking and financial customers all over the world (including Tanzania) are forced to be competent with; e-banking, e-business, e-commerce, international banking; which associate with the high degree of fraudsters and money laundry.
And it has been revealed that more than 80 per cent of consumers (including those of banking and financial services) in Tanzania suffer from lack of understanding of their consumers rights. They remain unaware, vulnerable, with no ability to fight or claim for their rights.
It is against this background whereby his organisation’s management feels that it is equally important to establish viable campaigns on raising customers awareness on several banking and financial issue under the partnership between BoT and TCAS.
“This campaign will provide information and capacity-building support to the customers to realize their potential and actively take part in country economy development in this foreseeable expanding financial market in Tanzania,” he states.
For instance, Ally Goronya says, there is a need for fraud prevention campaigns; we think personal customer safety is of paramount importance; the campaign should revolve around importance of chip and pin on fighting credit or debit card fraud, advocate for several different ways of reducing fraud and risk of identity theft.
there must be an intensive advocacy to money lenders on their rights and obligation that aim to raise borrower’s awareness on the true rate of interest being charged, loan’s terms and conditions, default, borrower’s right to restate, foreclosure procedures; arming preventing customers from being unfairly penalized or exploited unknowingly.
The campaign should also involve lobbying and advocacy on introduction of common money-lenders payment protection scheme; TCAS would like to work hand in hand with BoT, and the government on having fair insurance cover scheme that meet the demands and needs of those customers who wish to ensure that their payment protection needs are met.
The TCAS boss also notes that the scheme should cover any failure of moneylender to service his/her loan due to unforeseeable accident or sickness, involuntary unemployment, loss of business, hospitalization, death and general calamities like war, riot, commotion or other similar events.
Other unforeseeable like; case of theft-fraud, money laundering, loss acquired through misuse of e-banking card by someone else without holders permission should also be considered on the cover.
“We think the campaign should also advocate for responsible lending practices, issues such as minimum payment while serving a loan; frequent sharing of information on loan servicing, banks interest rates, default charges and insist on the banks/financial institution to have court order during enforcement on a customer who bleached a contact,” he says.
Other rights and obligation to be emphasized during the campaign are; what if someone is getting unsatisfactory services from the banks which lead to failure on paying the loan and interest in time – can the borrower sue the banker? Customer’s right to cancel loan agreements, complaint procedures, Rights to take legal proceeding, confidentiality on customer’s information.
Overall objectives of this proposed; TCAS/BoT Advocacy campaign are;- To raise customers’ awareness on banking and financial rights, increase customers familiarity with banking and financial services, inform customers about specific feature of a financial services, indicate distinctive features and/or benefit of a service, establish credibility of financial product or services, and Encourage potential customers to use such service.
Others are; to maintain loyalty of existing customers, Expand the reach of financial market, Overall enhancement of investment climate; with required necessary financial support and schemes, Catalyze effective competition in financial market, Raise customers’ financial discipline.
there is no way one can talk of citizens economic empowerment in this globalised economy without having plans in place on raising consumers’ awareness on their consumers rights, and consumers awareness is the back born of country’s sustainable economic growth.
“Let us work together to achieve the fundamental trust of the government in power to bring the benefits of banking and financial institutions to the poor people”, Kihiyo concludes.
Tanzania crippled by corporate social Irresponsibility – Study
Business Times; Friday, 7-13 Dec, 2007
By Eric Toroka
A Consumer survey conducted by the Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society (TCAS) has levered that the lever of consumer awareness in Tanzania is “very low” – particularly on consumer’s rights, perception and attitudes with respect to businesses accountability and responsiveness to consumer needs and interests in Tanzania.
The survey was conducted in five regions of Tanzania mainland – namely Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Coast and Mwanza – between February 1 and 27, 2007.
Speaking to Business Times in Dar es Salaam recently, Daimon Mwakyembe, and its executive director, Bernard Kihiyo, said the survey revealed that “there is very low Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Tanzania”.
Mwakyembe defined Corporate Social Responsibility as the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically responsive and accountable to consumers’ needs and interests. This concept generally entails about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society.
The survey revealed that there is poor public transportation system characterised by: congestion and delays; uncomfortable travelling conditions; poor vehicle condition; poor customer services; increased road accidents. Mwakyembe explained.
