Bank of Africa wishes Eid Mubarak to Tanzanians

By a Correspondent, Dar es Salaam

Bank of Africa Tanzania has reminded its customers and the public all over the nation to set time for families and communities to share the happiness of coming together in intense devotion, reflection, and service during this festival season.

“Our bank joins all Muslims to celebrate the spirit of community and generosity that is particularly important during the holy month of Ramadan,” Mr. Ammishadai Owusu-Amoah, Managing Director of Bank of Africa Tanzania said in a statement released yesterday in Dar es Salaam.

He noted that the bank extends warm wishes to customers and the people of Tanzania happy Eid-Mubarak.

He further mentioned that it is his hopes that this holy month of Ramadan brings with it a time of reflection and sharing with family and loved ones.

“Our wishes to all the Muslim faithful that we may we all enjoy a time of peace, health, and prosperity in the coming months,” he said.

The Managing Director said the bank will continue serve its customers and Tanzania’s development at large.

The bank has in recent years struggling to strengthen and improve its services and expand in the country.

Since it started operations in the country in 2007, the bank has managed to open ten branches in Dar es Salaam and six branches outside Dar es Salaam in Morogoro, Tunduma, Mwanza, Moshi, Mbeya and Arusha. 

The bank is part of a Group which operates in 15 countries, of which 7 are in West Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger and Senegal); 6 in East Africa (Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda).

It is also present in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ends

  

JK’s visits to Brazil bear more fruits

By a Correspondent, Dar es Salaam

Seven major Brazilian companies dealing with agriculture has shown interest to come and invest in Tanzania.

The companies’ visit to Tanzania over the weekend is credited to a visit done by President Jakaya Kikwete in Brazil in April this year where he talked about the agriculture investment potential available in his country among other things.

“We are happy today to witness results of the President’s visit to Brazil early this year,” the Acting Executive Director of Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), Mr. Raymond Mbilinyi told journalists over the weekend in Dar es Salaam.

Explaining further on the visit of the Brazilian companies comprised of eleven people, Mr. Mbilinyi said that they came to get first hand information on various aspects on investment potentials especially on agriculture.

The companies deal mainly with soya, sugarcane, corn and cotton cultivation.

Mr. Mbilinyi said that TIC among others told the delegation of the opportunities in the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) and the government’s Agriculture First initiative or Kilimo Kwanza as is popularly called.

“We told them the benefits and incentives they can get once they invest in Tanzania,” Mr. Mbilinyi said.

In the process to know more about Tanzania, the Brazilian delegate also met other government agencies and officials.

“Such investors will help creating a strong base of tax payers and develop agriculture sector in the country by bringing in new technologies by collaboration with our farmers,” he said.

The Chief Executive officer of UPL Group who coordinated the visit, Mr. Jai Shroff said Tanzania is a focus country for the Grow Africa Project which is a G8 initiative and that UPL Group is a key member of this initiative to make Africa self sustainable in agriculture and food production.

He said apart from bringing high tech agriculture to Africa, the initiative also seeks to train small holder farmer on the modern agricultural practice.

“The initiative seeks to create small communities of farmers and train them on better farming techniques along with large scale farmers,” he said.

On her part, the Deputy Executive Director of SAGCOT, Ms. Jenipher Baain expressed her gratitude on the visit of Brazilian companies to Tanzania.

“I am very happy to this visit.  It explains on the type of investors we would like to attract and work with,” she said, adding that they are ready to do business in agriculture and take investors very seriously.

Apart from Tanzania, the delegation also visits Mozambique, Southern Sudan and Ethiopia.

Ends 

The Acting Executive Director of Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), Mr. Raymond Mbilinyi (left) talks to the Chief Executive Officer of UPL Group from Brazil, Mr. Carlos Pellicer during the visit of some seven major Brazilian companies dealing with agriculture.  The delegation visited TIC over the weekend to know more about Tanzania with a view of looking for opportunities to invest in the country’s agriculture sector.

Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Kituo cha Uwekezaji Tanzania (TIC), Bw. Raymond Mbilinyi (kushoto) akiongea na Afisa Mkuu Mtendaji wa UPL Group toka Brazil, Bw. Carlos Pellicer wakati wa ziara ya makampuni saba makubwa toka nchini humo mwishoni mwa wiki.  Makampuni hayo yalitembelea TIC kama mojawapo ya wao kujua zaidi fursa za kuwekeza katika sekta ya kilimo nchi Tanzania. 

