Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania over the weekend.
Investments worth over Sh11.6 trillion expected in Tanzania as Samia woos US investors
President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Friday witnessed the signing of seven agreements for business projects to be implemented in Tanzania by United States investors.
The deals with key US companies worth a total of $5.04 billion (Sh11.6 trillion) are expected to create an estimated 301,110 jobs in agriculture, tourism, trade and other sectors of the economy, according to a statement by the director of presidential communications Zuhura Yunus.
The Head of State witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), letters of intent and announcements to initiate negotiations of investment, trade and business relations between Tanzania and US companies at a ceremony held in Washington D.C.
Other projects will target the maximization of value chain activities within the northern circuit of Tanzania’s tourism industry by modernizing the promotion, services and diversification of tourism products.
The President also witnessed important announcements for US-based companies that have interests to engage in Tanzania’s economy, business and trade relations.
According to a press statement issued by Tanzania’s State House Director of Presidential Communications Zuhura Yunus, the companies that have shown interest include Upepo Energy, Astra Crane Currency and Parallel Wireless.
Among other engagements, President Samia also attended the Executive Business Roundtable at the US Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Washington DC.
The event brought together members of the business community, government and private sector representatives from both countries to discuss mutual investment, trade and business opportunities.
President Samia is on a state visit to the United States since April 13, 2020, where she has met and held talks with US Vice President Kamala Harris and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) among many more US and international leaders.
Over 10 million children to be vaccinated against polio
The government said Saturday that 10,313,887 children aged below five years will be vaccinated against polio between April 28 and May 1 in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
A statement by the Ministry of Health said the vaccination will be conducted after neighbouring Malawi reported an outbreak of the disease on February 17 when a three-year-old child was diagnosed with polio.
Children in four regions of Mbeya, Songwe, Ruvuma and Njombe neighbouring Malawi have already been vaccinated against polio, said the statement without mentioning the number of children vaccinated in the four regions.
The statement said the Ministry of Health will undertake the vaccination in collaboration with the President’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund and development partners.
The statement signed by the Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Aifello Sichalwe, urged district and regional commissioners across the country to oversee the vaccination.
The statement said the last polio case in Tanzania was reported in 1996 in the Mtwara region, adding that in 2020 polio was declared eliminated in the African region.
According to the statement, polio is still prevalent in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Tanzania launches crackdown on unregistered pharmacies
The Pharmacy Council of Tanzania has launched a nationwide crackdown on unregistered pharmacies as 23 of them were closed on Friday in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam.
This is according to Elizabeth Shekalaghe, the registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Tanzania, who said on Saturday that the crackdown that aims at exposing the unregistered pharmacies is continuous and will be conducted across the country.
She appealed to members of the public to report to relevant authorities pharmacies that they suspected to have been operating illegally.
“Some of the unregistered pharmacies are offering medical services such as laboratory tests which is illegal,” said Shekalaghe.
She said most of the mushrooming pharmacies in the East African nation have employed unqualified staff which endangered the lives of patients seeking medicines in pharmacies.
State-run Pharmacy Council of Tanzania regulates the pharmacy professionals’ practice and overseas registration of pharmacists by ensuring that they have the skills and knowledge to deliver effective health care that meets the changing needs of the community.
CCM mourns the passing of its Special Seat MP Irene Ndiyamkana
Speaker of Parliament Dr Tulia Ackson announced Sunday the passing of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) MP Irene Alex Ndiyamkana who died on Sunday while receiving treatment at the Tumbi Hospital in Kibaha, Pwani.
In her condolence message, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who doubles as CCM national chairperson, said Ndiyamkana’s contribution to the second longest-ruling party in Africa is “unforgettable.”
“She was a competent leader who was willing to volunteer for development activities, especially those that concerned women,” Samia, who is in the United States for an official visit, said of Ndiyamkana in a statement released by CCM. “We have lost a CCM leader whose contribution will not be forgotten.”
Ndiyamkana, who was representing the Rukwa region died at the age of 35.
has died aged 35, the Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Tulia Ackson announced Sunday.
In her announcement, Dr Tulia said she was “shocked and saddened” by the news of the death of Irene Ndiyamkana.
“I offer my condolences to the family of the deceased, relatives and friends, Honorable Members of Parliament and Rukwa Region,” said Dr Tulia who doubles as Mbeya Urban MP (CCM). “May the Almighty grant them patience and perseverance in the face of adversity.”
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