Moreover, it found out that there had been wrong overestimated, inflated bills from electricity and water utility bodies. The two are giving unreliable services characterized by frequent services characterized by frequent service breakdowns in most case without a notice. These include unregulated electric frequency; un- guaranteed water supply, poor quality of water which leads to the spread of water born diseases like typhoid and cholera.
The presences of counterfeit goods with are not durable, poor in quality, unsafe, false labelling and changing of expiry dates on products – food, cosmetics and medicine are also on the raise. It is believe that 40 per cent of the products in Tanzania markets are counterfeits, Mwakyembe added. Bernard Kihiyo added other forms of unethical business conducts seemed to look new while in reality they were not, giving the example of mobile phone on sale in most of the shop in Tanzania.
The survey revealed that in same cases human and animal drugs dispenses and managed by unprofessional personnel were very dangerous to the health of consumers.
Moreover, the study revealed that there were unjustifiable excessive high prices of goods and services in Tanzania market. For instance, early this year consumers experienced a sudden hike in the prices of petrol and petroleum products. It appears that dealers in oil are forming a cartel to fix prices in order to exploit consumers.
Mwakyembe clarified that the worst scenario of the survey can be viewed on the following; - Health Care with the concept of CSR; 1829 respondents have seen complex medical cases of alleged negligence by the way of consultation, diagnosis and treatment (cross infection), both medicinal and surgical that led to severe suffering of service recipient like the recent MOI theatre scandal and in some instance death occurred. The most difficulty question is how far medical/pharmaceutical practitioners be held responsible for their professional negligence?
Transport and transportation with the concept of CSR; 1279 respondents complained of the sharp increase in road accidents. Last year alone more than 2838 people lost their lives due to road accidents, leaving 155,000 others with permanent disabilities and without forgetting those who lost their properties.
In most cases accidents are caused by drivers’ negligence including operating with un-serviced cars, operating without having proper insurances to cover customers and their properties. The most difficulty question is how far should transport operators be held responsible for professional negligence? Mwakyembe queried, showing his shock
By Eric Toroka
A Consumer survey conducted by the Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society (TCAS) has levered that the lever of consumer awareness in Tanzania is “very low” – particularly on consumer’s rights, perception and attitudes with respect to businesses accountability and responsiveness to consumer needs and interests in Tanzania.
The survey was conducted in five regions of Tanzania mainland – namely Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Coast and Mwanza – between February 1 and 27, 2007.
Speaking to Business Times in Dar es Salaam recently, Daimon Mwakyembe, and its executive director, Bernard Kihiyo, said the survey revealed that “there is very low Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Tanzania”.
Mwakyembe defined Corporate Social Responsibility as the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically responsive and accountable to consumers’ needs and interests. This concept generally entails about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society.
The survey revealed that there is poor public transportation system characterised by: congestion and delays; uncomfortable travelling conditions; poor vehicle condition; poor customer services; increased road accidents. Mwakyembe explained.
Moreover, it found out that there had been wrong overestimated, inflated bills from electricity and water utility bodies. The two are giving unreliable services characterized by frequent services characterized by frequent service breakdowns in most case without a notice. These include unregulated electric frequency; un- guaranteed water supply, poor quality of water which leads to the spread of water born diseases like typhoid and cholera.
The presences of counterfeit goods with are not durable, poor in quality, unsafe, false labelling and changing of expiry dates on products – food, cosmetics and medicine are also on the raise. It is believe that 40 per cent of the products in Tanzania markets are counterfeits, Mwakyembe added. Bernard Kihiyo added other forms of unethical business conducts seemed to look new while in reality they were not, giving the example of mobile phone on sale in most of the shop in Tanzania.
The survey revealed that in same cases human and animal drugs dispenses and managed by unprofessional personnel were very dangerous to the health of consumers.
Moreover, the study revealed that there were unjustifiable excessive high prices of goods and services in Tanzania market. For instance, early this year consumers experienced a sudden hike in the prices of petrol and petroleum products. It appears that dealers in oil are forming a cartel to fix prices in order to exploit consumers.
Mwakyembe clarified that the worst scenario of the survey can be viewed on the following; - Health Care with the concept of CSR; 1829 respondents have seen complex medical cases of alleged negligence by the way of consultation, diagnosis and treatment (cross infection), both medicinal and surgical that led to severe suffering of service recipient like the recent MOI theatre scandal and in some instance death occurred. The most difficulty question is how far medical/pharmaceutical practitioners be held responsible for their professional negligence?