PASS challenges banks on agriculture

By a Correspondent, Dar es Salaam

The Private Agricultural Sector Support Trust (PASS) has challenged banking institutions to venture in supporting agriculture and elevate the country’s development.

The challenge has been given by PASS Managing Director, Mr. Iddy Lujina when speaking with journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

“Banks should come out and work with organizations such as ours,” he said.

He noted that young people in Tanzania should not shy away from agriculture sector; instead they should form groups, work hard and seek financial assistance from banks through organizations like PASS.

Giving an example, he said PASS has recorded tremendous achievements in Kilombero sugar plantations where it has helped youths who have formed groups and access loans from banks with the assistance from the NGO

PASS collaborates with seven banks but plans are to partner with more banks.

“I appeal other banks to come out and work with PASS to stimulate investments and growth of private commercial farming and agribusiness,” he said.

Talking on some of the products on which PASS can collaborate with banks Mr. Lujina said under the lender’s Option Guarantee, the lender will decide whether or not to guarantee loans to their borrowers based on predetermined guarantee criteria and a guarantee product policy contractually agreed with PASS.

According to the MD, the linkage banking guarantee product will guarantee loans from highly liquid institutions including large banks and pension funds to prequalified rural financial institutions to be used only for loanable funds supporting those institutions’ agribusiness portfolios.

“Fixed equity hire purchase product is a meaningfully departure from PASS’s traditional way of doing business but maintains our vision and mission.  It is a method for us to take an equity stake in a medium to large scale agribusiness by providing that business access to critical fixed assets without obligating that business to a commercial lender,” he said.

So far, PASS offers business development services; strengthen farmers’ organizations and financial services.

The NGO has set special concessionary loan terms for women entrepreneurs to enable them qualify for more bank loans.

According to Mr. Lujina, PASS has also achieved an excellent loan repayment rate of over 95 per cent, and the collaborating banks are progressively getting more encouraged in financing agricultural investments.

Plans are underway to open new branches in Kilimanjaro and Mtwara regions this year. Currently, the NGO has offices in Mbeya, Mwanza, Morogoro and Dar es Salaam regions.

Ends.

Rufiji Basin Development Authority (RUBADA) Director General, Mr. Aloyce Masanja (right), exchanging the a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) document toward the implementation of Stiegler’s Gorge Power Project with the Odebrecht International Business Director, Mr. Fernando Soares yesterday in Dar es Salaam.  Others are the company’s Legal Counsel, Mr.Tiago Matos (extreme left), RUBADA’s Board Chairman, Prof. Raphael Mwalyosi (centre with spectators) and RUBADA’s Director of Planning, Ms. Tatu Ndataro (extreme right).

Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Mamlaka ya Uendelezaji wa Bonde la Mto Rufiji (RUBADA), Bw. Aloyce Masanja (kulia) akibadilishana nyaraka za makubaliano ya awali ya utekelezaji wa mradi mkubwa wa umeme wa Stiegler’s pamoja na Mkurugenzi wa Biashara wa kampuni ya Odebrecht ya Brazil, Bw. Fernando Soares jana jijini Dar es Salaam.  Wengine katika picha ni mwanasheria wa kampuni hiyo, Bw. Tiago Matos (kushoto); Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya RUBADA, Prof. Raphael Mwalyosi (mwenye miwani katikati) na Mkurugenzi wa Mipango wa RUBADA, Bi. Tatu Ndataro (kulia)

Bank of Africa Tanzania Managing Director, Mr. Ammish Owusu-Amoah (right) handing over a dummy cheque to Tanzania Mortgage Refinance Company (TMRC) Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rished Bade during the announcement of the bank to invest Tshs 1 billion in the company as a way to strengthen its Home Finance services to Tanzanians.  Others in the picture are Mr. Oscar Mgaya, TMRC Chief Operating Officer; Mr. Wasia Mushi, Head of Commercial Banking (all next to Mr. Bade).  Next to Mr. Owusu are Ms. Patricia Nguma, the bank’s Relationship Manager Mortgages and Ms. Beryl Oluga, the bank’s Marketing Manager.

