Tovuti Rasmi ya Rais

Mheshimiwa Dkt. Fenella Mukangara (MB), Waziri wa Habari,

       Vijana, Michezo, Utamaduni na Michezo;

Mheshimiwa Zainabu Omar Mohamedi, Waziri wa Uwezeshaji,

      Ustawi wa Jamii, Vijana Wanawake na Watoto – Zanzibar;

Mheshimiwa Fatuma A. Mwasa, Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Tabora;

Mheshimiwa Samwel Sitta, Waziri wa Afrika Mashariki, Spika Mstaafu na Aliyekuwa Mwenyekiti wa Bunge Maalum la Katiba;

Waheshimiwa Mawaziri na Naibu Mawaziri;

Waheshimiwa Wabunge na Wajumbe wa

         Baraza la Wawakilishi;

Ndugu  Mwenyekiti  wa CCM Mkoa wa Tabora;

Waheshimiwa Wakuu wa Mikoa kutoka Tanzania

        Bara na Zanzibar;

Makatibu Wakuu kutoka Wizara Mbalimbli Tanzania

      Bara na Zanzibar;

Waheshimiwa Mabalozi na Wawakilishi wa Mashirika ya Kimataifa;

Waheshimiwa viongozi wa vyama mbalimbali vya Siasa;

Viongozi wetu wa Kiroho kutoka katika Madhebu mbalimbali;

Vijana Wetu;

Ndugu Wananchi;

Mabibi na Mabwana;

Nawashukuru Mawaziri wetu Mheshimiwa Fenella Mukangara wa Serikali ya Muungano na Mheshimiwa Zainabu Omari Mohamed wa Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar kwa kunialika kuja kushiriki katika sherehe za mwaka huu za kilele cha Mbio za Mwenge wa Uhuru.  Napenda pia kutumia nafasi hii kumpongeza na kumshukuru Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Tabora na viongozi wenzake na wananchi wote wa Tabora kwa kukubali kuwa mwenyeji wa sherehe hizi na kwa maandalizi mazuri.  Hakika sherehe zimefana sana.  Tunawashukuru kwa mapokezi mazuri na kwa ukarimu wenu.

Pongezi kwa Wizara na Wananchi

Aidha, nawapongeza Makatibu Wakuu, viongozi waandamizi na maafisa wa ngazi mbalimbali wa Wizara zetu mbili husika kwa kazi kubwa na nzuri ya kuandaa na kusimamia utekelezaji wa programu ya Mbio za Mwenge wa Uhuru mwaka 2014.  Matunda yake mema sote tunayashuhudia na kujivunia.  Pamoja na hao napenda kuwatambua, kuwashukuru na kuwapongeza Wakuu wa Mikoa, Wakuu wa Wilaya, Wakurugenzi, Watendaji wa Halmashauri na viongozi wa Shehiya, Majimbo, Kata, Vijiji na Mitaa kote nchini kwa kuziwezesha Mbio za Mwenge mwaka huu kupita kwa usalama katika maeneo yao.

Mwisho, lakini siyo mwisho kwa umuhimu, nawapongeza na kuwashukuru wananchi wote kwa jinsi walivyoupokea na kuukimbiza Mwenge katika maeneo yao.  Kama tulivyosikia Mwenge umekagua, kuzindua na kuweka mawe ya msingi kwa miradi 1,451 yenye thamani ya shilingi bilioni 361.3.  Hii ni miradi mingi yenye manufaa makubwa na kufanya mbio hizi kuwa chachu kubwa ya maendeleo hapa nchini.  Hongereni sana.

Pongezi kwa Wakimbiza Mwenge

Nawapongeza sana vijana wetu waliokimbiza Mwenge wa Uhuru kitaifa chini ya uongozi wa Ndugu Rachel Kasanda kwa kazi kubwa na nzuri ya kukimbiza Mwenge kwa siku 165 kupitia Mikoa yote, Wilaya zote, vijiji vingi na mitaa mingi kote nchini.  Poleni kwa yote yaliyowakuta lakini uvumilivu wenu na moyo wenu wa upendo na uzalendo kwa nchi yenu ndivyo vilivyotuwezesha kufikia kuiona siku ya leo.  Mwenge mmeufikisha salama Tabora ukiwa unang’ara kama ilivyo kawaida yake.  Nawashukuru kwa Risala yenu na kwa kunikabidhi Kitabu kikubwa chenye Risala za Utii za wananchi wa Tanzania.  Kama ilivyo ada tutazisoma zote na mambo yanayostahili kufanyiwa kazi tutachukua hatua stahiki. 

Ndugu Wananchi;

 Kama mjuavyo, katika sherehe hizi pia tunakumbuka tarehe na siku kama ya leo mwaka 1999 ambapo mpendwa wetu Baba wa Taifa, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere alitutoka hapa duniani.  Ilikuwa siku ya majonzi na simanzi kubwa.  Leo, hata hivyo, siyo siku ya kuomboleza, bali ni siku ya kusherehekea maisha ya kiongozi wetu mpendwa asiyekuwa na mfano wake na muasisi wa taifa letu lililo huru la Tanganyika, Desemba, 1961 na wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Aprili 26, 1964 kwa kushirikiana na Mzee Abeid Amani Karume. 

Katika kipindi cha uongozi wake na uhai wake Mwalimu aliifanyia nchi yetu mema mengi ambayo daima hayatasahaulika.  Hivyo basi, siku kama ya leo ni ya kukumbuka kazi zake nzuri pamoja na mambo mengi mazuri aliyotuachia kama urithi.  Ni siku ya kutafakari na kuona namna gani tutayadumisha  na kuyaendeleza.

Sherehe za mwaka huu ni spesheli kweli kweli, kwani zinafanyika siku chache tu baada ya Bunge Maalum la Katiba kukamilisha kazi yake na kukabidhi Katiba Inayopendekezwa.  Katiba hiyo ambayo imepatikana chini ya uongozi wa mwana Tabora, mashuhuri, Mheshimiwa Samwel Sitta imesisitiza ubora na kuendelea kwa Muungano wa Serikali Mbili alizoasisi Mwalimu Julius Nyerere akiwa na Mzee Abeid Amani Karume.  Bila ya shaka mtakumbuka jinsi Mwalimu alivyoupigania muundo huo kwa nguvu zake zote wakati wa uhai wake.  Hatuna budi kulipongeza Bunge Maalum la Katiba kwa uamuzi wake wa busara ambao unamuenzi kwa dhati Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere na kudumisha urithi wake mkuu kwetu ambayo ni Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania.  Sijui tungesema nini katika Sherehe za mwaka huu kama ndiyo tungekuwa na Katiba Inayopendekezwa yenye muundo wa Serikali Tatu?

Mwenge na Taifa Letu

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Mwenge wa Uhuru ni moja ya alama muhimu ya umoja wa nchi yetu na utaifa wetu.  Mwenge umebeba falsafa kubwa ndani yake kuhusu nchi yetu na uhusiano wake na watu wengine duniani hasa wanyonge wenye dhiki wasiokuwa na amani.  Wakati wa harakati za kudai Uhuru wa Tanganyika kutoka kwa Wakoloni wa Kiingereza Mwalimu Julius Nyerere aliwahi kusema “Sisi tunataka kuwasha Mwenge na kuuweka juu ya mlima  Kilimanjaro, umulike hata nje ya mipaka yetu, ulete tumaini pale ambapo hakuna matumaini, upendo mahali palipo na chuki na heshima palipojaa dharau”.  Dhamira hii ilitimizwa tarehe 9 Desemba, 1961 siku Tanganyika ilipopata Uhuru.  Pamoja na kupandisha  bendera ya taifa huru la Tanganyika kwenye Kilele cha Mlima Kilimanjaro na Mwenge wa Uhuru uliwashwa.

          Miaka michache baadaye utaratibu wa kukimbiza Mwenge ulianza na kuendelea mpaka sasa.   Mwenge wa Uhuru umeendelea kumulika nchi nzima ukipita katika mitaa, vijiji, shehia na majimbo, wilaya na mikoa ukieneza ujumbe wa udugu, umoja, upendo, amani na mshikamano miongoni mwa Watanzania.  Aidha, Mwenge umeendelea kuwakumbusha Watanzania wajibu wa kufanya kazi kwa bidii na maarifa ili kujiletea maendeleo yao na ya nchi yetu.  Pia wapige vita maovu nchini. 

Kwa kuzingatia dhima nyingine ya Mwenge wa Uhuru, nchi yetu na sisi Watanzania tumejitolea kwa hali na mali kusaidia ndugu zetu Barani Afrika waliokuwa wanatawaliwa kujikomboa kutoka kwenye makucha ya wakoloni na wabaguzi wa rangi.  Ni fahari kwetu kwamba wananchi wa Msumbiji, Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia na Afrika Kusini wamepata ukombozi na uhuru wao na sisi tumetoa mchango muhimu.  Ni jambo la faraja kubwa kwamba nchi yetu imeweza kuwapatia hifadhi ndugu zetu wa nchi jirani na hata mbali wakati maisha yao yalipokuwa hatarini kwa sababu ya kukosekana kwa amani au kwa kukimbia mateso ya uongozi wa kikatili na kidikteta.  Ndugu zetu wa Kongo, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya na Comoro wanajua ukweli huo.  Na, kwa Uganda tuliwasaidia kuling’oa dikteta Idd Amin na Comoro tumewasaidia kuunganisha tena nchi yao.  Hivi karibuni ndugu zetu wa Sudani Kusini waliniomba tuwasaidie kupatanisha makundi makuu yanayohasimiana katika Chama chao kikuu cha SPLM.  Nimekubali, hivyo tutaanzisha mchakato huo tuone tutafika nao wapi.

Ujumbe wa Mbio za Mwenge

Ndugu Wananchi;

Nimefurahishwa sana na kuafiki ujumbe wa mwaka huu wa Mbio za Mwenge wa Uhuru unaosomeka “Katiba ni Sheria Kuu ya Nchi:  Jitokeze kupiga kura ya Maoni Tupate katiba Mpya”.  Ujumbe huu ni mwafaka kabisa kwa kipindi hiki cha mchakato wa kupata Katiba Mpya nchini. Pamoja na ujumbe huu mahususi wa kila mwaka, Mwenge wa Uhuru umeendelea kuelimisha jamii na kutoa msukumo kuhusu vita dhidi ya UKIMWI, malaria, dawa za kulevya na rushwa.  Nawapongeza sana Wakimbiza Mwenge kitaifa kwa kuwasilisha ujumbe wa mambo yote manne vizuri. 

Ndugu Wananchi:

Kama mnavyofahamu nchi yetu iko katika mchakato wa kuandaa Katiba Mpya. Mchakato huu sasa umeingia hatua ya juu kabisa baada ya kumalizika kwa Bunge Maalum la Katiba kwa kutunga Katiba Inayopendekezwa.  Baada ya Katiba Inayopendekezwa kukabidhiwa kwangu na kwa Rais wa Zanzibar na Mwenyekiti wa Bunge Maalum la Katiba tarehe 8 Oktoba, 2014 mjini Dodoma, kazi inayofuata ni Kura ya Maoni ya wananchi kuamua ili nchi yetu ipate Katiba Mpya.  Hatua husika kuhusu matayarisho ya kutekeleza masharti ya Kura ya Maoni zimeshaanza kuchukuliwa.  Nawaomba Watanzania wenzangu muwe na subira.  Mtaelezwa na kuelekezwa ipasavyo. 

Ndugu Wananchi;

Nimebahatika kuisoma Katiba Inayopendekezwa na naendelea kuisoma.  Kwa kweli ni Katiba bora, kuliko hii tuliyonayo sasa yaani Katiba ya mwaka 1977.  Ni Katiba inayotambua na kuimarisha tunu za taifa letu na mambo mazuri ya huko tulikotoka na hapa tulipo.  Ni Katiba inayorekebisha upungufu uliopo sasa na kuweka mifumo mizuri inayoendana na wakati tulionao sasa na huko mbele tuendako.  Kwa lugha nyepesi ni Katiba inayotoa majawabu sahihi kwa changamoto zetu za leo na kesho.

Katiba Inayopendekezwa inatokana na ushirikishwaji mpana wa wananchi wa Tanzania walioko ndani na hata wale walio nje ya nchi.  Ndiyo maana haki na maslahi ya makundi yote zimetambuliwa na kupewa nafasi yake stahiki.  Kama mjuavyo, leo pia ni kilele cha Wiki ya Vijana.  Napenda mjue kuwa Katiba Inayopendekezwa imetambua haki za vijana na kuelekeza kuundwa kwa Baraza la Vijana la Taifa.  Kuundwa kwa Baraza hilo kutawaongezea vijana sauti katika kushiriki kwenye utungaji wa sera na uamuzi unaohusu maendeleo ya vijana na nchi yenu (ambayo ndiyo yetu sote).  Kitakuwa chombo huru cha kuunganisha vijana wote nchini bila kubagua kwa jinsia, rangi, kabila, dini, ufuasi wa vyama vya siasa na maeneo watokako katika kutafuta majawabu ya changamoto zinazowakabili ikiwemo tatizo kubwa la ajira.

 Hii ni fursa ambayo vijana wamekuwa wakiililia tangu kutungwa kwa Sera ya Vijana ya mwaka 1996.   Hatimaye kilio hiki kimepatiwa kitambaa cha kufutia machozi na Katiba Inayopendekezwa.  Shime vijana mjitokeze kwa wingi wakati utakapofika, mpige kura ya kuunga mkono Katiba Inayopendekezwa ili mjitengenezee hatma njema ninyi na vizazi vyenu. Mnayo nafasi sasa ya kihistoria ya kushika hatamu ya maendeleo yenu.  Katiba Inayopendekezwa ni fursa hiyo, hakikisheni haiwaponyoki.

Ndugu Watanzania Wenzangu;

Naomba muisome kwa makini Katiba Inayopendekezwa ili  muielewe na kuona jinsi masuala muhimu kuhusu vijana na wananchi wengine yalivyozingatiwa.  Epukeni kuondolewa kwenye mambo yenye maslahi ya moja kwa moja na ustawi wenu na kubeba agenda hasi za watu wengine.  Kamwe msikubali kutumika na kutumiwa na wanasiasa au wanaharakati kwa mambo ambayo hayana tija kwenu na nchi yetu.  Nawaomba vijana mtambue kuwa kwa sababu ya umri wenu, ninyi ndiyo mtakaoishi na kufaidi matunda ya Katiba Inayopendekezwa kwa miaka mingi ijayo.  Kwa sababu hiyo, itumieni fursa hii vizuri, kutengeneza mustakabali mwema kwenu na kwa vizazi vyenu.  Hatima ya nchi yetu iko mikononi mwenu.   

Ndugu Wananchi;

Bila ya shaka mnajua kuwa mwezi Desemba, 2014 kwa upande wa Tanzania Bara kutafanyika Uchaguzi wa Serikali za Mitaa.  Napenda kutumia fursa hii kuwashauri vijana na wananchi wote wenye sifa stahiki na kujitokeza kugombea uongozi.  Pia nawaomba mjitokeze kwa wingi na kushiriki kwa ukamilifu katika kupiga Kura siku ya uchaguzi.  Kufanya hivyo ndiko kutakakotupatia viongozi wazuri wanaoweza kutuvusha na kutupeleka huko mbele kuzuri tunakokutaka.  Tushirikiane ili tupate viongozi wanaoendana na mahitaji ya sasa na ya miaka ijayo mbele.  Ngazi za kitongoji, mitaa na kijiji ndizo ngazi za msingi za kuanzia za kuleta maendeleo na mabadiliko katika nchi yetu.

 Shughuli za maendeleo na utoaji wa huduma za jamii hasa zinafanyika katika vijiji, vitongoji na mitaa tunayoishi.  Hivyo, mabadiliko mnayoyataka hamna budi yaanzie katika mitaa au kitongoji unachoishi. Hii ndiyo ngazi inayotugusa moja kwa moja kila mmoja wetu katika maisha yetu ya kila siku. Hivyo basi, vijana mjitokeze kugombea uongozi katika uchaguzi wa Serikali za Mitaa.  Vile vile, mwakani kwenye Udiwani, Ubunge na Uwakilishi, msibaki nyuma.  Ni haki yenu na ni wakati wenu.  Gombeeni hata kwa nafasi ya Urais, na iwapo kuna mtu anayefanana na ujana na atakuwa ametimiza masharti ya Katiba, asiogope, ajitokeze.  Watu wataamua.  Shime jitokezeni mkawe chachu ya mabadiliko katika maeneo mnayoishi na nchi nzima. 

Wiki ya Vijana

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Kama sehemu ya sherehe hizi, jana nilitembelea Kijiji cha Mfano cha Vijana katika wilaya ya Sikonge.  Nimefurahishwa sana na juhudi zifanywazo na vijana za kujiletea maendeleo.  Nimevutiwa na miradi mbalimbali wanayoitekeleza pale ikiwemo ya kufuga nyuki na kuvuna mazao yatokanayo na nyuki, ufugaji wa kuku na ng’ombe wa maziwa, ushonaji nguo na viatu.  Halikadhalika, shughuli za kilimo na ujenzi wa nyumba bora.  Nimewashauri viongozi wa Wilaya, Mkoa na Wizara waangalie uwezekano wa kuwafanya vijana hao kuwa wakaazi na wamiliki wa eneo hilo la miradi ili kiwe kweli kijiji cha mfano badala ya kuwa mahali pa kupita mithili ya chuo cha mafunzo ya amali.

Baadae nitapata nafasi ya kutembelea mabanda ya maonesho ya kazi wafanyazo vijana na wadau wengine hapa uwanjani.  Maonyesho haya yanathibitisha kwa uwazi fursa zilizopo za kuwaendeleza vijana.  Lililo muhimu kufanya, ni kwa vijana kuwa na upeo mzuri wa ufahamu wa mambo, ubunifu, moyo wa kujituma na kufanya kazi kwa bidii.  Mkifanya hivyo tutaondokana na tatizo la ukosefu wa ajira na umaskini kwa vijana na taifa kwa ujumla.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Kwa kutambua ukweli huu, ndiyo maana Serikali zetu zimeongeza bajeti katika Mifuko ya Maendeleo ya Vijana kupitia Wizara zetu mbili zinazosimamia na kuratibu maendeleo ya vijana.  Shabaha yetu ni kuwawezesha vijana wengi zaidi kupata mikopo na kuwa na mitaji ya kutekeleza miradi yao itakayowawezesha kujiajiri wenyewe na kujipatia kipato. Naikumbusha Wizara inayosimamia na kuratibu Mfuko wa Maendeleo ya Vijana kuhakikisha kwamba fedha za Mfuko huo zinawafikia walengwa na, kwa wakati muafaka.

Kwa upande mwingine nazikumbusha Halmashauri zote za Wilaya na Miji kutekeleza kwa ukamilifu agizo la kutenga asilimia 10ya mapato yao kwa mwaka kwa ajili ya shughuli za maendeleo ya Vijana na Wanawake.  Ninazo taarifa kuwa baadhi ya Halmashauri zinalitekeleza vizuri agizo hili lakini zipo nyingine ambazo zinasuasua.  Nataka isiwepo hata Halmashauri moja ya kunyooshewa kidole kwa kutokufanya vizuri kwa jambo lenye manufaa kwa vijana wetu kama hili.  Naomba nitumie nafasi hii leo kuzitaka Halmashauri zote kutoa taarifa za mara kwa mara za utekelezaji wa agizo hili.  Taarifa ya kwanza kwa ajili hiyo itolewe mwisho wa mwezi Desemba, 2014, ifuatayo iwe miezi minne baadae na kila baada ya miezi minne. 

Mapambano Dhidi ya UKIMWI

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Janga la UKIMWI bado ni tatizo kubwa nchini hivyo ni sahihi kabisa kwa Mwenge kuendelea kulisemea.   Inakadiriwa kuwa tunao wagonjwa wa UKIMWI milioni 1.4.   Bahati mbaya waathirika wengi zaidi ni vijana.  Takwimu za maambukizi zinaonyesha pia kuwa wasichana wa umri wa miaka 20 – 24 wako katika hatari ya kuambukizwa karibu mara tatu ikilinganishwa na wavulana wa umri huo huo. 

Ni jambo la kutia moyo kwamba kiwango cha maambukizi kinashuka mwaka hadi mwaka kutokana na shughuli za uhamasishaji ambazo na Mwenge nao una mchango wake.  Kwa mfano, kiwango cha maambukizi kimeshuka kutoka asilimia 5.7mwaka 2010 hadi asilimia 5.1 mwaka 2012.  Kiwango cha maambukizi ya UKIMWI hapa mkoani Tabora ni wastani wa asilimia 5.1 ambayo ni sawa na kiwango cha kitaifa.  Mwelekeo huu kwa taifa na Tabora ni mzuri lakini tusibweteke bali tuongeze bidii katika mapambano.  Watu watano katika kila 100 kuwa wameambukizwa ni wengi mno.  Isitoshe maambukizi mapya 78,843 ni makubwa mno, tunataka maambukizi mapya yawe sifuri.

          Tumeendelea kupata mafanikio ya kutia moyo katika vita dhidi ya UKIMWI.  Idadi ya watu wanaoishi na virusi vya UKIMWI wanaopata tiba imeongezeka kutoka 201,181 (2005) hadi 512,555mwaka 2013.   Hali kadhalika tumewezesha huduma za kuzuia maambukizi kutoka kwa mama kwenda kwa mtoto kutolewa karibu katika Kliniki zote nchini (aslimia 97).  Vilevile, idadi ya waliopima afya zao imeongezeka kutoka watu 365,189 mwaka 2005 hadi20,469,241 mwaka 2013.  Katika mwaka 2013 peke yake, watu2,793,636 walipima afya zao.  Yote hayo ndiyo yanayochangia kupungua kwa maambukizi. 

Ndugu Wananchi; 

          Ili kushinda vita hii hatuna budi kukumbushana kuachana na tabia na mienendo inayowaweka wanaadamu katika hatari ya maambukizi.  Mimi naamini Watanzania tunaweza kabisa kushinda vita dhidi ya UKIMWI.  Kinachotakiwa ni kuamua kukataa kupata maradhi haya.  Inawezekana, timiza wajibu wako.

Mapambano Dhidi ya Rushwa

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Tumeendelea na mapambano dhidi ya rushwa na mafanikio yanaendelea kupatikana.  Watu wengi zaidi hivi sasa wakiwemo vijana, wamefikiwa na kampeni ya kuwafanya watambue madhila yake, waichukie rushwa na wawe tayari kujitokeza kupambana na uovu huu.    Taasisi ya Kuzuia na Kupambana na Rushwa (TAKUKURU) imeongeza kasi ya kupambana na rushwa.  Katika kipindi cha Julai 2013 hadi Juni, 2014 imefanikiwa kufungua kesi mpya 327, kati ya hizo kesi tatu ni za rushwa kubwa.  Aidha, shilingi bilioni 38.96 zimeokolewa.  TAKUKURU sasa imekwenda mbali zaidi na kuanzisha ofisi za Waratibu wa Kanda (Public Expenditure Tracking System – PETS Coordinators) wenye jukumu la kufuatilia matumizi ya fedha kwenye shughuli za ununuzi hasa kwenye miradi ya maendeleo.

 Tumefanya hivyo kwa kutambua kuwa shughuli za ununuzi kwenye Halmashauri na Serikali Kuu kwa jumla ndiko waliko mchwa wengi, wakubwa na wanene.  Katika kipindi cha 2013/14 pekee, miradi 215 yenye thamani ya shilingi bilioni 20.594imekaguliwa.  Kati ya miradi hiyo, miradi yenye thamani ya shilingibilioni 9.59 ilionekana kuwa na mazingira ya mashaka na uchunguzi wa kina unaendelea hivi sasa.  Itakapothibitika kuwepo kwa dalili za rushwa, hatua zipasazo za kisheria zitachukuliwa bila ya ajizi.

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Tunaweza kupata ushindi mkubwa zaidi katika vita dhidi ya rushwa na mafanikio tunayoendelea kupata ni ushahidi wa ukweli wa kihistoria.  Sisi katika Serikali tutaendelea kutekeleza wajibu wetu kwa kuiwezesha TAKUKURU kwa rasilimali watu, vitendea kazi na majengo.  Mwaka huu pekee tumeiwezesha Taasisi kuajiri Maafisa Uchunguzi na Wachunguzi Wasaidizi 304 ili kuimarisha utendaji katika taasisi yetu hii muhimu.  Tunachohitaji ni ushirikiano wa karibu wa wananchi katika kuwafichua wale wanaojihusisha na vitendo vya rushwa. 

Ukweli ni kwamba watu hao tunaishi nao katika maeneo yetu.  Tuache kuwatukuza na kuwalinda kwani kwa kufanya hivyo tunawaimarisha, na kuwakatisha tamaa watu waadilifu na wale walio mstari wa mbele katika mapambano dhidi ya rushwa.  Tuyachukue mapambano dhidi ya rushwa kuwa ni yetu sote na siyo ya TAKUKURU au viongozi peke yao.  Ushindi dhidi ya rushwa ni ushindi wetu sote. Hali kadhalika, kushindwa vita dhidi ya rushwa ni kushindwa kwetu sote.  Ni hasara kwako na taifa kwa jumla.

Vita Dhidi ya Dawa za Kulevya

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Tunaendelea na mapambano dhidi ya matumizi na biashara haramu ya dawa za kulevya.  Tunaendelea kupata mafanikio pamoja na ugumu uliokuwepo katika mapambano hayo.  Wahalifu wamekuwa wakibadili mbinu na kuongeza nguvu kila kukicha.  Hata hivyo, na sisi tumekuwa na unyumbufu wa kutosha. Ukweli ni kwamba kadri wahalifu hao wanavyoongezeka na ndivyo wanavyoongezeka kukamatwa.  Wakati katika kipindi cha Januari hadi  Septemba mwaka 2013 walikamatwa watuhumiwa 2,000,mwaka huu tangu Januari, hadi kufikia Oktoba, (2014) watuhumiwa6,875 wameshakamatwa  na kesi zao ziko katika hatua mbalimbali.  Takwimu hizi zinaonyesha namna tulivyoongeza nguvu na tunavyofanikiwa katika juhudi zetu. 

Katika Mkoa wa Tabora peke yake, washitakiwa 177wamefikishwa Mahakamani.  Kilichonisikitisha zaidi ni taarifa kuwa sasa kilimo cha bangi kinaongezeka kwa kasi mkoani Tabora.  Nawaomba muendelee kuwa wakulima hodari wa tumbaku pekee na siyo kilimo cha bangi.

Ndugu Wananchi;      

Tumeendelea kuchukua hatua nyingi madhubuti kukabiliana na mtandao wa uuzaji na usafirishaji wa dawa za kulevya, ndiyo maana taarifa za matukio ya kukamatwa watu katika viwanja vyetu vya ndege zimepungua sana tofauti na mwanzo mwa mwaka huu.  Hii inaashiria kuwa mambo yamekuwa magumu kwenye njia hiyo, lakini tunajua  wanatafuta au watatafuta njia nyingine.  Kwa yote mawili hawatafika mbali, mkono mrefu wa sheria utawafikia. 

Tumeendelea kutoa huduma za kuwasaidia waathirika wa dawa za kulevya kuacha kutumia dawa hizo na kurejea katika maisha ya kawaida.  Vituo vyetu vya majaribio katika hospitali za Muhimbili, Mwananyamala na Temeke sasa vinahudumia waathirika wapatao 1,835 kwa kutumia dawa ya Methadone.  Tanzania ni moja kati ya nchi chache sana Afrika ambazo zimepiga hatua kubwa katika kutibu waathirika wake na wenzetu sasa wanakuja kujifunza kwetu.  Tutafanya zaidi ya tufanyavyo sasa.  Nia yetu ni kueneza huduma hiyo nchi nzima ili kunufaisha vijana wetu wengi.

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Tunayo kila sababu ya kushinda vita hii.  Hatamu ya ushindi wetu iko mikononi mwa wananchi wa Tanzania na vijana ambao ndiyo waathirika na wateja wakubwa wa dawa hizo.  Kataeni kuwa mawakala wa biashara hii haramu na ya maangamizi.  Pia kataeni kuwa watumiaji wa dawa za kulevya.  Biashara hii haiwezi kushamiri iwapo hapatakuwepo na mawakala na wateja wa uhakika.  Sisi Serikalini tunaendelea kuchukua hatua stahiki. Sasa tunapitia upya sheria ili tuweze kuanzisha taasisi mpya yenye mamlaka makubwa ya kupambana na dawa za kulevya kuliko Tume ya Kudhibiti Dawa za Kulevya iliyoko sasa.  Maandalizi yamefikia pazuri.  Tutakamilisha jambo hili mapema iwezekanavyo.

Maji na Barabara

Ndugu Wananchi;

Kabla ya kumaliza naomba niwathibitishie wananchi wa Mkoa wa Tabora kwamba ahadi yangu ya kuleta maji mjini Tabora, Nzega na Igunga kutoka Ziwa Victoria iko palepale.  Tumechelewa kuanza kutokana na kuendelea kutafuta fedha za kutekeleza dhamira yetu hiyo.  Nafurahi kusema kuwa Mungu ni mwema tumefanikiwa.  Serikali ya India imekubali maombi yangu na watatukopesha kiasi cha dola za Marekani milioni 264 kwa ajili ya kutekeleza mradi huu.  Wataalamu wanamalizia michoro ya mradi ili baada ya hapo ujenzi uanze.  Subira yavuta heri, wote tuwe wavumilivu.

Tunaendelea na jitihada za kujenga barabara mbalimbali kwa kiwango cha lami hapa Mkoani Tabora.  Barabara zinazoendelea kujengwa zitakamilishwa na zile zinazoendelea na maandalizi zitaanza pindi tutakapopata fedha.  Lengo letu ni kuunganisha Mkoa huu na Mkoa wa Katavi, Kigoma na Singida kupitia Itigi hadi Manyoni.  Tumezungumza na Kuwait Fund ili watusaidie kujenga barabara ya Nyahua – Chaya wamekubali.  Hali kadhalika, Benki ya Maendeleo ya Afrika wanaelekea kuwa tayari kutupatia mkopo wa ujenzi wa barabara ya Tabora -  Sikonge – Koga - Mpanda.

Hitimisho

Ndugu Wananchi;

Narudia tena kuwashukuru wote walioshiriki kwa njia moja au nyingine kufanikisha sherehe hizi ambazo zimefana mno.  Baada ya kusema hayo natamka rasmi kwamba shughuli za Mbio za Mwenge wa Uhuru kwa mwaka huu zimefikia kilele chake leo.

Nawatakia kila la kheri katika shughuli zenu za kila siku.

Mungu Ibariki Tanzania!

Mungu Ibariki Afrika!

Ahsanteni sana kwa kunisikiliza.

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hon. Lazaro Nyalandu (MP);

Hon. Said Meck Sadick, Regional Commissioner;

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism;

Board of Directors, Tanzania Tourist Board;

High Commissioners and Ambassadors,

S!TE Organizers and Exhibitors,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning!

It gives me great pleasure to grace this official opening of this first Swahili International Tourism Expo (S!TE).  I thank the organizers, the Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB) and South African based Pure Grit Project and Exhibition Management Limited for conceiving the idea and organizing this event.  For the first time, Tanzania will be having her international tourism exhibition.  I am sure this will go a long way towards promoting Tanzania as a destination of choice for tourism.  The fact that 160 exhibitors from 13 countries and 25 tour operators (hosted buyers) are gathering here gives us a sense of optimism.  It is a sign of confidence and good beginning for this Swahili International Tourism Expo. 

Uniqueness of Swahili International Tourism Expo

Excellencies;

Ladies and gentlemen;

Swahili International Tourism Expo is a new tourism event in Tanzania and one of its kind.  The choice of the name “Swahili” itself explains the richness and uniqueness of the event.  Swahili civilization is one of the old that borne out of early contact between the people of the coast of East Africa and Arabian, Persian, Asian and European sailors.  As a result of trade and later colonialism, Swahili language, a lingua franca widely spoken in Eastern Africa was born.  Swahili language and its civilization has maintained its tradition of being a melting pot between world cultures and civilizations, understanding, friendship, cooperation and peace.  This expo could therefore bear no other better name than Swahili International Tourism Expo.

The Outlook of World Tourism Industry

Excellencies;

Ladies and gentlemen;

 Apart from being a source of attracting investments, creating jobs and generating revenue, tourism fosters cultural understanding, friendship and cooperation among peoples of the world.  Today, tourism accounts for 9 percent of global GDP, 6 percent of worlds export and 1 percent in every 11 jobs worldwide.  According to UNWTO Tourism Highlights 2014, international tourism has increased from 25 million international tourists in 1950 to 1.087 billion tourist in 2013.  With an estimated growth of 3.3 percent annually, international tourists are expected to reach 1.8 billion in 2030.  Most of this growth is expected to take place in emerging economies whose market share will account for 57 percent equivalent to 1 billion tourists in 2030.

Despite this rosy picture, Africa lags behind in both attracting international tourists and in revenue earnings despite having many attractive spots for both leisure and adventure.  In 2013, Africa received about 56 million international tourists which accounts for only 5 percent of the world share.  In terms of international tourism receipt, Africa received only 34 billion US dollars which is equivalent to 3 percent of total income from tourism.  This is even less than what Middle East received which is, 5 percent of international tourist arrivals and 4 percent of income earned.  It is far from Asia which receives 23 percent of tourists and 31 percent of incomes.  Europe hits the jackpot by receiving 52 percent of tourists and 42 percent of income.

  This inequality in terms of world’s inbound tourists and earning is attributed to lack of tourism infrastructure, marketing and investment.  Among the three, Africa’s tourism is also affected by negative perception that paints about Africa.  Foreign media is fond of talking about armed conflicts, diseases and problems of poverty.  Good stories about progress being made on the Continent do not find headlines.  Indeed, Africa has its positive sides too and extraordinary attractions for leisure, adventure and relaxation.  This shortcoming has costed Africa dearly.  It is an anomaly that needs to be corrected.

The story about Africa must be told and the misrepresentation corrected.  The perception that Africa is a country rather than a continent must not be left to prevail.  It must be reminded that Africa is a continent of 54 countries not a country of 54 provinces.  Therefore, singling out a problem in one country or part of Africa and generalizing it to be the situation all over the continent is erroneous and unfair.  

Obviously, we cannot put all blame on others, we too have some responsibility.  We are not doing enough.  It is high time we realized that telling our story is our responsibility and not that of tourists or foreign media.   It is incumbent upon us therefore that, we must be proactive to tell our own story and tell it loud.  For it has been said, “Until lions have their own historians, the history of the jungle will always glorify the hunter.”  Fortunately, it is easier to tell ones story these days than was the case in 20 or 30 years ago.  We must appreciate its significance and be ready to make good use of it.

The State of Tourism Industry in Tanzania

Excellencies;

Ladies and gentlemen;

The tourism industry in Tanzania has been recording an improved performance in recent years. In 2013 the sector recorded an increase in the number of international tourist arrival by 1.7 percent from 1,077,058 recorded in 2012 to 1,095,885 in 2013. As a result, tourism earnings increased by 8.2 percent, from US dollars 1,712.7 million recorded in 2012, to US dollars 1,853.28 million in 2013. 

According to the Monthly Economic Review Publication issued by the Bank of Tanzania, the country earned nearly two billion US Dollars from tourism receipts in the year between July 2013 and June 2014. This constitutes an increase from the previous year of nearly 12.3 percent. This makes the tourism industry the largest foreign exchange earner after gold whose income has fallen significantly as a result of lower world prices for the commodity.  But, Tanzania can do much better than this, get three or four times more tourists and earnings.

          We have to double efforts to create a better enabling environment for private sector and other stakeholders to contribute to tourism growth.   We must do more and better with regard to the investment climate in tourism, issuance of visa, harmonization of taxes and fees to make packages competitive and improving services to tourists so that they enjoy their stay and realize value for their money.

The Government’s Commitment to Tourism Industry

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I wish to assure you that my Government is fully committed to improving matters in the tourism industry in Tanzania.  We commit to sustain policies as well as legal and fiscal regimes that facilitate and promote growth of tourism sector.  We shall remain vigilant in promoting sustainable conservation policies and management practices of our eco-systems, natural attractions and resources.  Safety and security of tourism will remain high on the agenda.  We shall never waver in our resolve or morale in addressing all security concerns, as and when they arise.

Our track record on conservation speaks volume of our commitment.  We have allocated 36 percent of our land (equals to the size of Indonesia) for conservation.  Despite the enormity of the challenge these days, we have undertaken robust anti-poaching campaigns with encouraging outcomes. We are beginning to register significant reduction in poaching incidences from 6 per month in 2012 to none in the last 3 months.  We also subscribe to the decisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and London Initiative Against Illegal Trade in Wildlife with regard to intensifying the fight against poaching and illegal trade in wildlife products.  To that end, we have proclaimed 22^nd September of every year to be the National Elephant Day.   

Way Forward

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          The world tourism trend presents plenty of opportunities for Africa going forwards towards 2030.  Therefore, Africa must do more and better in promoting growth of the tourism sector to more than the estimated 5 percent next to only Asia and Pacific which will grow at 6 percent.  Certainly, African governments will have to do better in addressing bottlenecks related to tourism infrastructure and services such as hotels, air travel and security and safety concerns of tourists.  Much more also, needs to be done to improve the perception of our dear continent.  In this regard, more Expos like this one, branding and promotion initiatives are needed.  We must do more to reach out to tourists to visit Africa and Tanzania in particular.  While it is incumbent upon us Africans to do so, it is fair to ask tour operators and other players gathered here to use their good offices and influence to promote tourisms to Africa.  Your voice carries a lot of weight, please use it for our mutual benefit.   

Conclusion

Excellencies;

Ladies and gentlemen;

Before I conclude, allow me to thank all the sponsors of this first Swahili International Tourism Expo. Your support to Tanzania Tourist Board is highly appreciated.  I am particularly impressed with the extent of the contribution of our very own local companies and institutions.  It gives this Expo a sense of local ownership and belonging.  I would like to recognize the Ethiopian Airlines, Tanzania National Parks, Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, Bank of Tanzania, CRDB Bank, Zanzibar Collections, Serena Hotels and Lodges, Precision Air Services and Sea Cliff Hotel.

Others are Azam Marine, Sun Tours, Zara Adventures, Hyatt Regency, Acacia Lodge, Protea Hotel, Southern Sun, Montage, Wildlife Expedition, Naenda Safaris, Ngorongoro Wild Camp and Serengeti Wildbeest Camp, Soroi Serengeti Lodge, High View Hotel and Bouganvillia Safari Lodge.  Thank you so much for your generosity.  Please continue to support and participate in the future Swahili Expos.  It benefits you and all of us.

Last but not least, I thank and congratulate all the exhibitors, travel trade professionals and visitors for making the right decision to participate in the first ever Swahili International Tourism Expo.  I wish you all every success in this Expo and, please, let this be the beginning of many more such Expos..

Ahsanteni Sana!

Professor Richard L. Edwards, Executive Vice President for   Academic Affairs and Chancellor of Rutgers University;

Dr. Ousseina Alidou, Director, Center for African Studies; Rutgers University;

Members of the faculty;

Students;

Distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          I thank you Professor Richard L. Edwards, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chancellor of Rutgers University, for the invitation to visit this prestigious and world renowned University.  I am impressed by your accomplishments. This University is a household name in research and development in chemistry, which makes you the first in the US for federal funding in Chemistry. It is gratifying to note the existing ties between your Centre for African Studies and Tanzania.

More interesting, is the intention of this University to enter into partnership with the University of Dodoma in Tanzania. I believe there is more we can do together, and that this partnership will build a foundation of many more partnerships with Tanzania Universities in future. My government is in full support of such partnership and shall do what is required of us to sustain them for mutual benefits.  I also thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts on the “Importance of Creating International Collaborative Partnerships for Solving Global Challenges”.  I consider, the theme very opportune, particularly, at this time of conceiving the post 2015 Development Agenda. This is the successor program to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  I am happy to note that the discussions at the United Nations are not whether or not international partnerships are important, but how can we create these partnerships in a manner that they are effective and efficient in addressing global challenges.  

Global Problems Need  for Global Solution

Ladies and Gentlemen,

          I also, thank you for affording me the opportunity to share my thoughts on the importance of creating international collaborative Partnerships for solving Global Problems. Many challenges and problems that the world is facing today are global in nature. Today, there is no longer a problem called Eastern or Western, African or European or American, or a problem of the North or South. With the triumph of information and communication technology (ICT), the world is more connected today than any other time in the human history. Unlike in the past, geography and distance are no longer making us safer or completely immune from the challenges and problems happening on other parts of the world. A problem in one country can cause problems to other countries afar. Similarly, solutions for challenges for a particular country may be applicable in other countries. Therefore, the times we are in, call for global partnership in finding solutions to many global problems.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

This is largely because globalization has leveraged roles of many other actors in the international arena, which was an exclusive arena of a state. The state no longer enjoys the powers and monopoly of solutions to world problems. Much as the role of state remains significant, it has been dramatically reduced. With the changing power configuration, non-state actors including corporations and international non-governmental organizations are playing a significant role in formulation and implementation of strategies in areas such as poverty, health, climate change, security, energy and the like. The fact that 37 of the world’s 100 largest economies are corporations, not states, and less than 1 percent of banks control the shares of 40 percent of global business, and major international philanthropies have budgets larger than many of the developing nations’ budgets, demonstrates the importance of these actors in the international arena.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

It is clear, therefore, that addressing the traditional social gaps and emerging development challenges in the developing world, requires both public and private actors in order to team up to seek  greater efficiency, quality and sustainability in the delivery of goods and services traditionally provided by the public sector.

