COMMERCIAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN EAST AFRICA COUNTRIES

By. Prosper Kwigize

Tanzania

September 21, 2013

About forty years ago after planning of usage Kagera liver water for producing power in east Africa, three countries, namely Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi have signed a MoU whereby The Minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo, Rwandan Minister for Infrastructure, Prof Silas Rwakabamba and Burundi Minister for Energy and Mines, Mr Manilakiza Cone, on Tuesday signed the contract which would help implementation of the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydro-electric project to cost 340 million US dollars.

During the event of signing the Rusumo agreements the ministers said that The objective of the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project is to increase power supply of electricity to the national grids of Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania and strengthening their economic ties.

It said that when completed, the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project will have an installed capacity of 80 MW (Run of River Scheme at 1320masl) to be shared among Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Commissioning of the project is expected to take place in 2017. A 90 MW reservoir design had been envisaged earlier, but was abandoned in favour of an 80 MW design with a smaller environmental impact and an estimated cost of US$340 million as opposed to US$400 million for the bigger project. The World Bank announced on the 6th of August 2013 that it has approved the funding needed for the project.

The power generated will be shared equally between the countries of Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania. Power will be evacuated from the power generation plant via 220 kV transmission lines to transmission stations in Gitega in Burundi, a distance of 158 kilometres, from Rusumo to Kigali in Rwanda, a distance of 115 kilometres and to Nyakanazi in Tanzania, a distance of 98 kilometres whereby the Tanzania regions especially Kagera, Geita and Kigoma will be benefit from the power from Rusumo.

Prof Muhongo, has urged member countries under the East African Community (EAC) member states to speed up implementation of delayed projects for mutual benefit of their citizens.

Minister Muhongo made the call while opening the 6th Energy Ministers’ Meeting held in Bukoba Municipality. He noted that the Rusumo project had been planned for almost 40 years since 1974,

Professor Muhongo explained that the Implementation was delayed due to various obstacles including lack of funds inefficiency, lack of professionalism, incompetence and corruption, he said. “As we sign the agreement, we should aim at quality and timely delivery of services. We must also move from rhetoric to action. Many projects were in the books but now it is time to start implementation for the benefit of our people,” he said.

Minister Muhongo said many African countries ranked far below in terms of power consumption, something which must be addressed immediately. Citing data, Minister Muhongo said while South Africa was a leading power consumer in the African continent with 4,347 KW per hour, other countries had very low power consumption per person in units.

They include Kenya (133 units), Tanzania (79 units), Uganda (55 units), Burundi (26 units) wile Rwanda had 30 units. He noted that the US was the leading giant in power consumption with 12,000 units per person. Minister Muhongo thanked the World Bank (WB) which agreed to finance the Rusumo hydro-power project with initial loan of 340 million US dollars.

The African Development Bank (AFDB) had also shown commitment to give a loan amounting to 72 million US dollars. He urged Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania to use the money wisely because the taxpayers would repay the loan at a later date. Rwandan Minister for Infrastructure, Professor Silas Rwakabamba, noted that the signing of the agreement was an historic event, which would assure the three countries of power connectivity for economic development.

He also said it was not the policy of Kigali government to have monopoly in the Rusumo project, but rather individuals to be employed under the project would depend on qualification and competence. Burundi Minister for Energy and Mines, Mr Manilakiza Cone, also hailed the signing of the agreement. He noted that enhancing of power generation would advance goals of integration not only among EAC member countries but in the whole SADC region.

TANZANIA, RWANDA NA BURUNDI ZASAINI MKATABA

Baada ya miongo kadhaa bila kutekelezwa kwa makubaliano ya kujenga mradi wa umeme baina ya nchi za Tanzania, Rwanda na Burundi, na siku chache tu baada ya kuyumba kwa mahusiano kati ya Tanzania na Rwanda, hatimaye mawaziri watatu wa  nchi za Tanzania, Rwanda na Burundi wamesaini mikataba miwili inayohusu utekelezaji wa mradi wa kufua umeme wa maji ndani ya mto Kagera utakaojengwa katika eneo la Rusomo mpani mwa Tanzania na Rwanda

Mkataba huo umeisainiwa  jana na mawaziri wa nishati wa nchi  za Rwanda, Burundi na Tanzania katika mji wa Bukoba mkoani Kagera, ambapo mto Rusumo ambao sehemu nyingine huitwa mto Kagera wenye mchango mkubwa wa maji ya ziwa Victoria na mto nile umepata matumizi mapya ya nisahati kwa maendeleo.

Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Prof  Sospeter Muhongo amesema kuwa kusainiwa kwa mikataba  huo, kumezifanya nchi hizo zitengeneze historia mpya kwani mradi huo ulianzishwa  tangu mwaka 1974 kutokana na sababu mbalimbalia ikiwemo ukosefu wa fedha

Amebainisha kuwa mradi huo uko katika awamu mbili ambapo awamu  ya kwanza ni kufunga mtambo wa kufua umeme ambao utagharimu  kisai cha dolla za Kimarekani 340 ambazo ni kopo kutoka Benki ya Dunia,  huku awamu ya pili ikiwa ni kujenga njia za usafirishaji wa umeme kutoka  Rusumo hadi Nyakanazi, Rusumo hadi Kigali na Rusumo hadi Burundi

Aidha fedha hizo pia zitatumika kulipa fidia kwa wananchi walioathiriwa na mradi ambao unagharimu dola milioni 130 za kimarekani kutoka katika Benki ya Maendeleo ya Afrika (AfDB) na benki nyingine tatu ambazo ni washirika wa maendeleoa ya Afrika.

Alisema kati ya hizo dola milioni 130 za kimarekani  milioni 30 zinategemewa kufidia wananchi wa nchi za Rwanda na Tanzania ambao wameathiriwa na mradi huo pale utakapopitia wakati  Burundi hawatafidiwa kwani maeneo unayopita mradi huo hakuna makazi ya watu.

Kwa upande wake Naibu Kamishna msaidizi wa nishati  ya umeme Tanzania, Innocent Luoga, alisema kuwa mradi huo unaratajiwa kuzalisha megawati  80 ambapo kila nchi itapata megawati  27.

Waziri wa Miundombinu wa Rwanda Prof. Silas Rwakabamba na Waziri wa Nishati nchi ya Burundi Manirakiza C’ome walisema mradi huu umekuja kwa wakati muafaka na itakuwa chachu ya maendeleo ya uchumi wa nchi hizi tatu kwani utaongeza pato kwa wananchi wa nchi hizo tatu

Waziri Rwakabamba wa Rwanda hapa anaeleza utayari wan chi yake katika kuhakikisha mradi huu haukwami pamoja na jitihada nyingine za nchi yake

Mwisho.

 

NWTHERLANDS OFFERED SCHOLERSHIP TO 4000 TANZANIANS

 

Picture above: Madam Renet with pause during the sendoff function at the Netherlands ambassador house in Dar es Salaam Tanzania

Written By: NFP Beneficiary  

More than one hundred and thirty students from Tanzania with different ambitions has got a scholarships from the Kingdom of the Netherlands for different courses offered by the Netherlands institution for the year of 2013/2014 

This data was raised by the embassy of The Kingdom of The Netherlands in Dar es Salaam by the head of development cooperation madam Renet Van der Waals during the fair well party organized by the embassy for those who selected to study in the Holland

Madam Renet said that the Netherlands Fellowship Program have received more than five hundred application for scholarships but due to availability of the funds is only 130 selected and awarded the chance to study in Netherlands institutions

She added that the selected persons are those who their daily activities are dealing with community development directly like planning officers, journalists, livestock and agriculture officers

During the send off of selected candidates the guest of honor who was Dr. George Yambes the Permanent secretary in president office dealing with Public service said in his remarks that, Tanzania has got lot of benefit from The Kingdom of the Netherlands government especially in community development at large

He added that the kingdom of the Netherlands have been supporting Tanzania by granting scholarship to more than four thousand scholars in different professions

Mr. Yambes said that, the Government of United republic of Tanzania and the government of the Netherlands have been collaborating partners for several decade, whereby lot of development projects were supported by the Dutch institutions by empowering Tanzanians efforts

He insisted that by Netherlands Fellowship Programs funded by The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been making effective contribution to Tanzanians those who want to enhance their knowledge and professionalism, and the skills taken is very useful for Tanzania development

Madam Anna Neri stands right with one on NFP Beneficiaries Mr. Prosper Kwigize (journalist) during the fair well party in Dar es salaam last week

According to the Netherlands Fellowship Program office madam Anna Neri, the 2013/2014 selected candidate for scholarship are from different Tanzania Regions like Kigoma, Mbeya, Kagera, Zanzibar, Iringa, Dar es Salaam and Mwanza

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MWANAMKE SHUJAA ALIYEPAMBANA KIVITA NA WAKOLONI WA UTAWALA WA KIJERUMANI

Na Daud Nkuki – Singida

Mwanamke shujaa aliyewaongoza kabila la Wanyaturu katika mapambano dhidi ya utawala wa kijerumani, si mwingine ila ni Leti Kidanka, katika vita vikuu vya pili vya dunia mwaka 1938 hadi 1945.

Kwa mujibu wa familia iliyopo, Leti alizaliwa katika kijiji cha Unyang’ombe – Sekotoure Ilongero. Aliolewa na Nyalandu Mtinangi wa Ukoo wa Lundi (antuamwa Lundi). Katika kijiji cha Matumbo Kitongoji Mikuyu, Kata ya Makuro wilayani Singida vijijini.

Wazazi wake walikuwa waganga wa tiba asilia Kidanka Jilu Msasu na Sita Mughenyi,  Leti naye alirithi uganga huo toka kwa wazazi wake.