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Benki ya Afrika Tanzania, Bw.Ammish Owusu-Amoah (kulia) akikabidhi mfano wa hundi kwa Mkurugenzi Mtendaji Mkuu wa Tanzania Mortgage Refinance Company (TMRC), Bw. Rished Bade wakati wa kutangaza benki kuwekeza shilingi bilioni moja kwa kampuni hiyo katikajuhudi za kuimarisha huduma zake za mikopo ya nyumba.  Wengine katika picha ni Bw. Oscar Mgaya, ofisa Mkuu Mwendeshaji wa TMRCna Bw. Wasia Mushi, Mkuu wa Huduma za Kibenki (wote baada ya Bw. Bade.  Wanaofuata baada ya Bw. Owusu ni Bi. Patricia Nguma, Ofisa Mikopo wa wa benki na Bi. Beryl Oluga, Ofisa Masoko wa benki hiyo.

President of Morogoro Central Rotary Club Prof. Faustin Kamuzora presents  the club banner to the Rotary International President, Rotarian Sakuji Tanaka who hails from Japan. The Rotary International President visited Rotary Tanzania recently.

Rais wa Club ya Rotary ya Morogoro Central, Profesa Faustin Kamuzora,  akimkabidhi bendera ya Club hiyo ya Morogoro, Rais wa Rotary International, Mheshimiwa  Sakuji Tanaka anayetokea  Japan  hivi karibuni alipofanya ziara ya kuitembelea  Rotary Tanzania. 

Serving one another vital for development, wellbeing

Rotary Club Morogoro Central got its new President recently in a short but colorful ceremony that took place in Morogoro Municipality.  Various people who attended the function spoke highly of the need to serve people and societies and look beyond one-self as explained by the Rotary International motto of “Service Above Self.”  Our Correspondent attended the event and here he writes what transpired… 

Browse through the world wide web about what Rotary  has achieved around the world and you will be surprised.

The amazing thing is that all that have been achieved have been accomplished by people who are ready to serve their follow human beings on voluntary basis.

These are people with the zeal to see the world a better place to live where individuals and societies love one another and live to serve each other where necessary.

Rotary is a worldwide network of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities.

Made up of over 34,000 Rotary clubs around the world, Rotary International forms a global network of business, professional, and community leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve communities locally and around the world – and form strong, lasting friendships in the process.

Their motto, “Service Above Self”  speaks volume.

It exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of the 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide  and their service efforts are directed toward peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy and economic and community development .

Look at this fact.

After 25 years of hard work, Rotary and its partners are on the brink of eradicating polio. Although a strong push is still needed now to root it out once and for all, it is a window of opportunity of historic proportions.

According to the association’s website reaching the ultimate goal of a polio-free world presents ongoing challenges, not the least of which is a US$535 million funding gap through 2012. It says that Rotary alone cannot fill this gap, but continued Rotarian advocacy for government support can help enormously.

It is in this line of thinking that a new President of Rotary Club Morogoro Central, Prof. Faustin Kamuzora is urging members of the club to strengthen the spirit of helping the needy and contributing to various projects in their societies.

Prof. Faustin Kamuzora who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) of Mzumbe University says that helping the needy or working toward serving humanity should be the ultimate goal for everyone.

“We should learn and love to serve and dedicated to our societies and humanity at large,” he says.

“It is now six years since Rotary Club was started here in Morogoro and we have done a lot in helping the needy in various fields such as education, water and sanitation and fighting malaria…we are proud of that,” he says. Some of these projects are implemented in partnership with other clubs around the world and others are funded by club members themselves through volunteering time and contributing money.

He says Rotary has branches all over the world and almost in all regions in Tanzania and urged more people to join the club for the benefit of the larger societies and humanity at large. Similarly, because each Rotary member is required to shoulder at least one position of leadership annually, joining Rotary provides an opportunity to sharpen one’s leadership skills and experience.

Currently the club is using member contributions to help in the fight of polio especially in Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He explains that the Club is planning to work with some stakeholders such as Morogoro Municipality to facilitate in creating a beautiful and modern garden at SabaSaba grounds in Morogoro municipality that will serve as a recreation and reading area for and also drawing zebra crossing on a number of roads around schools for the safety of children.

“Tanzanians should join this club for the purpose of helping each other,” he notes.