Experiences in International Partnership

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me use the 14 years of implementation of Millennium Development Goals to illustrate how international partnership works in solving global development challenges. The implementation of MDGs has exposed us to best experiences where international partnerships contributed in solving global challenges. One of such areas is an advancement of health, which is covered under Goal Number 6 on Fight Against Diseases such as Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV and AIDS and Goals 4 and 5 which are about Child Health and Maternal Mortality.  Through partnerships between governments, the United Nations system, multilateral institutions, non-governmental organizations, private sector and private foundations the world has managed to record tremendous achievements in addressing these issues.

          According to the UN MDG 2014 report, child mortality rate has almost been halved since 1990, with six million fewer children dying in 2012 than in 1990. Also, between 2005 and 2012, the annual rate of reduction in under-five mortality was more than three times faster than between 1990 and 1995.  Moreover, 52 percent of pregnant women had four or more antenatal care visits during pregnancy in 2012, which is an increase from 37 percent from 1990. Immunization against measles also helped to prevent nearly 14 million deaths between 2000 and 2012. Furthermore, in fighting diseases, antiretroviral medicines were delivered to 9.5 million people in developing regions in 2012; malaria interventions helped save the lives of 3 million young children between 2000 and 2012; and 22 million lives were saved through tuberculosis treatment between 1995 and 2012.

          These achievements have been made possible not by governments alone, but through international partnerships. International partnerships involving academia, research, pharmaceutical companies, corporate bodies and philanthropists, the United Nations and governments have contributed to these momentous achievements. For instance, in early 1990s, people in developing countries could easily die of HIV/AIDS simply because they could not afford the ARV treatment. Through collaboration with United Nations, private sector and philanthropists, the Global Fund alone has been able to spend about USD 4 billion annually to reach 140 countries globally to provide for free ARV treatment to 6.6 million people living with HIV/AIDS, treat 11.9 million TB cases, distribute 410 million insecticide-treated nets and medicines to treat 430 million people on malaria as of July 2014.

Tanzania and International Partnerships

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Tanzania has benefitted immensely from this international partnership in all aspects of development. As you are aware, Tanzania is one of the 8 least developed countries in the world which aspires to become a middle income country by year 2025. As a developing country, Tanzania has all features of under-development, which coupled with the limited capacity of the government, makes solving development challenges a daunting task. However, we have been able to make impressive strides in many scores as a result of international partnerships.

          Through international partnerships and working together with our partners, such as friendly governments like USA and others, organizations like United Nations, World Bank, European Union, Global Fund, private foundations, Bill and Melinda Gates, GAVI, Clinton Foundation and many others we have been able to reduce infant mortality rate from 115 deaths per 1000 live births in 1990 to 21 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013. We have also managed to reduce the under-five mortality rate from 191 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 54 deaths per 1,000 in 2013 and reduce HIV/AIDS infection rate from 7 percent in 1990 to 5.1 percent in 2013. However, we lag behind on Goal 1 on halving extreme poverty although it has declined from 39 percent in 1990 to 28.2 percent in 2012.  On Goal 5 on improving maternal health, we have witnessed reduction in maternal mortality from below 478 per 100,000 live births to 432 per 100,000 live births. We are far below target of 191 per 100,000 live births.

          We have been able to increase the number of pregnant women who deliver under supervision of skilled birth attendants. These days more infants survive the first 5 years, more children are immunized, more HIV/AIDS patients are under ARV treatment and there is significant reduction in   incidences of malaria and related deaths. We are in the threshold of attaining UPE. As alluded to earlier, all of these have been made possible by international partnerships.  I believe we can do more with increasing partnerships and collaborations in other areas and sectors.

          These partnerships have made it possible for countries like mine to overcome the capacity limitations of our government to address these problems. Relying on government resources and own capacity alone, may have taken us longer to marshal the requisite resources and capacity to get to where we are today. With international partnership, it has been possible to bridge this gap. It is for this reason that my government has opted to cooperate with all other people and organizations of goodwill.

Partnership between Rutgers University and Tanzania

Ladies and Gentlemen,

          It is a statement of fact that one reason why Africa, Tanzania included, lags behind in development is limited application of modern science and technology in development. In this era where knowledge, science and technology are drivers of development across the world   Africa and Tanzania need to do more on research and development. This is because the transformation that we need to undertake to increase productivity requires great contribution of research and development.

          Tanzania, for example, cannot attain middle income status without transforming her agriculture.  This is because, agriculture employs about 75 percent of the population and it gives us the food we eat and raw materials for our industries.  It is the agriculture sector that majority of poor people depends on for their livelihood.  However, with little application of science and technology, agricultural productivity is low.  Therefore, application of science to increase productivity, improve quality of seeds, produce disease resistant crops and improve methods of farming will make a huge difference in moving our people out of poverty in the next decade.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          Aware of the nexus between research and development, I made a decision to allocate one percent of our budget to invest in research and development. However, given competing demands, we have been able to allocate only 30 million USD each year, an amount that is small for any meaningful impact.  I say so because according to the 2014 Global Research and Development Funding Forecast issued in December, 2013, US, China, Japan and Europe will spend about 78 percent of all the 1.6 trillion dollars expected to be spent globally on research and development. In figures, US will spend about 465 billion USD (2.8 percent of GDP), China will spend 284 billion USD (2.0 percent of GDP) and Japan will spend 165 billion USD (3.4 percent of GDP). 

          Definitely, Tanzania like many other developing countries is left far behind in financing research and development due to competing budgetary demands. What we manage to provide to our universities and research institutes is a fraction of what universities in United States spend on the same.  I am told Rutgers University spends about 430 million USD annually on research and development in life sciences alone, and this campus receives about 304 million USD annually on externally sponsored research, grants and contracts. It is evident, therefore, that our universities and research institutions require international partnership in order to be able to do more on research. Leveraging international partnerships in undertaking research and development is the smartest way of meeting technological, expertise and funding gaps for development nations.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          International partnerships between our academic institutions will not only help reduce the funding gap for research and development, but most importantly, will enable the sharing of knowledge, innovation, science and technology and make these essential global goods to be accessed and enjoyed by all humanity. Failure to make these essential global goods available to African countries which need them the most to transform their economies is tantamount to condemning these countries to perpetual poverty. It does not make any moral sense to allow people to die or languish in poverty on one side of the world, while knowledge, technology and financial resources to prevent that to happen is available on the other side of the world.

For that reason, we welcome the gesture of partnership between this University and our University of Dodoma and many others in Tanzania. I commend the leadership of this University for this kind gesture of friendship between the people of New Jersey and Tanzania.  I believe such a partnership will go a long way in making an impact to our academia, students and our two communities who will be primary beneficiaries of the products of this partnership. Tanzania though the University of Dodoma avails its readiness to continue this partnership with Rutgers University in the identified areas of cooperation that include academic knowledge through teaching and research.

Conclusion

Ladies and Gentlemen,

          Let me conclude by emphasizing that international partnerships are the surest way to go in the 21^st century.  It is no longer a matter of choice but a dictate of the era that we are in, the era of globalization.  This is an opportunity the world has waited for so long. It was not possible during colonialism and subsequently during the cold war. It is now possible with globalization.  It is incumbent upon us to realize and live with it.

          Today’s global challenges cannot be solved by an individual country or government, however mightier or wealthier that country or government can be. Therefore, collaboration is the way to go, and international partnerships are the best vehicles to achieve that.  International partnerships allow rationalization of resources, efficiency and unity of purpose. They allow complementarity and avoid unnecessary competition between actors in solving global problems.

          Having said so, I would like to thank you once again Mr. Vice President for inviting me to speak to this august audience.  I commend once again your good intention to forge partnership between this prestigious university and our university of Dodoma.  I cannot find words good enough to express how impressed I am with great things you do in this University.  I would definitely be pleased to visit again at an opportune time.  I expect to see more collaboration between this University with ours and researchers of this University partnering with their fellows in Tanzania.

          With these many words, I wish to thank you more times for your kind attention.

Thank you.

Excellences Heads of State and Government and members of

   the Committee of  African Heads of State and Governments

on Climate Change (CAHOSCC);

Your Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini–Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission;

Honorable Dr. Binilith Mahenge, President of the AMCEN;

Honorable Rhoda Tumusiime, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Economy – African Union Commission;

Distinguished guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

As I indicated in my invitation letter to you, the UN Secretary General has invited world leaders tomorrow to a Climate Summit to mobilize more actions across the globe in defining the new climate change agreement to be adopted in 2015. As members of CAHOSCC, we have two tasks ahead of us. First, we need to provide the needed political guidance to follow members of the AU on our contributions at this meeting and on submissions of the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) of our individual   countries by early next year as agreed in Warsaw. At this summit we need to ensure that African countries are part of driver States in the search for solutions, and not just frontline countries for the impacts of climate change.

Second, we need to ensure that our continued engagement is beneficial to the continent both in terms of adaptation and opportunities arising from regional and global mitigation efforts. Today, Africa is showing great potential in terms of its macroeconomic growth.  Africa’s medium-term growth prospects look promising. For example, economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) averaged 6.5 percent in the last decade (2004 – 2013), with some slowdown in 2009.  This average level of growth of 6.5 percent is expected to be maintained in 2014 and 2015 both at levels higher than 3.6 percent and 3.9 percent average for the global economy in 2014 and 2015, respectively. This underscores again the continent ́s resilience to global and regional headwinds. We need to maintain this amidst the changing climate much as we know such growth is based on climate sensitive sectors.

Excellences;

You may recall that after the Malabo CAHOSCC meeting, I requested the ministers responsible for climate change and foreign affairs from CAHOSCC member countries to meet and provide the necessary input for Africa’s contribution to the Summit. I am glad to inform you that the ministers met in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 29^th August, 2014 and the outcome of the meeting in form of the key political messages will be tabled before us today. The key political messages have encapsulated Africa’s challenges, efforts, and expectations in three broader areas of Adaptation, Mitigation and Means of Implementation.  Through these key political messages, Africa has also articulated the type of the climate agreement we want in 2015. 

Excellencies;

Our region cannot afford to allow climate change to derail our development goals, rob us of our most critical resources and mock our best efforts as we strive to give our people the future they want. What we want is for developed countries to take concrete actions to reduce the heat trapping emissions and to meet their commitment in terms of financial and technological support to the continent. 

At this Summit we need to reiterate that addressing climate change in Africa should take into account food   security, poverty eradication, socio-economic development, environment and livelihood sustainability. The international community needs to understand that Africa’s contributions will be premised on the implementation of continent-wide programmes that can address these challenges. The programmes include those on energy diversification that can ensure energy security for all and better transport and communication infrastructure in cities that can increase resilience, reduce emissions and encourage commerce across the continent. Support in areas such as Climate Smart Agriculture for food security as well as early warning systems and better climate information services is key. 

The continent will build the momentum to address climate change if serious efforts are geared towards addressing its vulnerability and supporting the various regional and national programmes that African countries are taking as part of our national development agenda.

Excellencies;

We need to support the attainment of a legally binding agreement in Paris, December 2015, within the context of the Climate Change Convention that is applicable to all taking into account the principles and provisions of the Convention, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and equity.

The 2015 agreement should reinforce multilateral rules based climate regime that responds to science and fairness provisions of the Convention where developed countries take the lead in a global response to climate change.

Excellencies;

I have tried to present to you a reflection of the key messages from our experts. It is our mandate to ensure that Africa is well represented with one voice and its agenda well articulated at this UN Climate Summit and beyond as we move towards Paris. I believe the key political messages we will adopt today should guide Africa’s approach and action on the climate change agenda now and in the near future. We must use the messages as our clear position and direction. It is my call once again, as I said in Malabo, that we need to be united, coherent and consistent in our appeal, while, remaining honest to our obligations and responsibilities.

I now declare this Consultative Meeting of the CAHOSCC officially opened.

I thank you for your attention.

Excellencies First Ladies;

Madam Savannah Maziya, Chairperson of the Bunengi foundations;

Mr. Robert Shafir, Chief Executive Officer of the CREDIT SUISSE;

Distinguished Participants;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          I am pleased to join you this morning for this important discussion on Women and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  I thank the Bunengi Group for inviting me to share my thoughts on this important matter.  It is heartwarming indeed to see that Bunengi continues to spearhead this discussion for three years consecutively.  Associating this agenda with First Ladies gives the course an extra mileage.  I am optimistic that using their voice, clout and social influence, First ladies will elevate this agenda (on Women and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to the importance it deserves.

          It is a fact that gender gap exists in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  This gap exists in both developed and developing countries alike.  However, this gap is wider in developing countries than in developed ones.  The gap is primarily a result of historical injustices associated with skewed gender relations.  In many countries gender inequality still widely exists and continues to deter women from advancing in fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In many of our countries, these fields are considered to be masculine and, therefore, are believed to be exclusive for men.

First Ladies,

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          Tanzania like many other African countries lags behind in terms of the number of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  This gap has both historical as well as social-cultural back ground.  Historically, as a country, we started from a very low base to build a pool of scientists after independence.  At our independence, in 1961, for example’ Tanzania had only two engineers and four doctors all of them happen to have been males.  A lot has been done ever since and the numbers have increased exponentially. However,   irrespective of gender consideration, we have a shortage of scientists, engineers and mathematicians in relation to demand.  But women are fewer than men.

          At the second level, wider gender gap exists within fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  Much as government policies did not deliberately discriminate against women to join and excel in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, socio-cultural factors discouraged girls and women to opt for science related disciplines. For instance, for a long time, being a doctor was associated with the masculine gender and nursing with the feminine. This applied to many other fields of science. Such stereo types affect educational choices of young girls in opting for their career path.

          Statistics of enrollment in the science related degree courses explain better this phenomenon. Even though number of enrollment of science students increased from 32,899 in 2008/2009 to 51,840 in 2012/2013 number of female students has not increased significantly. Between 2008 and 2013, there has been an increase of only 5,622 female students which is about 2.4 percent only. Out of 51,840 university students enrolled in 2012/2013 in the agriculture, medical science, natural science, ICT and educational science degree course, there we only 16,241 female students which is about 31.3 percent compared to 35,599 male students who make up 68.67 percent. 

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          Certainly, this situation cannot be left continue.  Deliberate actions must be taken to address this gender gap.  For these actions and interventions to be effective they must aim at addressing two things, First, to create a conducive environment to attract more students, and, in particular female students to pursue studies and  careers in the field of science.  And, secondly, to address social-cultural barriers that discouraged female students from opting for science related fields.  The former has more to do with the government, while the latter requires assistance of agents of change, like the First Ladies gathered here this morning and other people of influence including men.

Actions Taken by the Government

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          Our government has employed measures to create attractive environment for students to pursue science related fields. Of critical importance was to address the shortage of science teachers, text books and laboratories at secondary school, which discouraged students from taking science subjects teachers alike.

The government has been taking deliberate steps to increase scholarships for students pursuing science related subjects. That goes in tandem with guaranteeing employment for science teachers who graduate from teachers colleges and universities. We have also embarked on a nationwide construction of science laboratories in our community secondary schools which happen to be the majority in the country but with acute shortages. We have increased funding for procuring science text books and ensure that there is no shortage of science text books as well as those for other subjects.  All together, these measures are geared towards improving conditions in order to encourage our young girls and boys to pursue and excel in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          As alluded to earlier, our efforts in creating a conducive environment to attract more students to science, and particularly female students, cannot be effective without addressing social cultural barriers.  More educational and sensitization campaigns are needed to demystify existing perceptions and notions that discourage girls to pursue science related subjects.  In this respect, we must create incentives for girls who have shown interest to pursue these subjects. But most important, girls need inspiration to get out of the misconceptions that deter them from excelling in science.

          The First Ladies have special role in our societies. Many of our young girls look to them for inspiration and guidance.  They are role models.  Therefore, their role in promoting young women to pursue studies and careers in science is much needed as we march forward in nation building. It is therefore, heartening that Bunengi Foundation has chosen to join the First Ladies of Africa in addressing this course. This is the partnership that requires the support of all of us.

Conclusion

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          The challenge before African governments to address the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematic is not insurmountable.  It can be fixed. However, it is a challenge that must be addressed.  It is a challenge that requires all of us to work together to confront it.  Governments must work to create conducive environment to encourage female students to advance their carrier in science.  The First Ladies and other partners, may help in addressing social cultural barriers that frustrate female students from pursuing science related subjects.

          In this respect, I thank Bunengi Foundation for this initiative to address gender gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  We welcome this initiative and encourage you to keep up the good work.  The government of Tanzania supports this initiative and stands ready to work with your organization and that of First Ladies to address this challenge.

          With these many words, I wish you fruitful discussion and looking forward to work with you in this course.

I thank you all for listening.

Honourable Dr. Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator;

Honourable Mr. Mark Diop, Vice President of the World Bank;

Distinguished Participants;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Allow me to begin by thanking you Dr. Rajiv Shah for inviting me to participate in this Forum and for affording me the opportunity to share my thoughts on its very important theme of Ending Extreme Poverty. I commend the USAID for initiating this debate, and I hope participants will come up with pertinent proposals about ways and means to end this human degrading condition of our time. For those of us who live with this reality in our countries, it is heartwarming, indeed, to see that there are friends out here who care about the plight of the poorest and are ready to do what it takes to erase this scourge from the face of this planet.  

Distinguished Participants;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

The World Bank Report on End Extreme Poverty and Promote Shared Growth (2013) tells us that globally poverty has declined rapidly over the past three decades since 1990.  In this regard, some 700 million people have moved above the US$ 1.25 poverty line but about 1.2 billion still live under conditions of extreme poverty.  Out of the 1.2 billion people, more than 750 million live on less than US$ 1.0 a day and nearly 150 million others live on less than US$ 0.50 a day. Similarly, around 800 million are faced with hunger or have inadequate food supply and, 500 million of them, suffer from chronic malnutrition.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

It is good to note that the world has been able to achieve the Millennium Development Goal No.1 of reducing by half the number of people who live under extreme poverty. Indeed, poverty rate in developing countries has been reduced from 43.1 percent in 1990 to 20.6 percent by 2010. This achievement shows that it is possible to eradicate poverty in the world. However, this achievement has not been uniform across the developing world. China and India accounted for most of the success and nearly half of the poor live in 20 countries in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia and the Pacific.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

The challenge of overcoming extreme poverty is an overwhelming one in Africa. Africa is home to 33 of the 48 world’s least developed countries (LDCs). Moreover, in 2010 more than one-third of Sub-Saharan African countries had an extreme poverty rate of more than 50 percent. Among them, 12 countries had an extreme poverty rate of above 60 percent and 4 countries that are fragile and affected by conflicts were above 80 percent. This condition has not changed much today as we speak.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Clearly, political stability is an important factor in the fight against extreme poverty. Conflicts worsen the poverty situation. Conflicts disrupt economic activities, scare away investments and cause destruction of property including productive assets as well as social and economic infrastructure.  Unfortunately, Africa has had an unfair share of conflicts. Very few African countries have enjoyed uninterrupted peace in the five decades of Africas independence from colonial rule.  Of the 33 least developed countries from Africa 25 have gone through some form of conflict. Even the non LDCs in Africa have not been spared. Consequently, lack of peace and stability has been a critical factor in Africa’s slow pace towards poverty reduction.  

Paradoxically, even those countries which have had no conflicts have not done very well either.  The pace of poverty reduction has been muted. In my view, this is very much a function of the economic policies pursued, in the first two and half, decades since independence. They caused stagnation of economic growth and some economies actually shrank thus aggravating the poverty situation among the people. The turnaround began in the second half of the 1990s after the economic reforms introduced in the mid 1980s began to take effect.  The extent of the turnaround depended on the success of the reforms.  Likewise, the extent of poverty reduction depended on the success of the reform agenda and the level of poverty the country was in at the beginning of the reforms. It also depended on external environment in particular the global economic architecture which has not been so kind to poor nations and poor people in the developing world.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

My dear country Tanzania is a typical example of a country that enjoyed uninterrupted peace and stability since independence yet we are one of the LDCs from 1971 when LDCs classification started. Besides a hostile global environment, economic policies pursued soon after independence which did not succeed has a big hand in this state of affairs.  As a matter of fact, the economy declined to dangerous lows. Things began to change after the introduction of economic reforms from the 1980s. We have stayed the cause of reforms ever since with remarkable success.  The country is now enjoying strong macro-economic performance with the last decade being exceptionally successful.

Overall economic growth has increase from an average of 3.5 percent in the 1990s to the average of about 7 percent over the last decade. Despite this growth, poverty reduction has not been correspondingly impressive. In the last two decades income poverty declined from 39 percent in 1990 to 28.2 percent in 2012, a decline of about 11 percent only.  This explains why we will not be able to meet the MDG target of halving extreme poverty below the 1990 baseline by 2015. However, we have been successful with regard to reducing by a half the proportion of population living below the national food poverty line. This declined from 21.6 percent in 1990 to 9.7 percent in 2012, a decline of about 12 percent.

Distinguished Participants;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Our income poverty reduction efforts have not borne the expected results mainly because our growth has not been high enough in sectors that support the majority of the people, especially the poor.  The fast growing sectors and their ten-year average growth rates (2004 – 2013) were the following: (1) Services (8.0%) driven by Telecommunication (20.2%), Financial Services (10.8%) and Trade (8.2%); (2) Industry (8.5%) comprising of Construction (9.6%), Manufacturing (8.6%) and Mining (8.2%).  Unfortunately, agriculture, which supports about 75 percent of our population in terms of   employment and livelihood, grew at an average of only 4.2 percent in the last decade.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

The low growth in agriculture explains why the pace of poverty reduction has not been fast enough as expected. We have been taking action to transform and modernize our agriculture as exemplified by a number of programmes and initiatives being implemented in the country. The Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP), Kilimo Kwanza and SAGCOT are among such initiatives being undertaken. Noticeable progress is being registered and the future of Tanzania’s agriculture looks promising. 

Overall, in our quest to promote growth, development   and eradicate poverty comprehensively and in focused manner the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 (TDV 2025) was conceived in the late 1990s and unveiled in the year 2000. The Vision, envisages totransform Tanzania from a least developed country in the year 2000 to a middle income country by the year 2025. Tanzania will then be a country characterized by high quality livelihoods, peace, stability, unity and good governance; a well-educated and learning society; and a competitive semi-industrialized economy capable of producing growth and shared benefits.  

Ladies and Gentlemen;

After coming into office in December 2005, I undertook to implement the Vision in earnest. The first thing we did was an evaluation of the implementation status of the vision and then plan for its implementation for the remaining period. Subsequently we developed long term perspective plan for the remaining 15 years of the Vision.  We decided to divide it in three medium term development plans of five years each.  

We are implementing the first Five Year Development Plan (FYDP 2011/12 – 2015/16), whose overarching objective has been implementing measures that are geared at unleashing the growth potentials of Tanzania. Specifically, we are aiming at addressing infrastructural bottlenecks particularly in energy, ports, roads and railways; increasing the pool of skilled labor; advancing science, technology and innovation as well as information and communication technology (ICT); improve the general business environment and enhance   productivity in agriculture.

In the second Five Year Development Plan   (FYDP 2016/17 – 2020/21) we will focus on nurturing an industrial economy through the development of a vibrant industrial sector. The focus will be on natural gas based industries, agro-processing industries and medium technologies industries. We shall aim at creating jobs by promoting industrial sub-sectors with high potentials for employment creation. 

Ladies and Gentlemen;

In the third Five Year Development Plan (FYDP 2021/22 – 2025/26) our focus will be on realizing competitiveness of Tanzania in the regional and the world market place.  We will focus on improving competitiveness in all sectors, especially manufacturing and services so as to ensure that manufactured products from our economy are successfully exported. The target of this plan is to transform Tanzania into a manufacturing hub in the region whilst making sure that all the gains made in social services, the business environment, infrastructure development and productivity are consolidated and advanced.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Apart from high focus on transforming and modernizing agriculture during the implementation of the first Five Year Development Plan, we have accorded high priority to infrastructure development, particularly the transport subsector such as roads, railways, ports, airports and marine transport. The reason for doing this was to deal with one critical constraint to growth and development in the country. It will be easier to facilitate access to inputs and markets, reduce transportation costs and costs of doing business. Significant progress has been made in this regard with roads where 6,500 kilometers are already paved and 11,174 kilometers are under construction.  Our objective is to connect all regions in the country with paved roads is being realized. Also, we have been investing heavily in improving rural roads such that over 80 percent are now passable throughout the year. 

With regard to electricity priority is on increasing energy generation and distribution.  The aim is to catalyze economic activities and improve living standards of our people since energy is key to development and decent life. We intend to increase electricity generation from the current 1,478MW to 2,780MW by 2015. Correspondingly, we are expanding electricity distribution and in doing so, the percentage of households and businesses with access to electricity has increased from 10 percent in 2005 to 36 percent currently. 

Ladies and Gentlemen;

In an effort to transform our country’s economy from that of being an exporter of primary products to one that exports value added products. We aim to export more manufactured, processed or semi processed goods from our agricultural products, minerals and other natural resources of which Tanzania is richly endowed. Therefore, we are giving special attention to industrialization. Value addition through industrialization will stimulate more production in raw material source sectors. Also, it will help create jobs and increase employment and incomes thus lifting more people out of poverty.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

To ensure employability of Tanzanians particularly our young people, we have, as a matter of priority, expanded education opportunities at all levels from primary, secondary, vocational to university level. We have more young boys and girls in primary and secondary schools and young men and women in universities than any other time in history. We have increased training and skills development opportunities at various specialized and vocational schools. We have decided to do so because we know the power of education in moving communities out of poverty. It is a game changer.

We have, also, increased investment in health care development which is an important factor in human capital development.  It is beginning to pay dividends as evidenced by improved human development situation in the country. More and more Tanzanians have access to health and almost all the major killer diseases are on the decline. Life expectancy has increased from 51 years in 2002 to 61 years in 2012. Due to improvement of health system, our country has also recorded significant gains in child survival rates as measured by reduction of infant and under five mortality rates. Infant Mortality Rate has declined from 115 per 1,000 live births in 1988 to 21 per 1,000 live births over the in 2013.   On the other hand, Under Five Mortality rates have improved from 231 per 1,000 live births 1988 to 54 per 1,000 live births in 2013.  Definitely, these are significant gains in human development.

With regard to education, after succeeding in increasing access to education at all levels our preoccupation now is on improving the quality of education. Here, also, we have been making significant progress on availability of teachers, text books and other teaching aids.  However, we need to do more on teachers housing and science laboratories.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          In our efforts to promote growth and eradicate poverty our experience has taught us a few important lessons which I want to share with you. First, with the right policy mix, appropriate intervention from government and enhanced private sector participation, transformation of the economy is possible. Second, we can win the battle of eradicating income poverty and hunger if we invest in growth enhancing, job creating and poverty reducing interventions. Our efforts in that direction have led to reduction of income poverty by 7.8 percentage points from 36 percent in 2005 to 28.2 percent in 2012 and attainment of MDG target of reducing food poverty by 50 percent. Third, support to vulnerable people or households, through conditional cash transfer or provision of public services, is important if growth and poverty reduction efforts are to be more inclusive.

Distinguished participants;

Invited Guests;         

Ladies and Gentlemen;

In conclusion, let me repeat my opening statement that the world is still faced with a daunting task of eliminating extreme poverty and that this task is even more daunting in Africa and LDCs like Tanzania. Political stability and promotion of inclusive and pro-poor economic growth are pre-requisites to poverty eradication. The growth decade in Africa and indeed Tanzania has taught us the lesson that economic growth, while fundamental, is not sufficient.  Growth ought to be quality growth for it to be sufficient; meaning it has to be inclusive, create employment and increase people’s incomes.

For this to happen, such growth must take place in pro-poor sectors that ensure inclusivity and accessibility to the growth process by the poor and the marginalized sections of the society. We are encouraged by the World Bank assurance that extreme poverty as measured by spending less than US$ 1.25 a day can be reduced to no more than 3 percent by 2030 by fostering income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population in every country. We all look with great anticipation to that glorious year, when almost all our people will be living in a prosperous world and living a prosperous life.

     It would be remiss of me if I conluded my remarks without acknowledging  and thanking the Government and people of the USA for the invaluable support they are extending to developing countries like Tanzania in our endeavours to wrestle our people from object poverty to prosperity.  The support is making the difference we all desire. Please continue to do good job.  

                                               Thanks for your attention

Utangulizi

Mheshimiwa Dkt. Rehema Nchimbi, Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Dodoma;

Waheshimiwa Mawaziri;

Waheshimiwa Wakuu wa Wilaya, Wabunge, Wenyeviti na Wakurugenzi wa Halmashauri za Wilaya na Miji;

Waheshimwa Madiwani;

Wazee Wangu;

Ndugu wananchi;     

          Kuna methali ya Kiswahili isemayo hakuna refu lisilokuwa na ncha. Hatimaye ziara yangu ya Mkoa wa Dodoma imefikia mwisho.       Ziara hii niliyoianza tarehe 28 Agosti, 2014 imenifikisha kwenye wilaya zote za Mkoa wa Dodoma.  Madhumuni ya ziara yangu yalikuwa kuona shughuli za maendeleo.  Kuona tulipofanikiwa na pale ambapo pana matatizo tupatafutie ufumbuzi. Nimefarijika sana na hatua kubwa za maendeleo ambazo kila wilaya imezifikia. Nimejionea maendeleo makubwa katika sekta na nyanja mbalimbali za maisha ya wananchi wa mkoa huu. Hongereni sana. Aidha, nimeona au kusimuliwa kuhusu changamoto kubwa na ndogo zinazowakabili, ambazo zikiweza kupatiwa ufumbuzi ufanisi utaongezeka na kasi ya kujiletea maendeleo itakuwa kubwa zaidi.

Elimu

          Natoa pongezi nyingi kwa viongozi na wananchi wa Mkoa wa Dodoma kwa juhudi kubwa mnazofanya na mafanikio mliyopata au mnayoendelea kupata katika kuendeleza elimu Mkoani kwenu. Kwa ajili hiyo basi idadi ya wanafunzi katika ngazi za awali, msingi na sekondari imekuwa kubwa kuliko wakati mwingine wo wote katika historia ya nchi yetu. Hivi sasa Mkoani Dodoma kuna wanafunzi wa Awali 47,427, wa Shule za Msingi 391,475 na wa Sekondari 59,035 ukilinganisha na wanafunzi wa Awali 55,524, wa Shule za Msingi 152,366 na wa Sekondari 24,288 mwaka 2007. Jukumu lililoko mbele yenu na mbele yetu pia ni kutatua matatizo yanayoikabili sekta ya elimu mkoani.  Pamoja na kupanda kuliko ilivyokuwa mwaka 2012,  kiwango cha ufaulu cha asilimia 38.2 kwa shule za msingi na asilimia 55.4 kwa shule za sekondari kwa mwaka 2013 ni chini ya wastani wa taifa wa asilimia 50.61 kwa shule za msingi na asilimia 58.25 kwa shule za sekondari.  Hivyo mnayo kazi kubwa ya kufanya ili kufikia kiwango cha ufaulu cha asilimia 60 mwaka huu na asilimia 80 mwakani.  Ongezeni bidii.

           Napenda kuwahakikishia kuwa sisi katika Serikali kuu tutaendelea kutimiza wajibu wetu kuhusu elimu. Tutaendelea kuleta walimu, vitabu na vifaa vya kujifunzia na kufundishia.  Hali kadhalika tutaendelea kutoa pesa zitakazoboresha miundombinu ya shule na nyumba za walimu.  Kwa upande wa walimu tumefanikiwa kutosheleza mahitaji ya walimu wa masomo ya sanaa kwa shule zote za sekondari.   Kwa baadhi ya Wilaya kuna ziada ya walimu hao.  Hii ndiyo hali ilivyo kote nchini.  Hata hivyo, kuna upungufu mkubwa wa walimu wa sayansi jambo ambalo ni tatizo la kitaifa.

Mkoa wa Dodoma una mahitaji ya walimu 4,076. Waliopo ni walimu 3,250, kati yao walimu 2,482 wa sanaa na 645 wa sayansi.  Kuna jumla ya upungufu wa walimu 949 wa sayansi na ziada ya walimu 123 wa sanaa.  Walimu wa ziada kwa masomo ya sanaa wapo Wilaya za Mpwapwa (34), Bahi (55), Dodoma Mjini (86) na Kongwa (92). Upungufu wa walimu wa sanaa upo Wilaya za Chamwino (103), Chemba (9), na Kondoa (32). Upungufu wa walimu wa sayansi upo wilaya zote. Hivi sasa kitaifa  tuna pengo la walimu 23,500 na uwezo wa vyuo vyetu ni kuzalisha wanafunzi 2,500 kwa mwaka.  Tumedhamiria kulikabili tatizo hili kwa nguvu zote na maarifa yetu yote. Sina wasiwasi kwamba tutafanikwia kama ilivyokuwa kwa changamoto nyingine nyinig.

          Kuhusu ujenzi wa maabara katika shule za Sekondari za Kata, narudia kuwakumbusha viongozi wa Wilaya na Mkoa wa Dodoma kwamba muda wa miaka miwili tuliopeana mwaka 2012 unaisha mwezi Novemba, 2014. Na, kupitia kwenu nawakumbusha viongozi wa Mikoa yote na Wilaya zote nchini ifikapo Novemba mwaka huu tutaulizana. Hatutaacha kubanana na kama hapana budi kuwajibishana. 

Tunaendelea kuboresha upatikanaji wa vitabu kwa wanafunzi wa shule za msingi na sekondari. Mpaka sasa uwiano wa kitabu kwa wanafunzi umefikia 1:3. Tutaendelea kutenga fedha zaidi ili kila mwanafunzi awe na kitabu chake.  Suala la nyumba za walimu nalo ni jambo ambalo tunalipa umuhimu. Tunaendelea kuanzia mwaka wa jana kutekeleza mpango wa kuzipatia shilingi milioni 500 kila Halmashauri kwa ajili ya ujenzi huo.  Halmashauri za Wilaya ya Mkoa wa Dodoma zitaingizwa kwenye awamu zinazofuata na fedha pia zitaongezwa.  

          Nimefurahishwa na utekelezaji wa mpango wa utoaji chakula cha mchana kwa wanafunzi mashuleni katika Wilaya za Chamwino, Bahi, Kondoa, Mpwapwa na Chemba.  Huu ni mpango unaofadhiliwa na Shirika la Chakula Duniani (WFP). Hapa nchini Mpango wa Chakula wa WFP za Mikoa 4 ya Dodoma, Singida, Arusha na Manyara. Jumla ya shule 640 za mikoa hiyo zinafaidika na mpango huu upo katika Wilaya 16.  Ni mpango mzuri ambao manufaa yake ni kuwaongezea watoto mazingira mazuri ya kufuatilia na kuelewa masomo.  Hivyo, tuusimamie vizuri ufanikiwe.   Ni vizuri viongozi wa Mkoa na kila Halmashauri mkajipanga vizuri ili mpango huu mzuri uweze kuwepo kila Wilaya na uweze kuendelea punde WFP watakapoacha kugharamia mpango huo.  Maana jukumu la kuhakikisha lishe ya watoto wetu ni letu wenyewe.

          Mkoa wenu unakabiliwa na tatizo kubwa sana la watoto wanaoanza darasa la kwanza kutomaliza darasa la saba na wanaoanza kidato cha kwanza kutomaliza kidato cha nne.  Tatizo hili lipo katika kila Wilaya.  Takwimu za Mkoa zinaonesha kuwa kati ya wanafunzi 54,301 waliosajiliwa darasa la kwanza mwaka 2007, ni wanafunzi 39,387 tu ndiyo walifanya mtihani wa kuhitimu darasa la saba mwaka 2013.  Hii ina maana kuwa wanafunzi 14,914 hawakufanya mtihani ambao ni sawa na asilimia 27.5.  Na kwa upande wa sekondari, kati ya wanafunzi 16,023 walioandikishwa kidato cha kwanza mwaka 2010, ni wanafunzi 12,693 ndiyo waliofanya mtihani mwaka 2013.  Wanafunzi 3,330 hawakufanya mtihani huo, sawa na asilimia 21. Idadi hii ni kubwa mno, haikubaliki.  Haiwezi kuachwa kuendelea lazima ikomeshwe.

          Narudia kusisitiza agizo langu nililotoa mwezi uliopita kwamba, kuanzia sasa Walimu Wakuu na Wakuu wa Shule ni lazima watoe taarifa za mahudhurio ya wanafunzi kwa Maafisa Elimu wa Wilaya kila miezi mitatu.  Maafisa Elimu wa Wilaya nao watalazimika kutoa taarifa kwa Mkurugenzi wa Halmashauri ambae nae atawasilisha kwenye vikao vya Baraza la Madiwani la Halmashauri mwezi mmoja baada ya kupokea taarifa hizo.  Halmashauri hazina budi kuchukua hatua stahiki, kijamii na kisheria, kuhakikisha kuwa watoro wanarudi shuleni.  Wazazi wa watoto hao au mtu ye yote atakayebainika kuhusika na utoro huo abanwe ipasavyo.

Maji

          Kama mjuavyo, kuwapatia wananchi wa Tanzania maji safi na salama karibu na wanapoishi ni moja ya malengo ya msingi ya Sera na shughuli za serikali na Chama tawala.  Katika ziara yangu nimeshuhudia utekelezaji wake.  Nimeweka mawe ya msingi ya ujenzi wa miradi ya maji na nimezindua miradi ya maji iliyokamilika.  Jitihada zetu hizo zimetuwezesha kuwapatia maji asilimia 75.4 ya wakazi wa Mijini na asilimia 50.6 ya wakazi wa vijijini mkoani Dodoma.  Lengo la kitaifa ni kuwapatia maji asilimia 90 ya wakazi wa mijini na asilimia 65 ya wakazi wa vijijini ifikapo 2015.  

Kwa hapa Dodoma kiwango hicho cha upatikanaji maji kina maana ya kufanya kazi ya ziada ili kuweza kufikia lengo.       Miradi inayoendelea kutekelezwa sasa mijini na vijijini hapa Mkoani itakapokamilika itawezesha kufikia lengo.  Rai yangu kwa viongozi ni kusimamia utekelezaji wa miradi hiyo ikamilike kwa wakati ili wananchi wapate maji safi na salama mapema.

          Vile vile, nawaomba kusimamia na kuwaelimisha wananchi juu ya utunzaji wa vyanzo vya maji na mazingira kwa ujumla wake.  Viongozi, waache kulalamika juu ya uharibifu wa mazingira na vyanzo vya maji.  Sheria zipo, mamlaka mnayo chukueni hatua ili kulinusuru taifa letu dhidi ya uharibifu wa mazingira.

Umeme

          Tumeongeza, maradufu, juhudi za kuzalisha, kusafirisha na kusambaza umeme nchini.  Shabaha yetu ni kuwawezesha asilimia 30 ya Watanznaia waweze kupata umeme ifikapo mwaka 2015.   Tayari tumeshavuka lengo hilo kwa kufikia asilimia 36. Kwa Mkoa wa Dodoma katika mwaka huu wa fedha shilingi bilioni 43.8 zimetengwa kwa ajili ya kusambaza umeme vijijini.  Fedha hizi zitawezesha zaidi ya vijiji 193 kupatiwa umeme katika Mkoa huu.   Kila Wilaya niliyoitembelea kuna miradi kadhaa ya umeme inayoendelea kutekelezwa.  Ndugu zetu Wilaya ya Bahi walinilalamikia kuwa wao wamepewa vijiji vinne tu.  Nikawasiliana na Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Profesa Sospeter Muhongo ambae ameahidi kuwa watafanya masahihisho stahiki.      Maombi yangu kwa viongozi wenzangu wahimizeni wananchi waunganishe umeme majumbani na kwenye shughuli zao za kiuchumi na kibiashara.

Barabara

          Ujenzi wa miundombinu ya barabara, reli, viwanja vya ndege, bandari, umeme na simu ni mambo tuliyoyapa kipaumbele cha juu.  Nilisema hivyo katika hotuba yangu ya kwanza tarehe 30 Desemba, 2005 na kurudia katika kupindi chote cha uongozi wangu mpaka sasa. Kwa upande wa barabara lengo letu ni kuunganisha mikoa yote kwa barabara za lami na kuimarisha baraba za mikoa, wilaya na Vijiji ziweze kupitika wakati wote. Katika ziara yangu ya Mkoa wa Dodoma nimeshuhudia mafanikio makubwa ya utekelezaji wa lengo hilo. Nimeweka jiwe la msingi la ujenzi wa barabara ya lami kutoka Mayamaya hadi Bonga. Hali kadhalika, nilizindua kukamilika kwa ujenzi wa   barabara ya lami kutoka Dodoma hadi Fufu.   Nimeambiwa kuwa zimebaki kilometa 25 kwa upande wa Fufu hadi Iringa ili kukamilisha ujenzi wa barabara yote ya Iringa hadi Dodoma yenye urefu wa kilometa 260 kwa kiwango cha lami. Bila ya shaka mtakubaliana name kuwa ujenzi wa barabara ya Dodoma – Babati unatoa fursa ya iana yake kwa maendeleo ya mji wa Dodoma na Mkoa huu kwa jumla.  Jipangeni kuitumia fursa hiyo.

Kule Kongwa niliweka jiwe la msingi la ujenzi wa barabara ya lami kutoka Mbande, Kongwa hadi Mpwapwa na Kibakwe.  Napenda kurudia kuwatoa hofu ndugu zangu wa Mpwapwa na Kibakwe kuwa ujenzi wa barabara ile unaendelea na ndiyo maana pale njia panda ya Kongwa tulifanya shughuli za kuweka jiwe la msingi la ujenzi wa barabara ya Mbande, Kongwa, Mpwapwa na siyo uzinduzi wa barabara ya lami kutoka pale hadi Kongwa.  

