ZAMBIA GENERAL ELECTIONS 2016: OBSERVER GROUP INTERIM STATEMENT 13 AUGUST 2016

 Statement by: HE Dr Jakaya Kikwete, Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group to Zambia

The Commonwealth Observer Group commends the people of the Republic of Zambia for the peaceful and orderly manner in which they exercised their right to vote on 11 August 2016.

The Group has been present in Zambia since 4 August. Our arrival was preceded by an advance team which has been in the country since 22 July.

We have met with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), political parties, civil society, including women and youth groups, media representatives, the Police, Commonwealth High Commissioners and other election observer missions.

On 9 August, our teams were deployed throughout the ten provinces of Zambia to observe the election environment and preparations. Ahead of Election Day, our teams met electoral officials, political parties and the police at the district level to gain a comprehensive picture of the electoral processes and environment. Commonwealth teams also observed the final campaign events around the country.

The following is an initial assessment of the critical aspects of the election process and the electoral environment. Our final report, which we will complete before our departure, will be issued at a later date.

Key findings

Pre-election environment and issues

The campaign

In our briefings with a number of stakeholders, we were informed that there had been a significant increase in the frequency of politically-motivated violence in the pre-electoral environment.

We note, for instance, that the ECZ suspended campaigning in Lusaka and Namwala districts from 9 to 18 July following two separate fatal incidents.

We were further concerned about complaints that the Public Order Act was being applied in such a manner that it prevented some parties from campaigning, earlier in the process.  In meetings with representatives of the Police Service, the Group was advised that the Police only cancelled public meetings in instances where they had received intelligence of a security threat, or where they did not have sufficient resources to provide security at the public event.

We were therefore particularly pleased to note that the campaigns conducted on the eve of elections, were lively and generally peaceful.

The Group will analyse the impact of the application of the Public Order Act in the greater detail in the final report.

The media environment

Most stakeholders expressed the view that the media in Zambia is polarised, with outlets demonstrating a clear bias for and against particular presidential candidates and parties. 

It is the impression of the team that both public and private media in Zambia have, in some cases, reported events inaccurately, especially those which have not been in favour of their respective sympathising party. This type of reporting may have also been enhanced because of the lack of a self-regulatory body. 

However, the Group notes that the public media should be held to a higher standard of responsibility to provide balanced coverage and equal access to airtime for all political parties. Therefore we encourage a more robust regulatory framework for public media institutions.

The Group notes that the Electoral Code of Conduct which is a schedule to the Electoral Processes Act, 2016, requires the media to provide fair and balanced reporting during elections, and to allocate public air time equally to all political parties and candidates. The enforcement of these provisions need to be strengthened.

The revised electoral framework

Zambia’s 2016 General Elections was conducted under a revised constitutional framework.  The constitutional review process that had been underway for the past 12 years culminated in the passage of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act No. 2 of 2016, which was enacted by Parliament early this year.

Some of the major changes introduced, include the 50% plus one threshold for the winner of the presidential elections, as well as the minimum Grade 12 certificate requirement for candidates seeking political office.

The revised Constitution necessitated the revision of about 33 subsidiary pieces of legislation. However, due to time constraints, only two election-related bills were tabled before Parliament before its dissolution.

We note the positive aspects of the election related bills. For instance, the integration of the code of conduct into the Electoral Process Bill, 2016.

However, we heard concerns that these bills were rushed through Parliament and did not benefit from sufficient consultation. Furthermore, subsidiary legislation was not subsequently passed, which limits the ability of the ECZ to conform fully with the new constitution and with regional and international standards.  We shall address this issue more comprehensivelyin our final report.

ELECTION DAY

The voting process

On Election Day, our observers reported that most voting stations opened on time with a few exceptions. For instance, five polling stations in Nalolo District in the North Western Province, remained closed at 12:30pm.

Like other Observers, we were struck by the very long queues in some polling stations. In one polling centre in Solwezi District (North Western Province) there were 11,500 voters on the register, and the centre had 12 streams.

The prescribed layout withinpolling stations was adhered to, and was conducive for orderly voting. However, the compounds surrounding some of the schools, and even polling tents, were too small to accommodate the large queues in an orderly manner.

At the opening of polls, polling officials largely followed the opening procedures and voting generally proceeded in an atmosphere of calm and orderliness, even if slow in some instances.