Transport and transportation with the concept of CSR; 1279 respondents complained of the sharp increase in road accidents. Last year alone more than 2838 people lost their lives due to road accidents, leaving 155,000 others with permanent disabilities and without forgetting those who lost their properties.
In most cases accidents are caused by drivers’ negligence including operating with un-serviced cars, operating without having proper insurances to cover customers and their properties. The most difficulty question is how far should transport operators be held responsible for professional negligence? Mwakyembe queried, showing his shock
Media have important role to play, says Mengi
Business Times; Friday 25-31Jan, 2008
By Allen Mushatsi
The executive chairman of IPP Ltd and chairman of media Owners Association of Tanzania (MOAT), Reginald Mengi, has said that media have an important role to play in empowering citizens. His remark came on Monday this week when addressing journalists during the opening of a regional training course organized by the commonwealth press union (CPU).
The chairman said that by covering issue and activities of public interest, journalists can help create awareness among the people regarding what is taking place in society. The other thing, he said that the media was capable of sensitizing the public through analytical journalism, involving a critical approach to issue taking place in society.
Mengi went further, saying the media can empower society by setting the right agenda aimed at enlightening the public. “Indeed, the media potential to empower citizens is there. The challenge of how to make use if such potential is on the shoulders of journalists”, he stressed.
Making a point on a training course named ‘Empowering citizens through reader-friendly newspaper;’ he said trainees would brainstorm on a number of topical issues in society, apart from improving their writing skills.
“An enlightened or empowered citizen knows his/her rights and will thus strive to liberate himself/herself socially and economically. Empowered citizens are not likely to tolerate bad governance in society reflected in lack of freedom of movement and expression, or corruption, the worst forms of which are seen in plundering national resources…realize the power of their vote during election times and use it to bring peaceful and morally acceptable leadership changes,” Mengi explained.
The training course has brought together journalists from Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and Mozambique and the host country. Tanzania for the whole of this week, they covered on some strategies the media can use in order to interact with and empower citizens. Together with other speakers, Rob jamieson acted as a training course consultant
By Allen Mushatsi
The executive chairman of IPP Ltd and chairman of media Owners Association of Tanzania (MOAT), Reginald Mengi, has said that media have an important role to play in empowering citizens. His remark came on Monday this week when addressing journalists during the opening of a regional training course organized by the commonwealth press union (CPU).
The chairman said that by covering issue and activities of public interest, journalists can help create awareness among the people regarding what is taking place in society. The other thing, he said that the media was capable of sensitizing the public through analytical journalism, involving a critical approach to issue taking place in society.
Mengi went further, saying the media can empower society by setting the right agenda aimed at enlightening the public. “Indeed, the media potential to empower citizens is there. The challenge of how to make use if such potential is on the shoulders of journalists”, he stressed.
Making a point on a training course named ‘Empowering citizens through reader-friendly newspaper;’ he said trainees would brainstorm on a number of topical issues in society, apart from improving their writing skills.
“An enlightened or empowered citizen knows his/her rights and will thus strive to liberate himself/herself socially and economically. Empowered citizens are not likely to tolerate bad governance in society reflected in lack of freedom of movement and expression, or corruption, the worst forms of which are seen in plundering national resources…realize the power of their vote during election times and use it to bring peaceful and morally acceptable leadership changes,” Mengi explained.
The training course has brought together journalists from Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and Mozambique and the host country. Tanzania for the whole of this week, they covered on some strategies the media can use in order to interact with and empower citizens. Together with other speakers, Rob jamieson acted as a training course consultant
Matatani kwa kuuza Coca-Cola Fanta feki
Nipashe; 9 Novemba , 2007
Na Aisha Hamza, PST, Arusha
Mkazi wa Majengo mjini Arusha John Mwasapi (40) aliuza bidhaa Coco cola na Fanta ambazo ni bandia kwa kutumia nembo ya kiwanda cha Bonite Bottlers cha mjini Moshi, Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi Arusha imeambiwa.
Akisoma shitako hilo, Mwendesha Mashitaka, Zuberi Mkakatu, alidai mbele ya Hakimu Mkama Abdallah kuwa Mwasapi alitenda kosa hilo Oktoba 20 mwaka huu, huko Mbauda.
Alizidi kudai kuwa mshitakiwa alifika katika duka la Bw. Mtega Shayo na kumuuzia mkewe kreti mbili za soda kwa bei ya Sh 5,000 kwa kreti badala ya bei ya kiwandani ya Sh 6,100 akidai kuwa alipewa na kaka yake ambaye ni mwanajeshi.