Nimefarijika sana kuona jinsi barabara za mkoa na Wilaya zikiendelea kuimarishwa.  Kwa kweli ilikuwa jambo la faraja kubwa kwangu kusikia kuwa vijiji vyote vya mkoani vinafikika kwa barabara.  Ni ushindi mkubwa. Napenda kuwaahidi kuwa tutaendelea kuwapatia fedha kutoka Mfuko wa Barabara ili mzidi kuziimarisha barabara zenu.  Bahati nzuri Mfuko huo tumeuongezea  sana uwezo wake kutoka shilingi bilioni 56.1 mwaka 2005/2006 hadi shilingi bilioni 751.7 hivi sasa.

Tulipokuwa wilayani Mpwapwa niliweka jiwe la msingi la ujenzi wa daraja jipya la Gulwe linalounganisha majimbo ya mpwapwa na Gulwe.  Tulipokuwepo pale palijitokeza mawazo mazuri kuhusu namna ya kuikinga reli ya kati ambayo imekuwa inaharibiwa mara kwa mara wakati wa mvua katika maeneo ya Godegode, Gulwe, Msagali na Kilosa.  Ulitolewa ushauri kwamba kama yakijengwa mabwawa katika mito inayovuka reli hiyo katika maeneo hayo.  Mabwawa hayo yatapunguza wingi na kasi ya maji hivyo kuinusuru reli.  Nilivutiwa na mawazo hayo na kuufikisha ujumbe kwa Waziri wa Uchukuzu Mheshimiwa Harrison Mwakyembe ambaye aliniambia kuwa ni jambo linalofanyiwa kazi. Nilizungumza pia na Waziri Mkuu, Mheshimiwa Mizengo Pinda asimamie kuhakikisha kuwa jambo hili muhimu linafanyika.  Tulikubaliana kuwa Wizara ya Maji, Wizara ya Mifugo na Uvuvi, Wizara ya Kilimo, Chakula na Ushirika nao washiriki katika mpango huu kwani ni wadau muhimu wa mabwawa hayo.  Hali kadhalika viongozi wa Mikoa ya Morogoro, Dodoma na Manyara wahusike.

Natambua kuwepo maombi ya kutaka barabara kadhaa za Wilaya ziwe za mkoa ili zisimamiwe na TANROADS.  Waziri wa Ujenzi, Mheshimiwa John Magufuli amesikia na zipo baadhi ambazo amezitolea majibu ya kukubali na nyingine anaendelea kutafakari nini afanye.  Bila ya kuingilia atakachoamua napenda kusisitiza kuwa msingi mkuu unaoifanya barabara kuwa ya mkoa na hivyo kushughulikiwa na TANROADS ni kuunganisha Wilaya moja na nyingine.  Barabara inayoanzia na kuishia ndani ya Wilaya haina sifa hiyo hata kama ni ndefu kiasi gani.  Nalisema hili kwa sababu umeanza kuzuka mtindo wa Halmashauri kutaka kukwepa wajibu wao.  Pale ambapo  wamezidiwa ujuzi na uwezo waseme TANROADS itawasaidia lakini wasikwepe majukumu yao.

Kilimo na Mifugo

Masoko ya Mazao ya Kilimo

Viongozi, Wazee wangu na Ndugu Wananchi;

          Hongereni kwa mafanikio mliyopata mwaka huu katika kilimo.  Mkoa umezalisha tani 687,122 za mazao ya chakula wakati mahitaji yenu  ni tani 494,331. Hivyo kuna ziada ya tani 192,791. Hiki ni kielelezo tosha kwamba  juhudi zenu za kuleta mageuzi ya kilimo zinafanikiwa. Mkoa wenu una zaidi ya matrekta makubwa na madogo 1,756.  Kati ya matrekta hayo Wilaya ya Kongwa ina matrekta 728.  Hongereni sana na endeleeni kuongeza matumizi ya zana bora na pembejeo za kisasa za kilimo mpate mafanikio makubwa zaidi.

Nilipoingia mkoa huu kutokea mkoa wa Morogoro kilio kikubwa cha wakulima kilikuwa soko la mahindi kwa maana ya kukosekana mnunuzi anayetoa bei nzuri kwa wakulima.  Wapo watu binafsi wanaonunua mahindi ya wakulima kwa bei ndogo sana.  Kilio hicho nilikikuta Mkoa wa Morogoro na Tanga kabla ya hapo.  Nilizungumza na Waziri wa Kilimo, Chakula na Ushirika Mheshimiwa Mhandisi Chiza kuhusu jambo hilo.  Akamtuma Katibu Mkuu Mama Sofia Kaduma na Mtendaji Mkuu wa Wakala wa Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Chakula Ndugu Walwa waje kujiunga na msafara. Ndugu Walwa alieleza kuwa walichelewa kuanza ununuzi katika ukanda wa kati lakini sasa wako tayari kufanya hivyo.  Ni matumaini yangu kuwa hatua hiyo italeta nafuu kwa wakulima.  Naomba tufanye kazi kwa karibu na NFRA tuwasaidie panapobidi ili wafanikishe jukumu lao.  Ni jambo lenye maslahi kwa wakulima, kwa Wakala na Taifa kwa jumla.

Migogoro ya Wakulima na Wafugaji

Wazee wangu;

          Nilipokuwa Kibaigwa, Kongwa nilipokea malalamiko yenye mvumo mkubwa kutoka kwa ndugu zetu wanaofanya shughuli za kilimo katika Wilaya ya Kiteto. Wanalalamikia kufukuzwa, kupigwa, kuuawa, kuchomewa moto nyumba, matreka na kuporwa na kunyang’anywa mali zao na ndugu wa jamii ya wafugaji.  Wapo waliokuwa wanadai kuwa walikuwa wanaishi huko kwa zaidi ya miaka thelathini hivyo kujikuta wanaambiwa ondoka, nyumba zinachomwa moto, mali zinaharibiwa ni mambo magumu sana kuelewa.  Nilipokuwa Mkoa wa Morogoro nilipokea malalamiko kutoka kwa wakulima dhidi ya wafugaji kwamba mifugo imekuwa mingi mno kupita kiasi na kwamba wanaharibu mazao ya wakulima.

Nilipokuwa Morogoro nilisema mambo ambayo ningependa kuyarudia tena leo.  Kwanza, kwamba, ardhi hainongezeki lakini watu wanaongezeka na shughuli zinazohitaji kutumia ardhi zinaongezeka.  Kwa sababu hiyo  wanadamu hawataweza kufanya kila kitu anachotaka katika ardhi hiyo hiyo aliyonayo.   Hivyo analazimika kupanga matumizi bora ya ardhi.  Yaani anatakiwa kupanga atafanya nini, wapi katika ardhi yake. Kwa ajili hiyo nimewataka viongozi wa vijiji, Wilaya na Mkoa kuwa na mpango wa matumizi ya ardhi kwa shughuli mbalimbali katika maeneo yao ya uongozi.  Kwa upande wa ardhi inayotengwa kwa ufugaji hawana budi kujua ina uwezo  wa kubeba mifugo mingapi na ya aina gani.  Mgao huo ukishafanywa lazima usimamiwe kwa dhati.  Ikifanyika hivyo mtakuwa na hakika na kila hatua ya maendeleo inayochukuliwa na kuepusha migogoro kati ya wakulima na wafugaji.  Hapatakuwa na migogoro kwa sababu kila mmoja atakuwa na eneo lake la kutosha kufanyia shughuli zake.  Pia hapatakuwa na migogoro kwa vile baada ya ukomo wa uwezo wa mifugo inayoweza kubebwa na ardhi iliyotengwa kujulikana na kuzuia mifugo zaidi isiruhusiwe kuingia. 

Najua wakati mwingine wenye mifugo wakiambiwa hivyo wanaona wanabaguliwa na kunyimwa haki yao kama raia.  Si hivyo, hawajanyimwa haki ya uraia ya kuishi po pote  upendapo.  Kilichofanyika ni kuweka utaratibu mzuri wa raia kutumia haki yake hiyo kwa manufaa yake na jamii yote. Inampa fursa za uhakika kustawisha mifugo yake na kumuepusha na ugomvi na wengine.

Jambo la pili, nililolisisitiza kule Morogoro ambalo napenda kulirudia tena hapa leo ni kuwa ndugu zetu  wanaofuga wahakikishe kuwa mifugo yao haili mazao ya wakulima.  Kwa kweli jambo kubwa linalozua chuki, uadui na ugomvi baina ya wakulima na wafugaji ni mifugo kula mazao ya wakulima shambani.  Kama hili halitokei sioni mazingira ya kuwepo mgogoro kati ya wakulima na wafugaji. Kila mmoja ataendelea na shughuli zake na kuwa rafiki wa mwenzake. Nilipokuwa Morogoro niliwaomba wafugaji wapitishe azimio kuwa mwaka huu hakuna hata robo eka ya shamba itakayoliwa na kuteketezwa.  Ikiwa hivyo, sidhani kama kutakuwa na mgogoro kati ya wakulima na wafugaji.

Kuhusu yaliyotokea Kiteto kati ya wakulima na wafugaji nalo ni suala la uhusiano na uongozi.  Kama watu wameishi huko na kufanya shughuli zao kwa zaidi ya miaka 30 kuna namna bora zaidi za wao kuondoka au kuwaondoa.  Viongozi wanayodhamana kubwa ya kuona kuwa watu wa nchi hii hawafanyiwi vile. Nimezungumza na Waziri Mkuu ili tuangalie uwezekano wa mkutano kati ya viongozi wa Mikoa ya Manyara, Morogoro na Dodoma inayojumuisha Wilaya za Mpakani wakutane na kuzungumza namna ya kuondoa uadui na kuwafanya watu waishi pamoja na kushirikiana.  

Afya

          Nawapongeza kwa hatua kubwa mliyopiga katika kuboresha sekta ya afya kwa kupeleka huduma karibu zaidi na wananchi.  Mkoa wa Dodoma una mtandao wa hospitali 8, vituo vya afya 41 na zahanati 316.  Nafurahishwa pia na jitihada za kuwashirikisha wananchi katika ujenzi wa zahanati na vituo vya afya vipya ili kutimiza azma yetu ya kusogeza huduma za afya ndani ya eneo la mzingo wa kilometa 5 wanapoishi wananchi. 

          Huko nyuma niliagiza kwamba kila Halmashauri ya Manispaa, Mji na Jiji ambayo iko Makao Makuu ya Mkoa, ijenge hospitali yake ili kuiwezesha hospitali ya Mkoa kufanya shughuli za rufaa za Mkoa.  Manispaa ya Dodoma mko nyuma katika kutekeleza agizo langu hili.  Tengeni eneo la ujenzi wa hospitali ya Manispaa na wekeni kwenye bajeti yenu ili tuijenge. 

          Pia upo wajibu wa kisera kuhakikisha kuwa kila Wilaya ina hospitali ya Wilaya.  Katika Mkoa wa Dodoma Wilaya za Kongwa, Bahi, Chamwino, Chemba na Dodoma Mjini hazina hospitali za Wilaya.  Nimewataka waanze ujenzi wa hospitali hizo.  Waweke mahitaji yao kwenye mipango ya maendeleo ili itafutiwe fedha. 

          Nawapongeza kwa jitihada mnazofanya za kuhamasisha akina mama kujifungua katika zahanati, vituo vya afya na hospitali.  Taarifa yenu inaonesha kwamba asilimia 79 ya akina mama wajawazito wanajifungulia katika vituo vya kisasa vya kutoa huduma ya afya na chanjo ya watoto mmefikisha asilimia 96.  Msibweteke ongezeni uhamasishaji ili akina mama wote wajifungulie kwenye vituo vya afya na watoto wote wapate chanjo.  Kwa ajili hiyo, napenda kushauri kuwa ujenzi wa sehemu ya akina mama wajawazito kusubiria kabla ya kujifungua (maternity waiting homes) ufikirieni kwa uzito unaostahili.  Wenzenu wa Morogoro wamelifanya kuwa sehemu ya mipango yao ya kuendeleza afya ya akina mama wajawazito.  Inasaidia kuokoa maisha ya mama wajawazito kunaweza kusaidia Mkoa huu pia na kwingineko nchini.

          Aidha, tuendelee kuhimiza mapambano dhidi ya ugonjwa ya UKIMWI katika maeneo yetu.  Japo takwimu zinaonyesha kuwa maambukizi ya UKIMWI kimkoa yanapungua toka asilimia 3.4 mwaka 2008 hadi  asilimia 2.9 mwaka 2012, lengo letu ni kutokuwa na maambukizi mapya kabisa.  Ongezeni juhudi ili lengo letu hilo tulifikie.

Nawapongeza pia kwa kuvuka lengo letu la kuhakikisha kwamba asilimia 30 ya Watanzania wanajiunga na Mfuko wa Afya ya Jamii ifikapo 2015.  Ninyi mmekwishafikisha asilimia 47.9.  Hata hivyo, ziko Wilaya kama za Kondoa, Chemba na Manispaa ya Dodoma ambazo ziko chini sana.  Ongezeni jitihada ili wananchi wengi zaidi wapate huduma ya mfuko huo.

Ugonjwa wa Ebola

Ndugu wananchi;

          Tangu mwezi Aprili, 2014 nchi za Afrika Magharibi hususan nchi ya Guinea, Siera Leone, Liberia na Nigeria zimekumbwa na mlipuko mkubwa wa ugonjwa hatari wa Ebola. Taarifa za Shirika la Afya Duniani (WHO) zinaonesha kuwa tayari watu 3,500 wameambukizwa na tayari zaidi ya vifo 1,900 vimetokea.  Asilimia 40 ya vifo hivi vimetokea ndani ya wiki tatu hadi kufikia tarehe 3 Septemba, 2014.  Ebola ndiyo virusi hatari zaidi duniani kuliko hata UKIMWI.  Ndiyo maana Shirika la Afya Duniani limeutangaza ugonjwa huu kuwa ni janga la dunia, na inatarajiwa athari zake zinaweza kuongezeka. Ugonjwa huu husababishwa na virusi vya Ebola na husababisha wagonjwa wengi kufa kwa vile ugonjwa huu hauna tiba maalum wala chanjo. 

Wataalam wanatuambia kwamba virusi vya Ebola hubebwa na ndege aina ya popo na wanadamu huupata kupitia kwa wanyama walioambukizwa kwa kuwagusa au kuwala.  Wanyama hao ni pamoja na sokwe, nyani na swala. Maambukizi kutoka kwa mgonjwa huenda kwa mtu mwingine kwa kugusa damu au majimaji kutoka mwilini mwa mtu aliyeambukizwa ugonjwa huo au kwa kugusa maiti ya mtu aliyekufa kutokana na ugonjwa huo. Ugonjwa huu ni hatari sana kiasi kwamba hata watoa huduma za afya kama madaktari na wauguzi kama hawakuchukua tahadhari zinazotakiwa wanaweza kuambukizwa na hata kufa. Mpaka hivi sasa Daktari mmoja aliyekuwa anawahudumia wagonjwa wa Ebola kule  Liberia amekufa.

          Dalili za ugonjwa huo ni pamoja na mgonjwa kuwa na homa kali ya ghafla, kulegea mwili, kuumwa na kichwa, kuumwa na misuli na kutokwa na vidonda kooni.  Dalili hizi zinaweza kuambatana na kutapika, kuharisha, kutokwa na vipele, kutokwa na damu ndani na nje ya mwili na kushindwa kufanya kazi kwa figo na ini. Dalili za ugonjwa huu hujitokeza katika siku 2 hadi 21 baada ya kuambukizwa.

          Tunamshukuru Mungu kwani mpaka sasa hapa nchini hajapatikana mtu yeyote mwenye ugonjwa huu.  Pamekuwepo na wagonjwa wanne waliohisiwa kuwa na Ebola ambao uchunguzi ulionesha hawakuwa na ugonjwa huo.  Watatu kati ya wagonwja hao walikuwa ni wagonjwa wa malaria na mmoja uchunguzi wake bado unaendelea.  Wagonjwa wawili ni kutoka Dar es Salaam na wawili ni kutoka Geita na Nkasi. Wagonjwa hawa waliohisiwa walihudumiwa na walifanyiwa uchunguzi kwa kufuata tahadhari zote za ugonjwa wa Ebola.  Hii imeonesha utayari wetu wa kukabiliana na janga hili.  Pamoja na kutokuwepo kwa mgonjwa yeyote aliyehisiwa au kuthibitika kuwa na ugonjwa huu.

          Tumejipanga vizuri kuzuia ugonjwa huu usiingie nchini. Tumechukua tahadhari na kujiandaa vilivyo kukabiliana na janga hili kwa kuchukua hatua zifuatazo:

(i)                Tunacho Kikosi Kazi cha Taifa kinachoongozwa na Mganga Mkuu wa Serikali Dkt. Donald Mbando cha kukabiliana na ugonjwa huu katika ngazi ya taifa hadi Wilaya.   

(ii)           Tumekamilisha mpango wa kitaifa “Ebola Contingency Plan” na tumetenga Shilingi milioni 500 ikiwa ni fedha za awali za utekelezaji wa mkakati huo.

(iii)        Tumeshaagiza Timu za Maafa za mikoa na wilaya kutekeleza mpango huo.

(iv)        Tumesambaza vifaa “personal protective equipment” kwa watumishi wa afya katika mikoa yote, wilaya zote, hospitali zote za Rufaa na kanda 37, viwanja vya ndege vya Julius Nyerere, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza na Zanzibar.  Tumesambaza pia dawa.

(v)           Tumetenga kituo maalum tengefu (isolation unit) cha Wilaya ya Temeke na vituo vingine tengefu mikoani.

(vi)         Tumechukua tahadhari kubwa kwenye viwanja vya ndege. Tumekwishafunga mitambo maalum ya vipima joto na dalili za wagonjwa wa Ebola katika viwanja vya Mwalimju Nyerere (2), Mwanza (1), Zanzibar (1) na kituo cha Namanga (1). Tumeagiza pia scanners 5 ambazo zimekwishawasili na zitafungwa katika viwanja vyetu.

(vii)     Tumetoa mafunzo kwa watumishi wa afya wa mipakani na viwanja vya ndege. Tumetoa mafunzo hayo kwa watumishi 100 wa Dar es Salaam na 45 kutoka mikoa ya Arusha, Kagera, Rukwa, Mwanza, Kilimanjaro, Kigoma na Zanzibar.  Tumepeleka watumishi watatu nchini Jamhuri ya Kongo kupata mafunzo maalum.

(viii)  Tumeanza maandalizi ya kuboresha maabara zetu ili tuweze kufanya uchunguzi wa sampuli hapa hapa nchini. Kwa sasa, eneo zima la Afrika Mashariki tunategemea na tunatumia maabara ya Nairobi.

          Viongozi wa ngazi zote hizi wamepatiwa mwongozo wa utekelezaji. Tunachoomba ni ushirikiano wa wananchi wote katika kuchukua tahadhari na kutoa taarifa mapema iwezekanavyo mara tu mnapogundua dalili za ugonjwa huu kwa mtu ye yote.

Mchakato wa Katiba

          Nilipozungumza na Taifa mwishoni mwa mwezi Julai, nilizungumzia mchakato wa Katiba.  Nilielezea utayari wangu wa kufanya kila liwezekanalo kusaidia kufanikisha mchakato wa Katiba unaonndelea sasa.  Kwa moyo huo, sikusita, nilipoombwa na Mwenyekiti wa Kituo cha Demokrasia (Umoja wa Vyama vyenye Uwakilishi Bungeni) Mhe. John Momose Cheyo kukutana nao na kufanya mazungumzo ya mashauriano.  Kama mnavyojua   tulikutana tarehe 31 Agosti, 2014 Mjini Dodoma.  Tumekuwa na mazungumzo mazuri. Tumepeana kazi ya kufanya na tumekubaliana kukutana tena tarehe 08 Septemba, 2014 kuendelea na mazungumzo yetu.  Kinachotia moyo ni ule ukweli kwamba kila upande umeonesha kiu na utayari wa kuzungumza.  Tuyape nafasi mazungumzo haya yatutoe hapa tulipo na kutusogeza mbele kwa umoja na mshikamano.

CDA

          Mwisho, suala la CDA: Wakati wa kuzundia barabara ya Dodoma – Fufu Mbunge wa Dodoma Mheshimiwa Malole alielezea kwa uchungu matatizo ya CDA. Nimewaagiza Wadau wakae tutakutana tarehe 07 Septemba, 2014 tupokee ushauri. Naomba muwe na subira.

Hitimisho

Wazee wangu;

          Narudia tena kuwashukuru ndugu zangu wa Dodoma kwa mapokezi mazuri na ratiba nzuri iliyonipa nafasi ya kujifunza mengi kuhusu mkoa wenu.  Naondoka nikiwa na kumbukumbu ya mambo mazuri yanayoendelea kufanyika hapa mkoani kuinua hali za maisha ya wananchi.  Tafadhali ongezeni bidii.  Mimi na wenzangu Serikalini tutaendelea kuwaunga mkono. 

Mhe. Balozi Seif Ali Idd, Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Serikali ya   Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar;

Mhe. Dr Hussein Ally Mwinyi, Waziri wa Ulinzi na JKT;   

Jenerali Davis Mwamnyange, Mkuu wa Majeshi ya Ulinzi; 

Luteni Jenerali Samueli Ndomba, Mnadhimu Mkuu wa Majeshi;             

 Mhe. Magesa Mulongo, Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Arusha;

Balozi Ombeni Sefue, Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi;             

Maj. Gen. RM Muhuga, Mkuu wa Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa;                               

 Wakuu wote wa Kamandi mliopo;

Majenerali wote mliopo;

Maafisa Wakuu;

Maafisa wadogo na Askari wote;

Wageni Waalikwa; 

Pongezi

Nashukuru kualikwa na kushirikishwa kwenye kilele cha sherehe za Maadhimisho ya Miaka 50 ya kuzaliwa kwa Jeshi la Wananchi wa Tanzania.  Natoa pongezi nyingi kwa Mkuu wa Majeshi Jenerali Davis Mwamnyange na viongozi wenzake kwa uamuzi wenu wa busara wa kuadhimisha siku hii muhimu katika historia ya Jeshi letu na nchi yetu kwa zoezi la medani linalohusisha Jeshi zima.  Huu ni ubunifu wenye tija ingawaje ndugu zenu wa Dar es Salaam waliojiandaa kuona gwaride la kihistoria wamewa-“miss” sana. 

          Hongereni kutimiza nusu karne ya uhai wa Jeshi la Ulinzi la Wananchi wa Tanzania. Imekuwa miaka hamsini ya mafanikio makubwa. Mtu anapoangalia nyuma kwenye kumbukumbu za historia ya Jeshi letu lilivyokuwa Septemba 1, 1964 na lilivyo sasa, hatasita kutambua na kukiri kuwa tumepata mafanikio makubwa ya kujivunia.  Kama kuna mtu haoni hivyo basi anatumia miwani ya mbao kusomea.

Historia ya JWTZ

Ndugu Makamanda, Wapiganaji na Wananchi;

          Kama tujuavyo Jeshi la Ulinzi la Wananchi wa Tanznia liliundwa kufuatia kuvunjwa kwa jeshi lililokuwepo wakati ule yaani Tanganyika Rifles kufanya uasi.  Kwa kweli Tanganyika Rifles lilikuwa Jeshi tulilorithi kutoka kwa wakoloni. Kilichofanyika ni kubadili jina kutoka  King African Rifles na kuwa Tanganyika Rifles lakini halikugeuka na kuwa Jeshi la nchi huru na la watu huru. Falsafa yake ilibakia kuwa ile ile ya mkoloni aliyeliunda, ndiyo maana walifanya waliyoyafanya. Kwa namna fulani basi, uasi uliipa nchi yetu fursa ya kuunda jeshi lake lenyewe  lililojengwa kwa falsafa ya Uzalendo na kulinda maslahi ya nchi yao huru na watu wake. Iliwezesha kuunda Jeshi linalotokana na wananchi wazalendo na lipo kwa ajili ya ulinzi na maslahi ya wananchi na nchi yao. 

Katika kuunda Jeshi jipya na kuvunjwa kwa Tanganyika Rifles, baada ya uasi, Rais na Amiri Jeshi Mkuu, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere alifanya uamuzi wa kuchukua vijana 1,000 wa TANU Youth League kuwa mbegu ya msingi ya kuunda Jeshi la Wananchi wa Tanzania.  Aidha, aliweka wazi na kuainisha shabaha, malengo na majukumu ya Jeshi letu kuwa ni kufanya mambo yafuatayo:-

             i.         Ulinzi wa mipaka ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania;

          ii.         Kulinda Katiba na Uhuru wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania;

       iii.      Kufanya mafunzo na mazoezi ili kujiweka tayari kivita  wakati wote;

       iv.      Kufundisha umma shughuli za ulinzi wa Taifa;

          v.      Kushirikiana na mamlaka za kiraia katika kutoa misaada ya kibinadamu na uokoaji wakati wa maafa;

       vi.      Kutoa huduma mbalimbali za kijamii;

    vii.      Kukuza elimu ya kujitegemea na uzalishaji mali kazi iliyofanywa kupitia Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa na Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi; na

 viii.      Kushiriki ulinzi wa amani na ukombozi.

          Tokea kuanzishwa kwake hadi sasa, Jeshi letu halijawahi kuacha misingi, shabaha na malengo ya kuanzishwa kwake. Jeshi jipya limezingatia sifa kuu tatu ambazo zilitofautisha jeshi hili na lile la Tanganyika Rifles. Limebaki kuwa Jeshi la Ulinzi wa nchi na sio la uvamizi.  Ni Jeshi linalotokana na wananchi wa Tanzania kwa ajili ya wananchi wa Tanzania na siyo jeshi la kukandamiza wananchi. Na, ni Jeshi la Ukombozi na kulinda amani lilotumika kwenye harakati za ukombozi wa Afrika na kulinda amani duniani.

Mafanikio ya JWTZ

Ndugu Makamanda, Wapiganaji na Wananchi;

          Mafanikio mengi makubwa na madogo yamepatikana katika miaka 50 ya uhai wa JWTZ.  Tunaweza kusema kwa kujiamini kabisa kuwa, moja ya mafanikio makubwa ya miaka 50 ya nchi yetu ni kuwa na Jeshi imara, lenye uzalendo, weledi, utii na nidhamu ya hali ya juu.  Hili ni jambo ambalo mataifa kadhaa hususan ya Afrika yameshindwa kulifanikisha.  Tunaweza kusema, amani, utulivu na usalama tulio nao nchini kwetu kwa miaka 50 sasa umechangiwa sana na Jeshi la Wananchi wa Tanzania kutimiza ipasavyo wajibu wake.

          Hakika JWTZ limetekeleza vyema majukumu yake ya wakati wa amani na wakati wa vita kwa weledi na ufanisi mkubwa.  Mafanikio ni mengi, kwa uchache niruhusuni niyataje yafuatayo:-

       i.            Kushiriki na kufanikisha harakati za ukombozi barani Afrika kwa kufundisha majeshi ya vyama vya Ukombozi, na ushiriki wa moja kwa moja kwenye vita vya ukombozi Kusini mwa Bara la Afrika huko Msumbiji, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia na Afrika Kusini;

    ii.            Kulinda uhuru na mipaka ya nchi yetu, kwa nyakati mbalimbali limeweza kuzima matishio dhidi ya uhuru na umoja wa nchi yetu. Na mfano mkubwa ni pale Jeshi lilipofanikiwa kuyafukuza majeshi ya uvamizi ya Dikteta Idd Amin na kulisambaratisha kabisa Jeshi hilo;

 iii.            Kushiriki kwa ukamilifu na kwa mafanikio makubwa kwenye operesheni ya kulinda amani nchini Liberia, Darfur, Lebanon, Ivory Coast, Visiwa vya Shelisheli, Visiwa vya Comoro na hivi majuzi DRC kuyatoa majeshi ya waasi ya M23.

 iv.            Kushirikiana na mamlaka za kiraia katika shughuli za uokoaji wakati wa maafa mbalimbali yaliyotokea nchini, yakiwemo mafuriko ya Dar es Salaam, Kilosa, ya kuzama meli kule Zanzibar;

    v.             Kutoa huduma mbalimbali kwa jamii zikiwemo elimu na afya.  Watanzania wengi wanafaidika na huduma za shule na hospitali zinazomilikiwa na jeshi;

 vi.            Kukuza elimu ya kujitegemea kwa vijana wetu kupitia Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (JKT) na Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi (JKU).

Changamoto za JWTZ

Ndugu Makamanda, Wapiganaji na Wananchi;

          Dunia ya leo inayo changamoto mpya za ulinzi na usalama tofauti na zile zilizokuwepo miaka 50 iliyopita wakati JWTZ lilipoanzishwa.  Changamoto mpya za kiusalama zimekuja na matishio mapya ya kiusalama ambayo yamesabishwa na hali ya sasa ya kisiasa na kiuchumi duniani na mapinduzi ya kiteknolojia. Kwa ajili hiyo kuna mabadiliko ya aina ya adui na mbinu zake.  Leo hii tunazo changamoto za ugaidi, uharamia, ujangili, na hujuma za kiuchumi.  Matishio haya na mengine mengi ya aina hiyo yanahitaji mbinu na utaalam mpya za mapambano. Jeshi letu halina budi kujiandaa na kujiweka tayari wakati wote dhidi ya matishio haya mapya ya kiusalama.

Ahadi ya Serikali

Ndugu Makamanda, Wapiganaji na Wananchi;

          Sisi Serikalini tunayo azma ya kuendelea kuliimarisha jeshi letu na kuliweka katika hali ya utayari wakati wote.  Dhamira yetu ni kuwa na jeshi la kisasa, lenye uwezo mkubwa wa mapigano. Kwa ajili hiyo tutaendelea kuwekeza fedha zaidi katika kulipatia Jeshi letu silaha na zana za kisasa, vitendea kazi na vyombo vya usafiri, ardhini, majini na angani. Pia tutaendelea kuboresha maslahi na huduma bora kwa wanajeshi wetu. Ninyi ni mashahidi wa kile tulichokifanya na tunachoendelea kufanya. Nawahakikishia tuko tayari kufanya zaidi.

          Tunatambua kuwa wakati wa amani ndio wakati wa kuimarisha jeshi.  Historia imetufundisha hivyo wakati wa vita yetu dhidi ya majeshi ya Nduli Idd Amin. Tunaitumia vizuri fursa hiyo. Ukweli huu ulisisitizwa pia na Baba wa Taifa, Hayati Julius Kambarage Nyerere katika hotuba yake aliyoitoa katika sherehe za Mashujaa tarehe 1 Septemba, 1979, ambapo alipokea wanajeshi wetu waliokuwa wakirejea kutoka vitani.  Alisema:

          ”Vita sasa vimekwisha.  Lakini kusema hivyo maana yake si kusema kuwa twaweza kulegeza mikanda.  Hatuna wazo lolote la kumvamia mtu yoyote.  Lakini ni vyema kuwa tayari wakati wote kwa lolote linaloweza kutokea.  Hilo ni funzo moja kubwa tulilolipata kutokana na vita hii”.

          Tumekuwa wanafunzi wazuri wa somo hilo. Ndiyo maana katika Awamu yangu ya uongozi, tumewekeza sana katika kuongeza uwezo kimapigano wa  jeshi letu katika nyanja zote. Kwa upande wa mafunzo, pamoja na kuimarisha vilivyopo vyuo na shule zilizopo, nyingine mbalimbali zimejengwa katika kipindi hiki. Hii ni pamoja na NDC. Napenda kuwahakikishia kuwa tutajenga Defence Intelligence Colleges, School of Military Police, School of Special Forces, School of Armour na Comprehensive Training Centre, Marines, hali kadhalika Command and Staff College ya Duluti tutaimaliza.

Tumelijengea uwezo mkubwa jeshi letu kwa zana na vitendea kazi kama mlivyojionea wakati wa maadhimisho ya miaka 50 ya Muungano na katika zoezi hili la leo.  Lakini kazi bado inaendelea.  Kwa upande wa huduma ya afya pamoja na kazi iliyofanywa ya kuimarisha hospitali za jeshi, tunakamilisha matayarisho ya ujenzi wa hospitali kubwa ya kijeshi. Ujenzi wa nyumba 6,064 katika Awamu ya kwanza ya ujenzi wa nyumba 10,000 unaendelea na utakamilika Desemba, 2014. Ujenzi wa nyumba 3,936 zilizobaki utaendelea baada ya awamu ya kwanza.

Matarajio yetu kwa JWTZ

Ndugu Makamanda, Wapiganaji na Wananchi;

          Wananchi wa Tanzania wanayo mapenzi makubwa na Jeshi letu, maana ni jeshi lao na linatokana na wao.  Wameishi na jeshi hili vizuri na wamefaidika na huduma za kijamii zitolewazo na jeshi lao.  Wanayo matumaini makubwa kuwa mtaendelea kutii viapo vyenu, mtailinda Katiba ya nchi na mtaendelea kuwalinda wakati wote na kusaidiana nao wakati wa majanga.  Ninyi ni kimbilio la Watanzania wote.

          Matarajio haya ya wananchi ndiyo matarajio yangu na wenzangu wote serikalini.  Uzoefu wetu wa miaka 50 unatupa kila sababu ya kuziangalia nyakati za mbele yetu kwa matumaini makubwa.  Ninapotembelea vikosi na kujionea kazi zenu na utayari wenu kivita, hujisikia vizuri kama Amiri Jeshi Mkuu wenu natembea kifua mbele kote niendako, maana muyafanyayo siyo tu yananipa raha bali yananipa heshima kubwa hapa nchini na nje ya nchi. Nina imani kuwa kwa sasa Jeshi letu lipo katika kiwango cha juu cha utayari kivita kwa vifaa na watu.

Kumbukumbu ya Mashujaa waliotutoka

Ndugu Makamanda, Wapiganaji na Wananchi;

          Tunapoadhimisha miaka 50 ya Jeshi la Wananchi wa Tanzania, tunawakumbuka na kuwaenzi wale wanajeshi na viongozi waliotangulia, Marais na CDF na wapiganaji wetu waliolifia Taifa letu wakitekeleza wajibu wao kwa taifa katika mstari wa mbele.  Hawa hawakupata bahati ya kuwa nasi siku ya leo tunapoadhimisha miaka 50 ya JWTZ.  Leo tunawakumbuka mashujaa wetu hawa kwa fahari.  Kamwe hatutasahau mchango wao na kujitoa kwao mhanga ili sisi tuishi maisha ya heshima na tufurahie matunda ya uhuru wetu.  Hatuna cha kuwalipa zaidi ya kuwaenzi.  Majina yao daima yataandikwa kwa wino wa dhahabu katika historia ya nchi yetu.

Hitimisho

Ndugu Makamanda, Wapiganaji na Wananchi;

          Sasa tunaianza safari ya miaka 50 ijayo.  Tunaianza tukiwa na matumaini makubwa ya kupata maendeleo makubwa zaidi miaka na miongo ijayo. Sina shaka hata kidogo kwamba Jeshi letu litapata mafanikio makubwa zaidi.   Jeshi la Wananchi wa Tanzania halijawahi kushindwa na halitaweza kushindwa na jambo.  Daima kumbukeni wosia wa Baba wa Taifa wakati akizindua JWTZ aliposema, “Moyo kwanza kabla ya silaha”.   

          Mungu Ibariki Afrika, Mungu Ibariki Tanzania, Mungu Ibariki JWTZ.

Ahsanteni kwa kunisikiliza

Mheshimiwa Pierre Nkurunzinza, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Burundi,

Waheshimiwa Mawaziri kutoka Burundi na Tanzania,

Mheshimiwa Issa Ntambuka, Balozi wa Burundi nchini Tanzania,

Waheshimiwa Wakuu wa Mikoa na Wilaya za Burundi na Tanzania waliopo,

Makatibu Wakuu na Watendaji mbalimbali wa Serikali za nchi zetu mbili,

Ndugu wananchi, Mabibi na Mabwana,

Shukrani

Ni furaha kubwa sana kwangu kukukaribisha Tanzania Mheshimiwa Pierre Nkurunziza, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Burundi na ujumbe wako kwa ajili ya shughuli hii muhimu na ya kihistoria katika uhusiano wa nchi zetu mbili. Wewe na mimi kuwepo  Mugikomero kuzindua zoezi la uwekaji wa mawe ya mpaka baina ya Burundi na Tanzania ni kielelezo tosha cha uhusiano mwema, udugu na urafiki uliopo kati ya nchi zetu mbili na watu wake.

Uhusiano wa Tanzania Burundi

Kama sote tujuavyo nchi zetu tatu za Burundi, Rwanda na Tanganyika sasa Tanzania Bara, kabla ya Vita Kuu ya Kwanza tulikuwa nchi moja chini ya utawala wa Wajerumani na kujulikana kama German East Africa. Ni baada ya Vita Kuu hiyo na Wajerumani kushindwa ndipo tukawa nchi tatu yaani Tanganyika chini ya  utawala wa Waingereza na Burundi na Rwanda zikiwa nchi mbili chini ya Wabelgiji.

Umuhimu wa Kuhakiki Mpaka

Ndugu Wananchi,

          Mnamo tarehe 5 Agosti 1924, ndipo Mkataba wa Mpaka wa nchi zetu hizi mbili, ulipotiwa saini.   Leo miaka 90 baadae tupo kwenye mchakato wa kuhakiki  mpaka wetu. Zoezi hili litapelekea nchi zetu kuwa na Mkataba mpya wa Mpaka ambao sasa utakuwa ni wetu wenyewe. Kama zilivyo nchi nyingi za Kiafrika, Tanzania na Burundi zilirithi mpaka uliopo kutoka kwa waliokuwa watawala wetu enzi za ukoloni. Mpaka huu haujafanyiwa mapitio wala kuimarishwa tangu nchi zetu zipate uhuru zaidi ya miaka 50 iliyopita.  Katika kipindi hicho kumekuwepo na mabadiliko mbalimbali ikiwemo ongezeko la watu na shughuli za kiuchumi na kimaendeleo katika maeneo ya mipakani. Aidha katika baadhi ya maeneo  hata alama za mipaka zimekuwa vigumu kuzitambua ama kwa sababu ya kuchakaa au mawe kung’olewa. Hali hiyo haiwezi kuachwa kuendelea ilivyo.

Kwa kutambua ukweli kwamba kwa baadhi ya nchi utata kuhusu mipaka kuwa kiini cha migogoro, Kikao cha Wakuu wa Nchi na Serikali wa Umoja wa Afrika (AU) kilichofanyika Accra, Ghana tarehe 27 Juni, 2007 kilizitaka Nchi zote Wanachama wa Umoja wa Afrika kushirikiana katika kuimarisha mipaka yao ifikapo mwaka 2012. Hata hivyo, kipindi hicho kiliongezwa hadi kufikia mwaka 2017. Tumebaki na miaka mitatu kabla ya muda huo kukamilika, hivyo tunafanya zoezi hili ndani ya wakati wake.

Zoezi za Kuimarisha Mpaka

Ndugu Wananchi,

Nchi zetu ziliitikia wito huo wa Umoja wa Afrika (AU) kwa kuunda Kamati ya Pamoja ya Wataalamu ambayo ilikagua mpaka mzima na kubaini mawe yaliyong’olewa, mawe yaliyoharibiwa na kuainisha maeneo ambayo yalikuwa yanastahili kuongezewa mawe ili yaweze kuonekana vizuri miongoni mwa wananchi waishio mpakani.

Zoezi hili ni kubwa na lina changamoto zake. Mpaka wa Tanzania na Burundi una urefu wa Kilometa 450 ambao ni sawa na umbali wa kutoka Dar es Salaam hadi Lindi. Isitoshe mpaka hauko mijini, maeneo mengi yako misituni kwenye mabonde na  milima. Ni magumu kuyafikia. Kwa upande wetu mpaka upo katika mikoa miwili ya Kagera na Kigoma na kwenye wilaya tano, kati ya hizo nne ni za Mkoa wa Kigoma (Kigoma, Kasulu, Kibondo na Kakonko) na moja ni hii ya Ngara iliyoko mkoa wa Kagera. Aidha, zoezi hili lina gharama kubwa na hatuna mfadhili hivyo linagharamiwa na nchi zetu mbili. Hali yetu tunaijua lakini tumeamua kufanya wenyewe jambo linaloonyesha utashi mkubwa wa Serikali zetu mbili katika kufanikisha zoezi hili muhimu sana.

Wito kwa Wananchi Waishio Mpakani

Ndugu Wananchi,

Lengo la zoezi hili sio kuwatenganisha wakazi wa mpakani ambao sote tunatambua kwamba shughuli zenu zinaingiliana na wengine mna uhusiano wa kifamilia na kidugu. Tunachokifanya leo ni kuimarisha mpaka na kuwatengenezea mazingira yenu kuwa mazuri zaidi. Kurasimisha mipaka kunafanya kazi za kiutawala mpakani kuwa rahisi baina ya mamlaka za pande zote mbili za mpaka. Kunaweka taratibu nzuri za kurasimisha utoaji wa huduma za umma na kuwezesha maingiliano ya kidugu na kibiashara baina ya watu wa Burundi na Tanzania. Hivyo, kitendo cha kuweka mambo sawa na sio kuwakwaza.

Ndugu wananchi,

Mpaka huu ni wenu. Nawaomba muwe walinzi wa mawe tutakayoweka leo na siku za usoni. Tusiyang’oe au kuyaharibu. Hakuna sababu ya kufanya yote hayo. Maana naambiwa hata baadhi ya sababu hazina maana tena na za kipuuzi. Kwa mfano, ipo dhana potofu kwamba kuna mali za thamani zilizofichwa kwenye mawe hayo. Nafurahi kwamba baadhi ya vijana wenu wanashirikishwa kwenye zoezi hili. Hivyo wao ndiyo mashahidi kwamba mawe haya ni mchanganyiko wa sementi, kokoto na mchanga. Hakuna dhahabu wala vito vingine vya thamani kama ambavyo ilivyokuwa ikidhaniwa miaka ya nyuma na hivyo kupelekea mawe zaidi ya sita kung’olewa. Sisi tuwe ni kizazi cha mwisho kuhujumu mawe ya mpakani kwa sababu yo yote ile. Lazima tutambue kwamba ni jambo baya kufanya hivyo na kwamba ni kujihujumu wenyewe kwani ujenzi wa kurudishia mawe yaliyong’olewa utagharamiwa kwa fedha ambazo zingefanya jambo linguine la manufaa.