On his part, Mvomero District Commissioner in Morogoro region, Mr. Anthony Mtaki urges youths in the country to join the club and take part in helping their societies and country at large and learn leadership skills.

He says the country depends on youths to attain development and that they should use such avenues to show their talents for the good of the nation.

“We have to cultivate the spirit of helping the needy and each other,” he says.

The spirit of helping each other is well entrenched in Tanzania’s society and this should be taken as an advantage to join such clubs which focuses on some noble causes.

Such memberships as propagated by Prof. Kamuzora will see creation of networks that will not only benefit individuals but also the whole country as well.

A membership of this grass-root organisation consisting of business professionals and community leaders that volunteer time, talent and resources in order to remedy vital community needs should really be everyone desire.

This may help brush away ideas some of us have that the government should be responsible for all our development.

Rotary  in Tanzania and in other countries has proved that huge projects and causes can be accomplished by people who come together and volunteer themselves irrespective of colour, tribe, sex or religion.

Ends.

Benki ya Afrika Tanzania yaongeza faida

Na Mwandishi wetu, Dar es Salaam

Benki ya Afrika Tanzania imeongeza faida yake mara mbili kufikia nusu ya mwaka huu 2012 kulinganisha na kipindi hicho kwa mwaka 2011.

Taarifa ya fedha ya iliyotolewa hivi karibuni benki hiyo imepata Tshs 551 milioni katika robo ya mwaka inayoishia mwezi Juni 2012 kulinganisha na kiasi cha Tshs 273 milioni kilichorekodiwa katika kipindi hicho mwaka jana.

Kwa mujibu wa Mkuu wa Idara ya Fedha wa benki hiyo, Bw. Mussa Mwachaga faida iliyopatikana kutokana na riba ni Tshs 4 bilioni katika robo ya mwaka inayoishia mwezi Juni 2012 kulinganisha na kiasi cha Tshs 3 bilioni kilichorekodiwa katika kipindi hicho mwaka jana. 

Amesema benki imerekodi faida inayotokana na riba ya Tshs 8.2 bilioni katika kipindi kinachoishia Juni mwaka huu ukilinganisha na Tshs 5.7 bilioni zilizorekodiwa katika kipindi kama hicho mwaka jana.

Benki ya Afrika Tanzania imekuwa ikijitahidi kujitanua na kuimarisha huduma zake katika miaka ya hivi karibuni.

Tangu ianzishwe hapa nchini mwaka 2007, imeshafanikiwa kufungua matawi kumi mkoani Dar es Salaam na sita nje ya mkoa huo yakiwepo ya Morogoro, Tunduma, Mwanza, Moshi, Mbeya and Arusha.

Benki hii ni moja ya mtandao wa kibenki unaofanya kazi katika nchi 15 ambazo ni pamoja na Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger na Senegal.  Nyingine ni Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania na Uganda.

Pia ina tawi katika nchi ya Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo.

Mwisho

Bank of Africa Tanzania records profit

By a Correspondent, Dar es Salaam

Bank of Africa Tanzania’s net profit has doubled during the first half of 2012 compared to same period in 2011.

According to the financial statement released on 1^st August 2012, the bank recorded Tshs 551 million for the quarter ended June 2012 up from Tshs 273 million recorded in June last year.  The bank recorded Tshs 1.4 billion for the year ending June 2012 compared to Tshs 722 million recorded in the same period ending June 2011.

According to the banks Head of Finance, Mr. Mussa Mwachaga the bank recorded net interest income amounting to Tshs 4 billion for the quarter ended June 2012 compared to Tshs 3 billion recorded in the same period last year. The bank recorded Tshs 8.2 billion for the year ending June 2012 compared to Tshs 5.7 billion recorded in the same period ending June 2011. This was attributed by increased lending to the SME sector, personal loans and the introduction of many new products in the market.

He further reiterated that the banks non-interest income increased by 37 per cent for the quarter ended June 2012 to Tshs 2.9 billion shillings compared to Tshs 2.1 billion in the same period recorded last year.  This is as a result of the bank customizing its trade finance portfolio products thus enabling customers to secure letters of credit and guarantees for their contracts with ease.

In addition, the increased profits has been attributed with the introduction of new product i.e. Home finance, insurance premium finance and smart junior investor account that have catered for new market segments the bank has focused on. Going forward the bank is focused on increasing its array of products and services to new sectors. 