Mtuhumiwa alipoondoka mwanamke huyo aliweka vinywaji hivyo kwenye jokofu na badala ya muda mteja aliyetaka Coco cola, alikuja dukani na kupatiwa kinywaji hicho.
Alidai baada ya kunywa mteja alihisi harufu isiyompendeza inayofanana na ya ndizi na kuirudisha soda hiyo, hivyo muuzaji huyo akalazimika kumfungulia mteja huyo soda nyingine ambayo nayo ilitoa gesi kasha ikamwagika yote na mteja kubakiwa na chupa tupu.
Baada ya tukio hilo mwanamke huyo alimpigia simu mumewe na kuumweleza juu ya kuuziwa chafu lakini Bw. Shayo akamshauri kuwa anunue soda nyingine kutoka kwa Mwasapi ili iwe rahisi kumnasa.
Mwendesha Mashitaka alisema siku mbili baadaye, alirudi kuuliza kama wangehitaji soda na akaagizwa alete kreti mbili na alipozileta alikamatwa kwa kushirikiana na wananchi ambao walianza walianza kumshushia kipigo.
Mwasapi alifikishwa katika kituo kidogo cha polisi Chemchemu Mbauda na kuhojiwa kisha alipekuliwa nyumbani kwake na kukutwa na kreti tupu nyingi za soda za kampuni ya Bonite.
Pia polisi walimkamata na paketi nyingi za juisi aina ya Drink O-pop pamoja na Coke ambazo alikuwa akizitumia kutengeneza kinywaji hivyo n akuweka katika chupa hizo na kusambaza sehemu mbalimbali jijini Arusha.
Mshitakiwa alikana shitaka na kurudishwa rumande baada ya kukosa wadhamini. Kesi yake imehairishwa hadi Novemba 20.
Akizungumzia tukio hilo, mkuu wa usalama wa kituo kiwanda cha Bonite Bottlers, Bw Kundaeli Kuyata alisema, alipigiwa simu na polisi ili kwenda kukagua jinsi mtuhumiwa huyo alivyokuwa akitengeneza soda.
Alisema aligundua kuwa alikuwa anaweka unga wa juisi za Coke na Fanta kutengeneza vinywaji na unga huo ulikuwa umebaki chini ya chupa.
“Huwezi kugundua haraka ujanja wake kama si mchuuzi ndiyo maanaalikuwa anawatapeli wateja wengi. Ule unga hata ukichanganywa vipi lazima kuna chengachenga zinabaki chini ya chupa alifahamisha.
Alienda kueleza kuwa alichofanya mtuhumiwa Mwasapi ni kosa kubwa kwani alitumia nembo ya biashara ya kampuni hiyo badala ya kubuni ya kwake mwenyewe.
Na Aisha Hamza, PST, Arusha
Mkazi wa Majengo mjini Arusha John Mwasapi (40) aliuza bidhaa Coco cola na Fanta ambazo ni bandia kwa kutumia nembo ya kiwanda cha Bonite Bottlers cha mjini Moshi, Mahakama ya Hakimu Mkazi Arusha imeambiwa.
Akisoma shitako hilo, Mwendesha Mashitaka, Zuberi Mkakatu, alidai mbele ya Hakimu Mkama Abdallah kuwa Mwasapi alitenda kosa hilo Oktoba 20 mwaka huu, huko Mbauda.
Alizidi kudai kuwa mshitakiwa alifika katika duka la Bw. Mtega Shayo na kumuuzia mkewe kreti mbili za soda kwa bei ya Sh 5,000 kwa kreti badala ya bei ya kiwandani ya Sh 6,100 akidai kuwa alipewa na kaka yake ambaye ni mwanajeshi.
Mtuhumiwa alipoondoka mwanamke huyo aliweka vinywaji hivyo kwenye jokofu na badala ya muda mteja aliyetaka Coco cola, alikuja dukani na kupatiwa kinywaji hicho.
Alidai baada ya kunywa mteja alihisi harufu isiyompendeza inayofanana na ya ndizi na kuirudisha soda hiyo, hivyo muuzaji huyo akalazimika kumfungulia mteja huyo soda nyingine ambayo nayo ilitoa gesi kasha ikamwagika yote na mteja kubakiwa na chupa tupu.