Pongezi

Ndugu Wananchi,

Napenda kutumia fursa hii kuipongeza Kamati ya Wataalamu kwa kazi kubwa na nzuri waliyofanya mpaka tumefikia kuwa na hafla hii ya leo ya kihistoria. Wamefanya kazi yao kwa bidii, uaminifu, uadilifu na weledi wa hali ya juu. Wamejali na kuzingatia maslahi ya nchi zetu. Ni wazalendo wa dhati. Daima majina yao yatakuwemo  kwenye vitabu vya kumbukumbu na historia ya nchi za  Tanzania na Burundi.

Hatma

Baada ya kukamilisha zoezi la kuweka mawe ya Mpaka mzima, utaandaliwa Mkataba wa Mpaka baina ya Nchi zetu ambao utafuta ule wa Kikoloni wa Mwaka 1924. Ni matumaini yangu kwamba wataalamu wetu wataongeza kasi ili zoezi hili likamilike mapema. Kwa ajili hiyo, naziagiza Mamlaka zinazohusika kwa upande wa Tanzania kutimiza wajibu wake ipasavyo ili zisiwe sababu ya  kuchelewesha au kukwamisha zoezi hili.

Ndugu wananchi;

Pamoja na zoezi hili linaloendelea, napenda kuwaarifu kuwa tunaendelea na uhakiki wa mipaka yetu na nchi za Msumbiji (kilometa 756), Zambia (kilometa 338), Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo (kilometa 473) na Kenya (kilometa 769). Baadae, tunakusudia, kufanya hivyo kwa mipaka yetu na Rwanda (kilometa 217), Uganda (kilometa 396) na Malawi (kilometa 475). Nazitaka Mamlaka zinazohusika kuhakikisha kuwa zoezi la kuhakiki Mipaka yote baina ya Tanzania na nchi tunazopakana nazo linafanyika kwa ukamilifu na ufanisi wa hali ya juu.

Hitimisho

Mheshimiwa Rais,

Ndugu Wananchi,

Marafiki huchora mipaka kwa mazungumzo na kalamu, maadui huichora kwa nguvu na kwa wino wa  damu za binadamu. Mipaka ya kalamu hudumu kuliko ile itengenezwayo kwa damu. Mipaka ya kalamu hustawisha jamii wakati ile ya damu hufarakanisha, huzua chuki, hujuma na visasi. Kadri tunavyohakiki mipaka yetu kwa njia ya mazungumzo na kalamu, tunaondoa sababu na uwezekano wa nchi kugombana, kufarakana na hata kupigana kwa sababu ya mipaka. Sisi na Burundi ni ndugu, tumechagua njia ya mazungumzo na kalamu. Ni uamuzi sahihi, makini na wa busara na hekima kubwa. Tuzidi kumuomba Mungu atujalie na kutuongoza iwe hivyo kwa  nchi zote tunazopakana nazo.

Ndugu wananchi,

          Naomba nimalizie kwa kusisitiza mambo makuu matatu;

• Kwanza, narudia wito wangu kwa wakazi wote waishio maeneo ya mipakani kulinda alama za mipaka kwani wao ndio walinzi wa kwanza wa mawe hayo.
• Pili, naitaka Wizara ya Serikali za Mitaa na Tawala za Mikoa kuhakikisha kuwa Serikali za Mikoa yenye mipaka ya kimataifa zinapanga bajeti kwa ajili ya kulinda alama za mipaka. Hakikisheni eneo la meta 12.5 kutoka mpakani (buffer zone) haliingiliwi kwa shughuli zozote ikiwemo ujenzi na kilimo.
• Tatu na mwisho nazitaka Mamlaka zote zinazohusika zihakikishe kuwa mazoezi ya upimaji wa mpaka huu na mipaka mingine yanakamilika mapema iwezekanavyo.

Mwisho, nakushukuru tena Mheshimiwa Rais kwa upendo na ushirikiano wako. Wewe Mheshimiwa Rais, Serikali na watu wa Burundi ni rafiki wa kweli na ndugu wa Tanzania.  Nami nakuhakikishia hapatakuwa na upungufu wa ushirikiano kwa upande wangu na wa Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania. Karibu sana.

Ahsanteni sana kwa kunisikiliza!

Mheshimiwa Mizengo Kayanza Peter Pinda, Waziri Mkuu;

Mheshimiwa Bernard Kamilius Membe, Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa;

Waheshimiwa Mawaziri;

Ndugu Emmanuel Mwachulla, Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Tanzania Diaspora Initiative;

Mwakilishi wa International Organization for Migration (IOM);

Wageni Waalikwa;

Wana-Diaspora;

Mabibi na Mabwana;

          Leo tunaanza mwanzo mpya katika historia ya uhusiano baina ya Watanzania waishio ughaibuni na Watanzania waishio nchini.  Kwa mara ya kwanza tunawakutanisha hapa nchini Watanzania waishio ughaibuni na Watanzania wenzao na taasisi zetu za hapa nchini.  Toka tumeanza kampeni hizi za kuhamasisha Watanzania waishio nje kushiriki katika maendeleo hapa nchini, hatujawahi kuwa na mkutano kama huu.  Tumefanya mikutano mingi nje ya nchi ya kuwatembelea huko mliko, kuzungumza nanyi na kuwahamasisha kushiriki katika shughuli za ujenzi wa taifa.  Safari hii, ni kinyume chake. Mmekuja nyumbani kujumuika nasi.  Hii ni hatua kubwa na mwanzo mpya.

          Nakupongeza sana Mheshimiwa Waziri Mkuu na Mheshimiwa Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa kwa kuliwezesha jambo hili kuwa.  Nawashukuru kwa jitihada mnazochukua kusaidia kusukuma agenda hii ya Diaspora na maendeleo.  Matunda haya ya leo ni matokeo ya kazi yenu nzuri.  Nakupongeza pia Ndugu Emmanuel Mwachulla na wenzako kwa kubuni wazo hili jema, na kuishirikisha Serikali katika kulifanikisha.  Uamuzi wenu wa kulianzisha wazo hili ni mzuri kwani unaondoa ile dhana kuwa suala hili la Diaspora ni suala la sisi viongozi tu na siyo agenda yenu.  Kujitokeza kwenu kunatutia nguvu na moyo wa kuendelea kuhamasisha.  Ni ukweli usiopingika kuwa sauti yenu katika suala hili la ushirikishaji wa diaspora ina uzito mkubwa zaidi kuliko hata sauti yetu sisi.

Kauli Mbiu ya Mkutano

Mabibi na Mabwana;

          Nimevutiwa na kauli mbiu ya mkutano huu “Connect, engage, inform and invest”, yaani unganisha, wasiliana, toa habari na wekeza”.  Kuwafikia wana diaspora ilikuwa ni moja ya malengo makuu ya Serikali yetu kwa sababu tunaamini kuwa jukumu la maendeleo ya Tanzania ni la kila Mtanzania po pote pale alipo.  Ndugu zetu walioko nje nao kama walivyo waliopo nchini wana wajibu wa kuchangia pia kwa kile wanachokiweza.  Nilipokuwa nakutana na Watanzania kote nilikopita nje ya nchi nilifafanua mambo matatu muhimu kwa Watanzania:  La kwanza ni kukumbuka nyumbani (East West Home is Best).  La pili, wajenge nyumbani na wasaidie ndugu zao, na la tatu wasaidie maendeleo ya nchi kwa kuleta vitega uchumi, kutafuta masoko ya bidhaa, walete teknolojia na walete ujuzi na maarifa.

Umuhimu wa Diaspora kwa Uchumi wa Taifa

Mabibi na Mabwana;

          Umuhimu wa Diaspora katika uchumi wa nchi zao za asili ni suala ambalo limepewa mkazo sana katika dunia ya leo.  Inakadiriwa kuwa watu wapatao milioni 220 duniani ambao ni asilimia 3 ya watu wote duniani wanaishi nje ya nchi zao za asili.  Benki ya Dunia imebaini kuwa, kiasi cha dola za Marekani bilioni 581 zimetumwa na Wana-Diaspora duniani kote kwenda kwenye nchi zao za asili mwaka 2013.  Kiasi hiki kinatarajiwa kuongezeka kufikia dola za Marekani bilioni 681 ifikapo mwaka 2016.  Nchi zinazoendelea zinatarajiwa kupata ongezeko la asilimia 78, za fedha hizi kutoka dola za Marekani bilioni 404 mwaka 2013 hadi dola bilioni 516 mwaka 2016.  Kiasi hiki cha sasa kinakadiriwa kuwa ni mara nne ya fedha ambazo nchi za Afrika zinapokea kama misaada kutoka kwa wafadhili wa nje.  Itoshe tu kusema kuwa diaspora ni chanzo muhimu cha kuchangia kukuza  uchumi wa nchi.

          Pamoja na ukubwa wa mapato hayo, bado Tanzania inavuna kiasi kidogo sana kutoka kwa Watanzania waishio nje.  India na China peke yake zinavuna jumla ya kiasi cha dola za Marekani bilioni 50 kwa mwaka, na Nigeria kiasi cha dola bilioni 21 katika mwaka 2013.  Kwa mujibu wa Ripoti ya UNCTAD ya mwaka 2012 kuhusu ushirikishwaji wa diaspora, inakadiriwa kuwa Tanzania ilipokea kiasi cha dola za Marekani milioni 10.2 tu (sawa na shilingi bilioni 16) mwaka 2011.  Kwa ulinganisho wao, kiasi cha dola za Marekani milioni 4.5 zilitoka kwa Watanzania waishio Uingereza, dola milioni 3.2 kwa wale waishio Canada na dola milioni 2.5 kwa wale waishio Kenya, ingawa takwimu hizi hazihusishi fedha zilizorejeshwa nchini kwa njia zisizo rasmi bado.  Kiasi hiki ni kidogo sana ikilinganishwa na Kenya iliyopata dola za Marekani bilioni 1.3 mwaka 2014.

Changamoto kubwa tuliyonayo nchini ni kutokuwepo na takwimu rasmi za kiasi cha fedha tunachopokea kutoka nje kutokana na fedha nyingi kupita katika mikondo isyo rasmi ya fedha.  Naamini kuwa tukiweka mufumo yetu sawa upo uwezekano mkubwa wa kiwango hiki kuongzeka.    

          Hapana shaka ipo fursa ya Tanzania kuvuna zaidi kutoka kwa Diaspora yake.  Hapana shaka pia kwamba ili tuweze kufanikiwa hatuna budi kuwekeza katika kuweka mazingira mazuri ya kisera na kisheria.  Hatuna budi kuondoa vikwazo vinavyowazuia Diaspora wetu kushiriki ujenzi wa taifa.  Maana uzoefu umeonyesha pale ambapo mazingira ni wezeshi, michango ya Diaspora imekuwa ni mikubwa zaidi.  Mfano, Diaspora wa Salvador wanakadiriwa kutuma nyumbani kwao asilimia 16 ya mapato yao binafsi, Bangladesh na Philippines ni asilimia 12 na Senegali ni asilimia 9.

Mabibi na Mabwana;

          Sisi katika Serikali tumechukua hatua kubwa katika kurekebisha hali hii ili kujenga mazingira wezeshi.  Ilani ya uchaguzi wa CCM ya mwaka 2005 na ile ya 2010 ilitoa maelekezo mahsusi kuhusu kutambua na kuweka mazingira mazuri ya kuwezesha diaspora kuchangia maendeleo ya nchi yetu.  Tumeunda Idara ya kushughulikia Diaspora ndani ya Wizara ya Mambo ya Nje, tumeunda nafasi ya uratibu ndani ya Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu, tumefanya kampeni kubwa ya kuhamasisha wadau wa ndani kutambua na kushirikisha diaspora, na nimetumia kila fursa nilipotembelea nje kukutana nanyi na kuwahamasisha kuchangia maendeleo ya nchi.  Aidha, tumewashirikisha diaspora katika mchakato wa Katiba mpya.

          Matokeo ya jitihada hizi yameanza kuonekana, ndiyo maana kumekuwepo na ongezeko la fedha zinazotoka Diaspora kama takwimu zinavyoonyesha.   Aidha, taasisi za fedha, taasisi za nyumba na mifuko ya jamii nayo imesikia wito huu na wameanza kutoa huduma mahsusi kwa Watanzania walioko nje na watu wenye asili ya Tanzania waishio nje ya nchi.  Ni dhamira yetu kuona huduma hizi zikipanuka na kuboreshwa siku hadi siku.  Serikali iko katika hatua za kukamilisha sera ya diaspora itakayoshirikisha na kuunganisha juhudi za wadau wote katika kuweka mazingira mazuri kuwezesha ushiriki wenu kwa ukamilifu.

Madai ya Uraia Pacha

Mabibi na Mabwana;

          Ninapokutana nanyi huko nje na hivi majuzi nilipokuwa Washington D.C na Houston, Texas, kilio chenu kikubwa ni kupitishwa kwa haki ya Mtanzania wa kuzaliwa kutopoteza uraia wake iwapo atapata uraia wan chi nyingine.  Suala hili ni la kikatiba na si la mamlaka ya Rais pekee.  Katika Rasimu, suala la Uraia limefafanuliwa katika Sura ya 5 ya Rasimu ya Tume, Ibara ya 59 inazungumzia Hadhi ya watu wenye asili au nasaba ya Tanzania.  Yamekuwepo maoni kutoka kwenu kuwa, Ibara hii ilivyowekwa haijakata kiu yenu ya kutaka kuendelea na kuwa na haki ya kutopoteza uraia wa asili wa Tanzania.  Mnasema kwamba pamoja na kuwa pendekezo la kupewa “Hadhi” si haba, bado hadhi hiyo sio mbadala wa uraia wa asili.

Mimi nilitimiza ahadi yangu kwenu kwa kuteua Mjumbe mmoja kutoka Diaspora, Bw. Kadari Isingo ili awawakilishe kwenye Bunge la Katiba.  Ni juu yenu kumtumia vizuri na pia kuelimisha umma juu ya dai lenu hili. Katika hilo la Uraia, mtumie ushawishi uleule, mpaze sauti vilevile kama mnavyofanya katika mitandao ya jamii kwenye masuala mengine.

Matarajio ya Watanzania Walioko Nchini

Mabibi na Mabwana;

          Watanzania walioko hapa nyumbani wanayo matarajio makubwa kutoka kwenu.  Wanayo imani kuwa, kwenda kwenu nje kuhemea kutaongeza neema kwenye familia zenu na taifa kwa ujumla.  Wanatazamia kuwa maisha yenu huko nje ni bora zaidi na mmekwenda kuvuna ili mjenge na kuendeleza kwenu.  Wanategemea mkiwa huko mtawasaidia ndugu zenu kutatua changamoto za maisha.  Muonapo fursa za kusaidia maendeleo nchini mtazileta.  Mtaleta fedha, mtaleta vitega uchumi, teknolojia za kisasa pamoja na ujuzi na maarifa.  Mkiona fursa za ajira mtawasaidia na wenzenu wapate.  Kwa wale waliopata bahati ya kupata ujuzi mzuri, tungependa kuwaona mkiutumia ujuzi huo na maarifa yenu kuendeleza kwenu.  Kunapotokea nafasi za ajira jitokezeni kuomba.  Najua hatuwezi kuwalipa mishahara mikubwa kama ya huko mliko lakini penye utashi wa kuchangia maendeleo kiasi cha mshahara si kigezo pekee.

Ahadi ya Serikali

Mabini na Mabwana;

          Sisi katika Serikali hatutarudi nyuma katika azma yetu na kuendelea kuwashirikisha katika maendeleo yetu hapa nchini.  Tunayo kila sababu ya kufanya hivyo na tayari tunafanya hivyo.  Tutaimarisha sera, mifumo na sheria ili kuweka uwanja wazi wa kuwawezesha kuchangia maendeleo ya hapa nchini.  Tunataka mtumie mifumo rasmi na salama ya kutuma fedha, kumiliki mali na kushiriki katika mifumo ya kiuchumi.  Hii itawaepusha na hasara mnazoweza kupata pale mnapojaribu kuwekeza nyumbani kwa kutumia fedha kwa njia zisizo rasmi kupitia kwa ndugu, jamaa na marafiki.  Nafurahi kwamba katika mkutano huu mtapata nafasi ya kuelezwa yale tuliyopanga kufanya na tunayofanya kwa ajili hiyo.  Zitumieni fursa hizo.

Hitimisho

Mbibi na Mabwana;

          Nawapongeza tena kwa mwitikio wenu mkubwa na zaidi kwa kufanya mkutano huu nchini.  Mmedhihirisha tena ule usemi wetu wa Kiswahili wa “mtu kwao”.  Tunafarijika sana mnapotuonyesha kuwa mnakumbuka nyumbani  kwenu.  Jisikieni kuwa mko nyumbani na muwe huru kuja wakati wote maana “mwenda kwao si mtoro” sisi tunawapokea kwa mikono miwili maana ninyi ni watoto wa nyumbani.  Pendeni kwenu, “mkataa kwao mtumwa”.

          Asanteni kwa kunisikiliza. 

Utangulizi

Ndugu wananchi;

Naomba nianze kwa kumshukuru Mwenyezi Mungu, mwingi wa rehema, kwa kutujalia uzima na kutuwezesha kwa mara nyingine tena kuzungumza na taifa juu ya masuala muhimu yanayohusu nchi yetu. Mwezi wa Saba tunaoumaliza leo ulikuwa na matukio mengi baadhi yakiwa makubwa na kushtusha na mengine yalikuwa matukio ya kawaida. 

Mashambulio ya Mabomu

Ndugu Wananchi;  

Tarehe 3 Julai, 2014 na tarehe 07 Julai, 2014 kulitokea mashambulizi ya mabomu nyumbani kwa Sheikh Sudi Ally Sudi na katika mgahawa wa Vama kwa mfuatano huo.  Kabla ya hapo, kulikuwa na matukio mengine matatu:  Kanisa la Olasiti tarehe 5 Mei, 2012, Mkutano wa Kampeni wa CHADEMA tarehe 15 Juni, 2013 na Baa ya Arusha Night Park tarehe 13 Aprili, 2014.  Hali kadhalika, tarehe 13 Juni, 2014 kulitokea shambulizi la mabomu katika eneo la Darajani, Zanzibar.

Kila lilipotokea shambulizi uchunguzi ulifanyika na watuhumiwa kukamatwa.  Lakini, watuhumiwa waliokamatwa safari hii wanaelekea kutoa sura nzuri zaidi ya mtandao wa watu wanaofanya vitendo hivi vya kikatili pale Arusha na kwingineko nchini.  Watu 38 wameishafikishwa Mahakamani, wengine 8 watafikishwa Mahakamani kesho na uchunguzi na msako unaendelea kote nchini kuwapata watuhumiwa wengine. 

Napenda kutumia nafasi hii kutoa pongezi za dhati kwa vyombo vyetu vya ulinzi na usalama kwa kazi kubwa na nzuri iliyotufikisha hapa tulipo sasa.  Tunawaomba waongeze bidii, maarifa na ushirikiano mpaka wote waliohusika wakamatwe na kufikishwa kwenye vyombo vya sheria.

Aidha, natoa pongezi na shukrani maalum kwa wananchi wema waliotoa taarifa zilizowezesha kukamatwa kwa watuhumiwa.  Napenda kutumia nafasi hii kuwasihi wananchi wenye taarifa kuhusu wanaotafutwa au ye yote anayejihusisha na vitendo hivi viovu watoe taarifa kwenye vyombo vya usalama ili hatua zipasazo zichukuliwe.

Kutupwa Viungo vya Binadamu

Ndugu Wananchi;

Tarehe 22 Julai, 2014, katika Bonde la Mto Mpiji lililopo eneo la Bunju Wilaya ya Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam, viligunduliwa viungo vya binadamu na baadhi ya vitendea kazi vya madaktari vikiwemo aprons na gloves.  Viungo hivyo vilivyokutwa vimekakamaa na kuhifadhiwa katika mifuko myeusi 85, vilikuwa vimetupwa jana yake tarehe 21 Julai, 2014.  Tukio hilo lilileta taharuki na hofu kubwa katika Jiji la Dar es Salaam na nchini kwa ujumla.

Uchunguzi uliofanywa uligundua kuwa viungo hivyo vilikuwa vinatumika kufundishia wanafunzi wa udaktari katika Chuo Kikuu cha Tiba kilichoko Mbezi Beach maarufu kwa jina la IMTU.  Ni utaratibu wa kawaida kwa vyuo vikuu vya udaktari nchini na kote duniani kutumia miili ya wanadamu waliofariki kufundishia.  Hata hivyo, pale viungo hivyo vinapokuwa havihitajiki tena kwa shughuli hiyo, zipo taratibu zake za kuvisitiri ambazo hazikufuatwa.  Bahati nzuri mamlaka husika zimeona kasoro hiyo na hatua zimeanza kuchukulikuwa.  Tuziachie mamlaka hizo kuchukua hatua zipasazo kwa mujibu wa madaraka yao na kwa mujibu wa Sheria na Kanuni zinazotawala shughuli za namna hiyo.  Ni matumaini yangu kuwa yaliyofanywa na IMTU hayatafanywa tena na Chuo hicho wala chuo kingine cho chote hapa nchini.

Ziara Yangu Mikoani

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Katika mwezi huu wa Julai, nimefanya ziara katika ya mikoa ya Tanga na Ruvuma.  Nimefurahishwa sana na hatua kubwa ya maendeleo waliyopiga wananchi wa mikoa hiyo.  Pamoja na mchango wa Serikali, ari na mwamko mkubwa wa kujiletea maendeleo walionao viongozi na wananchi wa mikoa hiyo vimechangia sana katika kuongeza kasi ya maendeleo na mafanikio yanayoendelea kupatikana.  Katika ziara hizo, nilizindua miradi  iliyokamilika na kuweka mawe ya msingi ya ujenzi wa miradi mbalimbali ya maendeleo ikiwemo ile ya barabara, umeme,maji, afya, elimu, majengo ya Serikali, nyumba na kadhalika. 

Nimepata faraja kubwa kupata taarifa kuwa ahadi zangu nyingi na zile zilizomo kwenye Ilani ya Chama cha Mapinduzi zimekamilika na zingine ziko katika hatua mbalimbali za utekelezaji.  Ndoto ya miaka mingi, kabla na baada ya Uhuru, ya wananchi wa Mikoa ya Kusini ya kutaka Mikoa yao ifunguke na kuunganishwa na mikoa mingine kwa barabara za lami sasa kuna uhakika wa kukamilika.  Barabara ya kutoka Mbinga, Songea hadi Namtumbo iliyojengwa kwa msaada wa Serikali ya Marekani imekamilika na tuliizindua.  Tuliweka mawe ya msingi ya kujenga barabara ya lami kutoka Namtumbo, Tunduru, Mangaka hadi Mtambaswala kwenye Daraja la Umoja linalounganisha Tanzania na Msumbiji kwa msaada wa Benki ya Maendeleo ya Afrika na Serikali ya Japan.  Barabara ya kutoka Mangaka hadi Masasi iliyojengwa kwa msaada wa Serikali ya Japan imekamilika na tuliizindua.  Katika barabara ya kutoka Mtwara hadi Mbamba Bay kimebaki kipande cha kilometa 66 kutoka Mbinga kwenda Mbamba Bay ambacho hakikuwa na mpango wo wote wa kuwekewa lami kwa sasa.  Bahati nzuri, Mwakilishi Mkazi wa Benki ya Maendeleo ya Afrika (ADB),  Bibi Tonia Kandiero alitangaza pale Namtumbo kuwa Benki yake itafadhili ujenzi wa barabara hiyo.  Mambo sasa yamekamilika.

          Kule Masasi mkoani Mtwara na Nachingwea mkoani Lindi tulizindua kukamilika kwa mradi mkubwa wa maji wa Mbwinji unaomaliza tatizo kubwa la maji kwa miji hiyo kwa miaka mingi ijayo.

Nyumba za Bei Nafuu

Ndugu Wananchi; 

          Nikiwa wilayani Mkinga na katika Manispaa ya Songea nilizindua nyumba za gharama nafuu zilizojengwa na Shirila la Nyumba la Taifa (NHC).  Nyumba hizo za vyumba viwili na vitatu zinauzwa kwa bei ya shilingi milioni 31 hadi 42. Wenzetu wa NHC walinieleza utayari wa kujenga nyumba zaidi endapo watapatiwa maeneo na Halmashauri za Wilaya na Miji.  Walinilalamikia kuwa hawapati ushirikiano wa kutosha kutoka mamlaka husika.  Nilipokuwa Mkinga na Songea niliagiza Halmashauri hizo na nyinginezo nchini kutenga maeneo kwa ajili ya NHC na Mifuko ya Hifadhi za Jamii yote ili waweze kujenga nyumba za bei nafuu kwa ajili ya wafanyakazi na wananchi kwa ujumla.   

 Hii ni fursa ya aina yake kwa wananchi wa kipato cha chini na cha kati kuweza kujipatia nyumba kwa urahisi.  Halmashauri zisiwe kikwazo wakati ardhi imejaa tele na kila wakati wanapima viwanja vipya.  Jambo lingine zuri waliloniambia viongozi wa NHC ni kwamba zipo Benki ambazo wanashirikiana nazo kutoa mikopo kwa watu wanaonunua nyumba zao.  Ni matarajio yangukwamba uongozi wa Halmashauri zote nchini utaitikia maelekezo yangu na kwamba utatenga maeneo kwa ajili ya mashirika yetu hayo.

Matibabu kwa Wazee

Ndugu Wananchi;

Nilipokuwa wilaya ya Kilindi nilifurahishwa sana na utaratibu wa kuwapatia wazee huduma ya matibabu.  Kama mjuavyo Sera ya Afya inataka wazee na watoto wa chini ya miaka mitano watibiwe bure katika hospitali za Serikali.  Bahati mbaya vitambulisho wanavyopata wazee vimekuwa havithaminiwi ya kutosha.  Kwa sababu hiyo, nafuu wanayostahili kupata imekuwa haipatikani kwa urahisi na wengine huikosa kabisa.

 Katika Wilaya ya Kilindi, Halmashauri ya wilaya imeamua kuwakatia wazee hao Bima ya Afya inayotolewa na Mfuko wa Afya ya Jamii (CHF) na hivyo kuondoa kabisa migogoro inayohusiana na vitambulisho vya wazee vilivyokuwepo kabla.  Kwa kuzingatia malalamiko ya mara kwa mara ninayoyapata kutoka kwa wazee kuhusu matibabu, nashauri Halmashauri zote nchini ziige mfano wa Wilaya ya Kilindi. Kama Kilindi wameweza kwa nini wengine washindwe. 

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Katika mikoa hii miwili nilipokea taarifa za kutia moyo kuhusu juhudi za wananchi na Serikali katika kupanua fursa za elimu.  Vijana wengi wenye umri wa kujiunga na shule za msingi wanafanya hivyo na wale wote wanaofaulu mtihani wa darasa la saba wanapata fursa ya kwenda sekondari.  Hatuna tena tatizo la fursa.  Pamoja na mafanikio hayo mazuri, taarifa za wanafunzi wengi kushindwa kumaliza elimu ya msingi na sekondari, zimenishtua na kunisikitisha sana. 

Katika Mkoa wa Tanga kwa mfano, kati ya wanafunzi 50,921  walioanza darasa la kwanza mwaka 2007 , ni wanafunzi 41,017 tu ndiyo waliofanya mtihani mwaka 2013.  Hivyo basi, wanafunzi 9,904  ambao ni sawa na asilimia 19.4 hawakumaliza elimu ya msingi.   Kwa upande wa sekondari, katika mkoa wa Ruvuma, kwa mfano, kati ya wanafunzi 18,892 walioanza kidato cha kwanza mwaka 2010 ni wanafunzi 9,968 sawa na asilimia 52.76 ndiyo waliofanya mtihani wa kidato cha nne.  Hivyo basi, wanafunzi 8,924 sawa na asilimia 47.2 hawakumaliza elimu ya sekondari.  Taarifa za namna hii nilizipata pia katika ziara zangu ya Mikoa ya Kagera, Geita na Simiyu.  Nina kila sababu ya kuamini kuwa hali ni hiyo hiyo kwa Mikoa mingine mingi nchini.  Kwa kweli kiwango hiki cha wanafunzi wanaoshindwa kumaliza elimu ya msingi na sekondari ni kikubwa mno.  Kinanisikitisha sana, hakikubaliki na hakiwezi kuachwa kiendelee. 

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Kwa maoni yangu wazazi, walimu na viongozi wanao wajibu maalumu wa kuhakikisha kuwa wanafunzi wote wanahudhuria masomo shuleni tangu wanapoanza mpaka wanapomaliza masomo yao. Huu ni wajibu wa lazima na siyo hiari.  Ni wajibu wa kisheria.  Kwa hiyo, nimeagiza kwamba, wazazi, walimu, Maafisa Elimu wa Wilaya wa Msingi na Sekondari na Kamati husika katika Halmashauri zote nchini ziwajibike ipasavyo kuhakikisha kuwa utoro mashuleni unakomeshwa.  Ajenda ya mahudhurio shuleni iwe ni ya kudumu katika vikao vyote vya Halmashauri. 

Kuanzia sasa Walimu Wakuu na Wakuu wa Shule ni lazima watoe taarifa za mahudhurio ya wanafunzi kwa Maafisa Elimu wa Wilaya kila miezi mitatu.  Maafisa Elimu wa Wilaya nao watalazimika kutoa taarifa kwenye vikao vya Halmashauri mwezi mmoja baada ya kupokea taarifa hizo.  Halmashauri hazina budi kuchukua hatua stahiki za kijamii na kisheria kuhakikisha kuwa watoro wanarudi shuleni.  Wazazi wa watoto hao au mtu ye yote atakayebainika kuhusika na utoro huo abanwe ipasavyo.  

Sheria ya Elimu ya 1978 ipo, itumieni kwa ukamilifu kulitatua tatizo hili.  Haipendezi kusubiri mpaka miaka saba kwa wanafunzi wa shule ya msingi au miaka minne kwa wanafunzi wa sekondari ipite ndipo taarifa za utoro kwa wanafunzi zitolewe au zijulikane.  Lazima ufuatiliaji wa mahudhurio uwe wa mara kwa mara ili hatua za kuzuia ziweze kuchukuliwa mapema.  Ninawataka viongozi wa TAMISEMI, Mikoa na Wilaya kuchukua hatua stahiki kudhibiti tatizo hili la utoro na watoto wengi kutokumaliza masomo.  Litarudisha nyuma maendeleo ya taifa. 

Umeme Vijijini

Ndugu Wananchi;   

          Nilipokuwa mkoani Ruvuma nimezindua ujenzi wa miradi mingi ya umeme vijijini.  Kwa mujibu wa miradi hiyo vijiji 309 vitapatiwa umeme kati ya vijiji 509 vya Mkoa huo vinavyohitaji umeme.  Napenda kutumia nafasi hii kutoa pongezi za dhati kwa Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Prof. Sospiter Muhongo na viongozi wenzake, viongozi na wafanyakazi wa Wakala wa Umeme Vijijini (REA) pamoja na TANESCO kwa kazi kubwa na nzuri waifanyayo ya kufikisha umeme vijijini.  Kwa kweli ni mara ya kwanza katika historia ya nchi yetu suala la umeme vijijini kupewa msukumo mkubwa kiasi hiki, kwani kinachofanyika Ruvuma kipo nchi nzima.  Nawaomba wananchi wanaofikishiwa umeme wautumie.  Hata gharama za kuunganisha umeme zimepunguzwa makusudi, ili watu wengi waweze kumudu kuingiza umeme majumbani na kwenye shughuli za kichumi na huduma.

Mchakato wa Katiba Mpya

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Kama tujuavyo, Bunge Maalum la Katiba lililoahirishwa tarehe 25 Aprili, 2014 kupisha Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania na Baraza la Wawakilishi kushughulikia bajeti za Serikali husika, litakutana tena tarehe 5 Agosti, 2014 kuendelea na kazi yake ya kutunga Katiba Mpya.  Kwa vile Bunge Maalumu la Katiba halikuweza kumaliza kazi yake ndani ya siku 70 zilizotengwa kwa mujibu wa Sheria ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba, nimeliongezea Bunge hilo  siku 60 kwa ajili ya kukamilisha kazi yake.  Nimefanya hivyo kwa mujibu wa mamlaka niliyopewa na Sheria hiyo hiyo. 

Hatua Iliyofikiwa Kabla ya Kuahirishwa kwa Bunge

Ndugu Wananchi;    

Itakumbukwa pia kuwa, tarehe 16 Aprili, 2014, baadhi ya Wajumbe wa Bunge Maalumu la Katiba hasa kutoka vyama vya CHADEMA, CUF na NCCR-Mageuzi walisusia  mjadala uliokuwa unaendelea Bungeni na kutoka nje.  Wakati wanatoka Bungeni, kazi kubwa ilikuwa imefanyika.  Tayari Kamati zote 12 za Bunge hilo zilikuwa zimekamilisha kujadili Sura ya Kwanza na ya Sita za Rasimu ya Tume.   Sura hizo zinazungumzia utambulisho wa nchi na muundo wa muungano.    Kamati zote zilipiga kura ya kupitisha uamuzi wao kuhusu sura hizo mbili.  Kamati kadhaa ziliweza kupata theluthi mbili ya kura kwa Wajumbe wa pande zote mbili za Muungano, jambo lililoonyesha dalili njema kwamba Katiba mpya inaweza kupatikana. 

Baada ya hapo, taarifa ya kila Kamati iliwasilishwa kwenye Bunge zima.  Kwa mujibu wa Kanuni za Bunge Maalumu la Katiba, maoni ya wachache nayo yaliwasilishwa.  Kazi iliyokuwa inafuatia, kwa mujibu wa Kanuni za Bunge ni kwa Kamati ya Uandishi kukamilisha taarifa  yake na kuiwasilisha kwenye Bunge zima kwa ajili ya kujadiliwa.  Baada ya Wajumbe kujadili taarifa hiyo itafuatia kupiga kura ili kuamua kuhusu Sura hizo mbili.  Kama yalivyo masharti ya Sheria ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba, uamuzi utafanywa kwa theluthi mbili ya kura za kila upande wa Muungano wetu. 

Sababu za Baadhi ya Wajumbe Kususia

Bunge Maalumu la Katiba

Ndugu Wananchi;

Sote tumewasikia Wajumbe wa Bunge Maalumu la Katiba waliosusia vikao vya Bunge hilo wakielezea sababu zilizowafanya watoke Bungeni.  Walitoa matamko kwenye vyombo vya habari na pia katika mikutano ya hadhara waliyoiitisha na kuhutubia sehemu mbalimbali nchini.  Sababu walizotoa zimekuwa zikiongezeka na kubadilika kadri siku zinavyosonga mbele na upepo wa kisiasa unavyokwenda.

  Hivi sasa wanazungumzia mambo mawili.  Kwanza, kwamba Bunge Maalumu halina mamlaka ya kuifanyia mabadiliko yo yote Rasimu ya Katiba iliyowasilishwa na Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba.  Kwa maoni yao, kazi ya Bunge Maalumu la Katiba ni kujadili na kupitisha tu Rasimu ya Katiba ya Tume na siyo kubadili cho chote.  Pili, wametoa sharti la wao kurudi Bungeni ni kuhakikishiwa kwamba, kitakachojadiliwa Bungeni ni Rasimu ya Tume.   Bila ya sharti hilo kukubaliwa, wamesisitiza kutorudi Bungeni.     

Mamlaka ya Bunge Maalum la Katiba

Ndugu Wananchi;

Mimi nimehusika katika kubuni wazo la kuwa na mchakato wa kuandika Katiba Mpya, na katika maandalizi ya Sheria ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba, ya kuongoza na kuendesha mchakato huo.  Kwa kweli sikumbuki wakati wo wote katika vikao vya Baraza la Mawaziri kujadili Rasimu ya Muswada wa Sheria ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba tulipozungumzia Rasimu ya Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba kuwa haiwezi kufanyiwa marekebisho na Bunge Maalumu la Katiba. 

Mimi siyo Mwanasheria na hivyo nakiri kwamba naweza kuwa na upungufu katika kuelewa maana ya baadhi ya maneno ya kisheria.  Hata hivyo, sikumbuki kuwepo kwa kifungu cho chote katika Sheria kinachosema kuwa Bunge Maalumu la Katiba halina mamlaka hayo.  Tangu tulipoyasikia maneno hayo yakisemwa nimeuliza nithibitishiwe ukweli wa madai hayo bado sijaambiwa vinginevyo. Kama ukweli huo upo naomba anisaidie.  Badala yake naambiwa kuwa maneno yaliyotumika katika Sheria haiakisi dhana inayotolewa kuwa kazi ya Bunge Maalum la Katiba ni kubariki Rasimu na siyo kufanya vinginevyo.  Nimeambiwa kuwa sheria inasemaTume itaanda Rasimu ya Katiba na Bunge Maalum la Katiba litatunga Katiba iliyopendekezwa.  

Ndugu Wananchi;

Tarehe 30 Desemba, 2010, nilipozungumzia dhamira yangu ya kuanzisha mchakato wa kuandika Katiba Mpya nilieleza wazi nia ya kuwepo kwa uwakilishi mpana wa Watanzania katika mchakato huo.  Ndiyo maana katika Sheria tukaweka ngazi nne katika mchakato wa kutunga Katiba.  Ngazi ya kwanza ikiwa ya wananchi kutoa maoni yao juu ya kila wanachotaka kijumuishwe katika Katiba ya nchi yao.  Ngazi ya pili, ni ya wananchi kupitia wawakilishi wao katika Mabaraza ya Katiba ya Wilaya na Mabaraza ya Kitaasisi kutoa maoni yao kuhusu Rasimu ya kwanza ya Katiba iliyotayarishwa na Tume. 

Ngazi ya tatu inajumuisha wawakilishi wa wananchi waliopo kwenye Mabaraza ya Kutunga Sheria ya Sehemu zetu mbili za Muungano, yaani Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano na Baraza la Wawakilishi, wakichanganyika na Wawakilishi wa makundi mbalimbali ya jamii ya Watanzania kutoka pande zote mbili za Muungano.  Hawa ndio wanaounda Bunge Maalumu la Katiba, lenye jukumu la kutunga Katiba inayopendekezwa.

Mamlaka ya kutunga Katiba kwa mila na desturi za Mabaraza ya Kutunga Sheria ni uwezo wa kurekebisha, kubadili, kufuta na hata kuongeza kilichopendekezwa.  Ingekuwa kilichokusudiwa ni kubariki tu lisingetumiwa neno la kutunga Katiba.  Hali kadhalika, lisingewepo sharti la kupiga kura na msisitizo wa kupata theluthi mbili kwa kila upande wa Muungano.  Aidha, kama ingekuwa jukumu la Bunge Maalumu ni kubariki tu Rasimu lisingepewa siku 70 za kazi na Rais kupewa mamlaka ya kuongeza siku zaidi kadri aonavyo yeye inafaa.

Ngazi ya nne na ya mwisho, tuliweka kura ya maoni ya wananchi kukubali au kukataa Katiba inayopendekezwa na Bunge Maalumu la Katiba.  Kama ingekuwa Rasimu ya Tume haiwezi kubadilishwa hata nukta kwa nini basi tuweke kura ya maoni ya kuwahusisha wananchi wote? 

Ndugu Wananchi;

Tulizibuni ngazi hizi nne kwa dhana kwamba kile ambacho hakikuonekana au hakikuwekwa sawa katika ngazi moja kitaonekana na kurekebishwa katika ngazi inayofuata katika ngazi zile tatu za mwanzo.  Na, iwapo Katiba iliyotungwa haitawaridhisha wananchi wanayo haki ya kuikataa. Kwa kufanya hivyo, wananchi ndiyo waliopewa turufu ya mwisho. 

Ndugu wananchi;

          Kwa kweli, napata shida kuelewa mkanganyiko unatoka wapi na hasa wale wanaoongoza kuhoji mamlaka ya Bunge Maalumu kuwa ni wale wale waliotunga Sheria ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba tena hatua kwa hatua. Nashangazwa zaidi ninapoona wale wale waliotunga Kanuni za Bunge Maalumu ndiyo wanaoongoza kuhoji uhalali wa kile walichokitunga.

Kanuni za Bunge Maalumu la Katiba, Ibara ya 33 (8) inasema:  Nanukuu:  “Wakati wa mjadala, Mjumbe yoyote anaweza kutoa mapendekezo ya marekebisho, maboresho au mabadiliko yaliyomo katika Sura za Rasimu ya Katiba zinazojadiliwa kwa utaratibu ufuatao: (a)  Ikiwa ni marekebisho, maboresho au mabadiliko yanayobadilisha jambo la msingi, au yanayobadilisha maudhui ya Ibara, mapendekezo ya marekebisho yatapelekwa kwa maandishi kwa Katibu siku moja kabla ya mjadala wa Ibara husika.  (b) Ikiwa ni marekebisho madogo, ambayo hayabadili msingi au maana, mapendekezo ya marekebisho yatawasilishwa na mjumbe wakati wa mjadala baada ya kupata ruhusa ya Mwenyekiti”.  Mwisho wa kunukuu. 