The bank has in the recent years strengthened its services and presence in the country with a current network of 16 branches. Since it started operations in the country in 2007, the bank has managed to open ten branches in Dar es Salaam and six branches upcountry in Morogoro, Tunduma, Mwanza, Moshi, Mbeya and Arusha.  Within this financial year, BANK OF AFRICA TANZANIA will be looking at increasing its regional presence by opening up 4 new branches in the country.

The bank is part of a Group which operates in 15 countries, of which 7 are in West Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger and Senegal); 6 in East Africa (Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda). It is also present in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The group recorded a turnover of €385 Million in the year 2011.

Ends.  

Kiwanda kipya cha cementi Mtwara chachu ya uchumi

Na Mwandishi wetu, Mtwara

Zaidi ya tani milioni mbili za saruji zinatarajiwa kuzalishwa nchini kwa mwaka mara baada ya kukamilika kwa ujenzi wa kiwanda cha kutengenezea simenti cha Dangote katika Mkoa wa Mtwara.

Pamoja na kiwango hicho cha simenti kuzalishwa, pia inatarajiwa kupatikana kwa ajira 400 za kudumu ujenzi huo utakapokamilika.

Uwekezaji huu unafanywa na tajiri maarufu raia wa Nigeria, Bw. Aliko Dangote ambaye ana vitega uchumi vikubwa katika nchi mbalimbali duniani.

Hayo yameelezwa na Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Kituo cha Uwekezaji Tanzania (TIC), Bw. Raymond Mbilinyi alipofanya ziara katika eneo ambapo uwekezaji mkubwa wa ujenzi wa kiwanda cha saruji cha Dangote unatarajia kuanza Mkoani Mtwara.

“Kukamilika kwa mradi huu mkubwa katika mkoa wa Mtwara kutazalisha zaidi ya tani milioni mbili za saruji, lakini pia ajira za kudumu zaidi ya mia nne zitapatikana, hii itasaidia kukuza uchumi wa watu wa kusini na kuongeza pato la taifa kwa ujumla,” alisema Mbilinyi mwishoni mwa wiki iliyopita alipokuwa akiongea na waandishi wa habari mkoani humo.

Akielezea umuhimu wa ujenzi wa kiwanda hicho ambacho kinatarajia kukamilika baada ya miezi kumi na nane, Bw. Mbilinyi alisema uwekezaji wa aina hii si tu utaweza kuzalisha ajira nyingi kwa watanzania bali utaongeza kasi ya kuchochea uwekezaji zaidi katika mikoa ya kusini mwa Tanzania.

“Kwa takwimu tulizonazo, hadi kufikia mwaka 2011 tulikua na upungufu wa zaidi ya tani milioni moja za simenti, hivyo kiwanda hiki kitasaidia kuondoa upungufu huu,” alisema.

Alisisitiza kuwa mazingira mazuri yalijengwa na serikali pamoja na sekta binafsi  ndio yaliyosaidia kumpata muwekezaji huyu mkubwa wa simenti katika Bara la Afrika kuja kuwekeza hapa Tanzania.

“Juhudi zetu zote kwa upande wa serikali na kwa upande wa sekta binafsi ndizo zilizosababisha muwekezaji huyu mkubwa kuja hapa kwetu hasa katika mkoa wa mtwara na kanda ya kusini kwa ujumla,” alisema na kuongeza kwamba serikali itaendelea kujenga mazingira bora ya kuvutia wawekezaji, si tu kwa viwanda vya simenti bali hata kwa viwanda vya aina nyingine.

Kwa upande wake Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Mtwara, kanali Mstaafu Joseph Simbakalia, alisema ujenzi wa kisasa siku zote unahitaji saruji hivyo uwekezaji huo umekua mkombozi kwa watu wa mikoa ya  kusini na Tanzania kwa ujumla.

“Kukamilika kwa kiwanda hiki kutakuwa na faida kubwa sana kwa mkoa huu, hasa kiuchumi kutokana na mtwara kuwa na mafuta pamoja na gesi asilia ambayo inaweza kuongeza asilimia kubwa ya pato la Taifa na kuondoa umasikini katika nchi,” alisema Simbakalia.

Bwana Simbakalia aliongeza kuwa ni ukweli usiopingika kuwa Mkoa wake una ufursa nyingi sana za uwekezaji na miongoni mwao bado hazijafanyiwa uwekezaji unaotakiwa.

