Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.
It is the same old Tundu Lissu as ever
People who might have thought that Tundu Lissu has changed regarding how he talks about those in positions of power were proved wrong on Wednesday when the politician took to task the Samia Suluhu Hassan Administration in a tone that people know him for.
The CHADEMA deputy national chairperson (Tanzania Mainland) was speaking during his reception rally in Temeke, Dar es Salaam where thousands of people welcomed him back to the country as he’s ending his six-year life in exile.
Mr Lissu arrived in Tanzania around 12:40 PM on Wednesday from Belgium via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He was received by his supporters at the Julius Nyerere International Airport before leading a procession to Temeke grounds where his welcoming rally took place.
Full story here.
Tundu Lissu’s homecoming: A timeline of key events
Tundu Lissu, the firebrand opposition politician forced into exile six years ago, has finally returned to Tanzania, receiving a warm welcome from his supporters and well-wishers, putting years of speculation on when exactly will the politician kiss his land of birth to an end.
It comes after twelve days since the deputy chairperson of the opposition party CHADEMA (Tanzania Mainland) announced that his life in exile would come to an end today, January 25, 2023, igniting new hope among his followers that their leader will finally be with them in their struggles for a just Tanzania.
Here is a timeline of key events leading to today’s development that some observers of Tanzania’s affairs have described as the beginning of a new epoch in the life of Mr Lissu who lost to the late John Magufuli in the 2020 presidential election:
See the timeline here.
Barrick reports ‘record production’ at its Tanzanian mines
Barrick’s two gold mines in Tanzania, North Mara and Bulyanhulu, boosted their combined output to 547,000 ounces in 2022, achieving another step towards their potential Tier One status in the group’s asset portfolio as a combined complex, the company announced Wednesday.
At the same time, exploration is continuing to deliver opportunities to grow the mineral reserves net of depletion at both mines, it added.
Barrick said that North Mara’s transition to owner-mining is successfully ramping up its ongoing open pit expansion with improved efficiencies and costs, while technological advances in the underground operation are increasing productivity.
The restart of mining at the Gena pit is on track. At Bulyanhulu the main focus is on ramping up the development of its declines to access the new Deep West mineral reserves and defining further exploration potential in Reef 2.
Briefing media and other stakeholders on Wednesday, Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow said since the company took over control of the mines in 2019 it had completely transformed what was effectively dead or dying operations into valuable assets in terms of their current performance, their future prospects and their social licence.
“Today the mines are recognized by both the government and communities as socially responsible businesses creating and sharing enormous benefits for all their stakeholders, and as a key partner in Tanzania’s socio-economic development,” he said.
“Last year North Mara was officially recognized as Tanzania’s largest taxpayer and Bulyanhulu was awarded the Best Compliant Employer prize by the National Social Security Fund,” added Mr Bristow.
“North Mara and Bulyanhulu also received the first and second runner-up recognition awards, respectively, for the Export of Minerals and the generation of foreign currency. They’ve both come a very long way and we look forward to continuing that journey through our Twiga partnership with the government.”
Since the take-over in 2019, Barrick has pumped $2.4 billion into the Tanzanian economy. Last year it paid $303 million in taxes, royalties, levies, dividends and shareholder loan repayments and $476 million to local suppliers, the company said.
Barrick said that as the mines have grown they have continued to prioritize local employment. Their workforce is already 96 per cent Tanzanian, with 45 per cent of new hires drawn from the surrounding communities, the company said in a statement.
Through their community development committees, the mines have invested more than $10 million in projects to improve healthcare, education, access to potable water and road infrastructure.
Fourth Tanzania Energy Cooperation Summit to kick off in February
High-level representatives from India’s Solar Energy Corporation and Trinidad & Tobago’s energy ministry have confirmed attendance at Tanzania’s official sustainable energy conference to share insights and development strategies during the 4th Tanzania Energy Cooperation Summit (TECS).
Organised by EnergyNet and held officially under the patronage of January Makamba, Minister of Energy, the summit welcomes high-level representatives from the European Union, USA, Germany, Japan, the UK and Norway signalling to the world that Tanzania is again open for business.
Public sector stakeholders including EWURA, TPDC, Tanesco, PURA and the Ministry are confirmed to participate across panel discussions and boardrooms covering: private sector engagement, renewable energy power generation, C&I, investment and procurement strategies and downstream gas.
Private sector supporters and sponsors of the summit include Aggreko, the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI), Bowmans, Clarke Energy, IFC, Jinko Solar, Stanbic Bank and Trade and Development Bank (TDB).
Max Schiff, Head of Sales, Southern & Eastern Africa, Aggreko said in a statement on Wednesday that the company is excited to be part of the 4th Tanzania Energy Cooperation Summit, which is taking place from February 1 to 3, 2023, in Dar es Salaam.
“Tanzania as a country has ambitious energy development plans with a focus on renewables and accelerated projects in gas and LNG and we are pleased to be part of this journey,” Mr Schiff said.
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