Kanuni hii ilipotungwa, Wajumbe wote wa Bunge Maalumu pamoja na wale ambao baadae walisusia vikao vya Bunge walikuwepo Bungeni na walishiriki kuipitisha.  Tena basi, baadhi yao walikuwa Wajumbe wa Kamati ya Kanuni iliyopendekeza Kanuni hizo.  Unapowaona watu wale wale sasa wanakuwa vinara wa kuhoji mamlaka ya Bunge Maalumu la Katiba, unajiuliza maswali mengi kuhusu watu hao bila ya kupata majibu yaliyo sahihi na kutosheleza akili na ufahamu wetu.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Unaposoma Sheria ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba na Kanuni za Bunge Maalumu, hii ni dhahiri kwamba wote walikuwa na uelewa wa pamoja kuhusu mamlaka ya Bunge Maalumu ya kujadili Rasimu iliyoandaliwa na Tume na kutunga Katiba inayopendekezwa kwa wananchi kwa ajili ya kupigiwa kura.  

Kinachojadiliwa Bungeni ni Rasimu ya Tume

Ndugu Wananchi; 

Yapo madai yanayotolewa na kuenezwa na Wajumbe waliosusia Bunge Maalumu la Katiba kwamba kinachojadiliwa Bungeni siyo Rasimu ya Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba, ndiyo maana basi wanaweka sharti la kujadiliwa Rasimu ya Tume ya Jaji Warioba ndipo warudi Bungeni.  Madai haya nayo yananipa taabu kuyaelewa.  Ndugu zetu hawa walishiriki siku zote 19 za Kamati 12 zilipokutana kujadili Sura ya Kwanza na ya Sita za Rasimu ya Tume.  Halikadhalika. walikuwepo na kushiriki kwa ukamilifu wakati taarifa za Kamati, tangu ya Kwanza mpaka ya 12, zilipowasilishwa kwenye Bunge zima.  Aidha, na wao walishiriki kutoa maoni ya wachache kwa dakika 20 na kutoa ufafanuzi kwa muda wa dakika 30 kwa kila Kamati.  Haya maneno ya sasa kwamba kinachojadiliwa Bungeni siyo Rasimu ya Tume ya Jaji Warioba bali nyingine kabisa ambayo wanadai eti ni ya CCM yanatoka wapi. 

Mimi nadhani kuwa huenda katika Kamati kumefanyika marekebisho kwenye Rasimu ambayo hayakuwapendeza.  Kama hivyo ndivyo, wawe wakweli kuhusu jambo hilo kuliko kusema mambo yasiyowakilisha ukweli halisi wa Rasimu inayojadiliwa.  Matokeo yake ni kuwafanya wafuasi wao na wapenzi wao na hata watu wengine waamini kuwa kinachojadiliwa siyo Rasimu ya Tume ya Jaji Warioba bali nyingine tena ni ya CCM.  Jambo hilo si kweli na wenyewe wanajua kwamba si kweli ila sijui kwa nini wameamua kupotosha ukweli.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Kinachonishangaza, zaidi ni kwamba, kama hawakuridhishwa na yaliyofanyika, kwa nini wasingetumia mifumo waliyojitengenezea wenyewe kwenye Kanuni kumaliza tofauti zao?  Kanuni zinaelekeza kuwa mambo wasiyoridhika nayo yajadiliwe kwenye Kamati ya Mashauriano na Maridhiano.  Ukiacha mifumo ya maridhiano ndani ya Bunge ukaenda nje kwa wananchi au vyombo vya habari na mitandao si jawabu la tatizo.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Ndiyo maana nashawishika kuunga mkono wale wote wanaowasihi Wajumbe wa CHADEMA, CUF na NCCR-Mageuzi na wengine warejee Bungeni.  Watumie mifumo maalum ya Bunge iliyowekwa na Kanuni kutafuta maridhiano.  Hali kadhalika, wasichoke kuwa na mawasiliano na vyama vingine vya siasa na hasa CCM kutafuta maelewano.  Mimi niko tayari kusaidia pale watakapoona inafaa kufanya hivyo kama ambavyo nimekuwa nikifanya ziku za nyuma.

Nililolisema mwanzoni kabisa mwa mchakato  na nalirudia tena leo kwamba, ili tuweze kufanikiwa kupata Katiba Mpya ambayo sote tunaitaka, maelewano baina ya wadau wakuu wa kisiasa ni jambo lisilokuwa na badala yake.  Vinginevyo kupata theluthi mbili kwa pande zote mbili za Muungano haitawezekana.  Ndiyo maana nampongeza sana Msajili wa Vyama vya Siasa, Mheshimiwa Jaji Francis Mutungi, kwa uamuzi wa kuvikutanisha vyama vinne vikuu vya siasa kujadili namna ya kuondoa mtihani uliopo sasa katika mchakato wa Katiba.

Ombi langu kwa viongozi wa vyama hivyo ni kuitumia vyema fursa ya majadiliano kuukwamua mchakato kwa maslahi ya nchi yetu na watu wake.  Hali kadhalika nampongeza sana Mwenyekiti wa Bunge Maalumu la Katiba, Mheshimiwa Samwel Sitta,  kwa kuitisha kikao cha Kamati ya Mashauriano na Maridhiano.  Bahati mbaya ni kwamba Wajumbe wa vyama vilivyosusia Bunge Maalumu hawakushiriki.  Ni matumaini yangu kuwa Mheshimiwa Sitta hatokata tamaa kuendeleza juhudi za mashauriano na kwamba katika vikao vijavyo na wenzetu hawa watashiriki. 

Ndugu Wananchi;

Hivi karibuni kumekuwepo pia madai yanayoelekeza lawama kwangu.  Kwanza nalaumiwa eti kuwa mambo yalikuwa yanaenda vizuri mpaka pale nilipotoa hotuba ya ufunguzi wa Bunge Maalumu ndipo yalipoharibika.  Pili nalaumiwa kwamba nawezaje kuikana Rasimu ya Katiba ambayo na mimi ni mmoja wa watu waliotia sahihi katika Rasimu hiyo.

Niruhusuni nianze na hili la pili.  Nadhani ndugu zetu wanaotoa madai haya yameitafsiri isivyo sahihi yangu katika Gazeti la Serikali lililotangaza rasmi Rasimu ya Katiba na Taarifa ya Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba.  Kwa mujibu wa Sheria ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba baada ya Tume kumaliza kazi yake ya kuandika Rasimu ya Katiba, Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano amepewa kazi tatu kufanya.  Kwanza, kupokea Rasimu hiyo na Taarifa ya Tume kutoka kwa Mwenyekiti jambo ambalo lilifanywa tarehe 30 Desemba, 2013.  Pili, amepewa kazi ya kuitangaza rasmi Rasimu ya Katiba na Taarifa ya Tume kwa watu wote kuiona na kuisoma ndani ya siku 30.  Alipewa sharti la kuitangaza katika Gazeti la Serikali na vyombo vingine vya habari.  Hili nalo lilifanywa hivyo tarehe 22 Januari, 2014.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Katika kutangaza katika Gazeti la Serikali sharti linamtaka anayetangaza ajitambulishe kuwa yeye ni nani na atie sahihi yake.  Kwa kufanya hivyo, hakumfanyi yeye kuwa naye ni mhusika na maudhui ya kila kinachopendekezwa na Tume.  Sahihi zilizomo ndani ya Rasimu na Taarifa ya Tume ni za Wajumbe wa Tume, kamwe sahihi ya Rais haimo hivyo hawezi kulaumiwa kuwa anaikana sahihi yake.  Yeye ametimiza wajibu wake wa kutangaza, akaiweka hadharini kwa umma wa Watanzania kuiona na kusoma Rasimu ya Katiba na Taarifa ya Tume  vilivyotayarishwa na  kutiwa sahihi na Wajumbe wa Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba.  Kazi ya tatu ni kuitisha Bunge Maalumu ambayo nayo imekamilika tangu tarehe 18 Februari, 2014. 

Ndugu Wananchi,

Jambo lingine linalofanana na hilo ni yale madai kwamba nilikuwa napata taarifa ya maendeleo ya mchakato ndani ya Tume mara kwa mara, iweje leo nitoe maoni tofauti kama niliyoyatoa katika hotuba yangu kwenye Bunge Maalumu.  Ni kweli kabisa Mwenyekiti wa Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba, Mheshimiwa Jaji Joseph Warioba, Makamu wake, Mheshimiwa Jaji Agustino Ramadhani na Mheshimiwa Dkt. Salim Ahmed Salim wamekutana na mimi kwa nyakati mbalimbali kuzungumzia mwenendo wa mchakato.  Lakini, hayakuwa mazungumzo ya kina kuhusu nini kiwe vipi katika maudhui na mapendekezo ya Tume.  Ukweli ni kwamba Rasimu zote mbili nilizipata mara ya kwanza nilipokabidhiwa rasmi, tena kwa uwazi.  Napenda watu wasijenge dhana kuwa nilipewa Rasimu na kuisoma kabla ya kukamilika na hivyo nilitoa maoni yangu.  Tume hii ilikuwa huru na niliiacha iwe hivyo.  Sikuiingilia kwa namna yo yote ile kupenyeza mambo ninayotaka yawemo.  Kuthibitisha dhamira yangu ya kutaka Tume iwe huru katika kufanya kazi zao hata pale waliponitaka nitoe maoni niliwaomba tusifanye hivyo ili nisiwakwaze katika kufanya kazi zao, wakapata taabu ya kuwianisha wanayofikiria na mawazo yangu. 

Ndugu Wananchi;

Kuhusu madai kwamba mambo yalikuwa yanakwenda vizuri na kwamba hotuba yangu iliyavuruga, napenda kusema wazi kuwa lawama hizo hazina ukweli wo wote.  Ni madai yasiyokuwa na msingi.  Kwani mimi hasa siku ile nilifanya lipi la ajabu.  Ukweli ni kwamba nilisema yale yale ambayo Tume yenyewe imeyasema katika Rasimu ya Katiba na Taarifa za Tume.  Niliyoyasema kuhusu malalamiko ya watu wa pande zetu za Muungano na uzuri na changamoto za miundo ya Serikali mbili na Serikali tatu ni yale yale yaliyomo kwenye taarifa za Tume.  Nimetumia takwimu zile zile za Tume.  Pengine kilichoonekana kuwa kibaya ni jinsi nilivyozifasiri taarifa hizo na mapendekezo ya Tume. 

Jambo lingine ambalo nimelifanya ni kutoa maoni yangu kuhusu baadhi ya vipengele vya Rasimu hususan uandishi na dhana mbalimbali zilizokuwamo.  Silioni kosa langu kwa kufanya hivyo, kwani Rasimu imetolewa hadharani kwa watu kuijadili.  Na mimi kama raia ninayo haki ya kufanya hivyo kama wafanyavyo wengine.  Kwa nini nilaumiwe kwa kutumia haki yangu hiyo. 

Lakini, pia mimi ndiye Rais wa nchi yetu, ninayo dhamana ya uongozi na ulezi wa taifa letu.  Itakuwaje kwa jambo kubwa la hatma ya nchi yetu nilinyamazie kimya.  Watanzania wangeshangaa na wangekuwa na haki ya kuhoji Rais wao ana maoni gani.  Bahati nzuri nilitoa maoni yangu mahali penyewe hasa, na kwa uwazi, kwenye Bunge Maalumu la Katiba.  Hata hivyo, ni muhimu kusisitiza kuwa namna nilvyotoa maoni yangu sikuwa natoa maagizo wala kushurutisha, ndiyo maana kila wakati niliwakumbusha Wajumbe kuwa mamlaka ya uamuzi ni yao. Yangu yalikuwa maoni tu wanahiyari ya kuyakubali au kuyakataa.   Niliwataka Wajumbe wasome na kuielewa vyema Rasimu.  Nilisema wasome sura kwa sura, mstari kwa mstari na neno kwa neno.  Niliwaomba wajiridhishe kuhusu uandishi na dhana mbalimbali.  Nilitoa mifano ya mambo yahusuyo uandishi ambayo ni vyema wayatazame.  Pia nilitoa mifano ya dhana ambazo niliwasihi wajiridhishe juu ya kufaa kwake kuwepo.

  Kuhusu muundo wa Serikali tatu, nilieleza wazi kuwa sina tatizo nao kama ndiyo matakwa ya Watanzania.  Lakini, nilieleza hofu yangu kuhusu mapendekezo ya Tume na kuwataka Wajumbe wafanye kazi ya ziada kuondosha udhaifu iwapo wataukubali muundo unaopendekezwa.  Nilieleza nia yangu ya kutaka tuwe na Serikali ya Muungano yenye ukuu unaoonekana, yenye nguvu ya kuweza kusimama yenyewe, inayoweza kuwa tegemeo kwa nchi Washirika, Serikali isiyokuwa tegemezi wala egemezi kwa nchi washirika na ambayo inavyo vyanzo vya uhakika vya mapato.  Hivi kwa kutoa ushauri huo kwa Wajumbe wa Bunge Maalum la Katiba inageuka kuwa nongwa.  Kwa kweli sielewi lawama ni ya nini?.

Naamini sistahili lawama bali pongezi kwa kuwa muwazi na kutoa ushauri wa msingi ambao utasaidia nchi kupata Katiba nzuri inayojali maslahi ya watu wa nchi yetu na ya nchi zetu mbili zilizoungana miaka 50 iliyopita.  

Hitimisho

Ndugu Wananchi;

Mwisho, ni maoni yangu ya dhati kuwa mgogoro uliopo sasa katika mchakato wa Katiba hauna sababu ya kuendelea kuwepo.  Naamini hayo yote ambayo Wajumbe wa CHADEMA, CUF na NCCR-Mageuzi wanayalalamikia yanaweza kushughulikiwa kwa ukamilifu katika mifumo ya Bunge Maalumu la Katiba iliyotengenezwa na Wajumbe wote na wao wakiwemo.  Nawasihi waitumie.  Hali kadhalika, kwa kupitia mazungumzo wanayofanya na wenzao wa Chama cha Mapinduzi wanaweza kutengeneza nguvu ya pamoja kutatua changamoto za sasa na zitakazojitokeza baadaye.  Kilicho muhimu ni kwa pande zote kuwa na dhamira ya dhati ya kutoka hapa tulipo sasa.  Kama utashi wa kisiasa upo kwa kila mmoja wetu, hilo ni jambo linalowezekana kabisa. Narudia kuahidi utayari wangu wa kusaidia kadri inavyowezekana tusonge mbele. 

Mungu Ibariki Afrika!

Mungu Ibariki Tanzania!

Asanteni sana kwa kunisikiliza.

Your Excellency, President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz,

Chairperson of the African Union;

Excellences Heads of State and Government and members of

the Committee of  African Heads of State and Governments

on Climate Change (CAHOSCC);

Your Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini–Zuma,

Chairperson of the African Union Commission;

Honorable Dr. Binilith Mahenge, President of the AMCEN;

Honorable Rhoda Tumusiime, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural  Economy – African Union Commission;

Distinguished guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all, Excellencies, to this important meeting, and I thank you for availing your precious time to come to this meeting.  As I indicated in my invitation letter, since its establishment, CAHOSCC has been doing a commendable job.  It has enabled the AU Member States to cooperate more, forge consensus and speak with one voice on climate change issues since 2009, when this unified system was established. We need to build on this momentum.  

At this point in time, the issue before the world is not about why climate change is a threat and who is to blame for it. The most important matter before us now is about how to adapt and how to mitigate climate change effects. The latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) shows that the situation has not gotten better since the last evaluation was done.  As a matter of fact, things are getting bad with each passing day. But, the world can combat climate change by the stemming the decline and reversing the trend. What nations are required to do is to muster political will and raise their collective ambition to achieve a carbon neutral world in the second half of the century.  Africa, too, has no choice other than join hands to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.  However, Africa can make a choice on how it can adapt, and mitigate and when it can do so in terms of timeframe and pace.

For Africa, this is both a challenge and an opportunity.  If Africa focuses on smart choices, it can win investments in the next few decades in climate resilient and low emission development pathways. Additionally, increased awareness and understanding of climate change politics and negotiation skills at the highest political and diplomatic levels can increase the continent’s competitiveness in trade and international financial flows to address climate change.

Excellencies;

This is why as members of CAHOSCC, we are duty bound to provide vision and guidance on the much needed appropriate actions, within a high level Framework Work Programme on Climate Change Action that will cover all the key areas of our immediate and long-term interests and concerns. I suggest that initially we focus on five areas, namely: Climate Financing and Addressing Technology needs; the Africa-wide Programme on Adaptation; Actions on Mitigation; Cross-cutting actions and Participation; and International Cooperation and Institutional mechanism for follow up. Our experts worked at length to elaborate on these areas in the concept note that I have shared with you in the letter of invitation I sent to you.

Excellencies;

On Climate Financing and Technology needs, we need to underscore the fact that due to past emissions, the impact of climate change on the continent is overwhelming. Addressing it will require massive financial resources and technological support never envisaged before. For example, addressing adaptation alone needs financial resources in the range of USD 7-15 billion per year by 2020. This cost will further increase as temperature rises.  

According to the World Bank, as of last year, Africa had received just about US$132 million of adaptation funding. In addition, the cost of putting Africa on a low-carbon growth path can reach USD 22-30 billion per year by next year and USD 52-68 billion per year by 2030. Obviously, African countries are unlikely to generate these huge financial resources from own sources in the short and mid-term period.  It is, also, not fair and just for Africa to bear this cost alone. The fact of matter is that our continent bears very little responsibility for causing climate change problems affecting the world today.  Africa contributes only less than three percent of total global greenhouse gases that cause climate change. This should be our point of departure and a justification to ask the developed world to contribute more towards bridging the overwhelming funding bill.

Excellencies;

There is an urgent need for African leaders through CAHOSCC to make pressure to bear on the international community to ensure that the resources required for climate change financing are adequate, predictable and easily accessible through the climate change convention processes. In this regard, it is important to note that, The Green Climate Fund operational procedures have been completed. It is,  now incumbent upon the developed countries to capitalize it as they have promised and committed to do.  

Much as the promise of the 100 billion by 2020 is  still far from being realised our right to use this Fund comes with a responsibility on our part. We are supposed to ensure that we put in place right institutions to access these resources. Short of doing this, we will not be able to access these funds. We will lose ground on our just demand for resources. Furthermore, we have to stand out against efforts to account the resources against ODA. At the same time we need to utilize current resources to the fullest.

Excellencies;

 To be able to access funding from the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund, each country has to put in place a National Implementing Entity and a National Designated Authority for each of the two funds respectively. To date there are hardly 10 African countries which have established these institutions. With regard to the Least Developed Countries Fund (LCDF) which provides up to USD 30 million for each African LDC, less   than twenty of the 34 Africa’s LDCs have accessed half of the available resources so far.  As we appeal for the capitalization of the Green Climate Fund, and call for increased resources in the Adaptation Fund and the LDCF, it will not be of any benefit to Africa if we do not utilize to the fullest the already available resources. This is something that is within our reach. Not doing so is incomprehensible. Let us do it.

Excellencies;

With regard to technology to address climate change in Africa, it is equally important to establish the National Designated Entities (NDEs), for the facilitation of the acquisition and use of the needed technologies for both adaptation and mitigation. The Climate Technology Center and Network which was established in 2012 by the UNEP in Copenhagen, Denmark was a result of the long standing demand by African countries to have a center that can unlock climate related technology transfer barriers. To date, only 19 African countries have put in place these NDEs and there are no sub-regional centers established for the purpose. These NDEs are a pre-requisite for us to get the needed support. 

 Therefore, Excellencies, it is our duty to remind all African governments to establish these institutions as we prepare for the Secretary General’s Climate Summit this September, and as we move towards the 20^th Conference of the Parties in Lima, Peru this December and the 2015 Paris COP 21 and hopefully a binding Climate Change Agreement. This way we shall be able to demonstrate to the world that we are ready to access and make use of any financial and technological resources under the Framework Convention on Climate Change. At the same time we need to see that all LDCs in Africa access the USD 30 million allocated to them by December, 2014. This way we will be able to make the case for additional support.

Excellencies;

The need for an Africa wide programme on adaptation can not be over-emphasized. We need a high level work programme on adaptation that will cover a number of key areas of concern. It is important to remind ourselves that in March, 2014 scientists working under the IPCC, released the Fifth Assessment Report which has re-affirmed that despite a growing number of mitigation policy interventions in various countries, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are rising rapidly.  Fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes contribute 80 percent of the recent GHG emission growth. The report also noted that about 75 percent of this growth in emissions comes from energy supply and industrial sectors mainly in the developed world and the fastest growing regions of developing countries. With this increase, the world average temperature is now about 0.85Centigrade above the pre-industrial range.

This increase has triggered massive changes in the global natural systems with catastrophic consequences for Africa. For example, Sub-Saharan Africa will face a decrease of 19 percent in maize yields, 68 percent in beans yields and a decrease in crop yields by 18 percent for Southern Africa and up to 22 percent across Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa may brace up for a total annual loss of USD 311 million to regional economy from agriculture. Disease burden is likely to increase especially for malaria and cholera.  Climate-induced extreme flooding is likely to impact a good number of African countries by 2020. Ecosystems will be affected by climate-induced longer and more frequent droughts, resulting in deforestation, forest degradation, land-use change, pollution and water scarcity.

The assessment also came with shocking predictions about the impact of climate change on the continent’s urbanization and ecosystems. The global mean sea level rose by about 19 centimeters since the beginning of the last century.  This is alarming. These predictions present a serious challenge to our dear continent now and in the future, if the trend is not stammed and reversed. What will Africa look like in 2050, when the population is expected to be 2.4 billion people is a billion dollar question.

We are all witnesses to the many examples of the impact of climate change on Africa, which require urgent and comprehensive programmes for adaptation. This is a matter of our own survival and that of the future generation and countries. We must give climate change adaptation and mitigation the seriousness it deserves. All countries need to put in place National Adaptation Plans and implement them. More importantly, we also need specific adaptation programmes for some key sectors of the economy.  

In this context we are proposing an Africa Wide Programme on Climate Resilient Agricultural Development. It is being projected that reductions in yield in some African countries could be as much as 50 percent by 2020, and crop net revenues could fall by as much as 90 percent by 2100. Therefore, we need to ensure that we engage in climate smart agriculture within the changing climate. This way, we would be able to address these challenges and ensure improved food security for ourselves and many generations to come.

Excellencies;

We are also proposing an Africa Wide Program on Mitigation. Africa is not a big emitter of greenhouse gases, but we see a lot of merit and benefit in the continent charting out a environment friendly development path.  Indeed Africa’s contribution to climate change from fossil energy and transport sources in the global context is but only worth a footnote. Total Africa’s carbon dioxide emissions, predominantly from the energy and transport industries, amount to approximately 650 million tons per annum. Comparatively, Germany alone emits approximately 800 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. The annual per capita emissions of carbon dioxide in Sub-Saharan Africa is approximately one ton while the US has per capita emission of 16 tons.  

With such low carbon dioxide emissions, due to Africa’s low level of industrial development, Africa’s contribution towards a better climate future can predominantly be through the adoption and use of new technologies for enhancing energy security and ensuring economic development within the changing climate. New technologies and financial resources should create opportunities for new jobs, more reliable and affordable energy sources for green growth. Future business ventures and partnerships should be supported to adopt and fairly sail in the green economic growth.

Excellencies;

As part of support to the global mitigation agenda, the forestry sector in Africa as it is elsewhere, has an important role to play. Therefore, a comprehensive programme on Sustainable Forest Management is proposed. African forest resources are under pressure from various “drivers of deforestation and forest degradation”. It is important to underscore the fact that forests play an important part in Africa’s development and the livelihood of its people.  The sector is a key contributor to the economic growth of the continent in terms of biomass energy, housing, water, food, and export earnings. 

Paradoxically, in terms of climate change mitigation, currently Africa’s contribution towards mitigating climate change is not yet well appreciated by the international community. The stock of carbon dioxide stored by African forests amounts to approximately 60 billion tons, as much as that of all OECD countries put together, including densely wooded members such as Russia and the US. This is a significant contribution. A higher quantity of carbon dioxide is only stored in the forests of the Amazon Basin.

Africa emits only about 1.75 billion tons annually of which 650 million tons are from technical sources and 1.1 billion tones from deforestation. In this respect, effectively Africa is a net sink of all its emissions in addition to emissions from the developed world and other fast developing countries. We   need to be appreciated and given  the right compensation for this crucial service to humanity and this planet we all call home.

Excellencies;

          On cross cutting actions, we need to engage everyone who can make a difference on the continent: governments, business and investors, cities, diplomatic missions, as well as men, women and youths. If the young generation is given the required education, information and guidance they stand a better position to make the needed difference. We will have invested productively in our own future.  The same applies to women who are the most vulnerable to the impact. We need also to give clear instructions to our diplomatic missions particularly in Addis Ababa, Geneva, Nairobi, Brussels and New York to understand, uphold and defend Africa’s position and interests in the international climate change discourse. Climate change is presenting a new global order and should become one of our key diplomatic agenda.

Excellencies;

Let me stress also that there is a need to establish mechanisms for follow up on the implementation of decisions, declarations and agreements made between Africa and our partners. This should also include decisions made during the various climate change conferences. This will make Africa effectively benefit from such decisions and agreements.

Excellencies;

I have tried to present to you what I believe should guide Africa’s approach and action on the climate change agenda now and in the near future. Africa needs a clear position and direction as well as a well structured and a focused approach to climate change related issues. Africa cannot afford to lose out on the ongoing debates and negotiations, for we have a big stake, and a lot to lose if we remain unfocused and disenfranchised.  Our numbers, put us in a position of strength and our claims are just.  All that we need to do and is to be united, coherent and consistent in our appeal, while, remaining honest to our obligations and responsibilities. The concept note I sent to you with invitations to this meeting, elaborates what I have just summarized.  

We should and must go to New York, Lima and Paris as one and united continent and people. We must go there with clear vision, mission and one voice. I look forward to fruitful deliberations and I now declare this   Meeting of the CAHOSCC officially opened.

I thank you for your attention.

Bibi Fatma Salum Ally, Kaimu Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Dodoma,

Bw. George D. Yambesi, Katibu Mkuu, Ofisi ya Rais, Menejimenti ya Utumishi wa Umma,

Bw. HAB Mkwizu, Naibu Katibu Mkuu, Ofisi ya Rais, Menejimenti ya Utumishi wa Umma,

Bw. Edwin K. Kiliba, Naibu Katibu Mkuu, Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu, Tawala za Mikoa na Serikali za Mitaa,

Bibi Rehema S. Madenge, Katibu Tawala wa Mkoa wa Dodoma,

Washiriki wa Mkutano,

Waandishi wa Habari,

Wageni Waalikwa,

Mabibi na Mabwana,

            Habari za Asubuhi!

Ndugu Washiriki,

            Napenda kuanza kwa kukushukuru Katibu Mkuu, Ofisi ya Rais, Menejiementi ya Utumishi wa Umma na wenzako kwa kunialika kufungua Mkutano huu wa Mwaka wa Wakuu wa Idara za Utawala na Rasilimaliwatu katika Wizara, Idara zinazojitegemea, Sekretarieti za Mikoa, Wakala za Serikali na Taasisi za Umma.

            Aidha, nachukua fursa hii kutoa shukrani zangu za dhati kwa Watendaji wote wa Ofisi ya Rais, Menejimenti ya Utumishi wa Umma, kwa maandalizi mazuri ya mkutano huu. Vilevile, natoa shukrani za dhati kwenu viongozi wa Mkoa wa Dodoma kwa kukubali kuwa wenyeji wa Mkutano huu na kujumuika nasi siku ya leo. Hali kadhalika, nawakaribisha washiriki wote walioweza kusafiri kutoka sehemu mbalimbali za nchi yetu kuja kuhudhuria mkutano huu muhimu.

Ndugu Viongozi na Washiriki wa Mkutano,

            Nimeupa mkutano huu umuhimu mkubwa sana, maana hii ni mara yangu ya kwanza kufungua mkutano kama huu tangu niteuliwe kuwa Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi na Mkuu wa Utumishi wa Umma. Mlinialika mwaka jana, lakini nilishindwa kuhudhuria kutokana na majukumu mengine ya Kitaifa. Leo ninafurahi kukutana nanyi mnapojiandaa kujadili masuala mbalimbali ya kiutendaji kwenye Utumishi wa Umma, kubadilishana uzoefu, kujifunza na kufahamiana zaidi.

Sera, Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu katika Utumishi wa Umma

Ndugu Washiriki,

             Masuala mnayoyasimamia ninyi ni sehemu muhimu sana ya Utumishi wa Umma, yaani masuala yahusuyo utawala na rasilimaliwatu. Masuala haya yasiposimamiwa vizuri, kwa weledi, haki na uadilifu, na kwa kuzingatia misingi iliyowekwa kwa mujibu wa Sera, Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu, Utumishi wa Umma utavurugika na tutashindwa kuwahudumia wananchi ipasavyo.

            Mojawapo ya kazi za msingi za Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi na Mkuu wa Utumishi wa Umma ni kuhakikisha kuwa Utumishi wa Umma una haiba na sifa nzuri machoni pa wananchi. Ninyi mlio katika ukumbi huu ndio wa kunisaidia kutekeleza wajibu huo kwa kuhakikisha masuala ya utawala na rasilimaliwatu yanaendeshwa na kusimamiwa kwa ukamilifu na weledi, na kwa kuzingatia Sera, Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu zilizowekwa.

            Ninyi pia ndio washauri wakuu wa Makatibu Wakuu, Makatibu Tawala wa Mikoa na Watendaji Wakuu wa Taasisi za Umma, kwenye masuala ya utawala na rasilimaliwatu. Mkifanya kazi yenu vizuri hakutakuwa na tuhuma au lawama dhidi ya Utumishi wa Umma kwa ujumla, na hasa dhidi ya ofisi zenu. La sivyo, msipofanya kazi yenu vizuri, hamuwezi kukwepa lawama.

            Mkiwa washauri wakuu wa masuala ya utawala na rasilimaliwatu lazima ninyi wenyewe mzifahamu vema Sera, Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu zinazohusu utawala na rasilimaliwatu na kisha mzizingatie wakati wote.

             Narudia. Jambo  la kwanza ni ninyi wenyewe kuzielewa vizuri Sera, Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu zinazoongoza Utumishi wa Umma. Maana, msipozielewa ninyi, na msipokuwa mfano bora wa kuzisimamia, mtawapotosha sana viongozi wenu wakuu kwenye Wizara, Idara na Taasisi zenu. Na hayo yatakuwa makosa makubwa sana.

Jambo la pili, ni kuhakikisha kuwa Watumishi wa Umma nao wanazielewa Sera, Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu hizo. Msiifanye miongozo hii ya kuendesha Utumishi wa Umma kuwa ni siri ya wachache. Watumishi nao wanayo haki ya kuijua miongozo hiyo. Nami naamini kuwa mkiwapa haki hiyo, kazi yenu ya kusimamia miongozo hiyo itakuwa nyepesi zaidi.

            Na hiyo inanipelekea kwenye jambo la tatu muhimu kwenye eneo hili, nalo ni kuwa Sera, Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu hazina maana iwapo hazifuatwi, iwapo hazisimamiwi na iwapo zikivunjwa hakuna adhabu stahiki inayotolewa kwa mkosaji. Ieleweke kwamba miongozo hiyo haikuwekwa ili iwe hiari ama kuifuata au kutokuifuata. Miongozo hiyo, kwa maana ya Sera, Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu lazima ifuatwe, na wala si jambo la hiari. Na isipofuatwa, lazima hatua zichukuliwe mara moja. There must be consequences!

            Na leo yapo maeneo manne muhimu, miongoni mwa mengine, ambayo ningependa kuyazungumzia, kwa vile yana umuhimu wa pekee katika utawala na rasilimaliwatu kwenye Utumishi wa Umma. Hayo ni ajira, maendeleo ya watumishi, upandishwaji vyeo na hatua za kinidhamu. Maeneo haya yana malalamiko mengi miongoni mwa Watumishi wa Umma, na miongoni mwa jamii kwa ujumla.

Ajira

Ndugu Washiriki,

            Kwa upande wa ajira, Sera, Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu zetu zimeweka wazi miongozo ya kufuatwa kwenye kuajiri watu kwenye Utumishi wa Umma. Miongoni mwa miongozo hiyo ni uwazi katika kutangaza nafasi za ajira, na usawa na haki wakati wa usaili na uajiri. Lakini bado malalamiko yanasikika kuwa ati huwezi kuajiriwa kwenye Utumishi wa Umma isipokuwa kama unajulikana au unatoa rushwa, ama ya fedha au ngono.  Jambo hilo linanisononesha sana. Mimi naamini mambo hayo yamepungua sana. Lakini kama yanafanyika, ni kinyume kabisa na Sera, Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu za Utumishi wa Umma na lazima tulio katika ukumbi huu tuyapige vita kwa bidii zote, bila kuoneana haya, hadi wananchi waone kuwa kweli hayapo. Tusipuuze hata kidogo malalamiko ya wananchi, bali tujichunguze na tuchunguzane, ili kama mambo hayo bado yapo, kwa pamoja tuazimie kuyakomesha kabisa kwenye Utumishi wa Umma.

            Aidha, ningependa mjue kuwa kuanzia sasa tutaweka mkazo mkubwa sana kwenye sifa ya uzalendo kwenye ajira Serikalini. Hatuwezi kuwa na Watumishi wa Umma ambao hawana uzalendo. Hivyo, pale ambapo waombaji kazi kwenye Utumishi wa Umma wana sifa zote sawa, wale waliopitia Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa watapewa kipaumbele. Lakini, narudia, kipaumbele hicho kitumike pale tu ambapo sifa zingine zote ziko sawa, na si vinginevyo.

Umuhimu wa Mafunzo na Kuendeleza Watumishi

Ndugu Washiriki,

            Eneo la pili linahusu umuhimu wa kuwaendeleza Watumishi wa Umma, na kuwajengea weledi, uzoefu na uwezo. Ndio maana nimefarijika kuona kaulimbiu ya Mkutano huu isemayo, “Mafunzo elekezi na yale ya kuwaendeleza watumishi wa umma ni msingi wa tija, ufanisi na utoaji wa huduma bora kwa umma”. Kauli mbiu hiyo ni sahihi kabisa.

Mafunzo ya kuwaendeleza Watumishi wa Umma huongeza weledi kwenye kazi na hivyo kuwawezesha watumishi kutekeleza kwa ukamilifu majukumu yao. Na lazima yaanze na mafunzo elekezi kwa watumishi wapya ili waelewe majukumu yao mapya, wajibu wao, muundo wa Serikali, taratibu za utendaji bora wa kazi, maadili, nidhamu, uzalendo, uadilifu na ustahimilivu.

Nasikitika sana kuwa tofauti na hali ilivyokuwa wakati mimi naingia kwenye Utumishi wa Umma, siku hizi tumepunguza sana na wakati mwingine hatutoi kabisa mafunzo elekezi kwa waajiriwa wapya. Aidha, mafunzo ya kuwaendeleza watumishi walio kazini nayo yanasuasua kwenye baadhi ya ofisi. Nimesikia pia kuwa kwenye baadhi ya ofisi yamezuka mambo yasiyofaa katika kusomesha Watumishi. Miongoni mwa tuhuma ni hizi zifuatazo:

• Kwanza, kuongezeka kwa tuhuma za matumizi mabaya ya madaraka na mali za                  umma;
• Pili, kuongezeka kwa vitendo vya rushwa ya fedha au ya ngono;
• Tatu, kushuka kwa maadili miongoni mwa baadhi ya Watumishi wa Umma;
• Nne, kutekeleza kazi bila kuzingatia Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu; na
• Tano, kukosekana uzalendo na uadilifu kwa baadhi ya Watumishi wa Umma.

Ndugu Washiriki,

Najua wapo miongoni mwenu mnaofanya kazi vizuri, kwa uadilifu mkubwa, katika kuendeleza Watumishi wa Umma. Nawapongeza sana. Lakini naomba tushirikiane kuwarekebisha wale miongoni mwetu wanaoendekeza aina ya tuhuma nilizozitaja hapa, ambao kwa vitendo vyao wanaharibu sifa nzuri ya Utumishi wa Umma.

Hivyo basi, pamoja na mambo mengine, ningependa Mkutano huu utafakari, ufanye tathmini na kutoa mapendekezo ya namna bora ya kurejesha utoaji mafunzo elekezi kwa Watumishi wapya wa Umma na mafunzo ya kujiendeleza kwa walio kazini.

Ninazo taarifa kuwa kwa upande wake Ofisi ya Rais, Menejimenti ya Utumishi wa Umma, wameanza kufanya uchambuzi wa mtaala wa mafunzo elekezi kwa kuangalia namna bora ya kuendesha mafunzo hayo, muda wa mafunzo, sifa za wakufunzi na taasisi zitakazoendesha mafunzo hayo ili kuwa na mfumo mzuri zaidi wa mafunzo yenyewe.

Napongeza jitihada hizo na ningependa kazi hiyo isiishie tu katika kuwasilisha taarifa bali kuhakikisha mapendekezo yatakayotolewa yanafanyiwa kazi kwa ukamilifu na utekelezaji uanze mapema iwezekanavyo.

Matumizi ya TEHAMA

Ndugu Washiriki,

Kama mjuavyo, tuko katika karne ya matumizi ya TEHAMA, na lazima sasa dhana ya Serikali Mtandao itekelezwe kwa vitendo kama nyenzo muhimu katika kuleta ufanisi, uwazi na uwajibikaji kwenye utendaji kazi na utoaji wa huduma mbalimbali kwa wananchi. Matumizi ya TEHAMA hayakwepeki katika Karne ya 21. Ukichelewa kutumia TEHAMA unajichelewesha tu, maana dunia haitarudi nyuma kwenye jambo hili.

Ndiyo maana, Serikali imechukua hatua mbalimbali za kubuni na kuweka mifumo na miundombinu ya Serikali Mtandao ili kurahisisha utendaji kazi na utoaji wa huduma kwa Umma na kwenda na wakati.

Mojawapo ya mifumo ambayo tayari imewekwa ni pamoja na Mfumo wa Taarifa za Kiutumishi na Mishahara (Human Capital Management Information System-HCMIS), Mfumo wa Fedha (IFMS); Tovuti Kuu ya Serikali; Mfumo wa Serikali wa Barua Pepe; Tovuti mbalimbali za Taasisi, pamoja na mfumo wa kuendesha mikutano kwa njia ya mtandao (Video Conference); miongoni mwa mifumo mingine.

Mifumo ya Kimenejimenti

Ndugu Washiriki,

Ofisi ya Rais, Menejimenti ya Utumishi wa Umma, kupitia Programu ya Mabadiliko ya Utendaji Kazi Serikalini, imeweka mifumo mbalimbali ya kimenejimenti katika Taasisi za Serikali. Mifumo hii ni pamoja na Mpango Mkakati; Mikataba ya Huduma kwa Mteja; Mfumo wa Wazi wa Upimaji Utendaji Kazi, Mfumo wa kushughulikia malalamiko na Mfumo wa Ufuatiliaji na Tathmini.

Aidha, nimejulishwa kuwa kuanzia Julai mwaka huu, Mfumo wa kupima Utendaji Kazi Kitaasisi (Performance Contracting) nao utaanza kutumika.

Matarajio ni kwamba matumizi sahihi ya mifumo hii yatasaidia kuongeza uwajibikaji kwa Watumishi wa Umma na hatimaye kuboresha utoaji wa huduma kwa wananchi. Hivyo, sikufurahishwa na taarifa niliyopewa kuwa tathmni ya kiwango cha matumizi ya mifumo hii iliyofanyika hivi karibuni katika Taasisi 18 imeonesha kuwa kiwango cha matumizi ya mifumo hii ni asilimia 78 tu. Hivyo, bado jitihada zaidi zinahitajika ili kiwango cha matumizi ya mifumo kifikie asilimia 100 kama ilivyokusudiwa.

Mifumo hii, pamoja na ile inayoendelea kuwekwa, kama ikitumika ipasavyo kulingana na miongozo na mafunzo yaliyokwishatolewa na yanayoendelea kutolewa, itaongeza ufanisi, uwazi na uwajibikaji, kupunguza gharama za uendeshaji na hatimaye kuchangia katika kukuza uchumi na kuondoa umaskini. Muhimu sana kwangu ni kuwa mifumo hii itaimarisha utawala bora na kupiga vita rushwa. Mifumo hii inagharimu Serikali fedha nyingi sana. Hivyo, lazima itumike ipasavyo na tutambue kuwa, kuweka mifumo pekee hakutoshi bila mafunzo ya mara kwa mara kwa Watumishi wa Umma juu ya namna ya kuitunza na kuitumia kwa malengo yaliyokusudiwa.

Upandishaji Vyeo

Ndugu Washiriki,

            Eneo lingine muhimu mnalolisimamia ni la upandishaji vyeo. Eneo hili linao uhusiano wa karibu na lile lililopita la kuwaendeleza Watumishi wa Umma. Hakuna faida kwa Taifa kuwapandisha vyeo watu ambao hawajajengewa uwezo na weledi wa kutosha.

            Wakati sasa umefika wa kutafakari upya msingi ya kuwapandisha watumishi vyeo, ili uendane sambamba na msingi wa kuwaendeleza watumishi na kunoa weledi wao. Mawazo yangu ya awali, ambayo ningependa myatafakari, ni kuwa tuwe na aina tatu za mafunzo ya msingi ambayo yataunganishwa na upandishwaji vyeo:

• Mafunzo ya kwanza ni mafunzo elekezi kwa Watumishi wapya wa Umma;

• Mafunzo ya pili yafanyike kabla mtumishi hajaingia kwenye ngazi za uandamizi kwenye Utumishi wa Umma. Kwa maneno mengine, mtumishi asipandishwe cheo kuwa Afisa Mwandamizi kama hajafanya mafunzo yoyote tangu aajiriwe.

• Mafunzo ya tatu yafanyike kabla mtumishi hajaingia kwenye ngazi ya ukuu kwenye Utumishi wa Umma. Kwa maneno mengine, Afisa Mwandamizi asipandishwe cheo kuwa Afisa Mkuu mpaka awe amepata mafunzo mengine.

