Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
26 contracts worth Sh1.9 trillion signed to boost TZ’s energy sector
President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Tuesday witnessed the signing of 26 contracts worth Sh1.9 trillion for the implementation of National Grid Stabilization and Rural Energy Agency (REA) projects.
The signing of contracts marks the beginning of the implementation of Sh4.42 trillion projects aiming at boosting Tanzania’s energy sector in the period of four years.
A total of Sh500 billion has already been released for power stabilization projects. Out of the said amount, according to President Samia, the government released Sh400 billion.
Speaking after the signing of the deals at the State House in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, the Head of State directed the contractors to discharge their duties diligently.
She advised government officials and authorities not to fall into the traps and bureaucratic chains that would lead to the delay of such projects.
“Do not drag us backwards on the basis of, ‘the law says this or allows this’ I believe that those who sat in the tender were careful and if they took bribes and it happens that the contractor made blunders, I will deal with them,” emphasized Samia.
The Head of State further instructed the Public Service Recruitment Secretariat to allow organizations that are capable of paying salaries to workers without depending on the government confer to do so in order to avoid delays in the projects.
“But also, I want to tell you that, if you see that there is any person who is not working at the pace you desire, change that person. Do not allow anybody to drag you behind. If I am the one to make the changes, just inform me but if it is in your discretionary power, change the person,” she said.
Oman to rebuild Zanzibar’s Bait al Ajaib
The government of Oman, through its Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, has awarded a tender to rebuild Bait al Ajaib – House of Wonders – in Zanzibar as part of its programme to restore and rehabilitate several historical monuments of Omani architectural heritage in Zanzibar.
A landmark building dating back to 1883, Bait al Ajaib is a UNESCO-inscribed World Heritage Site in Stone Town, Zanzibar, a part of which collapsed in December 2020 during renovation works.
According to a report by the Muscat Daily, the agreement was signed on Monday by Ibrahim bin Said al Kharousi, Oman’s Undersecretary for Heritage and Simai Mohammed Said, Zanzibar’s Minister of Tourism and Heritage.
The agreement was signed in the presence of H E Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, the Consul General of Oman in Zanzibar and the Ambassador of Tanzania to Oman.
The scope of the tender includes rebuilding, restoring and rehabilitating the house in coordination with the Government of Zanzibar and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
The work includes rebuilding the house using the traditional materials used in the construction originally on the directives and guidelines of the Unesco World Heritage Centre and its advisory bodies.
“The house will be a joint centre showcasing the common history and enhance interaction in cultural, social, economic and tourism fields between the two countries,” the paper said, quoting a ministerial statement.
Owing to its long history of relations and shared culture and heritage with Zanzibar, Oman committed to renovating Bait al Ajaib following the Royal Orders of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
The House of Wonders was once the most modern building in East Africa; it was the first building to have electricity and an elevator. With a mix of elements of European style and Zanzibari tradition, the building boasts of cast iron columns, elaborate door carvings and open central courtyards coming together for a unique architectural achievement.
Just next to it is the Palace Museum, built by the second sultan of Zanzibar – Sayyid Barghash bin Said al Busaidi – in 1883. It is an opulent palace with beautiful marble flooring, coral stonewalls and silver decorations.
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