Baada ya tukio hilo mwanamke huyo alimpigia simu mumewe na kuumweleza juu ya kuuziwa chafu lakini Bw. Shayo akamshauri kuwa anunue soda nyingine kutoka kwa Mwasapi ili iwe rahisi kumnasa.
Mwendesha Mashitaka alisema siku mbili baadaye, alirudi kuuliza kama wangehitaji soda na akaagizwa alete kreti mbili na alipozileta alikamatwa kwa kushirikiana na wananchi ambao walianza walianza kumshushia kipigo.
Mwasapi alifikishwa katika kituo kidogo cha polisi Chemchemu Mbauda na kuhojiwa kisha alipekuliwa nyumbani kwake na kukutwa na kreti tupu nyingi za soda za kampuni ya Bonite.
Pia polisi walimkamata na paketi nyingi za juisi aina ya Drink O-pop pamoja na Coke ambazo alikuwa akizitumia kutengeneza kinywaji hivyo n akuweka katika chupa hizo na kusambaza sehemu mbalimbali jijini Arusha.
Mshitakiwa alikana shitaka na kurudishwa rumande baada ya kukosa wadhamini. Kesi yake imehairishwa hadi Novemba 20.
Akizungumzia tukio hilo, mkuu wa usalama wa kituo kiwanda cha Bonite Bottlers, Bw Kundaeli Kuyata alisema, alipigiwa simu na polisi ili kwenda kukagua jinsi mtuhumiwa huyo alivyokuwa akitengeneza soda.
Alisema aligundua kuwa alikuwa anaweka unga wa juisi za Coke na Fanta kutengeneza vinywaji na unga huo ulikuwa umebaki chini ya chupa.
“Huwezi kugundua haraka ujanja wake kama si mchuuzi ndiyo maanaalikuwa anawatapeli wateja wengi. Ule unga hata ukichanganywa vipi lazima kuna chengachenga zinabaki chini ya chupa alifahamisha.
Alienda kueleza kuwa alichofanya mtuhumiwa Mwasapi ni kosa kubwa kwani alitumia nembo ya biashara ya kampuni hiyo badala ya kubuni ya kwake mwenyewe.
JK slams Sumatra for failure to check marine accidents
The Guardian: Friday, June 5, 2009
By Joyce Kisaka
President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday slammed the Surface and Marine transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) for its failure to prevent marine accident.
He sounded the blame in Dar es Salaam at the official inauguration of new ‘Mv Magogoni’ ferry, which has the capacity of carrying 50,000 passengers a day together with 1,000-2,500 cars. The cost of the pontoon is 8.6bn/-
President Kikwete said last year, 28 accidents occurred whereby 49 people died, while 240 were rescued, adding that analysis showed that carrying large numbers of passengers than authorised, cargo, poor sea vessel maintenance, weather and failure to do regular inspections were the main causes of accidents.
“Sumatra should do regular inspections, failure to do so will cause more disasters, he insisted.
Speaking on the issue of the ferry, he said despite the government efforts to have more ferries, construction of Kigamboni Bridge was in pipeline. The president said the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) which is undertaking the project was in the tendering process.
The president mentioned other ferries as ‘MV Kigamboni’ expected to start in September.
Speaking about the new ferry, President Kikwete said he was happy with the achievements made in facilitating sea transport, because the vessel was Tanzania made.
About 30 people got employment and ferry building technology during its construction, and would not continue to work on other ferries like ‘MV Kigamboni’ he said.
President Kikwete however, denied allegations that Kigamboni area had been sold to business in the US and the Arab world, saying all was mere fabrication.
“There is nothing like selling this area, but what I know is that Ilala Municipality will collaboration with the Ministry for Lands and Human Settlements to survey the area,” he said.
Earlier, infrastructure Development permanent secretary Engineer Omary Chambo said the government signed a contract with a Germany company for construction of the ferry in November 2006 at the cost 8.6bn/-
He said Sumatra will do regular inspection in order to maintain the standard of the ferry and avoid accidents.
He said the government will continue with construction of ferries all over the country as it now has money from the World Bank.
By Joyce Kisaka
President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday slammed the Surface and Marine transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) for its failure to prevent marine accident.
He sounded the blame in Dar es Salaam at the official inauguration of new ‘Mv Magogoni’ ferry, which has the capacity of carrying 50,000 passengers a day together with 1,000-2,500 cars. The cost of the pontoon is 8.6bn/-
President Kikwete said last year, 28 accidents occurred whereby 49 people died, while 240 were rescued, adding that analysis showed that carrying large numbers of passengers than authorised, cargo, poor sea vessel maintenance, weather and failure to do regular inspections were the main causes of accidents.