Utaratibu huu, ambao unatumika kwenye nchi nyingi duniani, una faida nyingi ikiwemo kutoa hamasa kwa Watumishi wa Umma kujiendeleza, na kuhakikisha kuwa wakataokuja kushika nafasi za juu kwenye Utumishi wa Umma wameandaliwa vizuri kwa uwezo, weledi, uadilifu na uzalendo.

Najua kwa kuanzia hatuwezi kuutekeleza utaratibu huu nchi nzima, lakini ni muhimu tuanze ili Watumishi wajue kuwa kujiendeleza kimasomo na kwenye taaluma zao ni sifa mojawapo ya ziada ya kupandishwa cheo.

Sifa nyingine muhimu ya kupandishwa cheo lazima iwe rekodi nzuri ya uadilifu, uwezo, uzalendo na utendaji kazi. Muda ambao mtumishi amekaa kwenye ngazi moja ni sifa muhimu katika kumpandisha cheo, lakini haiwezi kuwa ndiyo sifa pekee. Lazima pia mtumishi aoneshe, na aonekane, kuwa amemudu vema majukumu yake kwenye ngazi aliyoko na ana mwelekeo wa kumudu majukumu ya ngazi anayofikiriwa kupandishwa. Ninyi nyote bila shaka mnaijua vema ‘Peter Principle’ isemayo “In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his (or her) level of incompetence”.

Lazima tuwe na mfumo unaotuwezesha kuwatambua wenye vipaji vya uongozi, kuwaendeleza na kuwapandisha cheo kwa kujua watamudu madaraka zaidi. Lakini pia tuwe na mfumo wa kubaini wale ambao kwa uhakika wamefikia kiwango chao cha ‘incompetence’ na hakuna faida kwa Taifa kuendelea kuwapandisha cheo. Jambo hili likifanywa vizuri litasaidia kuweka mfumo bora wa kurithishana madaraka.

OPRAS

Ndugu Washiriki,

Mojawapo ya malengo ya Serikali katika kuanzisha, kwa mujibu wa sheria, utaratibu mpya wa kutathmini utendaji wa kazi wa mtumishi kwa uwazi (OPRAS) ni kusaidia kubaini utendaji na uwezo  wao, na pia kujua udhaifu wao, kuwasaidia na kuwaendeleza. Utaratibu huu, kama nilivyosema, upo kwa mujibu wa sheria, na hivyo si jambo la hiari. Lazima mlisimamie vizuri ili lifanyike kwa ukamilifu na kwa haki.

Katika kuhakikisha kwamba mifumo hii inatumika ipasavyo, mwaka 2012 nilitoa maelekezo kwa Katibu Mkuu - Ofisi ya Rais, Menejimenti ya Utumishi wa Umma, kwamba kwa kushirikiana na Katibu wa Tume ya Utumishi wa Umma wafanye zoezi la ukaguzi na ufuatiliaji wa matumizi ya OPRAS  katika Utumishi wa Umma. Zoezi hilo lilifanyika ndani ya mwaka wa fedha 2012/13 katika Taasisi za Umma 110 zilizojumuisha Wizara 12, Idara Zinazojitegemea 5, Wakala za Serikali 17, Sekretarieti za Mikoa 11 na Mamlaka za Serikali za Mitaa 65.

            Matokeo ya zoezi hilo yalibainisha kuwa katika Taasisi 110 zilizokaguliwa ni Taasisi 29 tu, sawa na asilimia 26.36, zilizotekeleza OPRAS kwa ukamilifu. Taasisi 68, sawa na asilimia 59.36, zilitekeleza kwa kiwango cha chini, na taasisi 13, sawa na asilimia 14.3, zilikuwa hazijaanza kabisa.

Napenda nitumie nafasi hii kuwaagiza Viongozi na Watendaji Wakuu kubadili mtazamo wao kuhusu umuhimu wa OPRAS, kuwaelimisha watumishi na kuwapangia malengo yakinifu yanayopimika. Aidha, ninakuagizeni ninyi washiriki wa Mkutano huu, ambao ndio hasa wasimamizi na waratibu wa OPRAS katika taasisi zenu, kutumia fursa ya mkutano huu kujielimisha zaidi na kutoa mapendekezo ya namna ya kuboresha mfumo huu ili kujenga Utumishi wa Umma wenye tija na ufanisi.

Nidhamu

Ndugu Washiriki,

            Nikiwa Mkuu wa Utumishi wa Umma ninao wajibu wa kuwalinda Watumishi wote wa Umma ili watendewe haki, wasionewe wala kubaguliwa kwa sababu yoyote ile. Lakini pia mimi ninayo mamlaka ya nidhamu kwa Watumishi wote wa Umma. Wa kunisaidia kutekeleza majukumu yote hayo mawili ni ninyi, na ningependa mhakikishe upo mfumo na utaratibu mzuri kwenye ofisi zenu wa kuhakikisha Watumishi wa Umma wote wanatendewa haki, hawaonewi wala kubaguliwa. Lakini pia mhakikishe kuwa upo mfumo na utaratibu mzuri kwenye ofisi zenu wa kuwabaini wote wanaostahili kuchukuliwa hatua za nidhamu, na kwamba hatua hizo zinachukuliwa kwa mujibu wa Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu.

            Wapo watumishi wengi wanaohamishwa vituo kwa vile ati zipo tuhuma juu yao, ziwe ni tuhuma ya kimaadili au za uzembe au kutotimiza wajibu. Mimi naamini kuwa mtumishi anapaswa kuchukuliwa hatua za kinidhamu pale pale alipo. Kumhamisha bila kumchukulia hatua ni kukwepa wajibu, na kwa kweli ni kutomtendea haki kwa kumnyima fursa ya kujitetea dhidi ya tuhuma zinazoelekezwa kwake.

Ni kweli yapo mazingira ambapo kumhamisha mtumishi ndilo suluhisho la tatizo, lakini si kila mara. La muhimu ni kwamba uhamisho usitumike kukwepa wajibu wa kuchukua hatua za nidhamu pale kosa lilipotendeka.

Nahisi umezuka woga fulani katika kuchukua hatua za kinidhamu. Ninachosema ni kuwa ukiogopa kuchukua hatua za kinidhamu pale unaporidhika kuwa hatua hizo zinastahili, basi uongozi umekushinda. Na matokeo yake, wakiwepo viongozi wengi waoga namna hiyo, uzembe unaenea kwenye Utumishi wa Umma na sifa yetu mbele ya wananchi inaharibika kwetu sote. Tuache woga, lakini tutende haki!

            Lipo pia tatizo la kuchukua hatua za kinidhamu bila kuzingatia kwa ukamilifu Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu. Nimeona rufaa kadhaa za Watumishi wa Umma ambao wamechukuliwa hatua za nidhamu na wakakata rufaa kwenye Tume ya Utumishi wa Umma, na baadaye kwa Rais iwapo hawakuridhika na uamuzi wa Tume.

            Inasikitisha sana pale mtumishi ambaye upo ushahidi wa kutosha wa kutenda kosa, lakini inabidi arejeshwe kazini kwa vile tu mamlaka yake ya nidhamu haikuzingatia Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu. Isitoshe, pale ambapo Tume inakubali rufaa ya mtumishi na kuagiza kuwa hatua za kinidhamu zianze upya, wanakasirika na wengine, hasa kwenye Halmashauri, kukataa. Kufanya hivyo ni kumsaidia tu mhalifu maana akienda mahakamani atashinda na itabidi tumlipe. Tusifanye makosa hayo. Tusiwe wakaidi pale tunapoelekezwa na Tume ya Utumishi wa Umma kurudia mchakato wa hatua za kinidhamu, bali tutumie fursa hiyo kujielimisha zaidi ili tusirudie makosa wakati mwingine.

Ajira za Wastaafu

Ndugu Washiriki,

Serikali imekuwa ikiajiri kwa masharti ya mkataba watumishi waliokwishastaafu kazi kwa lazima kwa madhumuni ya kujaza nafasi wazi kwa kada zenye wataalam wachache kama vile madaktari, wafamasia, walimu, wahandisi na kadhalika.

Hata hivyo, baadhi ya waajiri wamekuwa wakiwasilisha kwangu maombi ya ajira za mikataba hata kwa nafasi ambazo zinaweza kujazwa kwa kupandishwa vyeo maafisa waliopo au kwa kuajiri watumishi wapya. Hii inatokana na baadhi ya waajiri kutokuwa na Mpango wa Kurithishana Madaraka (Succession Planning) ambao ungetumika kuwaandaa watumishi mapema kwa kuwapa mafunzo ya kuwaongezea weledi na kuwawezesha kupata sifa za kujaza nafasi zinazoachwa wazi na wastaafu.

Nitaendelea kukataa maombi ya kuwaajiri kwa mkataba watumishi ambao sio adimu kwenye soko la ajira. Aidha, ninawaagiza waajiri wote kuandaa na kutekeleza ipasavyo mipango wa kurithishana madaraka ili wakati wote wawepo watumishi wenye sifa za kujaza nafasi zinazoachwa wazi na watumishi wanaostaafu kwa lazima.

Kuacha kazi na kuomba kuajiriwa tena

Ndugu Washiriki,

Katika kipindi cha hivi karibuni kumekuwepo na ongezeko la watumishi kuacha kazi kwa mwajiri mmoja, na kuomba kazi kwa mwajiri mwingine ndani ya Utumishi wa Umma bila kujua kuwa mwajiri bado ni Serikali hiyo hiyo. Mathalani, katika mwaka 2013 na 2014 wapo zaidi ya watumishi 353 “wapya” ambao Mfumo wa Taarifa za Kiutumishi na Mishahara (HCMIS) ulibainisha kuwa walikwishawahi kuajiriwa Serikalini na sasa wanaomba kuajiriwa kwa mara ya pili. Hali hiyo imesababishwa na watumishi husika ama kutojua utaratibu au kwa kushauriwa vibaya na waajiri.

Kuanzia sasa, watumishi wanapotaka kuomba kazi kwa mwajiri mwingine watakiwe kufuata utaratibu uliowekwa badala ya kuchukua uamuzi wa kuacha kazi.

Uhamisho

Ndugu Washiriki,

Sheria ya Utumishi wa Umma imempa mamlaka Katibu Mkuu, Ofisi ya Rais, Menejimenti ya Utumishi wa Umma, kufanya uhamisho katika Utumishi wa Umma. Hata hivyo, imeanza kujengeka tabia ya baadhi ya waajiri kukataa kuwapokea watumishi wanaohamishiwa katika taasisi zao au kutowaruhusu watumishi walionao kuhama kwa visingizio mbalimbali. Hali hii ikiachwa kuendelea itaathiri sana utendaji na ufanisi wa kazi. Ninawaelekeza ninyi washiriki wa Mkutano huu kuwashauri ipasavyo Watendaji Wakuu wenye tabia hii waiache mara moja na watekeleze maamuzi yanayotolewa na mamlaka husika.

Utunzaji wa Kumbukumbu na Nyaraka

Ndugu Washiriki,

Kumbukumbu na nyaraka ni nyenzo muhimu sana katika utendaji wa kazi wa Serikali nzima na wa Taasisi yoyote katika kufikia malengo yaliyokusudiwa. Kwa mfano, kumbukumbu zinasaidia katika:

• Kupanga mipango ya maendeleo;
• Kupima uwajibikaji;
• Kutoa maamuzi sahihi kwa wakati;
• Kugawa na kusimamia rasilimali;
• Kudhibiti matumizi ya fedha;
• Kusimamia utawala wa sheria na uwajibikaji;
• Kuendeleza ushirikiano kati ya nchi na nchi katika sekta mbalimbali; na
• Kushughulikia maslahi ya watumishi wakiwa kazini na wanapostaafu katika Utumishi wa Umma, miongoni mwa faida nyingine.

Ili Serikali iweze kufikia malengo yaliyotajwa hapa juu na kuwawezesha wananchi kujua mwenendo wa Serikali yao, lazima kuwe na kumbukumbu zinazotunzwa vizuri na kupatikana kwa urahisi. Kukosekana kwa taarifa sahihi na kwa wakati kunawafanya watendaji wa Serikali kushindwa kutekeleza majukumu yao ipasavyo na kusababisha ucheleweshaji wa maamuzi au kutolewa kwa maamuzi yasiyo sahihi na yasiyokidhi matarajio ya wananchi. Sote tunatakiwa, na ni wajibu wetu, kuzingatia taratibu za utunzaji bora na matumizi ya kumbukumbu na nyaraka za Serikali katika Ofisi zote za Umma.

Vilevile ninyi washiriki wa Mkutano huu mnao wajibu kuhakikisha kuwa siri za Serikali zinabaki kuwa siri na hazivuji, na pale zinapovuja hatua stahiki zinachukuliwa mara moja ili iwe fundisho kwa wengine.

Hitimisho

Ndugu Washiriki,

Mwisho, lakini sio kwa umuhimu wake, napenda kuwapongeza wote miongoni mwenu mnaotekeleza majukumu yenu kwa haki, uadilifu na weledi mkubwa. Napenda tu kuwakumbusha tena umuhimu wa kuzingatia Sera, Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu za Utumishi wa Umma.

Aidha, ninaiagiza Tume ya Utumishi wa Umma iendelee kutekeleza majukumu yake kwa ukamilifu kwa kufanya kaguzi za mara kwa mara na kunipatia taarifa za utendaji kazi ipasavyo ili kuniwezesha kuchukua hatua zinazostahili. Kama vile Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali anavyokagua matumizi ya fedha za umma, Tume Utumishi wa Umma nayo lazima ikague utekelezaji wa masuala ya utawala na rasilimaliwatu.

Mwisho kabisa, napenda muelewe uzito na unyeti wa mamlaka yenu katika Utumishi wa Umma na Taifa kwa ujumla. Fanyeni kazi kwa kuzingatia Sera, Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu za Utumishi wa Umma, bila kuzipinda wala kuzivunja. Watendeeni haki watumishi wote, na mjali maslahi yao na kuwaendeleza. Mkifanya hivyo heshima ya Utumishi wa Umma mbele ya jamii itaimarika kwa faida yetu sote.

Baada ya kusema hayo, sasa napenda kutamka kwamba mkutano huu umefunguliwa rasmi na ninakutakieni majadiliano mazuri na yenye tija.

AHSANTENI KWA KUNISIKILIZA

Mheshimiwa Waziri Mkuu;

Mheshimiwa Makamu wa Pili wa Rais, Zanzibar;

Mheshimiwa Spika wa Baraza la Wawakilishi;

Mheshimiwa Jaji Mkuu wa Zanzibar;

Mheshimiwa Waziri wa Fedha na Mawaziri Waliopo;

Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam;

Waheshimiwa Mabalozi;

Waheshimiwa Wabunge na Wajumbe wa Baraza la Wawakilishi;

Katibu Mkuu Kiongozi na Makatibu Wakuu;

Viongozi wa Serikali wa Ngazi Mbalimbali;

Kamishna wa Sensa ya Watu na Makazi;

Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Ofisi ya Taifa ya Takwimu;

Mtakwimu Mkuu wa Zanzibar;

Viongozi wa Vyama vya Siasa;

Viongozi wa Madhehebu ya Dini;

Wageni Waalikwa;           

Mabibi na Mabwana;

Shukrani na Pongezi

Ndugu Wananchi;

Awali ya yote, naomba tuanze kwa kumshukuru Mwenyezi Mungu mwingi wa rehema kwa kutujalia uzima na kutuwezesha kukutana hapa siku ya leo.  Napenda pia kuwashukuru waandaaji wa hafla hii kwa kunipa heshima kubwa ya kuzindua  Chapisho la Tatu la Taarifa za Msingi za Kidemografia, Kijamii na Kiuchumi Linalotokana na Sensa ya Watu na Makazi ya Mwaka 2012.  

Nakushukuru sana Mheshimiwa Waziri Mkuu kwa maelezo yako mazuri ya awali kuhusu Chapisho hili. Nakupongeza wewe, pamoja na Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar kwa uongozi wenu mzuri wa zoezi la Sensa. Chapisho tunalozindua leo ni matunda ya kazi nzuri mliyoifanya ya kuziongoza Idara za Takwimu za Serikali zetu mbili ambazo ndizo zilizosimamia na kuendesha zoezi lenyewe la sense ya watu na makazi. 

Sensa inaendeshwa kwa mujibu wa kifungu cha 14 cha Sheria ya Takwimu (the Statistic Act) sura ya 351.   Katika kipindi chote cha miaka 50 ya Muungano wetu tumefanya Sensa mara tano, mwaka 1967, 1978, 1988, 2002 na 2012. 

Umuhimu wa Chapisho la Tatu

Ndugu Wananchi;

Sensa ni zoezi pana sana.  Sensa ni zaidi ya kuhesabu watu.  Sensa hujumuisha pia kukusanya na kufanya uchambuzi wa taarifa kuhusu masuala mbalimbali ya kiuchumi na kijamii.  Taarifa hizo husaidia Serikali katika utungaji wa sera na kutengeneza mipango na mikakati ya maendeleo nchini.  Tangu kufanyika kwa Sensa ya Watu na Makazi ya Mwaka 2012, Idara Kuu ya Takwimu ya Taifa na Idara ya Takwimu Zanzibar ambazo ndizo zilizohusika na zoezi hili zimeendelea kutoa matokeo kulingana na kalenda ya utoaji wa matokeo ya Sensa. Matokeo ya mwanzo nilitolewa tarehe 31 Desemba, mwaka 2012 kwenye viwanja vya Mnazi Mmoja. Siku ile nilitangaza jumla ya idadi ya watu nchini Tanzania. Chapisho la pili lilihusu mgawanyo wa watu kwa umri na jinsi ambalo lilitolewa tarehe 25 Septemba, 2013.

Chapisho la Tatu ninalolizindua leo linatoa taarifa za msingi za kidemografia (mnyumbuliko wa idadi ya watu), kijamii na kiuchumi zinazotokana na Sensa ya Watu na Makazi ya mwaka 2012. Taarifa za Chapisho la Tatu zina umuhimu wa aina yake.  Zinaonesha Tanzania imepiga hatua kiasi gani katika maendeleo ya kiuchumi na kijamii.  Aidha, upatikanaji  wa taarifa katika kipindi hiki utaviwezesha vizazi vijavyo kuifahamu Tanzania ilivyokuwa mwaka 2012.

Muhtasari wa Matokeo ya Chapisho la Tatu

Ndugu Wananchi;

Sensa ya Mwaka 2012 imefanyika katikati ya utekelezaji wa Mpango wa Taifa wa Miaka 5 (2011-2016). Mpango huu tunaoendelea kuutekeleza una lengo la kutufikisha kwenye Dira ya Taifa ya Maendeleo ya mwaka 2025 na ile ya Zanzibar ya mwaka 2020 ambapo tunatarajia kuwa nchi yetu itakuwa imefikia uchumi wa kati. Kwa utaratibu huu wa kufanya Sensa kila baada ya miaka 10, ina maana kuwa Sensa inayofuata itafanyika mwaka 2022 ikiwa ni miaka michache kabla ya kufikia Dira ya Taifa. Hivyo, matokeo haya ni msingi wa kupima mwelekeo wetu kiuchumi na kijamii kufikia lengo letu la kuwa uchumi wa kati ifikapo 2020 kwa upande wa Zanzibar na 2025 nchi nzima.

Chapisho hili lina takwimu nyingi sana kuhusu nyanja mbalimbali za maisha ya Watanzania. Takwimu hizi zinatupa fursa ya kujua maeneo tunayofanya vizuri na yale tunayohitajika kuyaimarisha. Vilevile, zinatuonyesha yale maeneo ambayo tulidhani tunafanya vizuri lakini kumbe siyo, hivyo basi tunatakiwa kuyawekea mkakati maalum. Hali kadhalika, taarifa zinatuamsha kuona yale  maeneo mapya ambayo hatukuwahi kuyafikiria lakini sasa tunapaswa kuyaangalia kwa karibu.

Kwa ujumla, kulingana na takwimu za Sensa ya 2012, idadi ya watu Tanzania iliongezeka kutoka watu milioni 34.4 mwaka 2002 hadi watu milioni 44.9 mwaka 2012. Hii ni sawa na kasi ya ongezeko la asilimia 2.7 kwa mwaka. Kwa kasi hii ya ongezeko la watu, Tanzania Bara inatarajiwa kuwa  na watu milioni 63.3 mwaka 2025 ambao ndiyo mwaka wa mwisho wa utekelezaji wa Dira ya Maendeleo 2025 kwa Tanzania Bara. Aidha, Zanzibar inatarajiwa kuwa na watu milioni 1.8 ifikapo mwaka 2020 ambao ndiyo mwaka wa mwisho wa utekelezaji wa Dira ya Maendeleo ya Zanzibar. Kwa kasi hii ya ongezeko la idadi ya watu Tanzania inatarajiwa kuwa na watu milioni 125 mwaka 2050.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Ili kufikia dira zetu za maendeleo, yaani ya mwaka 2020 kwa Zanzibar na ya mwaka 2025 kwa nchi nzima ambapo tutakuwa na idadi ya watu takribani milioni 65.1, inatupasa kujitazama tulipotoka na tulipo leo. Kwa mujibu wa Chapisho hili la Tatu, tumepiga hatua kubwa na nzuri katika maeneo mengi, na hivyo kuashiria kuwa tuko katika mstari sahihi kuelekea Tanzania tunayoitamani. Baadhi ya takwimu hizi kwa ufupi ni zifuatazo:

1.                                   i.            Zaidi ya asilimia 90 ya watu wote Tanzania walizaliwa baada ya Muungano wa mwaka 1964. Tafsiri yake ni kwamba idadi kubwa ya Watanzania ni vijana ambao wamezaliwa, kukua na kufaidika na  matunda ya Muungano.  Hiki ni kiashiria kikubwa kuwa tumeweza kujenga utaifa mpya, yaani utanzania katika miaka 50 ya Muungano wetu.
2.                                 ii.            Hii ni Sensa ya tano tangu Muungano wetu mwaka 1964.  Sensa ya kwanza ilikuwa mwaka 1967, ya pili mwaka 1978, ya tatu mwaka 1988, ya nne mwaka 2002 na ya tano 2012.  Takwimu za Sensa za kati ya mwaka 1967 na mwaka 2012 zinaonesha kuwa idadi ya watu wa Tanzania ambao wanaishi mijini imeongezeka kutoka asilimia 6  mwaka 1967 hadi asilimia 30 mwaka 2012.  Ukuaji huu wa miji ni kiashiria muhimu kuwa safari yetu ya kuelekea uchumi wa katini ya uhakika.  Hatuna budi sasa, sera na mikakati yetu kuielekeza katika kuhakikisha miji yetu inao uwezo wa kuhimili ongezeko hili la watu kwa maana ya utoaji wa huduma za kijamii na ajira.
3.                              iii.            Katika kipindi cha miaka 50 wastani wa umri wa kuishi kwa mtoto wa Kitanzania anayezaliwa umeongezeka kutoka miaka 41 mwaka 1967 hadi kufikia miaka 61 mwaka 2012.   Maana yake ni kuwa, huduma za afya zimeimarika, watu sasa wanaishi kwa muda mrefu zaidi kuliko ilivyokuwa awali.  Hata hivyo, bado hatujafikia viwango vya wenzetu wa Asia na Ulaya ambao wastani wao ni miaka 70 na kuendelea.
4.                              iv.              Vifo vya watoto wachanga vimepungua kutoka vifo 115 kati ya kila watoto 1,000 wanaozaliwa hai mwaka 1988 hadi kufikia vifo 45 mwaka 2012.  Na, mwaka 2013 tumefikia 21.  Vifo vya watoto chini ya miaka 5 vimepungua kutoka 231 mwaka 1988 hadi 68 mwaka 2012 na 2013 tumefikia vifo 54 kwa 1,000.  Pia, idadi ya vifo vitokanavyo na uzazi imepungua kutoka vifo 578 kwa kila akina mama 100,000 wanaojifungua mwaka 2004/2005 hadi 454 mwaka  2010 na kwa mujibu wa takwimu za Sensa, vifo  hivi vimeendelea kupungua hadi 432 mwaka 2012. Hii ni hatua kubwa kuelekea lengo la Milenia ya Mwaka 2015 ya vifo 193.
5.                                 v.            Asilimia ya kaya zinazopata maji safi ya kunywa imefikia asilimia 57 mwaka 2012.  Vile vile, kaya zinazotumia umeme kama nishati ya kuangazia zimeongezeka kutoka asilimia 10 mwaka 2002 hadi  asilimia 21 mwaka 2012.
6.                              vi.            Kwa upande wa sekta ya elimu, asilimia ya watu wenye umri wa miaka 10 na zaidi wanaojua kusoma na kuandika kwa Tanzania Bara imeongezeka kutoka asilimia 31 mwaka 1967 hadi kufikia asilimia 78 mwaka 2012. Kwa Zanzibar kiwango hiki kimeongezeka kutoka asilimia 39 mwaka 1967 hadi asilimia 86 mwaka 2012.
7.                            vii.            Takwimu zinazoonesha kwamba umaskini wa kipato umepungua kutoka asilimia 33.6 mwaka 2007 hadi asilimia 28.2 mwaka 2012.
8.                         viii.            Takwimu zinaonesha kwamba makazi ya wananchi wote wa Tanzania yaliyojengwa kwa vifaa vya kisasa (zege, mawe, saruji na vyuma) yameongezeka.  Familia zinazoishi kwenye nyumba za bati zimeongezeka kutoka asilimia 46 mwaka 2002 hadi asilimia 65 mwaka 2012.
9.                               ix.            Vilevile, umiliki wa simu za kiganjani umeongezeka sana.  Mwaka 2012 wastani ulikuwa ni asilimia 64 ikilinganishwa na asilimia 10 mwaka 2005.  Kuongezeka kwa simu ni kiashiria cha kuongezeka kwa biashara, idadi ya watu wanaotumia huduma za kifedha kwa njia ya simu na urahisi wa mawasiliano ambao unawezesha usambazaji wa taarifa za kijamii na kibiashara katika maeneo mengi hivi sasa. 

Mazingatio Yatokanayo na Chapisho la Tatu la Sensa

Ndugu Wananchi;

Ufupi au urefu wa safari unaweza kuujua tu iwapo unafahamu unapotoka, ulipo na unapokwenda.  Taarifa ambazo zimewasilishwa na Ofisi ya Taifa ya Takwimu zinaonesha kuwa tumepata mafanikio ya kuridhisha katika maeneo mengi, na kuwa tumekuwa tunasonga mbele mwaka hadi mwaka na siyo kurudi nyuma.  Kwa hiyo matokeo haya yanapaswa  kuwaongoza Viongozi na Watendaji wa ngazi zote katika Serikali Kuu na Serikali za Mitaa kujua maeneo ambayo kasi ya utekelezaji wa programu za maendeleo kwa wananchi ilikuwa ndogo, na hivyo kustahili kupewa msukumo mpya katika utekelezaji wake.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Nimefarijika kusikia kuwa taarifa za Sensa zinaonesha hatua kubwa tuliyopiga katika kuleta usawa wa kijinsia kati ya wanaume na wanawake. Ingawa viashiria vingi bado vinaonekana bora zaidi kwa wanaume kuliko wanawake, lakini pengo kati yao limepungua ukilinganisha na miaka ya nyuma. Kwa mfano, asilimia ya wanaume wenye umri wa miaka 10 na zaidi wanaojua kusoma na kuandika ilikuwa asilimia 45 kwa Tanzania Bara na asilimia 55 kwa  Zanzibar mwaka 1967. Kwa upande wa wanawake ilikuwa asilimia 19 na asilimia 23 kwa Tanzania Bara na Zanzibar mwaka 1967. Taarifa za Sensa ya Mwaka 2012 zinaonesha kuwa pengo hili limepungua sana. Wanaume wenye umri wa miaka 10 na zaidi wanaojua kusoma na kuandika kwa mwaka 2012 ni asilimia 82 ya wanaume wote kwa Bara ukilinganisha na asilimia 75 kwa wanawake. Kwa upande wa Zanzibar, idadi ya wanaume wanaojua kusoma na kuandika ni asilimia 89 ya wanaume wote kulinganisha na asilimia 83 ya wanawake.

Hatuwezi kupata maendeleo makubwa na endelevu bila kuhakikisha usawa wa kijinsia.  Wanawake ni asilimia 51 ya Watanzania wote, hivyo, hatuna namna yoyote tunayoweza kulipuuza kundi hili kubwa, ambalo ni zaidi ya nusu ya idadi ya watu wote katika shughuli za maendeleo.  Ndiyo maana, tumeelekeza juhudi kubwa kurekebisha kasoro hii ya kihistoria na kimfumo kwa kuwapa wanawake fursa ili nao washiriki sawia katika shughuli za maendeleo katika ngazi ya familia, jamii na hata taifa.  Ni vyema ikaeleweka kuwa hatuwapendelei wanawake bali tunawapatia kile wanachostahili kupata kama raia na kama wanadamu.  Stahili ambazo wamekuwa wakizikosa kwa miaka mingi.

Serikali itaendelea kuimarisha juhudi za utekelezaji wa Sera ambazo zinalenga kuhakikisha kuwa pengo hili linazibika ili Watanzania wote wafaidike na rasilimali za Taifa bila ya kujali jinsia zao.

Maelekezo kwa Tume ya Taifa ya Takwimu

Ndugu Wananchi;

Nimesema hapo awali kuwa lengo kubwa la kufanya Sensa ni kutoa takwimu ambazo zitachangia katika jitihada za kuboresha maisha ya Watanzania.  Taarifa za sensa ambazo zitasaidia kuboresha sera za nchi kwa mambo mbalimbali, kupanga na kutathmini programu za maendeleo na uimarishaji wa utoaji wa huduma za jamii.  Lengo hili haliwezi kufikiwa ikiwa taarifa za sensa na nyinginezo kwa ujumla wake hazitawafikia watumiaji wote wanaozihitaji. Ofisi za Takwimu zina jukumu la kutoa takwimu katika mfumo mzuri na lugha rahisi na kuzisambaza na kuhamasisha matumizi yake.

 Pamoja na usambazaji wa taarifa za sensa kwa vitabu na machapisho, tumieni tovuti na njia nyingine za kisasa kusambaza taarifa zenu. Ninafarijika kusikia kwamba tayari mmeanza juhudi hizi, kwani uzinduzi wa Chapisho hili la tatu utaenda sambamba na uzinduzi wa usambazaji wa taarifa kwa njia ya mtandao.

Ofisi za Takwimu zimetimiza wajibu wake wa kutoa takwimu na sasa ni jukumu la Wizara, Idara,Taasisi za Serikali na watumiaji wengine wote kuzifanyia kazi. Natoa agizo kwa viongozi ngazi zote za utawala kutafsiri matokeo haya kwa kuoanisha na utekelezaji wa sera na programu za maendeleo ya kisekta katika maeneo yao. Matokeo haya ya Sensa sasa ndiyo rejea yetu ya takwimu katika mipango yetu ya utekelezaji.  Kile kisingizio cha kukosekana kwa takwimu mpya sasa kimefikia ukomo.  Takwimu ni kitendea kazi, sasa mnazo na mkazifanyie kazi, siyo kuendeleza semina za kujadili matatizo na mapungufu.  Takwimu zimetuonyesha mafanikio tuliyoyapata na mapungufu yaliyopo ambayo mkayatatue na siyo kuyajadili.

Wito kwa Wananchi na Wadau

Ndugu Wananchi;

Napenda pia kutoa wito kwa wananchi na wadau wa maendeleo hasa asasi za kiraia kusoma taarifa hizi na kuzitumia vizuri.  Kumekuwepo na upotoshaji mkubwa sana wenye kubeza mafanikio yaliyopatikana nchini kutokana na jitihada za Serikali na wananchi kwenye kuleta maendeleo.  Taarifa hii inaweka wazi ukweli ulivyo.  Zitumieni.  Kama upotoshaji ulikuwa ni kwa sababu ya kukosekana kwa rejea ya takwimu sahihi, takwimu ndizo hizo kwa kila mmoja wetu kuziona na kuzitumia.  Asiyefanya hivyo ana lake jambo.

Hitimisho

Ndugu Viongozi Wenzangu;

Ndugu Wananchi;

Niruhusuni nirudie tena kuwashukuru washirika wetu wa maendeleo waliotusaidia kufanikisha zoezi la Sensa ya watu na makazi.  Kwa namna ya pekee nawashukuru Shirika la Maendeleo la Japan (JICA), Shirika la Maendeleo la Uingereza (DFID), Taasisi za Umoja wa Mataifa ikiwemo UNFPA, UNDP na UNICEF.  Nawashukuru tena Mheshimiwa Waziri Mkuu, Mheshimiwa Mizengo Pinda na Makamu wa Rais wa Zanzibar, Balozi Ali Seif Idd kwa uongozi wenu mzuri uliowezesha zoezi zima la sensa kufanikiwa.  Pia, nawapongeza viongozi na watendaji wa Idara zetu mbili za Takwimu kwa kazi kubwa na nzuri waliyofanya.  Umakini na umahiri wao ndiyo uliotufikisha hapa.  Nawashukuru na kuwapongeza viongozi wote wa Serikali wa ngazi zote za utawala ambao walishiriki kwa ukamilifu katika maandalizi na hatimaye utekelezaji wa Sensa ya Mwaka 2012. Nitoe pia shukrani kwa viongozi wa vyama vya siasa, madhehebu ya dini na mashirika yasiyo ya Kiserikali kwa ushiriki wenu hasa kwenye hatua ya uhamasishaji wa ushiriki wa umma. Nawashukuru wadau wetu wa maendeleo kwa michango yao muhimu ambayo imesaidia kufanikisha sensa hii. 

 Shukrani za kipekee ziwaendee Wananchi wote ambao walijitokeza kuhesabiwa na kujibu maswali ya sensa kwa ufahamu mkubwa. Kukubali kwao kushiriki ndiko chanzo kilichowezesha kupatikana taarifa tunazozindua leo na nyingine zitakazofuata. Ni dhahiri kuwa Serikali yetu imetimiza kwa ufanisi jukumu la kufanya Sensa ya Watu na Makazi nchini.  Lengo limetimia la kujua hali halisi ya rasilimali watu iliyopo Nchini kama zilivyofanya Awamu zote zilizotangulia.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Baada ya kusema maneno haya ya utangulizi, sasa, kwa heshima na taadhima kubwa, napenda kutamka  kwamba Chapisho la Taarifa za Msingi za Kidemografia, Kijamii na Kiuchumi linalotokana na Sensa ya Watu na Makazi ya Mwaka 2012  Pamoja na Matumizi ya Tovuti katika kupata taarifa mbalimbali za Sensa ya Watu na Makazi limezinduliwa rasmi.

Mungu Ibariki Afrika!

Mungu Ibariki Tanzania!

Asanteni kwa kunisikiliza!

Mhe. Mama Salma Kikwete, Mlezi wa MEWATA;

Mhe. Kebwe Steven Kebwe (Mb.), Naibu Waziri wa Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii;

Mhe Fatma Mwasa, Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Tabora;

Wakuu wa Wilaya – Tabora, Nzega na Urambo;

Wabunge Wote wa Mkoa wa Tabora Mliopo;

Dkt. Serafina Mkuwa, Mwenyekiti wa MEWATA;

Wawakilishi wa Washirika Wetu wa Maendeleo;

Dkt. Joseph Komwihangiro, Mwakilishi wa Marie Stopes;

Madaktari Wote wa MEWATA na Watumishi wa Sekta ya Afya;

Mwakilishi wa Shirika la Marie Stopes na Wawakilishi wa Mashirika Yasiyo ya Kiserikali

Waliopo;

Wageni Waalikwa;

Mabibi na Mabwana;

Niruhusuni nianze kwa kuwashukuru Waziri wa Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii, Dkt.

Seif Rashid (aliyewakilishwa hapa leo na Naibu Waziri Mhe.Dkt. Stephen Kebwe)

na Mwenyekiti wa Chama cha Madakatari Wanawake Tanzania (MEWATA), Dkt.

Sarafina Mkuwa kwa kunialika kuja kuzindua huduma za uchunguzi wa saratani

ya mlango wa kizazi na saratani ya matiti Mkoani Tabora. Nawapongeza nyote

kwa maandalizi mazuri kwani ni ukweli usiopingika kuwa shughuli hii imefana sana.

Aidha, nawashukuru wenyeji wetu wa Mkoa wa Tabora wakiongozwa na Mkuu wa

Mkoa, Mheshimiwa Fatma Mwasa, kwa mapokezi mazuri mliyonipatia mimi, mke

wangu na wageni wenzetu. Sikutegemea kupata mapokezi tofauti na haya hapa

Tabora, kwani upendo wenu kwangu na ukarimu wenu tunaujua na unasifika na

wengi.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Nimekubali kuja kujumuika nanyi katika uzinduzi huu, siku ya leo, ili kuongeza

sauti yangu na uzito kuhusu shughuli hii muhimu na adhimu inayofanywa na

Madaktari Wanawake hapa nchini. Ni ukweli ulio wazi kuwa MEWATA imesaidia

kuokoa maisha ya akinamama wengi nchini ambao, vinginevyo, wangepoteza uhai

Shukrani na Pongezi

Madhumuni ya Ziara

kwa saratani hizi mbili zinazowapata wanawake. Hatuna budi kuvunja ukimya na

kuungana na Madaktari Wanawake kuzungumzia maradhi haya na kuelimishana

ili wananchi, wadau na Serikali kwa umoja wetu au mmoja mmoja, tuchukue hatua

stahiki za kukabiliana na maradhi haya.

Aidha, ni nafasi nzuri ya kutoa pongezi zangu kwa wanachama wa MEWATA

kwa kazi kubwa na nzuri waifanyayo na mafanikio yaliyopatikana. Sijui hali ya

maradhi haya ingekuwaje hapa nchini kama Madaktari Wanawake wasingeamua

kufanya kazi hii njema wanayoifanya. Kwa niaba ya wanawake na wanaume wote

wa Tanzania tafadhali pokeeni pongezi zetu za dhati. Endeleeni kufanya kazi hii

njema na Mwenyezi Mungu atawalipa kwa wema wenu na mioyo yenu ya huruma.

Nawaahidi kuendelea kuwaunga mkono kwa hali na mali na kwa kadri ya uwezo

utakavyoniruhusu.

Nimefurahi sana kwamba ndugu zetu wa MEWATA wameweza kufika hapa

Tabora siku ya leo. Mtakumbuka kuwa nilipokuja kwenye Sherehe za Siku ya

Wanawake Duniani tarehe 8 Machi, 2010, niliahidi kwamba nitawaomba MEWATA

waje kufanya uchunguzi wa saratani za mlango wa kizazi na matiti kwa akinamama.

Hayawi hayawi leo yamekuwa. Nawashukuru sana viongozi na wanachama wa

MEWATA kwa kuja kwenu. Mmenitoa kimasomaso. Wahenga walisema: “Ada ya

Mja kunena, muungwana na vitendo”. Ndugu zangu wa Tabora ahadi imetimia, kazi

kwenu. Jitokezeni kwa wingi kupima muokoe maisha yenu.

 Ndugu Wananchi,

Tanzania inatambulika kuwa ni moja ya nchi zenye kiwango kikubwa cha

maradhi ya saratani ya mlango wa kizazi hapa Afrika ya Mashariki. Inakadiriwa

kuwa takriban wanawake 56 katika kila wanawake 100,000 hupata saratani hii.

Inakadiriwa pia kuwa zaidi ya watu 35,000 wanapata saratani hii kila mwaka na zaidi

ya watu 27,000 hupoteza maisha. Mwaka 2010 peke yake, wanawake wapatao 6,000

waligundulika kuwa na saratani ya mlango wa kizazi na wanawake 4,000 kati yao

walifariki dunia.

Wataalamu wanatuambia kuwa, saratani hii huwapata wanawake wa umri wa

miaka 30 na 50. Aidha, wanawake wanaoishi na virusi vya UKIMWI wako katika

hatari zaidi ya kupata ugonjwa huo kwa asilimia 50. Pamoja na tatizo hili, bado

tunayo changamoto ya saratani ya matiti ambayo ni ya pili kwa kusababisha vifo

vya wanawake wengi nchini. Hivyo basi, hapa nchini wanawake wako kwenye

hatari kubwa ya kufa kwa saratani kuliko wanaume kwa sababu saratani nyinginezo,

hazibagui ukiacha ile ya tezidume inayowapata wanaume pekee.

Hali ya Magonjwa ya Saratani ya Wanawake Nchini

Hatua za Tahadhari za Kuzingatiwa

Bahati nzuri, saratani ya mlango wa kizazi na saratani ya matiti zinaweza kutibika

ikiwa zitagunduliwa mapema. Njia pekee ya kuweza kugundua mapema ni kupima

mara kwa mara. Wataalamu wanashauri kuwa ni vyema wanawake wenye umri

wa kati ya miaka 30 na 50 wakachunguza afya zao walau mara moja katika kila

miaka mitatu. Na, kwa wanawake wanaoishi na virusi vya UKIMWI wanashauriwa

kuchunguzwa walau mara moja kwa mwaka.

Bahati mbaya sana, uzoefu umeonyesha kuwa wanawake wengi hufika

hospitali wakati ambapo ugonjwa umeshapea na kuenea sehemu nyingine za

mwili. Wanakwenda hospitali wakati maradhi yamefikia hatua isiyoweza kutibika

na hivyo kupoteza maisha. Hivyo basi, kupima na kugundulika mapema kwa

saratani ni hatua muhimu sana ya kuepusha vifo vinavyotokana na maradhi hayo.

