Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
China’s Stadium Diplomacy: Firm secures 286 Billion contract for 30,000-seat stadium in Tanzania
China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) has won a 286 billion (USD 112 Million) contract to construct a 30,000-seater stadium for Tanzania ahead of its preparation to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The stadium will be constructed in Arusha, a northern region of Tanzania popularly known for its tourist attractions. It is expected that the construction work will be completed in 2025. Tanzania is co-hosting the 2027 AFCON alongside Kenya and Uganda; it is expected the country will not only build but also revamp some of the old stadiums that will be used in the tournament.
Speaking during the signing ceremony of the contract yesterday at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium, the Minister of Sport and Culture, Damas Ndumbaro proposed for the new stadium to be named after Tanzania’s President, Samia Suluhu Hassan.
In what some outlets in China have described as stadium diplomacy, China has been supporting the construction of various sports stadiums across the continent.
This includes Bafoussam Omnisport Stadium and Limbe Municipal Stadium which were used when Cameroon hosted AFCON in 2021. Also, the Stade Alassane Ouattara stadium in Ivory Coast which was used in the recently concluded AFCON tournaments among many others.
22 wards to hold by-election today
Residents of 22 wards of Tanzania’s mainland will cast their votes to elect their councilors from the 127 candidates who are contesting in a by-election today. Among the candidates, 89 are men, and 38 are women from 18 parties.
Opposition party CHADEMA through its General Secretary John Mnyika has informed The Chanzo that it will not participate in the by-election due to the existing electoral laws which the party believes will make this election not free or fair.
The National Electoral Commission (NEC) through its Chairperson Judge Jacob Mwambegele says 128,157 voters registered in the permanent voter’s register will be allowed to vote.
“Only those who have been registered in the voter’s permanent register will be allowed to vote. A registered voter who has lost a voting ID will be allowed to cast a vote using an alternative ID,” said Judge Mwambegele.
Wards where by-election will be held include Kimbiji in Kigamboni Dar es Salaam, Kasingirima in Ujiji Kigoma, Ndevelwa in Tabora, Mshikamano in Musoma, Msangani in Mji Kibaha Pwani, Utiri in Mbinga, Fukayosi in Bagamoyo, Mlanzi in Kibiti and Mbingamhalule in Songea.
Other wards are Isebya in Mbogwe, Kibata in Kilwa, Kamwene in Mlimba, Chipuputa in Nanyumbu, Buzilasoga in Sengerema, Mhande in Kwimba, Kabwe in Nkasi, Bukundi in meatu, Mkuzi in Muheza and Boma and Mayomboni in Mkinga.
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4 Responses
This is a very good contract for China but it is time we engaged our local engineers to do great things for their nation. Too much technological dependence robs the nation of its essence of educating technocrats.
AS we are talking of stadium constriction, can any one (including journos) explain how come so many stadiums in the country are owned by CCM? Did they construct them? Did they buy them? Did they grab them during party days?
This is another back-channel way to finance the CCM election campaign. There will be cash funds not involved in the stadium construction to fund the CCM member’s election. We have seen this movie before.
The public procurement act in Tanzania is silent about foreign direct Investment procurement processes which benefit the Aid recipient.