“Sumatra should do regular inspections, failure to do so will cause more disasters, he insisted.
Speaking on the issue of the ferry, he said despite the government efforts to have more ferries, construction of Kigamboni Bridge was in pipeline. The president said the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) which is undertaking the project was in the tendering process.
The president mentioned other ferries as ‘MV Kigamboni’ expected to start in September.
Speaking about the new ferry, President Kikwete said he was happy with the achievements made in facilitating sea transport, because the vessel was Tanzania made.
About 30 people got employment and ferry building technology during its construction, and would not continue to work on other ferries like ‘MV Kigamboni’ he said.
President Kikwete however, denied allegations that Kigamboni area had been sold to business in the US and the Arab world, saying all was mere fabrication.
“There is nothing like selling this area, but what I know is that Ilala Municipality will collaboration with the Ministry for Lands and Human Settlements to survey the area,” he said.
Earlier, infrastructure Development permanent secretary Engineer Omary Chambo said the government signed a contract with a Germany company for construction of the ferry in November 2006 at the cost 8.6bn/-
He said Sumatra will do regular inspection in order to maintain the standard of the ferry and avoid accidents.
He said the government will continue with construction of ferries all over the country as it now has money from the World Bank.
TBS calls on other govt agencies to educate public on their functions.
The Guardian: Friday 19, June 2009
By Correspondent; Gadiosa Lamtey
The Tanzania Bureau of Standard (TBS) has called on each government agency dealing with control and management of good to educate the public on its functions.
The call was made on Wednesday by TBS Head Marketing Unit Daudi Mbaga at the on-going Africa Public Services Week being held at the Mnazi mmoja ground in Dar es Salaam.
He was responding to questions from the public that several government agencies were duplicating duties.
“People are confusing between TBS duties with those done by other government agencies such as the Fair Competition Commission and Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority, but we are operating different constitutional establishments,” he said.
Mbaga called on people to view all agencies as important because all were created as per respective laws and have the force of law to operate.
“The public should not misunderstand our roles. We all target to reach at one specific point and that is quality of goods for the consumer and for the betterment of the nation,” he said.
He said there had been several questions from the public in regard to counterfeit products as many people think that it is only TBS which deals with the issue.
Mbaga called on the public to use the week as a way of learning different issues that have been perturbing them regarding the functionality of government agencies.
Meanwhile Fair Competition Commission Head of Consumer Complaints and Education Department Martha Kisyombe said that counterfeit products worth 1.6bn/- had been destroyed since the commission was established in 2007.
She said FCC would continue to destroy fake products whenever they are found.
She called on the public to report once they suspect that a certain product is fake.
Kisyombe added that FCC was aimed at reducing counterfeit products to ensure that all imported goods meet required quality and standards.
The Africa Public Services Week which started on Monday this week involves more than 160 government institutions and other institutions from some other African countries.
The decision to have public service day was reached by the ministers of Africa responsible for public service who met in Windhoek Namibia in 2000.
The African public day is celebrated at the continental level in one of the African countries once every two years.
By Correspondent; Gadiosa Lamtey
The Tanzania Bureau of Standard (TBS) has called on each government agency dealing with control and management of good to educate the public on its functions.
The call was made on Wednesday by TBS Head Marketing Unit Daudi Mbaga at the on-going Africa Public Services Week being held at the Mnazi mmoja ground in Dar es Salaam.
He was responding to questions from the public that several government agencies were duplicating duties.
“People are confusing between TBS duties with those done by other government agencies such as the Fair Competition Commission and Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority, but we are operating different constitutional establishments,” he said.
Mbaga called on people to view all agencies as important because all were created as per respective laws and have the force of law to operate.
“The public should not misunderstand our roles. We all target to reach at one specific point and that is quality of goods for the consumer and for the betterment of the nation,” he said.
He said there had been several questions from the public in regard to counterfeit products as many people think that it is only TBS which deals with the issue.
Mbaga called on the public to use the week as a way of learning different issues that have been perturbing them regarding the functionality of government agencies.
Meanwhile Fair Competition Commission Head of Consumer Complaints and Education Department Martha Kisyombe said that counterfeit products worth 1.6bn/- had been destroyed since the commission was established in 2007.