Bahati nzuri hivi karibuni kumekuwepo na mwamko na mwitikio mzuri wa kujitokeza

kwa wanawake wengi kupima saratani ya matiti. Haya ni matunda ya kazi nzuri

inayofanywa na MEWATA. Juhudi hizi zinapaswa kuendelezwa. Zinastahili

kuungwa mkono.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Serikali imechukua hatua mbalimbali katika kukabiliana na saratani ya mlango wa

kizazi. Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii imeanzisha Programu inayoshughulikia

masuala ya Saratani za Uzazi katika Kitengo cha Afya ya Uzazi na Mtoto mwaka

2008. Kupitia programu hii tuna Mpango Mkakati wa Kukinga na Kudhibiti Saratani

ya Mlango wa Kizazi (2011-2016). Mwongozo wa kutoa huduma umeandaliwa

pamoja na miongozo ya mafunzo kwa watoa huduma na ujumbe wa kuelimisha

jamii kupitia njia mbalimbali. Kupitia programu hii tumeweza kuanzisha vituo zaidi

ya 130 vinavyotoa huduma ya uchunguzi wa Saratani ya Mlango wa Kizazi katika

Mikoa 17 hapa nchini. Ukilinganisha na mwaka 2008 tulipokuwa na vituo vinne tu

vilivyokuwa vinatoa huduma hii ya uchunguzi wa Saratani ya Mlango wa Kizazi na

tiba ya mabadiliko ya awali, haya ni maendeleo makubwa.

Ndugu Wananchi,

Kupitia Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii, Serikali imeendelea kushirikiana

na wadau mbalimbali wakiwemo MEWATA, Marie Stopes, WAMA na wengineo

kutekeleza mpango wa “Utepe wa Pinki na Utepe Mwekundu” yaani “Pink Ribbon Red

Ribbon”. Kupitia program hiyo, kampeni ya uchunguzi wa saratani ya mlango wa

kizazi na matiti ilizinduliwa katika mkoa wa Mwanza mwezi Machi mwaka huu katika

kuadhimisha Siku ya Wanawake Duniani.

Kupitia mpango huo, tumekabidhi mashine 16 za kutolea huduma za matibabu

ya mabadiliko ya awali ya saratani ya mlango wa kizazi (Cryotherapy machine) kwa

Hatua Zinazochukuliwa na Serikali

mikoa ya Mwanza, Mara, Iringa, Njombe na Mbeya. Mipango inaendelea kwa mikoa

iliyosalia pamoja na Tabora kupatiwa mashine hizo kuendeleza juhudi za Serikali

kupanua upatikanaji wa huduma hizi katika mikoa yote nchini.

Lengo letu katika kufanya hivyo ni kutaka kupunguza mzigo mkubwa

unaoielemea Hospitali yetu ya kuu kansa ya Ocean Road. Pia, tunataka

kuwapunguzia wanawake adha na gharama ya kusafiri umbali mrefu hadi Dar es

Salaam kwa ajili ya uchunguzi. Tunatambua umuhimu wa huduma hizi kuwa karibu

zaidi na walipo watu ili ziwafikie wanawake wote bila kujali hali zao za kipato.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Katika jitihada za kutokomeza maradhi haya, Serikali, kupitia Mpango wa Taifa

wa Chanjo, imeanza kutoa chanjo ya kuzuia Saratani ya mlango wa Kizazi ya

“Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)”. Chanjo hii hutolewa kwa watoto wa kike wenye

umri wa miaka 9. Chanjo hii hukinga wasipate maambukizi ya virusi ambavyo

husababisha Saratani ya Mlango wa Kizazi. Wizara ya Afya tayari imezindua

mpango huo wa utoaji wa chanjo ya HPV kwa wasichana tarehe 29 Aprili, 2014

wakati wa Maadhimisho ya Wiki ya Chanjo Duniani na mama Salma Kikwete.

Mpango huo ulizinduliwa kwa Halmashauri tano za Hai, Siha, Moshi Vijijini, Moshi

Mjini na Rombo za Mkoa wa Kilimanjaro, kuashiria kuanza kwa utekelezaji wa azma

ya kutoa chanjo hii nchi nzima ifikapo mwaka 2016.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Napenda kutoa pongezi na shukrani za pekee kwa MEWATA kwa kazi nzuri

na kubwa ya kukuza uelewa wa jamii na kuhamasisha uchunguzi wa saratani

zinazowapata wanawake. Ni dhahiri kwamba ili jambo hili lifanikiwe lazima liwe na

mshika bango wake. Bahati nzuri ndugu zetu wa MEWATA wamejitoa kimasomaso

na wamefanya kazi ya Serikali kuwa rahisi. MEWATA imekuwa inafanya kazi kwa

karibu na Serikali pamoja na wadau wengine katika kuhamasisha jamii kuhusu

masuala ya Saratani ya Matiti na ya Mlango wa Kizazi. Kama nilivyokwisha kusema

awali, juhudi hizo zimewafikia wanawake wengi nchini na kuokoa maisha yao.

Aidha, napenda kuchukua fursa hii kutambua na kutoa shukrani maalum

kwa Shirika la Marie Stopes na wadau wote ambao wanashirikiana na Serikali

katika kupambana na tatizo hili kubwa la Saratani ya Mlango wa Kizazi. Vilevile,

tunawashukuru wale wote wanaotoa huduma ya afya ya uzazi na mtoto nchini.

Napenda kwa mara nyingine tena kuwahakikishia ushirikiano wa Serikali ya CCM

ninayoiongoza kwenu. Ni, dhamira yetu kupunguza na ikiwezekana hata kumaliza

kabisa vifo vitokanavyo na Saratani ya Mlango wa Uzazi na Saratani ya Matiti

ambazo kwa kweli zinaweza kuzuilika.

Shukrani kwa Wadau

Wito kwa Wananchi

Ndugu Wananchi;

Natoa wito kwa wanawake wa Tabora kujitokeza kwa wingi kufanyiwa uchunguzi

wa saratani hizi na wataalamu walioko hapa. Napenda kuwatoa hofu kuwa saratani

ya mlango wa kizazi na saratani ya matiti siyo magonjwa ya aibu au ya mkosi au

uchawi au laana na wala siyo magonjwa yasiyotibika. Magonjwa haya huweza

kumpata mwanamke ye yote, awe ameolewa au hajaolewa, awe amezaa au

hajazaa, awe tajiri au maskini. Madhali ni mwanamke anaweza kupata. Sharti lake

la kupona ni kugundulika mapema na kuanza tiba mapema. Kuchelewa kugundulika

na kuchelewa kuanza matibabu ndiko kunakosababisha vifo kutokana na maradhi

haya. Waswahili wana msemo usemao, mficha maradhi kifo humuumbua. Hivyo

ndugu zangu kina mama nashauri mfanye uchunguzi mapema, ili kama kuna tatizo

muanze tiba mapema.

Napenda kutumia fursa hii, kuwaasa akina baba na walezi nao kusaidia katika

juhudi za kuzuia na kutibu magonjwa haya ya saratani ya wanawake. Mwanamke

anayepata magonjwa haya anahitaji matunzo na upendo siyo masimango na

unyanyapaa. Masimango na unyanyapaa huwafanya wanawake waogope

kujitokeza kuchunguza afya zao na kupatiwa tiba kwa kuogopa kubaguliwa au

kuachwa. Magonjwa haya yanatibika. Si kila mwanamke anayepata saratani

hufariki dunia. Kinachotakiwa ni baba na mama kushirikiana kumpeleka mama

kufanyiwa uchunguzi na kupata tiba iwapo atagundulika kuwa na maradhi. Saratani

siyo ugonjwa wa zinaa, hivyo, msiwanyanyapae akina mama bali muwalee na

kuwatunza ili waweze kurejea katika hali zao za kawaida. Akina baba muwe ndiyo

nguzo ya mafanikio katika mapambano dhidi ya saratani.

Na, kwa wanaume wenzangu, tujenge mazoea ya kupima afya zetu hususan

kuhusu saratani ya tezidume (prostate). Hii ni saratani inayoua wanaume wengi

duniani na hapa nchini. Lakini nayo kama zilivyo saratani za matiti na mlango wa

kizazi zinatibika kama zitagundulika mapema. Kila mkienda kupima afya pimeni afya

ya tezidume mjue mustakabali wenu.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Sote tukiungana pamoja tunaweza kutokomeza saratani ya mlango wa kizazi na

saratani ya matiti. Nia ya kutokomeza maradhi haya tunayo, sababu ya kutokomeza

tunayo na uwezo wa kuyatokomeza tunao. Kinachotakiwa ni kuunganisha nguvu

zetu pamoja. Mimi na mke wangu Mama Salma Kikwete tuko nanyi na tutaendelea

kuwa nanyi bega kwa bega katika vita hii sasa na hata baada ya kuacha Urais

mwakani. Inawezekana, timiza wajibu wako!

Ndugu Wananchi;

Kwa vile niko Tabora ni vyema nikatumia nafasi hii pia, kuyazungumzia baadhi

ya mambo niliyoyazungumzia au kuahidi kufanya safari zilizopita. Kwa upande wa

barabara, napenda kuwahakikishia kuwa barabara kuu zinazoendelea kujengwa

hapa Mkoani Tabora tutazimaliza. Subira yavuta heri. Barabara ya Urambo –Kaliua

ujenzi utaanza mwaka huu wa fedha na Chaya – Nyahua, mchakato wa kutafuta

fedha unaendelea ili nayo ujenzi wake uweze kuanza kabla ya mimi kumaliza kipindi

changu cha uongozi. Kuhusu kupata maji ya Ziwa Victoria, kwa Igunga, Nzega,

Tabora, Urambo na Sikonge hatua za awali zimeanza na kinachofuatia ni kutafuta

fedha kwa ajili ya mradi huo mkubwa. Tunakusudia kuiomba Serikali ya India

ambayo ndiyo iliyogharamia matayarisho ya mradi. Tuna matumaini ya kufanikiwa.

Sote tuzidi kuomba iwe hivyo.

Kwa upande wa tatizo la wakulima wa tumbaku kutokulipwa stahili zao na

vyama vya ushirika nimeelezwa na kulielewa. Kuna tuhuma za wizi na ubadhilifu.

Nimemuagiza Inspekta Jenerali wa Polisi atume watu wake wa upelelezi wa

makosa ya Jinai waje wafanye uchunguzi ili wahusika wakamatwe na kufikishwa

Mahakamani na kupewa adhabu zinazostahili. Ameniahidi kuwa keshokutwa

Jumatatu watu hao watakuja. Wapeni ushirikiano unaostahili ili tukomeshe uhalifu

na dhuluma zinazofanywa na Maofisa wa Vyama vya Ushirika na taasisi za fedha

kwa muda mrefu sasa.

Baada ya kusema hayo, naomba nitangaze sasa zoezi hili la uchunguzi wa

Saratani ya Mlango wa Kizazi na ya Matiti limefunguliwa rasmi.

Nawashukuruni sana.

Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare;

Regional Commissioners;

Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

UN Resident Coordinator;

Representatives of the Global Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child

Health;

CEO of the Children’s Investment Fund;

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

I thank the organizers for associating me with this all important

event convened for the purpose of discussing progress on the health of

women and children in our countries. I welcome all delegates who have

travelled from a far to attend this meeting. It speaks volumes about your

commitment to this noble course. I say welcome to Tanzania and I hope

your hosts are taking good care of you.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Today, we are 600 days away from the deadline set to achieve

the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). For some of us who were

privileged to take part in the Millennium Summit in New York in 2000,

the year 2015 was a decade and a half too far away. It was far enough

to allow optimism that, come 2015, the world would achieve all the 8

MDGs. Our optimism overrode the fact that, the task ahead of us was

larger than time. Today, we can say with confidence that a lot has been

achieved, yet a lot more has not or needs to be done.

The Value of Information and Accountability on MDG

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Our experience in implementing MDGs has taught us that without

periodic reviews and clear timelines, goals in themselves do not impose

discipline in execution. It was during the 2010 UN Summit on MDG's

Implementation Review when reality sunk that, the world was lagging

behind in achieving MDGs by many indicators. We took the wise

decision then to accelerate the pace of implementation. This resulted a

number of initiatives, among them, the establishment of the Commission

on Information and Accountability for Women's and Children's Health,

which Honourable Stephen Hamper, Prime Minister of Canada and I had

the privilege to co-chair.

The Commission came out with a number of observations and

10 recommendations that emphasized the need for information for

better results, better tracking of resources and better oversight. The

Commission defined accountability in a circle of act, monitoring and

review. It recommended countries to conduct countdown events, which

involve analysing progress and identifying gaps and key interventions

needed to address them.

Today's countdown event is a result of comprehensive analysis

done by the global countdown team, the Health Sector Strategic Plan III,

and Maternal Newborn and Child Health Road Map, midterm reviews.

It coincides with the launching of the Accelerated Sharpened Plan that

will guide our focus and efforts in the remaining time leading up to 2015.

This plan will also lay a strong foundation for our strategic direction

towards ending preventable maternal and child deaths in post 2015.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Tanzania has managed to reach its MDG-4 target before 2015,

reaching an under-five mortality rate of 54 per 1,000 live births. The

continuing decline can be attributed to sustained high immunization

coverage, improved malaria control, integrated management of

childhood illnesses, within a supplementation coverage and health

sector reforms.

Tanzania Experience in Implementation of MDG 4 & 5

Despite this achievement, gaps remain in newborn care, nutrition

and care-seeking and management of childhood illnesses in particular

diarrhoea and pneumonia. We constantly remind ourselves that, the

achievements we have attained are not a cause for complacency, but a

reason to encourage us to do more to accelerate the gains.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

We are still grappling with the challenge of reducing maternal

mortality. Much as we have scored a reduction of 45 percent from the

1990 levels, at the current rate of 454 per 100,000 live births, we are still

far from the MDG 5 target of 133 per 100,000. We need to ensure,

essential services reach more families especially the poor and focus on

addressing inequalities. There is need to prioritize the most critical time

which is birth and the first few days of life through linking the community

to facility home based care. In tandem with this we must continue to

strengthen health care systems.

Reviews have shown that, factors that are influencing the slow

progress in reducing maternal mortality include low utilization of family

planning services, low coverage of care at birth by skilled providers and

low postnatal care. Other factors outlined included need for stronger

accountability towards ensuring quality provision of maternal and child

health services at all levels. The review also noted the need to reduce

inefficiencies in mapping and tracking of scope and resources of

implementing partners.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

In 2012 Tanzania signed the commitment to renew our promises

to children to improve child survival. We have never reneged from this

course. Today, we renew our promise to ensure children’s health and

survival. We shall continue to strive for accelerated progress to scale up

key cost effective interventions in the continuum of care to further lower

the neonatal and child mortality as we approach 2015. Beyond 2015 we

shall join with other nations to ensure that we take necessary action to

bend the curve and reduce under-five mortality to less than 20 per 1,000

The Government Commitment

live births per 100 live births by 2030.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Today I will be launching the Reproductive Maternal Newborn and

Child Health Score card. The scorecard has been developed for

maternal, newborn and child health outcomes. I am told this will be used

to track progress at both national and regional levels. I have directed all

levels to take this scorecard seriously and I will closely follow up. I urge

them to make full use of the scorecard to identify areas of weakness and

take corrective action. They should realize that, they are equally

accountable for the lives of women and children in their areas of

administration. The score card results should be submitted to my office

and to the Prime Minister every four months with explanation of what is

being done to rectify areas of poor progress.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I task each level to ensure appropriate prioritization of required

interventions. This is important since there exist mixed experiences

within and between districts and regions, as far as maternal, newborn

and child health care is concerned. In Singida region for example,

health facilities are more enabled to provide good services. I am told all

life saving commodities are in place and, there is improved motivation at

the work place. This is happening because there is a committed and

accountable leadership with regard to the provision of the recommended

Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Services. This

region and others which are showing good performance should be

emulated. As I congratulate them, I also implore and encourage them to

do more. For those regions with poor performance, I urge them to learn

from the best practices of their counterparts and improve on their

performance.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

The Government is currently implementing the Big Results Now

(BRN) program which aims at accelerating progress towards achieving

our five year development plan. The first sectors in this programme

include Education, Water, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Energy and

Transport. Because of the critical importance of health and urgency

to do something comprehensive now, I have directed the Presidential

Delivery Bureau to initiate a process to include the health sector in

the BRN initiative. Of course, accelerating progress in women’s and

children’s health will be accorded special attention in this regard. This

means, we will commit more resources in accelerating women and

children’s health.

A Call for Action

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I would now like to take this opportunity to make a passionate

call to all Tanzanians, to play their role responsibly to ensure women

do not die while giving life to other human being and our children

survive the delicate first one month, and first five years as well as

get proper nutrition in the first 1,000 days. While the government and

our development partners continue with efforts to improve access to

information and quality reproductive and child health services, the

community has to play its role accordingly. I call upon the men folk to

ensure that they are involved in reproductive and child health services

and accord the required support to ensure healthy families. Everyone

has a role to play and should be accountable to play their part.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I am personally committed to see acceleration in interventions, as

well as more accountability and better results with regard to women’s

and children’s health delivery by 2015. My personal involvement in the

United Nations Commission speaks loud on my commitment. I want this

to be a permanent political agenda at all levels of our government. We

must use this opportunity to ensuring that every level takes this matter

seriously. The undertaking made by the Regional Commissioner today

is very reassuring indeed.

It would be remiss of me if I concluded my remarks without

thanking our Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organizations

both local and international, groups and individuals, on your commitment

Conclusion

and support. It has made a huge difference for the better, so far. And,

what was said today by the USAID, UN Resident Representative and

Global Countdown Team is very reassuring indeed that there is a better

future for women and children in Tanzania.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I thank you for your kind attention!

Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare;

Regional Commissioners;

Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

UN Resident Coordinator;

Representatives of the Global Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health;

CEO of the Children’s Investment Fund;

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

I thank the organizers for associating me with this all important event convened for the purpose of discussing progress on the health of women and children in our countries. I welcome all delegates who have travelled from a far to attend this meeting.  It speaks volumes about your commitment to this noble course. I say welcome to Tanzania and I hope your hosts are taking good care of you. 

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Today,  we are 600 days away from the deadline set to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). For some of us who were privileged to take part in the Millennium Summit in New York in 2000, the year 2015 was a decade and a half too far away.  It was far enough to allow optimism that, come 2015, the world would achieve all the 8 MDGs. Our optimism overrode the fact that, the task ahead of us was larger than time. Today, we can say with confidence that a lot has been achieved, yet a lot more has not or needs to be done.

The Value of Information and Accountability on MDG

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Our experience in implementing MDGs has taught us that without periodic reviews and clear timelines, goals in themselves do not impose discipline in execution. It was during the 2010 UN Summit on MDG's Implementation Review when reality sunk that, the world was lagging behind in achieving MDGs by many indicators. We took the wise decision then to accelerate the pace of implementation.  This resulted a number of initiatives, among them, the establishment of the Commission on Information and Accountability for Women's and Children's Health, which Honourable Stephen Hamper, Prime Minister of Canada and I had the privilege to co-chair.

The Commission came out with a number of observations and 10 recommendations that emphasized the need for information for better results, better tracking of resources and better oversight. The Commission defined accountability in a circle of act, monitoring and review. It recommended countries to conduct countdown events, which involve analysing progress and identifying gaps and key interventions needed to address them.

Today's countdown event is a result of comprehensive analysis done by the global countdown team, the Health Sector Strategic Plan III, and Maternal Newborn and Child Health Road Map, midterm reviews.  It coincides with the launching of the Accelerated Sharpened Plan that will guide our focus and efforts in the remaining time leading up to 2015. This plan will also lay a strong foundation for our strategic direction towards ending preventable maternal and child deaths in post 2015.

Tanzania Experience in Implementation of MDG 4 & 5

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Tanzania has managed to reach its MDG-4 target before 2015, reaching an under-five mortality rate of 54 per 1,000 live births. The continuing decline can be attributed to sustained high immunization coverage, improved malaria control, integrated management of childhood illnesses, within a supplementation coverage and health sector reforms.

Despite this achievement, gaps remain in newborn care, nutrition and care-seeking and management of childhood illnesses in particular diarrhoea and pneumonia. We constantly remind ourselves that, the achievements we have attained are not a cause for complacency, but a reason to encourage us to do more to accelerate the gains.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          We are still grappling with the challenge of reducing maternal mortality.  Much as we have scored a reduction of 45 percent from the 1990 levels, at the current rate of 454 per 100,000 live births, we are still far from the MDG 5 target of 133 per 100,000.  We need to ensure, essential services reach more families especially the poor and focus on addressing inequalities.  There is need to prioritize the most critical time which is birth and the first few days of life through linking the community to facility home based care. In tandem with this we must continue to strengthen health care systems.

          Reviews have shown that, factors that are influencing the slow progress in reducing maternal mortality include low utilization of family planning services, low coverage of care at birth by skilled providers and low postnatal care. Other factors outlined included need for stronger accountability towards ensuring quality provision of maternal and child health services at all levels. The review also noted the need to reduce inefficiencies in mapping and tracking of scope and resources of implementing partners.

The Government Commitment

Ladies and Gentlemen;

In 2012 Tanzania signed the commitment to renew our promises to children to improve child survival. We have never reneged from this course.  Today, we renew our promise to ensure children’s health and survival. We shall continue to strive for accelerated progress to scale up key cost effective interventions in the continuum of care to further lower the neonatal and child mortality as we approach 2015. Beyond 2015 we shall join with other nations to ensure that we take necessary action to bend the curve and reduce under-five mortality to less than 20 per 1,000 live births per 100 live births by 2030.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          Today I will be launching the Reproductive Maternal Newborn and Child Health Score card. The scorecard has been developed for maternal, newborn and child health outcomes. I am told this will be used to track progress at both national and regional levels.  I have directed all levels to take this scorecard seriously and I will closely follow up.  I urge them to make full use of the scorecard to identify areas of weakness and take corrective action. They should realize that, they are equally accountable for the lives of women and children in their areas of administration.  The score card results should be submitted to my office and to the Prime Minister every four months with explanation of what is being done to rectify areas of poor progress.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

          I task each level to ensure appropriate prioritization of required interventions. This is important since there exist mixed experiences within and between districts and regions, as far as maternal, newborn and child health care is concerned.  In Singida region for example, health facilities are more enabled to provide good services.  I am told all life saving commodities are in place and, there is improved motivation at the work place. This is happening because there is a committed and accountable leadership with regard to the provision of the recommended Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Services. This region and others which are showing good performance should be emulated. As I congratulate them, I also implore and encourage them to do more. For those regions with poor performance, I urge them to learn from the best practices of their counterparts and improve on their performance.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

The Government is currently implementing the Big Results Now (BRN) program which aims at accelerating progress towards achieving our five year development plan.  The first sectors in this programme include Education, Water, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Energy and Transport.  Because of the critical importance of health and urgency to do something comprehensive now, I have directed the Presidential Delivery Bureau to initiate a process to include the health sector in the BRN initiative.  Of course, accelerating progress in women’s and children’s health will be accorded special attention in this regard.  This means, we will commit more resources in accelerating women and children’s health. 

A Call for Action

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I would now like to take this opportunity to make a passionate call to all Tanzanians, to play their role responsibly to ensure women do not die while giving life to other human being and our children survive the delicate first one month, and first five years as well as get proper nutrition in the first 1,000 days. While the government and our development partners continue with efforts to improve access to information and quality reproductive and child health services, the community has to play its role accordingly.  I call upon the men folk to ensure that they are involved in reproductive and child health services and accord the required support to ensure healthy families. Everyone has a role to play and should be accountable to play their part.

Conclusion

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I am personally committed to see acceleration in interventions, as well as more accountability and better results with regard to women’s and children’s health delivery by 2015.  My personal involvement in the United Nations Commission speaks loud on my commitment. I want this to be a permanent political agenda at all levels of our government. We must use this opportunity to ensuring that every level takes this matter seriously.  The undertaking made by the Regional Commissioner today is very reassuring indeed.

It would be remiss of me if I concluded my remarks without thanking our Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organizations both local and international, groups and individuals, on your commitment and support.  It has made a huge difference for the better, so far.  And, what was said today by the USAID, UN Resident Representative and Global Countdown Team is very reassuring indeed that there is a better future for women and children in Tanzania.  

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I thank you for your kind attention!  

Mheshimiwa Profesa Makame Mbarawa, Waziri wa Mawasiliano,

Sayansi na Teknolojia;

Mheshimiwa Balozi Mwanaidi Maajar, Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya

Wakarugenzi wa Kampuni ya Vodacom Tanzania;

Ndugu Ndewirwa Kitomari, Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Wakurugenzi

ya Benki ya CBA;

Waheshimiwa Mabalozi na Wakuu wa Mashirika ya Umoja wa Mataifa;

Ndugu Isaac Mwuondo – Mkurugenzi Mtendaji CBA;

Ndugu Muhoho Kenyatta, Mkurugenzi wa CBA;

Ndugu Rene Meza, Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Vodacom Tanzania;

Wageni waalikwa;

Mabibi na Mabwana;

Nakushukuru sana Mheshimiwa Profesa Makame Mbarawa, Waziri wa Mawasiliano, Sayansi na Teknolojia na viongozi wa Vodacom na CBA kwa kunialika kuja kujumuika nanyi kwenye sherehe hii adhimu ya kuzindua huduma mpya ya fedha kwa njia ya simu nchini ijulikanayo kama M-Pawa. Huduma ambayo itazidi

kurahisisha na kurasimisha malipo ya fedha, kuchochea  utamaduni wa kuweka akiba, na kupanua wigo wa wananchi kufikiwa na huduma ya fedha. 

 Nawapongeza Vodacom na CBA kwa kutudhihirishia jinsi ambavyo huduma za benki na huduma za simu za mkononi zinavyoweza kutegemeana, kuunganishwa na kufanya kazi kwa pamoja. Kwa kufanya hivyo mnaweza kuwafikia Watanzania wengi na kuwapatia huduma za kifedha kwa njia rahisi na nafuu kupitia simu za mkononi. Aidha, wateja wenu watakuwa na akaunti zao benki na kuweza kuzitumia kwa kutumia simu zao za mkononi. Hongereni sana.

Mabibi na Mabwana;

Huduma hii ya M-Pawa ni nyenzo muhimu inayowezesha dhamira ya Serikali ya kutaka  Watanzania wengi wafikiwe na kujumuishwa katika huduma rasmi za kifedha (financial inclusion). Lengo la Serikali ni kuona kuwa asilimia 50 ya watu wazima nchini wanatumia huduma za kibenki ifikapo mwaka 2016. Haya ndiyo matakwa ya Tamko la Maya, Mexico mwaka 2011, kuhusu kuwawezesha wananchi kuingia katika mfumo rasmi wa kifedha (Alliance for Financial Inclusion Global Initiative). Kwa ubunifu wa namna hii naamini lengo hilo tutalifikia.

Mabibi na Mabwana;

Taarifa zinaonesha kuwa hadi kufikia mwaka 2012, ni asilimia 17 tu ya Watanzania, ambayo ni sawa na watu wazima milioni 3.7 tu ndiyo waliokuwa na akaunti za benki.  Kwa mujibu wa utafiti wa Benki ya Dunia (Global Findex 2012), wakati huo Tanzania ilikuwa nyuma ya wastani wa Afrika ambao ulikuwa asilimia 24. Pia tulikuwa nyuma ya Uganda ambayo ilikuwa imefikia asilimia 20 na Kenya ambayo ilikuwa asilimia 42. Kuanza kwa matumizi ya teknolojia ya kutoa huduma ya fedha kwa njia ya simu ya mkononi imekuwa kichocheo kikubwa cha mabadiliko. Kumewezesha Watanzania milioni 9.8 ambayo ni sawa na asilimia 43 kuingia kwenye mfumo rasmi wa fedha kwa kuwa na akaunti za fedha kwenye simu ilipofika mwaka 2013. Utafiti wa karibu wa FinScope Tanzania na FinScope Kenya idadi ya sasa ni watu milioni 12 ambayo ni sawa na asilimia 57 ya Watanzania watu wazima kuingia kwenye mfumo rasmi wa fedha kwa kuwa na akaunti za benki au za simu. Haya ni mafanikio makubwa na ya kujivunia.  Tutalifikia lengo la asilimia 50 ifikapo 2016.

Tafiti mbalimbali zinaonyesha kuwa bado fursa ni pana sana ya kuwezesha Watanzania wengi zaidi kunufaika na mifumo rasmi ya fedha kwani hivi sasa Watanzania milioni 30 wanatumia simu za mkononi. Utafiti uliofanywa na Wizara ya Viwanda na Biashara wakati wa mapitio ya Sera ya Biashara Ndogo na Kati (SMEs) iliyofanyika mwaka 2013 inaonesha kuwa, kati ya SMEs milioni 3 zinazokadiriwa kuwepo nchini, ni SMEs 620,000 tu, yaani asilimia 20 ndizo zinazotumia mfumo rasmi wa fedha.  Asilimia 12 ya SME’s zinatumia mifumo ya kijamii/kienyeji na asilimia 70 hazitumii kabisa mifumo ya fedha. Hii inaonesha kuwa kuna fursa kubwa bado ya kuingiza asilimia 80 waliobakia kwenye huduma rasmi ya fedha. Natoa wito kwa mabenki na taasisi nyingine za fedha pamoja na makampuni ya simu kuongeza kasi ya kuwahamasisha Watanzania kujiunga na mifumo rasmi ya fedha.

Mheshimiwa Waziri;

Mabibi na Mabwana;

Nawapongeza Vodacom na Benki ya CBA kwa ubunifu wao uliozaa  huduma ya M-Pawa tunayoizindua leo.  Huduma hii inaboresha zaidi huduma tuliyoizoea ya M-Pesa kwa kuwa sasa inaileta benki mkononi mwa mteja.  Inamuwezesha mtu kuweka akiba, kufanya malipo na kwa mara ya kwanza kukopa fedha kwa kutumia simu yake ya mkononi.

Ni matumaini yangu kuwa M-Pawa na mifumo mingine ya teknolojia ya habari inayofanana nayo itawahamasisha wananchi kuondokana na utamaduni wa kutunza fedha  mchagoni na kuziweka katika njia salama zaidi. Kwa njia hii, tutaweza kujenga utamaduni wa  kuweka akiba ya fedha ambao baadaye unaweza kuwa chachu katika ukuzaji uwekezaji hapa nchini.

Mabibi na Mabwana;

Huduma ya M-Pawa inajiunga na huduma zingine za fedha zilizopo ambazo tayari zimewanufaisha wananchi wengi.  Watanzania zaidi ya milioni 10 sasa wanatumia huduma za fedha kupitia simu ya mkononi, na wanafanya miamala ya wastani wa shilingi trilioni 2 kwa mwezi.

Mabibi na Mabwana;

Ili mpango huu ufanikiwe kusambaa nchini kote tunahitaji kuwa na mifumo rasmi ya utambuzi, uhakiki na uthibiti wa wateja na taarifa muhimu zinazowahusu. Serikali itaendelea kufanya kazi na wadau wote wanaohusika katika sekta ya fedha pamoja na vyombo vya usalama na udhibiti kuhakikisha kwamba watu wetu wanakuwa na namna bora ya kutambulika. Hii itawaondolea ninyi watoa huduma hatari ya kuibiwa fedha na wateja wasio waaminifu.  Ni matumaini yangu kuwa mifumo hiyo itakamilika mapema iwezekanavyo.  Natambua kwamba kukamilika kwa zoezi la kuwapatia Watanzania vitambulisho kutasaidia sana kufanikisha mifumo ya utambuzi. Napenda kutumia nafasi hii kuwakumbusha ndugu zetu wanaotoa vitambulisho vya taifa kuongeza kasi ya utoaji wa vitambulisho kwa Watanzania.

 Mheshimiwa Waziri;

 Mabibi na Mabwana;

Makampuni ya Vodacom na CBA yana historia nzuri ya ubunifu wa huduma. CBA ni miongoni mwa benki za mwanzo kutoa mikopo ya nyumba kwa utaratibu wa mortgage.  Hali kadhalika, Vodacom ni wa kwanza kuleta huduma ya kutumia na kupokea fedha kwa njia ya simu.  Mmeonyesha ujasiri mkubwa wa kuthubutu na kuwafikia wananchi hata wale ambao walionekana kuwa hawangestahili huduma hizi.  Nina matumaini kuwa ubia wa makampuni yenu mawili utaleta ubunifu mkubwa zaidi siku za usoni.

Mheshimiwa Waziri,

Wageni waalikwa;

Mabibi na Mabwana; 

Kama mjuavyo Dira ya Maendeleo ya Tanzania inalenga nchi yetu kuwa taifa la uchumi wa kati ifikapo mwaka 2025. Lengo hilo litawezekana tu iwapo tutaweza kuwajumuisha Watanzania wengi zaidi katika sekta iliyo rasmi badala ya ilivyo sasa ambako wengi wapo sekta isiyo rasmi. Kupitia ubunifu wa aina hii ya M-Pawa kwa upande wa huduma ya fedha Watanzania wengi wataweza kupata fursa na uwezo wa kushiriki katika uchumi rasmi. Inaongeza uwezo wa taifa kufikia Dira ya Maendeleo ya Mwaka 2025. Naomba muendeleze ubunifu  na sisi kwa upande  wa Serikali tutaendelea kuwatengenezea mazingira mazuri ya kufanya biashara.

          Moja ya hatua ambazo Serikali imechukua kuboresha mazingira ya biashara kwa upande wa mawasiliano ni kujenga mkongo wa taifa. Mkongo huo wenye urefu wa kilometa 7,560 ndiyo muundombinu msingi uliowezesha mapinduzi makubwa katika sekta ya mawasiliano na fedha, mapinduzi yaliyozaa M-Pesa na sasa M-Pawa.  Mkongo umewezesha kushuka kwa gharama za simu kwa asilimia 57 na gharama za intaneti kwa asilimia 75 katika kipindi kifupi cha tangu 2009 hadi 2013. Kushuka huku kwa gharama kulisababisha watumiaji wa intaneti kuongezeka kutoka wateja milioni 2.8 mwaka 2011 hadi milioni 9 mwishoni mwa mwaka 2013, na watumiaji wa simu kuongezeka kutoka milioni 3.6 mwaka 2005 hadi milioni 28 mwaka 2013. Lengo la Serikali ni kufikisha mkongo huu katika Wilaya zote nchini. Tutakapofanya hivyo tutakuwa na uwezo wa kuwafikia watu wengi zaidi na kuwezesha makampuni yanayotoa huduma za simu na intaneti kupata watumiaji wengi zaidi.

Mheshimiwa Waziri;

Mabibi na Mabwana;

Hakika mambo yetu ni mazuri. Mwenye macho haambiwi tazama. Na leo Vodacom na CBA wanafanya kuwa mazuri zaidi.  Narudia tena kuwashukuru kwa kunishirikisha kwenye tukio hili la kihistoria. Narudia kuwapongeza ndugu zetu wa Vodacom  na CBA kwa hatua hii kubwa ya maendeleo mliyopiga. Pia ni hatua muhimu ya maendeleo kwa taifa. Nawatakia mafanikio mema.

Kwa heshima na taadhima kubwa, sasa natangaza kuwa huduma mpya ya M-Pawa imezinduliwa rasmi Tanzania.

          Ahsanteni sana kwa kunisikiliza.

Mheshimiwa, Gaudentia Kabaka,  Waziri wa Kazi na Ajira;

Mheshimiwa Daktari Makongoro Mahanga, Naibu Waziri wa Kazi na Ajira;

Mheshimiwa Kassim Majaliwa, Naibu Waziri – TAMISEMI;

Mheshimiwa Magesa Mulongo, Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Arusha;

Waheshimiwa Wabunge;

Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Wadhamini NSSF, Ndg, Abubakar  S. Rajabu;

Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa NSSF, Ndugu Crecentius Magori;

Menejimenti ya NSSF;

Wageni waalikwa wenzangu;

Ndugu Wadau wa Hifadhi ya Jamii;

Mabibi na Mabwana;

Shukrani na Pongezi

Nakushukuru Mheshimiwa Waziri na Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Wadhamini wa NSSF kwa kunikaribisha kufungua  mkutano wa nne wa wadau wa Hifadhi ya Jamii unaoanza leo hii hapa jijini Arusha. Mkutano wa mwaka huu una umuhimu wa kipekee kwani ni fursa ya kujipongeza kwa NSSF kutimiza miaka 50 tangu kuanzishwa kwake mwaka 1964. Wakati ule ikijulikana kama Mfuko wa Akiba ya Wafanyakazi (NPF).

Nakupongeza Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya Wadhamini na wajumbe wako, Mkurugenzi Mkuu na Menejimenti ya shirika pamoja na wafanyakazi wote wa NSSF kwa kazi nzuri mnayoifanya na mafanikio yaliyopatikana.  Kazi yenu inaonekana na inapimika. Kutokana na kazi yenu nzuri, mnawatia moyo wanachama wenu na kuwapa imani kuwa amana zao walizowekeza kwenu ziko salama, na kwamba mko tayari kukabiliana na changamoto za leo, na za miaka 50 ijayo.

Umuhimu wa Mikutano ya Wadau

Mheshimiwa Waziri na Wadau;

Nimefurahishwa na utamaduni wenu wa kuwa na mikutano hii ya wadau kila mwaka. Ni utamaduni mzuri kwani unatoa fursa ya wadau kushiriki katika kufanya tathmini ya mwaka hadi mwaka na kupeana mrejesho wa hali ilivyo miongoni mwa wadau. Utaratibu huu unasaidia  kuamsha ari ya kutekeleza malengo. Ni fursa nzuri pia ya kuhuisha malengo yenu kuendana na mabadiliko ya mazingira, maana tofauti na zamani, mabadiliko katika dunia ya sasa yanakwenda kwa kasi kubwa. Huu ni utamaduni ambao hamna budi kuudumisha na kuuendeleza.

Umuhimu wa Hifadhi ya Jamii

Mheshimiwa Waziri na wadau wa hifadhi ya jamii,

          Hifadhi ya Jamii ni haki ya msingi na asili ya kila mwanadamu. Msingi wa haki yenyewe ni kulinda thamani ya utu wa binadamu. Haki hii inazingatia kuwa binadamu kwa asili ni mwanajamii, anastawi tu akiwa miongoni mwa jamii na anachangia katika maendeleo ya jamii yake, hivyo, anayo haki ya kusitiriwa na kupata hifadhi kutoka kwa jamii pale uwezo wake wa kuchangia unapokoma kutokana na uzee, ulemavu au janga lisilotazamiwa.

          Hifadhi ya jamii ina faida kwa mwanajamii na jamii yenyewe. Kwa upande mmoja inamkinga mwanajamii dhidi ya kupoteza utu na thamani katika jamii, na upande wa pili inaikinga na kuinusuru jamii dhidi ya madhara ya kiuchumi na kiusalama yanayoweza kusababishwa na kuwa na jamii iliyokata tamaa.

Upo uhusiano mkubwa kati ya ustawi wa jamii na hifadhi ya jamii. Ndio maana, Mkataba wa Kimataifa wa Haki za Binadamu wa mwaka 1948 umetambua haki ya binadamu kupata hifadhi na Katiba ya nchi yetu ya mwaka 1977, nayo imetambua haki ya kupata hifadhi ya jamii. Katika Ibara ya 11, ibara ndogo (i).  Katiba inatamka kuwa  “Mamlaka ya nchi itaweka utaratibu unaofaa kwa ajili ya kufanikisha utekelezaji wa haki ya mtu kufanya kazi, haki  ya kupata elimu na haki  ya kupata msaada kutoka kwa jamii wakati wa uzee, maradhi au hali ya ulemavu, na katika hali nyinginezo za mtu kuwa hajiwezi...” Huu ni wajibu wetu kikatiba na tutaendelea kuutekeleza.

Hali ya Sekta ya Hifadhi ya Jamii Nchini

Ndugu Wadau;

Shughuli za Hifadhi ya Jamii nchini imeanza  miaka 50 iliyopita na hatua kubwa imepigwa katika kipindi hicho. Sisi sote ni mashahidi wa  mapinduzi makubwa yaliyofanyika katika Sekta hii.  Idadi ya mifuko, wigo wa wanachama na idadi ya mafao.

Tulianza na Mfuko mmoja tu wa akiba ya wafanyakazi maaarufu kwa jina la NPF mwaka 1964. Leo tuna mifuko 6 ya NSSF, PPF, LAPF, GEPF, PSPF na NHIF. Wigo wa wanachama wa mifuko hii nao umetanuka. Mwanzoni ilihusu watumishi walioajiriwa, tena walichaguliwa mfuko wa kujiunga nao kutokana na sekta zao lakini leo tunao wanachama kutoka sekta binafsi waliojiajiri, na wako huru kuchagua mfuko wanaoupenda kujiunga nao. Hali kadhalika, mafao yaliyokuwa yakitolewa wakati ule yalikuwa ni mafao ya pensheni tu, tena kwa mkupuo mmoja, hivi sasa kuna mafao mengi na malipo ni kwa mwezi katika uhai wote wa mwanachama. Mafao mengine hufaidisha hata wategemezi wa mwanachama.

Mafanikio yaliyopatikana katika sekta ya Hifadhi ya Jamii yamekuwa na mchango mkubwa katika uchumi wa taifa letu. Sekta hii ilichangia wastani wa asilimia 11 ya pato la taifa kwa mwaka 2011/2012. Mtaji wa mifuko hii sasa umefikia shilingi trilioni 5,242 kutoka trilioni 1.36 mwaka 2005/2006. Kutokana na hali nzuri ya ukwasi tayari mifuko hii imewekeza kiasi cha shilingi trilioni 4.4 mwaka 2012  ambapo asilimia 19 imewekezwa kwenye sekta ya ujenzi na makazi, asilimia 18 kwenye hisa na asilimia 63 kwenye amana za serikali na mikopo.