Naye mtaalamu wa masuala ya utafiti wa udongo kutoka katika kampuni ya simenti ya Dangote Bw. John Olalokun, amesema, wamefanya utafiti wa kutosha na kuona kuwa malighafi nyingi zinapatikana katika eneo husika na kuongeza kuwa hiyo ni faida kwao katika kuzalisha simenti kwa wingi mkoani humo.

Aliongeza kuwa kati ya walivyoangalia kufanya uwekezaji katika mkoa wa Mtwara ni kutokana na upungufu uliopo wa simenti katika mikoa ya kusini na hii imetokana na simenti nyingi kuelekezwa katika mikoa ya kaskazini mwa nchi.

Mwisho

New multibillion cement factory to boost economy

By a Correspondent, Mtwara

Over two million tons of cement is expected to be produced in the country per annum after the completion of the construction of a huge cement factory in Mtwara region.

The massive investment which is expected to also create 400 permanent job opportunities  is implemented  by a renowned Nigerian tycoon, Mr. Aliko Dangote. Thanks Tanzania Investment Centre for facilitating the project.

The Acting Executive Director of Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), Mr. Raymond Mbilinyi explained these during his tour to a place where the industry is being built over the weekend in Mtwara region.

“This investment will help boost the economy of the Southern regions and the whole country at large,” he said while talking to journalists here.

Explaining on the importance of the investment expected to be completed after eighteen months, Mr. Mbilinyi said that apart from creating employment, the factory will stimulate other investments in the Southern parts of the country.

“Statistics shows that we had a cement deficit of one million tons by 2011, so this investment will help solve this problem,” he said.

He noted that it is conducive investment climate created by the government and the private sector that has attracted Mr. Dangote to come in Tanzania. The investor has interests in various parts of African continent.

“The government will continue creating attractive investment climate for more potential investors and existing ones,” he noted.    

On his part, the Mtwara Regional Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Simbakalia said cement is a requisite in modern construction; therefore, the coming of the factory is a blessing for people in Southern parts of the country.

“This investment adds up to what Mtwara will hugely contribute to the nation’s coffers,” he said, referring to gas deposits available in the region.

Mr Simbakalia said it was no secret that the region has a lot of investment potentials where were yet to be fully utilized hence called more both local and foreign investors to take advantages of those opportunities.

He also appreciated the efforts by the government through TIC in promoting and marketing the existing investments in the country.

The Dangote soil expert, Mr. John Olalokun, said that they have already done a thorough investigation and concluded that the region has enough raw materials needed for producing enough cement.

“We will do our best for this Southern region and the whole country at large,” he noted.

Ends.    

Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Kituo cha Uwekezaji Tanzania (TIC), Bw. Raymond Mbilinyi (katikati) akionyeshwa  mchoro wa ramani na mtaalamu wa udongo,  Bw. John Olalokun (kushoto) wa kiwanda cha Simenti cha  Dangote kinachotarajiwa kujengwa  mkoani Mtwara.  Bw. Mbilinyi alifanya ziara hiyo kuangalia maendeleo ya mradi huo mwishoni mwa wiki.  Kulia ni meneja mkuu wa kiwanda hicho Bw. Dilip Musale.

The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) Acting Executive Director, Mr. Raymond Mbilinyi (centre) being shown a map of a new cement factory expected in Mtwara region by a soil expert, Mr. John Olalokun (left).  The investment is done by a renowned Nigerian tycoon, Mr. Aliko Dangote.  On the right is the Factory Managing Director, Mr. Dilip Musale. 

Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Kituo cha Uwekezaji Tanzania (TIC), Bw. Raymond Mbilinyi (kulia) akimsikiliza kwa makini mtaalamu wa udongo,  Bw. John Olalokun  wa kiwanda cha Simenti cha  Dangote kinachotarajiwa kujengwa  mkoani Mtwara katika  ziara aliyoifanya kutembelea eneo hilo na kuangalia maendeleo ya utekelezaji wa ujenzi wa kiwanda hicho mwishoni mwa wiki.  Ujenzi huo unafanywa na mwekezaji na tajiri maarufu raia wa Nigeria, Bw. Aliko Dangote.