She said FCC would continue to destroy fake products whenever they are found.
She called on the public to report once they suspect that a certain product is fake.
Kisyombe added that FCC was aimed at reducing counterfeit products to ensure that all imported goods meet required quality and standards.
The Africa Public Services Week which started on Monday this week involves more than 160 government institutions and other institutions from some other African countries.
The decision to have public service day was reached by the ministers of Africa responsible for public service who met in Windhoek Namibia in 2000.
The African public day is celebrated at the continental level in one of the African countries once every two years.
Over 200 companies to mark CSR Day on May 22
The Guardian; Thursday 7, May 2009
By Immaculate Njalangi
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.
By Immaculate Njalangi
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.
Budget 2009/10; more of burden to consumers, taxpayers
THE BUSINESS TIME: FRIDAY, JUNE 12 – 18, 2009
BY; YAKOBE CHIWAMBO, CHERU MATUZYA & ERIC TOROKA
The budget as presented Finance Minister Mustafa Mkulo has been dismissed as burdensome as it takes more that what consumers can pay.
Responding on the 2009/10 Budget, the Executive Director for Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society (TCAS), Bernard Kihiyo, told Business Times yesterday that at the end of the day consumers would be the ones to foot for the budget.
He said customers would foot, government duties, fees, and taxes, either directly or indirectly. Dismissing the budget, he said it was asking the most vulnerable people in the society to tighten their belts so that to foot for government spending, which in one way or another was politically motivated.
“Regardless or how one views the specifics; government spending on development projects is focused on the quantity say number of schools, dispensaries, hospitals, and kilometres of roads under tarmac built but not on the quality and sustainability on every invested government funds onto those social development projects. It is evidently on the kind of primary, secondary schools, dispensaries, roads which had been built under other budgets” he said…
He said some politicians assume that spending comes from nothing and that any increase in government spending is good because it helps the people.
“There is cost it”, he said, adding it comes in the form of higher payroll taxes, government fees, higher commodity and services prices which cut into family budgets.
He called on the government to improve the tax base-streamlining the private sector to be an engine of the economy while focus on reduction of unnecessary spending.
For his part, opposition MP John Cheyo said the Government should empower a local bank to cater for farmers to moderise cotton farming which had been adversely affected by the global financial crunch. He said the budget was not fair to consumers of hard beverages.
Another MP Nafael Chegeni said he was happy about the budget as it shows how the nation will handle the global financial crisis. He said President Jakaya Kikwete had explained the foundations on how to handle the crisis.
CCM MP Christian Mzindakaya praised the budget for being agro oriented as that was what the majority populace was looking for.
BY; YAKOBE CHIWAMBO, CHERU MATUZYA & ERIC TOROKA
The budget as presented Finance Minister Mustafa Mkulo has been dismissed as burdensome as it takes more that what consumers can pay.
Responding on the 2009/10 Budget, the Executive Director for Tanzania Consumer Advocacy Society (TCAS), Bernard Kihiyo, told Business Times yesterday that at the end of the day consumers would be the ones to foot for the budget.
He said customers would foot, government duties, fees, and taxes, either directly or indirectly. Dismissing the budget, he said it was asking the most vulnerable people in the society to tighten their belts so that to foot for government spending, which in one way or another was politically motivated.
“Regardless or how one views the specifics; government spending on development projects is focused on the quantity say number of schools, dispensaries, hospitals, and kilometres of roads under tarmac built but not on the quality and sustainability on every invested government funds onto those social development projects. It is evidently on the kind of primary, secondary schools, dispensaries, roads which had been built under other budgets” he said…
He said some politicians assume that spending comes from nothing and that any increase in government spending is good because it helps the people.
“There is cost it”, he said, adding it comes in the form of higher payroll taxes, government fees, higher commodity and services prices which cut into family budgets.
He called on the government to improve the tax base-streamlining the private sector to be an engine of the economy while focus on reduction of unnecessary spending.
For his part, opposition MP John Cheyo said the Government should empower a local bank to cater for farmers to moderise cotton farming which had been adversely affected by the global financial crunch. He said the budget was not fair to consumers of hard beverages.
Another MP Nafael Chegeni said he was happy about the budget as it shows how the nation will handle the global financial crisis. He said President Jakaya Kikwete had explained the foundations on how to handle the crisis.
CCM MP Christian Mzindakaya praised the budget for being agro oriented as that was what the majority populace was looking for.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)