Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
Samia sends ‘heartfelt condolences’ to Türkiye, Syria following devastating quake
President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Tuesday joined millions of other people from around the world in praying for the victims of the devastating earthquake that has resulted in the loss of many people in Türkiye and Syria.
More than 5,200 people have been killed and tens of thousands injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria on Monday, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing officials from the two countries.
According to the network, thousands of buildings collapsed in both countries and aid agencies are particularly worried about northwestern Syria, where more than four million people were already relying on humanitarian assistance.
Freezing weather conditions are further endangering survivors and complicating rescue efforts, as more than 100 aftershocks have struck the region, CNN reported.
The quake, one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years, struck 23 kilometres (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Türkiye’s Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometres (14.9 miles), the United States Geological Survey said.
On Tuesday, President Samia described the news coming out of Türkiye and Syria as “heartbreaking,” writing in a Twitter post, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.”
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Tanzania, I extend my heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this tragedy,” the Head of State added.
Opposition ACT-Wazalendo party also conveyed its “deepest condolences” to Türkiye and Syria for the loss of their nationals and infrastructures, praying that they recover quickly from the effects of the tragedy.
“We call for the international community to continue supporting Türkiye and Syria in their rescue efforts as well as attending to their humanitarian needs,” the party said in a statement on Tuesday.
Tanzania ICT Minister respond to Elon Musk on Starlink availability in Tanzania
Space X Chief Executive Officer, Elon Musk said on Monday February 06,2022, that his company is waiting to get Tanzania’s government approval to bring Stalink internet services in the country.
Elon was responding to a Twitter user who asked him to make Starlink available in Eastern Africa, specifically Tanzania in which Elon responded, “We would love to.Just waiting for government approvals.”
We would love to. Just waiting for government approvals.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 5, 2023
The Twitter conversation which has continued to circulate on Tanzania social media has drawn the attention of Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communication and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye who said that Tanzania is waiting for Starlink to provide various documentation for finalization of the process.
We received the applications on 6/10/22.A number of issues are pending following our last meeting on 27/1/23.You will recall that you were supposed to submit required documents to process the application accoding to the laws and procedures of this land. We are waiting and ready
— Nape Moses Nnauye (@Nnauye_Nape) February 7, 2023
The conversation came as the US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Marisa Lago is in the country and yesterday has met with the Tanzania’s ICT Minister, Nape Nnauye, Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment Dr. Ashatu Kijaji.
According to the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority up to December 2022, Tanzania had a total of 31,172,544 internet users with 99.9 percent depending on mobile wireless internet. Internet penetration in Tanzania stood at 72 percent, network is much more reliable in urban areas compared to rural areas.
UAE-based Blue Carbon join forces with Tanzania to accelerate transition to low-carbon economy
Blue Carbon, the UAE-based entity and the Tanzanian Forest Services (TFS) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the start of a collaboration aimed at promoting sustainable forest management practices and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
According to a statement, the event took place during the visit of the Blue Carbon team to Tanzania, where the Chairman of Blue Carbon, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, a member of the Dubai Royal Family, met with Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the Republic of Tanzania.
The partnership will focus on supporting the government’s efforts to conserve, manage and register its forest resources of eight million hectares in the first phase including 56,000 hectares of mangroves and sell these credits under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
This will strengthen the partnership between the two countries in developing new carbon offset projects to support decarbonization targets, according to the statement.
“We are honoured to sign this MoU with the government of Tanzania,” the statement quotes Al Maktoum as saying. “This collaboration represents an important step towards promoting sustainable forest management practices and fighting climate change.”
Al Maktoum appreciated Tanzania’s role in preserving its forest resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, noting that the collaboration with Blue Carbon will help to achieve these goals.
“The partnership will also provide opportunities for local communities to participate in carbon offset projects, thereby promoting sustainable economic growth and improving livelihoods,” he added.
Tanzania, Egypt seek improved bilateral cooperation in the water sector
Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilam and his technical delegation arrived in Tanzania on Tuesday on an official two-day visit aimed at exploring ways to boost Egypt’s bilateral cooperation with the East African nation.
Jumaa Aweso, Tanzania’s Minister of Water, received Mr Sweilam who pointed out that the Nile River represents the lifeline that connects all the countries of the basin, and therefore it must be a source of cooperation and peace and not a cause of competition and disagreement.
According to a statement released yesterday, Sweilam pointed out that Egypt has always played a pioneering role in strengthening the bonds of cooperation between the Nile Basin countries by creating common interests and achieving mutual benefit for all parties.
Egypt also believes that striving for development is a legitimate right for any country, provided that it does not harm any other country, the statement added.
The two ministers discussed ways to advance cooperation between the two countries in the field of water resources in accordance with the needs of the Tanzanian side, which expressed its aspiration to implement dams to harvest rainwater, in addition to groundwater wells.
Sweilam stressed Egypt’s keenness to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries, encourage Egyptian businessmen to contribute to advancing the development and economy in Tanzania, and open the way for Egyptian companies to work especially in the fields of electricity, energy, oil and infrastructure.
During the meeting, the minister also indicated that Egypt had put forward an international initiative to adapt to climate changes in the water sector in cooperation with many international partners, expressing his hope for the participation of Tanzania in this important initiative, which will contribute to dealing with the negative effects of climate in Tanzania.
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