The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) Acting Executive Director, Mr. Raymond Mbilinyi (right) listening attentively from a soil expert, Mr. John Olalokun during a visit over the weekend to the site where a huge cement factory will be built in Mtwara region.  The investment is done by a renowned Nigerian tycoon, Mr. Aliko Dangote. 

PASS yashinda Nanenane, yaahidi huduma zaidi kwa wakulima

Na Mwandishi Wetu, Dodoma

Baada ya kufanya vizuri kitaifa katika maonesho ya wakulima Nanenane, Asasi ya kusaidia uwekezaji katika kilimo nchini (PASS) imesema ushindi huo utakua chachu kwao kuendelea kujiimarisha zaidi ili kuwafikia wananchi wengi.

Katika maonyesho ya mwaka huu, Asasi hiyo ilishiriki katika mikoa mitatu ya Dodoma, Mbeya na Morogoro na kushinda katika mikoa yote .

Wakati katika mkoa wa Dodoma PASS ilishika nafasi ya pili katika kipengele cha asasi zisizo za kiserikali; mkoani Morogoro ilishika nafasi ya kwanza katika kipengele cha huduma za kifedha na kushika nafasi ya pili katika huduma za kilimo mkoani Mbeya. 

Akiongea na waandishi wa habari mwishoni mwa wiki mjini Dodoma, Mkurugenzi Mtendaji  wa PASS, Bw.Iddy Lujina alisema hatua hiyo inakusudia kuwakomboa wananchi kupitia kilimo ikiwa pia ni njia mojawapo ya kukuza uchumi wa nchi na kuongeza pato la taifa kupitia sekta hiyo.

“Tumedhamiria kuwafikia wakulima wengi zaidi ifikapo mwishoni mwa mwaka huu, hii ikiwa ni pamoja na kuendelea kufungua matawi  katika mikoa mbalimbali hapa nchini ili kuwaendeleza wakulima wengi zaidi,” alisema Lujina.

Aliongeza kuwa ushindi walioupata utakuwa chachu ya wao kuendelea kujitanua zaidi na kuongeza kasi ya kuendelea kuwasaidia wakulima wengi nchini ili waweze kuendana na mkakati wa serikali wa Kilimo Kwanza na ule wa ukuaji wa kilimo katika ukanda wa kusini mwa Tanzania (SAGCOT).

“Siku zote tumekuwa katika mikakati madhubuti ya kuhakikisha kilimo katika nchi hii kinakuwa na kuimarika zaidi, tutaendelea na juhudi hizi kwa faida ya wakulima na nchi nzima kwa ujumla,” aliongeza.

Akielezea zaidi alisema siku zote PASS imekuwa ikifanya kazi kwa karibu na serikali yetu katika kuendeleza kilimo katika nchi hii hasa katika kupeana ushauri wa kitaalamu wa kuwafikia wakulima katika maeneo yao na kufanya nao kazi.

Kwa upande wake, mmoja wa waliofaidika na PASS, Bw. Papian Emmanuel ameishukuru kwa kuwajali wakuliama wa nchi hii, huku akizitaka taasisi zinazohusika na utoaji wa mikopo kwa ajili ya kilimo kukiona kilimo kama eneo linalofaa kufanya nalo kazi.

“Taasisi nyingine zinatakiwa kuiga mfano wa PASS katika juhudi zao wanazofanya kuwafikia wakulima wengi hapa nchini, kutoa ushauri na kusaidia wakulima wadogo wadogo kupata mikopo,” alisema Bw. Emmanuel.

Asasi hii ilianzishwa mwaka 2000 ili kuwawezesha wakulima wapate huduma za mabenki.  Mpaka sasa imeshaidia wakulima 60,000 kupata mikopo yenye thamani ya Tshs 100 bilioni.

Kwa mujibu wa Bw. Lujina mwaka 2011 wakulima 11,000 pamoja na vikundi 524  waliwezeshwa kupata mikopo ya Tshs 28 bilioni.

Pamoja na mpango wa upanuzi wa asasi hiyo katika mikoa ya Kilimanjaro na Mtwara mwaka huu, asasi hiyo inatarajia kuwezesha wakulima wapate mikopo zaidi ya Tshs 300 bilioni kwenye miaka minne ijayo.

Kwasasa asasi hiyo ina ofisi katika mikoa ya Morogoro, Dar es Salaam, Mbeya na Mwanza.

Ends