Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Monday, December 6, 2021.
Tanzania denies Omicron existence despite Indian national from Dar testing positive for COVID-19 variant in New Delhi
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Prof Abel Makubi assured the public on Monday that Tanzania has not recorded any case of the Omicron following reports that an Indian national from Tanzania tested positive for the COVID-19 variant in New Delhi.
India’s Health Minister Satyendar Jain said over the weekend that the city of New Delhi had recorded its first Omicron case from a citizen who had traveled from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital.
It was also the fifth case of Omicron in India, as the country had earlier detected the variant in other parts of the country – Maharashtra, Guraj and Karnataka.
“We are working closely with our contacts and embassy in India to get clear clarification on the matter and more measures will be taken thereafter. So far we have not registered the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, in the country,” said Prof Makubi in a statement.
“Let the public not worry but keep on observing precaution measures, including washing hands with soap and running water, wearing face masks, and avoiding unnecessary gatherings. Tanzania, like any other country, conducts Rapid Test at the airport and [requires travellers to have] a negative COVID-19 certificate prior to travelling,” he said.
Samia swears in Kilangi as Tanzania’s envoy to Brazil
President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday swore in former Attorney General Prof Adelardus Kilangi as Tanzania’s ambassador to Brazil.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the State House in Dar es Salaam.
Prof Kilangi was appointed ambassador during a mini cabinet reshuffle in September 2021 when President Samia appointed Dr Eliezer Feleshi as the new Attorney General (AG), replacing Kilangi.
The late President John Magufuli appointed Prof Kilangi as AG for the first time on February 1, 2018, succeeding Mr George Masaju, who went on to serve as the Judge of the High Court of Tanzania.
According to information by the Brazilian Foreign Affairs Ministry, the two countries’ cooperation covers initiatives in agriculture, health, energy and sports.
In 2019, trade between Brazil and Tanzania totalled nearly $16 million and was almost entirely comprised of Brazilian exports. Main Brazilian exports to Tanzania are sugar and poultry meat.
Brazil and Tanzania established diplomatic relations in 1970, according to the Brazilian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The Embassy of Brazil in Dar es Salaam was opened in 1979 and reopened in 2005. Tanzania established its Embassy in Brasilia in 2007.
At least 4 people killed as under construction building collapses in Dar
At least four people were reported to have died on Monday in the Dar es Salaam town of Goba after a building that was under construction collapsed and fell on nearby houses in the area.
Seventeen other people were reported to have been injured from the accident that Ubungo district commissioner Mr Kheri James confirmed to media yesterday.
Videos circulated on social media showing people in a panic mode, trying to rescue those who were covered by the fallen buildings.
There were no reports as to what exactly led to the falling down of the building that was under construction.
Mr James was quoted as saying that this is one of the things that authorities will look into and share reports with the members of the general public.
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