Development Projects
The International Development Association (IDA) has offered a credit of 21 million dollars to be committed when funds become available to meet part of a five year programme to improve internal telephone communication.
The Tanga Cement Factory plans to export 33,000 tons of cement to Burundi. Shipments have already been made to Sri Lanka and there is the possibility of further exports to India and the Gulf states.
The EEC will finance 50% of the cost of planting 29,000 hektares of new coffee in 8 Regions over the next 5 years. The aim is to increase the number of small-holder coffee growers from 210,000 to 331,000.
Tobacco production has fallen to 11 million kilos from 19 million kilos in 1976-77 and as a result the Tobacco Authority has had to layoff 428 workers.
Finland is providing 21% of the foreign costs of trial runs for a phosphate mine in Hanang District in northern Tanzania.
Norway has made two grants totalling shs.204 million for balance of payments support and as assistance to agriculture, transport and industries.
The bamboo pipes project has successfully tested its first wooden water mains valve and other wood-fabricated water supply equipment. These can be produced at less than half the cost of conventional equipment and suitably treated are expected to last for more than 30 years. It is estimated that 260 kilometres of bamboo pipes will be in use by the end of the current financial year providing water to 10,000 people.*
The World Bank is to provide a loan for the first of a four-stage redevelopment of the Dar es Salaam sewage system. The existing system is 25 years old and in a poor state, with only 2 of its 11 pumping stations in operation. The continued growth of the city, which has now nearly 1 million people and is expected to increase to 1.5 million by 1985, means that a low cost system is essential and areas not served by sewers will be provided with an improved type of pit latrine developed by UTAFITI (Tanzania National Scientific Research Council).
Political and Economic
A separate post has been created of Secretary-General of JUWATA (the trade union
organisation). Previously, this post was combined with that of the Minister of Labour.
In October, a contract between TAFICO (Tanzanian Fisheries Corporation) and the AFC (Atlantic Fisheries Corporation, a private company) was rescinded by the Government after an investigation had revealed that it had not been drawn up in accordance with Government procedures. An investigation was begun after reports in the Daily News that the contract was very advantageous to the AFC.
Seven employees of the Tanzania Tourist Corporation have been dismissed on Government orders on the grounds that they had used their Party positions to disrupt the work of four hotels and had attempted to shield unscrupulous workers from disciplinary measures.
The General Manager of SUDECO (Sugar Development Corporation) has been retired in the public interest following the purchase of an unserviceable godown and subsequent damage to large quantities of sugar at a time of national shortage (see Bulletin no.13 of July, 1981).
Also removed from their offices were five officials of the Dar es Salaam City Council for acts of economic sabotage involving misuse of public funds and disregard for financial regulations.
In the last financial year, NAFCO (National Agricultural and Food Corporation) exceeded its target for rice production by 12% and made a profit of shs.21 million.
The recent revival of the sisal industry is faltering due to lack of sisal cutters. Estates are unable to retain younger recruits and have an ageing labour force of 8,000 instead of the 11,000 required. Production in the last 6 months was below 35,000 tons against a target of 50,000 tons.
* Unfortunately, the bamboo pipes installed at the Sinai water project supported by the Britain-Tanzania Society burst and appeared unable to withstand the relatively high pressures of water involved.