Ushujaa wake ulijitokeza zaidi katika ukoo mdogo wa Lundi alikoolewa. Wakati alipowatumia nyuki kama silaha ya kudhoofisha nguvu za maadui wake na kuwasambaratisha walipojaribu kumkaribia.

Maadui wake wakuu, walikuwa ni wakoloni wa Kijerumani wakishirikiana na vibaraka wao wa ukoo wa Unyanjoka ukiongozwa na Igwe Yunga kumkabili mwanamke huyo.

Mapambano hayo yalichukua miaka mitatu 1908 hadi 1910. Kibaraka Igwe alitafuta nguvu za ziada za kukabiliana na Leti alipolileta jeshi la kijerumani kutoka kilimatinde wilayani Manyoni, baada ya wao kushindwa.

Katika pambano hilo la mara ya pili kati ya wajerumani Wanyanjoka na kikosi cha Leti. Wakati askari wa kijerumani aliyejulikana kwa jina moja la “SAUSI” aliuwawa kwa kuchomwa mkuki na mume wa shujaa huyo Nyalandu Mtinangi mwaka 1909.

Leti alipambana na maadui hao mara mbili na kuwashinda. Safari ya tatu mnamo mwaka 1910 hakuweza kufanikiwa kuwashinda, badala yake aliuwawa nyumbani kwake pamoja na mume wake katika kijiji cha Matumbo Kitongoji cha Mikuyu Singida vijijini.

Umaarufu wa Leti ulitokana na ujasiri aliokuwa nao akiwa ni mwanamke, kwa kuwatumia nyuki kama silaha yake ya kuwashambulia maadui huku akisaidiwa na wafuasi wake ambao walikuwa ni mume wake Nyalandu na shemeji yake Hango Linja, wakitumia Mikuki na mishale.

Mwanamke huyo aliongoza mapambano yeye mwenyewe kwa kutoa amri kwa washirika wake kushambulia au kusitisha mapigano katika eneo la vita.

Aidha alijihami kwa kutumia (sumanda) handaki kujificha wasionekane kwa maadui. Hivyo ni baadhi ya vitu vilivyo mjengea umaarufu wa kujulikana katika historia ya mapambano dhidi ya wajerumani.

Kuanguka kwake ni pale dawa zake zilipokosa nguvu, hatimaye kuuwawa, baada ya kusababishwa na mwenzake waliokuwa shirika moja, Sie Ndida mke wa shemeji yake Hango Linja, walioishi eneo moja kujenga urafiki na Igwe Yunga uliomfanya atoe siri ya ushujaa wao.

Sie alirudi kwa siri kwenye eneo la zindiko, bila mwenzake kujua alihamisha dawa zote upande wake. Mwenzake Leti alipojaribu kutumia dawa zake alipowaona adui zake wanakaribia zilishindwa kufanya kazi. Matokeo yake alikutwa nyumbani akijikalia na kupigwa risasi wakiwa na mume wake na kufariki pale pale. Miili yao ilizikwa baada ya siku tatu, watu wakihofia kurudi tena adui zao.

Hapo ukawa mwisho wa mapambano, hawakuendelea kwenda kwa Sie kwa kuwa aliwaonyesha siri ya ushujaa wao. Ukweli huo unadhihirishwa na wimbo wa kinyaturi usemao, “Sie Sie na Leti, asunguatufu, vikhoma Nkingi Vasuka vikuranga …”(maana yake walikuwa wakiimba Sie, Sie na Leti wanawake watupu mamezipiga mambo na kuzingoa mwenyewe).

Leti alikuwa na watoto wanne, wawili wa kiume na wengine wa kike. Kati ya yao watatu moja wa kiume aliitwa  Sang’ida, wasichana ni Nyamughenyi na Sita walikamatwa na kuchukuliwa na wajerumani kupelekwa Dar es salaam, baada ya wazazi wao kuuwawa. Licha ya kuwachukua watoto hao pia walichukua kichwa cha mama yao hadi Ujerumani.

Mtoto mwingine aliyeitwa Kidanka, katika purukushani hizo, aliweza kuwatoroka akiwa na jeraha la risasi ubavuni mwake. Kwa kuwa walikuwa na asili ya uganga, naye alipona na kuendelea na shughuli hiyo mpaka alipofariki mwaka 1980 kijijini hapo.

Mpaka sasa koo hizi mbili Lundi na Unyang’ombe hushirikiana kutambika mara kwa mara, katika eneo husika yalipo makaburi ya watu hao, kwa nia ya kunusuru majanga yanayoweza kutokea.

Familia, jamii inaungana na wazee mkoani Singida, katika risala yao kwa Mkuu wa Mkoa mwaka jana, walipokuwa wakiadhimisha siku ya wazee duniani kuiomba serikali ilipe kupaumbele swala la kurejesha nchini fuvu la kichwa cha shujaa huyu, kama ilivyofanya kwa chifu Mkwawa.

Mwisho.