  Miaka 50 kutoka Mfuko wa Akiba ya Wafanyakazi (NPF) hadi Mifuko wa Hifadhi ya Jamii (NSSF)

Ndugu Wadau wa Hifadhi ya Jamii;

          Serikali, kupitia Sheria Na. 28 ya mwaka 1997, ilianzisha Shirika la Taifa la Hifadhi ya Jamii – NSSF, kwa kuboresha Shirika la Akiba ya Wafanyakazi (NPF) lililoanzishwa mwaka 1964.  Maboresho hayo  yalilenga kuongeza ubora na idadi ya mafao,   kupanua wigo wa wanachama na kuisaidia Serikali katika kutoa huduma za hifadhi ya jamii. Mabadiliko haya yaliliwezesha Shirika la NSSF kutoa mafao ya pensheni ya uzeeni, urithi na ulemavu kwa wanachama wake pamoja na mafao mengine kama vile matibabu, uzazi, fidia ya kuumia kazini na gharama za mazishi.

NSSF imeendelea kukua na kuimarika mwaka hadi mwaka. Thamani ya mfuko imeongezeka kutoka shilingi trilioni 1.97 katika mwaka 2011/2012 hadi kufikia shilingi trilioni 2.24 mwaka 2012/2013.  Kuongezeka huko kwa thamani ya mfuko kumeambatana na kuongezeka kwa mafao yanayolipwa na NSSF kutoka shilingi bilioni 178 mwaka 2011/2012 hadi shilingi bilioni 228  mwaka 2012/2013.

NSSF imekuwa mchangiaji muhimu kwa maendeleo ya nchi yetu kwa kuwekeza kwenye miradi ya maendeleo inayochochea ukuaji wa uchumi na kuongezeka kwa ajira. Tumeona manufaa ya uwekezaji wa NSSF katika ujenzi wa Chuo Kikuu cha Dodoma, daraja la Kigamboni, ujenzi wa Chuo Kikuu cha Nelson Mandela na miradi ya ujenzi wa nyumba za watumishi wa umma na nyumba za wafanyakazi.

Inafurahisha kusikia kuwa shirika limetunukiwa cheti cha kimataifa cha utoaji wa huduma bora (ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFICATION), na hivi karibuni, kutunukiwa cheti cha utawala bora kwa kufuata kanuni bora za manunuzi na ugavi (PPRA Award). Kwa haya mawili nawapongeza sana na kuwaomba muendelee na viwango hivi vya ueledi. Maana shirika lenu ni nyeti katika uchumi wa taifa, kwa kuwa mmeaminiwa kuhifadhi na kuwekeza kwa fedha za akiba za wanachama. Umakini mkubwa unahitajika katika kuwekeza. Hamna budi kuwekeza vizuri ili mfuko uendelee kustawi na wanachama wake waendelee kupata hifadhi kutoka kwenu.

Wajibu wa Serikali: Usimamizi na Uendeshaji wa

Mifuko ya Hifadhi ya Jamii

Ndugu Wadau wa Hifadhi ya Jamii;

Sisi katika Serikali tunao wajibu wa msingi wa kulea  mifuko hii ili iweze kustawi na kuwa endelevu. Katika kutekeleza wajibu wetu huo, na kwa kuzingatia ukuaji wa sekta yenyewe, Serikali ilianzisha Mamlaka ya Udhibiti wa Mifuko ya Hifadhi ya Jamii  (SSRA) mwaka 2010. Lengo kuu la kuanzishwa kwa SSRA ni kusimamia na kuratibu shughuli zote katika Sekta ya Hifadhi ya Jamii hapa nchini, ikiwa ni pamoja na kufanya maboresho katika nyanja za uwekezaji na mafao yanayotolewa kwa wanachama.

Naipongeza Wizara ya Kazi na Ajira pamoja na Msimamizi na Mdhibiti wa Mifuko ya Hifadhi ya Jamii (SSRA) kwa kazi nzuri wanayoifanya katika kusimamia mageuzi ya kiutendaji  na ya uendeshaji wa Mifuko hii ya Hifadhi ya Jamii. Naiomba SSRA iendelee kuboresha mazingira ya ushindani katika mifuko kwani ushindani hatimaye huleta unafuu kwa wanachama. Tumeona namna ambavyo ushindani umechochea kila Mfuko kuongeza ubunifu katika utoaji wa huduma na aina ya mafao yanayotolewa.  Kazi kubwa waliyonayo sasa,  ni kubuni mkokotoo mpya utakaosaidia kuoanisha mafao yatolewayo na mifuko hiyo.

Wito kwa NSSF na Mifuko ya Hifadhi ya Jamii

Ndugu wadau wa hifadhi ya jamii,

          Pamoja na mchango mkubwa wa Mifuko ya Hifadhi ya Jamii katika uchumi na maendeleo ya taifa kwa ujumla, bado ni sehemu ndogo sana ya Watanzania wanapata kinga dhidi ya majanga kupitia Mifuko hii. Takwimu zinaonyesha kwamba kati ya Watanzania milioni 22.4 wenye uwezo wa kuzalisha kipato, waliomo katika Mifuko yote 6 si zaidi ya asilimia 6 tu. Idadi hii ni ndogo sana ukilinganisha na idadi ya Watanzania ambao wanafanya kazi zenye kipato. Aidha idadi hii ni ndogo ikilinganishwa na wastani wa asilimia 10 kwa nchi za Afrika na Kusini mwa Asia.

Kwa mujibu wa tathmini ya Sekta ya Viwanda na Biashara Ndogondogo (SMEs) ya mwaka 2013, sekta isiyo rasmi ilichangia asilimia 39.7 ya pato la taifa kwa mwaka 2010. Vile vile, ilikadiriwa kuwa zipo SMEs milioni 3 zinazoajiri wananchi milioni 5.2. Wito wangu kwenu ni mifuko ya hifadhi ya jamii kutoka maofisini kwenda kuhamasisha wananchi wengi wajiunge na mifuko hii. Waelezeni manufaa yake, na watoeni hofu zao juu ya fikra potofu walizonazo kuhusu hifadhi ya jamii. Wengi wanaamini hifadhi ya jamii ni stahili ya wafanyakazi wajiriwa tu, tena wafanyakazi wa kipato kikubwa. Wajulisheni kuwa hivi sasa hifadhi ya jamii ni fursa huru kwa wote, wale walioajiriwa na wale waliojiajiri. Wafafanulieni wale walio kwenye sekta isiyo rasmi kuwa, utaratibu wa wao kujiunga, kuchangia na kunufaika. Waonyesheni mifano hai ya wale wakulima na wajasiriamali namna wanavyochangia na wanavyofaidika.

Natoa rai hii nikitambua kuwa wako wananchi wengi katika sekta ya kilimo na sekta isiyo rasmi ambao kwa vipato vyao wangeweza kujiunga na hifadhi ya jamii. Nawapongeza NSSF kwa mpango wake wa kuwafikia wakulima na wachimbaji wa madini ambapo hadi sasa wakulima 29,000  wachimbaji madini 7000 wamejiunga na NSSF na wanafaidika na mafao yanayotolewa.

Uzoefu wa NSSF unatuonyesha kwamba wananchi wengi  wamekosa tu uelewa na taarifa sahihi. Wakumbusheni kuwa hifadhi ya jamii si jambo jipya au la kigeni, hata katika jamii zetu kabla ya kuja kwa mifumo hii rasmi, kumekuwepo na utaratibu wa jamii kujiwekea mifumo ya hifadhi ya jamii.   Katika jamii zetu kumekuwa na utaratibu wa kuwahudumia wazee, wasiojiweza na watoto. Mtu hakupoteza heshima na thamani yake katika jamii kwa kuwa amepoteza uwezo wake wa kuchangia katika jamii, ama kwa kustaafu, kwa ajali au kwa kutojaaliwa uwezo wa kuchangia.

Mabadiliko ya kidunia yameifanya mifumo hiyo sasa isiweze kuhimili jukumu hilo. Hivyo, mifuko ya hifadhi ya jamii ndio mbadala na salama ya ustawi wa mtu katika dunia ya leo. Wakumbusheni kuwa shida na majanga huwafika watu wakati ambao hawajajiandaa. Hivyo, ni vyema kujisitiri kabla hujasitiriwa.

Ndugu wadau wa hifadhi ya jamii,

Ni vizuri kukumbushana pia kwamba, uhai wa mifuko ya hifadhi ya jamii unategemeana pia na uendelevu wa michango ya wanachama. Hivyo, hatuna budi pia  kutoa kipaumbele katika kuelimishana juu ya umuhimu na wajibu wa waajiri kuwasilisha michango ya wanachama kwa wakati.  Mifuko ya hifadhi ya jamii inatakiwa kuhakikisha inakusanya michango ya wanachama wake bila ajizi.  Wahamasisheni wanachama wa mifuko juu ya umuhimu wa kuhakikisha michango yao inawasilishwa, na  inabaki katika mifuko ya hifadhi ya jamii ili iwafae wakati wa matatizo na maisha ya uzeeni. Waelemisheni juu ya athari ya tabia ya sasa ya baadhi ya watumishi kuamua kushirikiana na waajiri wasio waaminifu kutopeleka michango hiyo, au baadhi ya wanachama kujitoa katika mifuko ya awali pale inapotokea amebadilisha ajira kutoka kwa mwajiri mmoja kwenda kwa mwingine.

Mchango wa Mifuko ya Hifadhi ya Jamii kuelekea Dira ya 2025

Ndugu Wadau wa Hifadhi ya Jamii;

Mifuko ya hifadhi ya jamii ina wajibu mkubwa wa kuchangia juhudi za Serikali katika kufikia dira yetu ya kuwa nchi yenye uchumi wa kati ifikapo mwaka 2025.  Mifuko hii imeonyesha uwezo wa kuwekeza katika sekta na miradi ya uwekezaji wa muda mrefu ambayo sekta binafsi imekuwa ikikwepa. Miradi ya aina hii kama miundombinu msingi na nishati ndio inayoweza kukwamua nchi katika umasikini, na kuleta mapinduzi kimaendeleo.

Uzoefu huu unashawishi kuwa mifuko hii sasa itazame katika sekta ya Kilimo. Kilimo ndio sekta mama ya uchumi wetu na inaajiri zaidi ya asilimia 70 ya wananchi wetu, lakini ukuaji wake ni asilimia 4.4 ambayo ni chini ya kiwango kinachotakiwa cha asilimia 6 kwa mwaka kutokana na kukosa uwekezaji wa kutosha. Ndio sababu, pamoja na kasi nzuri ya ukuaji wa uchumi ya wastani wa asilimia 7, umasikini umepungua kwa asilimia 2 tu.

Umasikini huzuia pia kasi ya ukuaji wa mifuko ya hifadhi ya jamii. Hivyo, uwekezaji wenu katika sekta itakayosaidia kuondoa umasikini, ni kujitengenezea pia fursa kwa mifuko yenu kupata wanachama wengi zaidi siku za usoni. Tumeshuhudia namna ambavyo uwekezaji wa pamoja wa NSSF, PPF na PSPF  wa kiasi cha asilimia 45 katika Kiwanda cha Sukari cha Kagera kumezalisha ajira 3,500. Mbali na ajira, wataalam wanasema pia kuwa katika kila shilingi moja inayowekezwa vizuri kwenye kilimo, huzalisha faida ya hadi shilingi 3.2. Nawatia shime muangalie uwezekano wa kuwekeza katika kilimo hususan kwenye viwanda vya pembejeo za kilimo na vya  kusindika na kuongeza thamani ya mazao.  Tukiweza kuongeza thamani na kuepuka kuuza nje mazao ghafi, tutakuwa tumewatoa Watanzania wengi kutoka kwenye umasikini na mifuko yetu itapata wanachama wengi zaidi na wenye uwezo mkubwa zaidi wa kuchangia mifuko hiyo.

Hitimisho

Ndugu wadau wa hifadhi ya jamii,

Kwa kumalizia napenda kwa mara nyingine tena kukushukuru Mheshimiwa Waziri kunialika na nikupongeze kwa namna unavyilea vizuri mifuko yetu ya hifadhi ya jamii. Nakupongeza Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya NSSF kwa uongozi wenu mzuri.  Natoa pongezi nyingi kwa  Mkurugenzi Mkuu, Dkt. Ramadhani Dau kwa kazi nzuri unayoifanya, na mafanikio makubwa yaliyopatikana katika NSSF chini ya uongozi wako. Nifikishie pongezi hizi pia menejimenti na wafanyakazi wote wa NSSF. Kazi mnayoifanya inaonekana na tuna matarajio ya kuona mengi na makubwa zaidi miaka hamsini ijayo.

          Baada ya kusema hayo, napenda kutangaza kwamba mkutano huu wa nne wa wadau wa Shirika la Taifa Hifadhi ya Jamii (NSSF) umefunguliwa rasmi. Nawatakia mkutano mwema.

Ahsanteni sana kwa kunisikiliza

Mheshimiwa Dkt. Kebwe Stephen Kebwe(Mb) – Naibu Waziri wa Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii;

Mheshimiwa Stanslaus Magesa Mulongo - Mkuu wa mkoa wa Arusha;

Ndugu Paul Magesa -  Rais wa Chama cha Wauguzi Tanzania;

Ndugu Clavery Mpandana – Muuguzi Mkuu wa Serikali;

Daktari Khadija Malima, Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Wauuguzi  Tanaznia na Chama cha Wauguzi Tanzania;

Viongozi wa Serikali na Vyama vya Siasa;

Wageni Waalikwa;

Mabibi na Mabwana;

Nakushukuru sana Ndugu Rais na viongozi wenzako wa Chama cha Wauguzi na Wakunga (TANNA) kwa heshima kubwa mliyonipa ya kuja kujumuika nanyi katika maadhimisho ya mwaka huu ya Siku ya Wauguzi Duniani.  Nakupongeza pia Mheshimiwa Magesa Mulongo, Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Arusha na wananchi wote wa Arusha kwa  kutupokea vizuri na kwa kukubali kuwa wenyeji wa sherehe hii na kushiriki kwa ukamilifu katika kufanikisha maandalizi yake.

Nawapongeza nyote kwa maandalizi mazuri ya maadhimisho haya. Hakika yamefana sana. Nimefurahishwa na maonesho kuhusu baadhi ya shughuli zinazofanywa na wauguzi katika kuwahudumia Watanzania. Maonesho ya aina hii husaidia sana kukuza uelewa wa wananchi kuhusu majukumu yenu, wajibu wenu na mchango wenu katika kuimarisha afya za Watanzania.  Pamoja na kutembelea mabanda ya maonyesho, nimeshuhudia maandamano yenu na kusoma ujumbe kwenye mabango ya washiriki.  Pia nimesikiliza Risala yenu iliyosomwa kwa ufasaha na utulivu mkubwa na Rais wa Chama cha Wauguzi Ndugu Paul Magesa.  Kwa ujumla, maadhimisho haya yanadhihirisha kuwa wauguzi ni kiungo muhimu sana katika utoaji na maendeleo ya huduma ya afya nchini na ni nguvu thabiti ya mabadiliko.

Kauli Mbiu

Ndugu Rais wa Chama cha Wauguzi;

Ndugu Wauguzi na ndugu wananchi;

          Nilipopata mwaliko kutoka kwenu sikusita kukubali kuja kujumuika nanyi siku ya leo kwa sababu kuu mbili.  Kwanza, kwamba wauguzi ni kada muhimu sana katika utoaji na maendeleo ya huduma ya afya nchini.  Bila ya kuwepo wauguzi huduma ya afya itayumba.  Natambua kuwa Wauguzi ni zaidi ya asilimia 60 ya watumishi wote wa sekta ya afya na hutekeleza asilimia 80 ya shughuli zote za afya. Aidha, Muuguzi ndiye mwenye kuandaa mazingira mazuri kwa daktari kutekeleza majukumu yake. Daktari anapomaliza kumuona mgonjwa, na kutoa maelekezo yake, Muuguzi husimamia utekelezaji wa maelekezo hayo pamoja na tiba yenyewe.  Muuguzi ndiye anayefanya kazi ya kuuguza mgonjwa. Sote ni mashahidi kuwa wagonjwa wanatumia wakati mwingi zaidi mikononi mwa wauguzi kuliko muda wanaoutumia mikononi mwa wahudumu wengine wa afya.

Ndugu Rais wa Chama cha Wauguzi;

Ndugu Wauguzi;

Sababu ya pili ni kwamba nimevutiwa na kauli mbiu ya maadhimisho ya mwaka huu isemayo; “Wauguzi ni Nguvu ya Mabadiliko na Rasilimali Muhimu ya Afya”. Ni kauli mbiu sahihi na mwafaka kabisa.  Ni ukweli ulio wazi kuwa wauguzi wanayo nafasi maalum katika maendeleo ya huduma ya afya na sekta yenyewe kwa jumla.  Ni chachu muhimu ya mabadiliko katika sekta ya afya, na ndiyo rasilimali ya kuwezesha mabadiliko hayo kutokea na kufanikiwa.

Huwezi kuzungumzia mabadiliko katika sekta hii bila kutambua mchango wa Wauguzi na kuwahusisha. Ujenzi wa miundombinu ya vituo vya kutoa huduma ya afya, ununuzi na usambazaji wa madawa, ununuzi wa vitendea kazi vya kisasa katika hospitali zetu vitakuwa na maana tu pale ambapo wauguzi wapo na wanatimiza wajibu wao ipasavyo. Tunaweza kusema kwa uhakika kabisa kuwa hakuna mbadala wa wauguzi.

Ndugu Wananchi;

Uangalizi unaotolewa na wauguzi, upendo na huruma yao husaidia sana kurejesha matumaini ya wagonjwa na watu wengine wanaojishughulisha na maendeleo ya huduma ya afya. Huongeza ari ya mapambano dhidi ya maradhi na kuleta matumaini kwamba ushindi utapatikana. Ninyi ndiyo kioo cha huduma ya afya. Ndiyo watu wa kwanza mnaokutana na wagonjwa wanapofika hospitali, na ni watu wa mwisho kuwaona wanapotoka baada ya matibabu.

Mheshimiwa Naibu Waziri;

Rais wa Chama cha Wauguzi;

Ndugu Wauguzi na ndugu Wananchi;

Kuboresha huduma ya afya ni moja ya vipaumbele vya juu vya Serikali ninayoiongoza na ndiyo maagizo ya Ilani ya Uchanguzi ya Chama Tawala – CCM. Kwa sababu hiyo tulipoingia madarakani mwaka 2005 tulitoa umuhimu wa pekee kwa zoezi la kupitia upya Sera ya Afya ya mwaka 1997 kwa lengo la kuihuisha. Matokeo yake ni kupatikana kwa Sera Mpya ya Afya ya mwaka 2007 na Mpango wa Maendeleo ya Afya ya Msingi wa mwaka 2007 uliotengenezwa maalum kuongoza utekelezaji wa Sera hiyo. 

Kama mjuavyo huu ni mpango wa miaka kumi mpaka mwaka 2017 unaolenga kuleta mageuzi na maendeleo makubwa katika sekta ya afya.  Kwa muhtasari tumepanga kufanya mambo makuu mawili. Kwanza, kusogeza huduma ya afya karibu na wanapoishi wananchi kwa kujenga na kuimarisha vituo vya kutolea huduma za afya. Pili, kuimarisha ubora wa huduma ya afya inayotolewa kwa wananchi kwa kuvipatia vituo hivyo vifaa vya uchunguzi na tiba vilivyo bora pamoja na dawa za kutosha. Pia kuvipatia rasilimali watu, kwa maana ya Madaktari, Waganga, Wauguzi, Wakunga na Wataalamu wengine wa afya.

Ndugu Wauguzi na Ndugu Wanannchi;

Leo miaka karibu saba baadae ninyi ndiyo mashahidi wa mafanikio tuliyoyapata katika utekelezaji wa Mpango huu. Tumefanikiwa kwa kiasi cha kutia moyo ingawaje bado tunayo kazi kubwa mbele yetu. Kwanza kabisa tumeongeza sana bajeti ya afya kutoka shilingi bilioni 271 mwaka 2005/2006 hadi shilingi trilioni 1.4 mwaka 2013/2014.  Imekuwa bajeti ya tatu kwa ukubwa baada ya elimu na miundombinu kutoka ya sita.  Kwa sababu ya ongezeko hilo tumeshuhudia mambo mengi mazuri yakifanyika katika kuboresha huduma ya afya nchini.  Kwa mfano, zahanati ziko 5,960 ukilinganisha na 4,930 zilizokuwepo mwaka 2007.  Vituo vya afya viko 716 ukilinganisha na 565 na hospitali ziko 249 ukilinganisha na 230 wakati ule. 

Kazi kubwa imefanyika kuimarisha hospitali za Wilaya, Mikoa, Kanda na Hospitali ya Taifa Muhimbili.    Kazi bado inaendelea na tunaweza kusema ndiyo kwanza imechanganya. Miundombinu imeongezwa na majengo mengine yanaendelea kujengwa. Huduma zinaendelea kuboreshwa na nyingine ambazo hazikuwepo zimeanzishwa. Hali kadhalika vifaa tiba na uchunguzi vya kisasa vimeendelea kuwekwa na uwezo wa hospitali kuchunguza na kutibu maradhi umekuwa mkubwa.

Tumeendelea kupanua fursa za mafunzo na ajira kwa Madaktari, Wauguzi na Wataalamu wengine wa afya.  Kwa upande wa mafunzo kwa mfano Madaktari waliojiunga na mafunzo wameongezeka kutoka 520 mwaka 2005 hadi 1,057 hivi sasa.  Kwa Wauguzi na Wakunga wameongezeka kutoka 1,586 mwaka 2005 hadi 3,569 hivi sasa, kwa jumla kila kada imeongezeka. Ujenzi wa Kampasi mpya ya Chuo Kikuu cha Tiba na Sayansi Shirikishi cha Muhimbili pale Mloganzila itaongeza sana uwezo wetu wa kufundisha Madaktari na Wauguzi kutoka Chuo hicho kutoka 3,000 mpaka 15,000.  Ukiongeza na wanafunzi 5,000 wa Chuo cha Tiba katika Chuo Kikuu cha Dodoma tatizo la rasilimali watu nchini litapatiwa ufumbuzi miaka michache ijayo. Tayari ujenzi wa Hospitali ya Kufundishia ya vitanda 600 umeanza pale Mloganzila.  Hospitali hiyo nayo itaimarisha ubora wa huduma ya uchunguzi na tiba ya maradhi kwa namna yake hapa nchini. Hali kadhalika ujenzi wa Hospitali ya Kufundishia pale UDOM unatarajiwa kukamilika mwaka huu.

Hivyo hivyo, kwa upande wa ajira nako kumekuwa na ongezeko. Idadi ya Madaktari waliosajiliwa imeongezeka kutoka 1,339 mwaka 2006 hadi 3,133 na Wauguzi kutoka 20,115 mwaka 2007 hadi 34,740 hivi sasa. Aidha, katika kipindi cha miaka 3 iliyopita, tumeajiri wauguzi 8,659 na tunatarajia kuajiri wengine 1,152 kabla ya Julai, 2014. Tutaendelea kufanya hivyo mwaka ujao wa fedha na miaka inayofuatia. Hii itasaidia kupunguza mzigo wa kazi mlio nao sasa hivi ambao mmeutaja kwenye risala yenu.

Ndugu Rais wa Chama cha Wauguzi;

Ndugu Wauguzi;

Kwa upande wa maslahi nako, tumejitahidi kuboresha, najua bado tunayo kazi kubwa ya kufanya mbele yetu.  Bado mishahara ni midogo lakini hatujafika mwisho, tunaendelea kuboresha.  Tumekuwa tunaongeza kila mwaka na tutaendelea kufanya hivyo mwaka huu na miaka ijayo.

Risala ya Wauguzi

Ndugu Wauguzi,

Nimesikiliza kwa makini risala yenu iliyowasilishwa vizuri na Ndugu Paul Magesa, Rais wa Chama cha Wauguzi na Wakunga. Namna ambavyo ameiwasilisha, lugha aliyotumia kuiwasilisha na jinsi mlivyoishangilia inathibitisha kuwa risala hii ni shirikishi, na yaliyosemwa ni mambo muhimu kwa wauguzi kwa ujumla wenu. Ni risala iliyosheheni ukweli kuhusu mafanikio tuliyoyapata na mambo yanayowatatiza mnayotaka yapatiwe ufumbuzi. Kuna ushauri mzuri uliotolewa kuhusu nini kifanyike kuboresha mazingira ya kazi ya Wauguzi na huduma ya afya nchini. Lazima nikiri kuwa nimeguswa sana na ahadi yenu ya kuendelea kufanya kazi kwa mujibu wa viapo vyenu, licha ya changamoto zilizopo.

Napenda kuwahakikishia kuwa Serikali inaelewa mchango wenu muhimu na inauthamini sana hivyo basi, sisi tutakuwa watu wa mwisho kupuuza mambo ya wauguzi.  Kama kuna jambo halijafanyika haitokani na kupuuza au ukosefu wa dhamira ya kuyashughulikia bali kuna sababu fulani fulani za msingi zinazotukwaza katika utekelezaji wake.

Nimefurahishwa sana na dhamira yenu njema ya kutaka kuona mabadiliko yanafanyika katika sekta ya afya na ninyi kuwa sehemu kamili ya mabadiliko hayo. Ndiyo maana sehemu kubwa ya risala yenu ina mapendekezo ya mambo ya kubadilisha ili kuboresha utoaji wa huduma ya afya. Nawaunga mkono kwa msimamo wenu huo. Nimefarijika sana kusikia kutoka Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii na Wizara nyingine za Serikali kuwa mambo mengine yametekelezwa na yapo ambayo tunaendelea kuyatekeleza. Hata hivyo, bado yapo mambo ambayo tunayavutia pumzi kwa maana ya kujenga uwezo wa kuyatekeleza.

Ndugu Wauguzi;

          Hii ni mara ya tatu napata nafasi ya kukutana na kuzungumza na viongozi wa Wauguzi.  Mara ya kwanza ilikuwa Mnazi Mmoja mwaka jana, mara ya pili Ikulu tarehe 29 Aprili, 2014 na leo ndiyo mara ya tatu hapa Arusha. Jambo mojawapo muhimu nililojifunza ni kuwa mambo mengi yanayowatatiza wauguzi, ambayo pia yameainishwa katika risala yenu leo, yanaweza kumalizwa kwa kuboresha mawasiliano na mahusiano kati yenu na Wizara zinazohusika na kati yenu (wauguzi) na kada nyingine katika sekta ya afya. Naamini kama hayo yakifanyika mambo mengi yatapatiwa ufumbuzi na kwamba yatabaki machache yanayohitaji msaada wa ngazi za juu. Hii itasaidia kuondoa kutiliana mashaka, kutokuaminiana na hisia za kupuuzwa kwa wauguzi.  Nimeona nitumie fursa ya maadhimisho haya ya leo kutoa ufafanuzi kwa baadhi ya masuala tuliyozungumza siku zilizopita na yaliyoibuliwa hapa leo kwenye mabango na risala.

Madai ya Wauguzi

Ndugu Rais wa Chama cha Wauguzi;

Ndugu Wauguzi,

Katika risala yenu mmezungumzia mambo yahusuyo muundo wa utumishi, mafunzo, posho, huduma ya makazi na mambo mengineyo muhimu.  Mambo yote haya ni ya msingi na napenda kuwahakikishia kuwa tutayachukulia kwa uzito unaostahili na tutayafanyia kazi ipasavyo ili tuwatengenezee mazingira mazuri ya kufanya kazi zenu.

Muundo wa Utumishi wa Uuguzi

Ndugu Rais wa Chama cha Wauguzi;

NduguWauguzi;

Kwanza kabisa nawapongeza kwa kukamilisha mapendekezo ya Muundo wa Utumishi. Nitawasaidia kufuatilia kwa mamlaka husika ili uamuzi ufanyike mapema iwezekanavyo. Kukamilika kwa zoezi hilo kutatoa ufumbuzi kwa mambo mengi yanayowatatiza hivi sasa. Itayaweka sawa masuala ya upandishaji wa vyeo.  Itawezesha kutambuliwa ipasayo kwa wauguzi wanaomaliza shahada za uzamili na uzamivu.  Kwa kweli nashangaa kwa nini watu waliojiendeleza kiasi hicho wapate taabu ya kutambuliwa inavyostahili katika utumishi wa uuguzi. 

Hivyo hivyo nashangaa tena napata taabu kuamini kuwa mtumishi akienda masomoni kuongeza ujuzi anasimama kupanda cheo au hata kushushwa cheo.  Haya ni ya kustaajabisha mambo ambayo hayastahili kufanyika. Naomba Wizara  na  mamlaka husika zihakikishe kuwa uonevu huu hauendelei kufanyika. Iweje leo kujiendeleza iwe ni balaa kwa mfanyakazi na mwajiri badala ya kuwa jambo jema kwa wote.

Ndugu Wauguzi;     

Nadhani suala la uanzishwaji wa Kurugenzi ya Uuguzi ndani ya Wizara ya Afya limefikia hatua nzuri.  Nimeambiwa kuwa Wizara iliridhia maombi yenu na kuyawasilisha Ofisi ya Rais, Menejimenti ya Utumishi wa Umma. Wataalamu wa Mifumo katika Idara Kuu ya Utumishi walichoshauri ni kuwa Sehemu ya Uuguzi sasa ipandishwe hadhi na kuwa Kitengo cha Uuguzi kitakachoongozwa na Mkurugenzi. Nimeambiwa pia kwamba Wizara ya Afya imekubali na tayari imefanya marekebisho na kuwasilisha upya pendekezo hilo.  Nimesikia kuwa jambo hili litakamilishwa muda si mrefu na huenda muundo huo ukaanza tarehe 1 Julai, 2014 hivyo kuhitimisha maombi yenu. Niruhusuni niwapongeze kwa hatua iliyofikiwa mpaka sasa.

Maslahi ya Watumishi

Ndugu Rais wa Chama cha Wauguzi;

Ndugu Wauguzi;

Kuboresha maslahi ya Watumishi wa Umma, hususan mishahara na posho mbalimbali  ni mambo ambayo Serikali imeyapa kipaumbele. Tumekuwa yunafanya hivyo kila mwaka na tutaendelea kufanya hivyo.  Maombi yenu tumeyapokea na tutayafanyia kazi. Napenda kusema hata  katika Bajeti ya mwaka ujao wa fedha hatua kiasi fulani zitachukuliwa. 

Nimesikia kilio chenu kuhusu posho zilizoamuliwa kutokutekelezwa na ile ya sare za kazi ambayo imeahidiwa na kuongezwa kutoka shilingi 150,000 na kuwa Shilingi 300,000 kutokamilishwa mpaka sasa. Nitatoa maagizo kwa mamlaka husika katika Serikali kufuatilia na kuwabana, watakaokaidi. Hivyo hivyo, kwa posho ya kufanya kazi usiku, kama ilishaamuliwa ilipwe, mamlaka husika zitatakiwa kutekeleza bila ajizi.  

Nyumba za Wauguzi

Serikali inatambua umuhimu wa wauguzi kuwa na makazi karibu na maeneo yao ya kazi. Kwa kutambua umuhimu huo Serikali imekuwa inatenga fedha za kujenga nyumba za madaktari na wauguzi kila mwaka.  Hata hivyo kasi ya ujenzi ni ndogo ukilinganisha na ukubwa wa mahitaji kwa sababu ya ufinyu wa bajeti.  Tutatafuta njia nyingine za kuharakisha ujenzi wa nyumba hizo.  Mipango hiyo ikikamilika mtaona matokeo yake.  Kwa sasa tutaendelea na kazi ya ujenzi wa nyumba  katika mikoa ya Mtwara, Rukwa, Tabora na Mara.  

Nimelipokea pendekezo lenu la kutaka msaidiwe kupata viwanja vya kujenga nyumba.  Nitaagiza Wizara ya Ardhi, Nyumba na Maendeleo ya Makazi wawasaidie. Miaka miwili iliiyopita niliagiza utengenezwe mpango maalum wa mikopo ya nyumba kwa watumishi wa umma.  Matayarisho yanaendelea, ukikamilika utasaidia wafanyakazi wa umma wakiwemo Wauguzi kujipatia nyumba za kuishi.

Udhamini wa Mafunzo

Ndugu Rais wa Wauguzi;

Ndugu Wauguzi,

Nimesikia rai yenu ya kutaka Serikali itoe udhamini kwa wanafunzi wanaosomea shahada ya kwanza ya  uuguzi kama tunavyofanya kwa wale wanaosomea udaktari. Nakubali maombi yenu, nitaagiza mamlaka husika walifanyie kazi.  Kama hivi sasa wanafunzi hao siyo wengi tunaweza kuanza hata bajeti ijayo lakini kama ni wengi itabidi tuanze mwaka wa fedha wa 2015/16 lazima tujipange vizuri kwani inahusu pesa. 

Naamini uamuzi huu utahamasisha wauguzi kujitokeza kwa wingi kujiendeleza kitaaluma. Wauguzi wasiishie kwenye Cheti na Diploma bali waende zaidi ya hapo. Napenda kuwahakikishia pia kwamba pamoja na uamuzi huu, Serikali bado itaendelea kudhamini wauguzi wanaosomea shahada ya uzamili na uzamivu kama tufanyavyo sasa.  Nimesikia utayari wenu wa kupewa nafasi za uongozi katika Wizara ya Afya na kwingineko kama tulivyofanya kwa Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Tanga.

Wito kwa Wauguzi

Ndugu Rais wa Chama cha Wauguzi;

Ndugu Wauguzi,

Tunapoadhimisha siku ya wauguzi, tunakumbuka pia siku ya kuzaliwa kwa Bi. Frorence Nightlingale, mwanzilishi wa taaluma na fani hii adhimu ya uuguzi. Mama Nightlingale aliyeishi kati ya mwaka 1820 hadi 1910 ndiye aliyeanzisha shule ya kwanza ya wauguzi huko London katika Hospitali ya Mtakatifu Thomas. Alianzisha huduma hii baada ya uzoefu wake katika kuwashughulikia majeruhi wa kivita, na wanajeshi wagonjwa wakati wa vita.

Sifa yake kubwa ilikuwa ni wito na moyo wa kujitolea na huruma vitu ambavyo aliamini ndio misingi ya kuwa muuguzi. Alipata kunukuliwa akisema, “Kama muuguzi atakacha kutoa huduma kwa sababu yoyote ile au kusema haimuhusu, basi uuguzi kwake sio wito”.  Kutokana na maisha yake ya kuwaangazia nuru wagonjwa na kuwatembelea usiku akiwa na taa ya kandili kuwafariji na kuwahudumia, alipewa jina la “Mwanamke Mwenye Kutembea na Nuru”.

Ndugu Wauguzi;

Ninyi ni watu wenye dhamana kubwa juu ya maisha ya watu na mnategemewa sana. Nawapongeza kwa kazi kubwa na nzuri muifanyayo. Kwa sababu yenu mmeokoa maisha ya watu wengi na kuwapunguzia maumivu wagonjwa. Wakati mwingine moyo wenu kuonyesha kujali, upendo na huruma hutoa matumaini kwa mgonjwa na kumrejeshea siha yake. Hivyo, nawaomba muendelee kuwa na kauli nzuri na nyuso zenye tabasamu na nyoyo za huruma na upendo kwa wagonjwa.  Tabia hiyo ni tiba ya aina yake.

Nimeona niikumbushe hadithi ya muasisi Mama Florence Nightngale ili kuwaomba wakati wote iwaongoze na muendelee kukumbushana kuizingatia. Minong’ono kuwa mienendo ya baadhi yenu inalalamikiwa na wagonjwa kuwa hailingani na mafundisho ya muasisi wa kazi hii adhimu inanisumbua sana. Kama nilivyosema awali, ninyi ndiyo watu wa kwanza mnaokutana na mgonjwa akifika hospitali na ni watu wa mwisho anapotoka hospitali baada ya matibabu. Ikiwa mtakuwa na nyuso za ukatili na ulimi mkali au wa kebehi, mtakuwa mnawakwaza wagonjwa na hata kuongeza ukali wa maumivu yao. Wengine wanaweza kukata tamaa na hata kupoteza uhai.  Msifanye watu wajutie kufika zahanati au hospitali. Narudia kuwasihi mzingatie kiapo chenu na maudhui ya kauli mbiu yenu ya kutaka mabadiliko. Kwa maana nyingine naomba mtambue kuwa kauli mbiu yenu ya mabadiliko inawahusu na nyie pia kama inavyotuhusu sote.  Lazima mabadiliko yaanze na ninyi wenyewe.  

Homa ya Dengue

Ndugu Wananchi;

Kabla ya kumaliza hotuba yangu naomba nizungumzie ugonjwa mpya wa Homa ya Dengue uliojitokeza katika jiji la Dar es Salaam hivi karibuni. Huu si ugonjwa asili kwetu. Ni ugonjwa wa huko Asia na Bara la Amerika lakini ndiyo umeshafika.   Kwa mara ya kwanza ugonjwa huu ulijitokeza Jijini Dar es Salaam mwaka 2010 na kuathiri watu 40 ambao walipatiwa matibabu na kupona. Ugonjwa huu ulitoweka lakini ukaibuka tena Mei na Juni, 2013 ulipojitokeza tena na kuwakumba watu 172. Mwaka huu ugonjwa huo umerudia tena kwa kasi kubwa zaidi.  Kati ya Januari na Aprili 6, mwaka huu wagonjwa 399 wamethibitika kuugua katika Jiji la Dar es Salaam. Kati ya wagonjwa hao 322 walitoka Wilaya ya Kinondoni, 61 Wilaya ya Ilala na 16 Wilaya ya Temeke. Kwa bahati mbaya wawili kati yao walipoteza maisha.

Ndugu wananchi;

Wataalamu wa afya wanasema kuna aina tatu za ugonjwa wa dengue. Aina ya kwanza ni Homa ya Dengue, aina ya pili ni Dengue ya Damu na aina ya tatu ni Dengue ya Kupoteza Fahamu.  Hapa kwetu Homa ya Dengue ndiyo ugonjwa  uliothibitika kuathiri wagonjwa wote. Homa hii ina dalili kubwa tatu: homa kali ya ghafla, kuumwa kichwa, na maumivu ya viungo au uchovu. Kwa vile dalili za ugonjwa huu zinafanana sana na dalili za ugonjwa wa malaria, ipo hatari kwa watu waliozoea kutumia dawa bila kupima kumeza dawa za malaria wakati wanaugua Homa ya Dengue. Wakifanya hivyo watahatarisha maisha yao. Natoa wito kwa mtu yeyote anayejisikia dalili hizi aende  hospitali akapimwe; asinywe dawa bila kupima kama baadhi yetu tulivyozoea. Ni hatari kwa maisha yetu.

Ndugu Wananchi;

          Ugonjwa huu unaambukizwa na mbu aina ya Aedes akishamuuma binadamu. Tena huuma mchana. Hatua za kupambana na mbu huyu ni sawa na zile zinazochulikuwa kupambana na mbu wa Anopheles anayeambukiza malaria.  Watu waendelee kutumia vyandarua vilivyotiwa dawa, kupaka dawa za kuzuia kuumwa na mbu na kuharibu maeneo ya mazalia ya mbu.

          Nimetoa maelekezo kwa Wizara ya Afya na Ustawi wa Jamii kuhakikisha kuwa Bohari Kuu ya Madawa ya Serikali (MSD) wanaleta kits za kupimia maradhi haya (Dengue Rapid Test Kits) za kutosha na kuzisambaza kwenye hospitali na vituo vya afya. Nimeambiwa hivi sasa vipimo hivi havipo vya kutosha. Hii ni dharura ya kitaifa ambayo lazima ipewe uzito na uharaka unaostahili na Wizara ya Afya na Hazina.

Hitimisho

Ndugu Rais wa Chama cha Wauguzi;

Ndugu Wauguzi;

Niruhusuni nimalize hotuba yangu kwa kurudia kuwashukuru kwa kunialika na kwa risala yenu nzuri. Nimejifunza mengi na kama nilivyosema, nakwenda kuifanyia kazi risala yenu na yote niliyosikia na kuona yanayohitaji kuchukuliwa hatua. Yale masuala ya kimuundo na mengineyo nitakwenda kuyakwamua huko yalikokwama, ili utekelezaji uanze. Yale yahusuyo posho, kama nilivyoeleza, baadhi yake yatashughulikiwa katika bajeti ijayo na mengine tutaendelea kuyashughulikia kadri uwezo utakavyoruhusu.

Ninachoweza kusema kwa uhakika kabisa ni kuwa tunawapenda, tunatambua umuhimu wenu na tunawathamini sana. Katu hakuna upungufu wa dhamira bali tunakwazwa na uwezo mdogo wa mapato ya Serikali  kuweza kutosheleza mahitaji yote ya kuboresha huduma ya afya na maslahi kwa watumishi wa afya nchini.  Narudia kusisitiza kuwa kamwe sio kutokana na kukosekana kwa utayari wa kutatua changamoto zinazowakabili wauguzi au watumishi wengine wa umma.

Upo ushahidi wa wazi wa juhudi za Serikali ninayoiongoza ya kufanya mambo mengi makubwa na madogo ya kuboresha mazingira ya kazi kwa kila kada na sekta kadiri uwezo unavyoruhusu. Mtakubaliana nami kuwa hali ya kada ya wauguzi ilivyo leo, si sawa na ilivyokuwa miaka 10 iliyopita. Tumepiga hatua kiasi chake lakini bado tuna safari ndefu na tutaendelea kufanya zaidi.  Ni dhahiri kwamba tumesogea kutoka pale tulipokuwa, ingawa hatujafika tunapodhamiria kwenda. Kwa vile msimamo na muelekeo wetu ni sahihi, naamini baada ya muda si mrefu tutafika. Penye nia pana njia. Inawezekana Timiza Wajibu wako.

Mungu Ibariki Afrika,

Mungu Ibariki Tanzania.

          Asanteni sana kwa kunisikiliza.