The voter register lacked an alphabetical index locating and confirming the voter's name and registration number. This created confusion amongst voters regarding the appropriate streams and contributed to the slow pace of voting in some instances.

In some cases, we witnessed assigned police personnel assisting the presiding officers in queue management. Their presence was non-intrusive.

We noted the ECZ’s attempt to simplify the complicated process of voting in five elections by using colour coded boxes and corresponding ballot papers. We observed that the polling assistants responsible for guiding voters to place their ballots in the correct boxes played a critical role in facilitating this process.

We commend the contribution made to the process by party agents, as well ascitizen observers and monitors, most of whom were young people. Party agents we met observed the rules of the polling station, were friendly and cooperated among themselves. They frequently assisted the polling officials to find names in the register, and engaged constructively when a problem arose.

In summary, we wish to highlight the following positive trends that we observed on polling day:

·        An encouraging turn-out

·        A largely peaceful process.

·        A robust voter register.

·        Non-intrusive presence of the police

·        An inclusive process with a balance of Zambian women and men playing their roles as voters and as polling officers. However, we note, with concern, the very low participation of women as candidates which we will address in our final report. We further note that differently abled people as well as the elderly, mothers with young children, and pregnant women were assisted to vote.

·        There was a visible presence of citizen observers across the country, most of whom were young people.

·        Electoral processes were largely followed.

We however note the following challenges during the voting process:

The Referendum

It appeared that civic education on the Referendum, which commenced rather late, following the passage of bills in Parliament on 29 May 2016, was inadequate.

Observers came across a disturbing number of incidents where voters shunned the Referendum ballot, refusing to collect it, either due to lack of understanding or owing to the politicisation of this ballot. The inclusion of the Referendum vote, together with the four ballots, meant it did not receive the due attention it deserved.

Our sense, yet to be borne out by the results, is that the Referendum may have suffered from inadequate civic education on its importance. We note that in our briefing sessions, this development was foreshadowed by a number of stakeholders.

Queue management

Our advance observers were informed in their briefings that where polling stations had more than 500 voters on their voter registers, they would be split into multiple streams to handle the flow of voters.  We note, however, that this did not seem to have occurred in a number of polling stations with overwhelming numbers of voters.

In some cases, queues caused congestion in the affected polling stations, and voters had to wait for long hours in vote.   We note that in one polling centre, the Red Cross had provided a rest facility for those who might require it.

In a highly contested election such as this, where the political landscape is quite polarised, unwieldy queues could spark unruly behaviour. We will provide some recommendations on this issue in our final report.

Late opening of a few polling stations

We note the late opening of a relatively few number of polling stations. According to the ECZ, some of the lost time was compensated with the late closure of those polling stations affected.

Voting for polling officials and security personnel on duty

We witnessed cases where the ‘certificates of authority’ required by security personal and polling officials to vote in their duty locations had not been given to them, particularly in the Copperbelt area.

We understand that in some cases, these certificates arrived just before the close of polls. This incident brings to the fore the need to strengthen special voting arrangements for the next election.

We conclude that the voting process appeared to be smooth and peaceful.  The voter register appeared robust with relatively few incidents where voters could not find their names. Our teams note that where there were anomalies in the application of certain procedures, they were not of such gravity as to negatively impact the credibility of the process.

CLOSING, COUNTING AND THE RESULTS PROCESS

At the close of polls at 6:00pm, our Observers reported that there were still a significant number of voters in the previously long queues.

Our Observers reported that those voters in the queue at the close of polls were allowed to vote, in line with the law.

In the main, closing procedures were followed.The counting process was transparent, and spoilt ballots were determined in a consultative manner among the polling officials and party agents.

In some cases, however, the application of the counting processes appeared inconsistent. This seems to suggest that training of polling staff in those particular areas may have been inadequate.

Overall conclusion

Our overall conclusion is that the voting, closing and counting process at the polling stations on 11 August, were credible and transparent.

However, we are mindful that the results process is ongoing. Our final assessment on the entire process, will be contained in our final report.

It is the Commonwealth’s hope and expectation that this spirit of orderliness, tolerance and peace, which has characterised the voting process, will prevail as the results phase continues.

We urge all political parties and candidates to respect the will of the people of Zambia as it emerges over the next few days, and to seek redress for any grievances through peaceful dialogue, and through prescribed legal channels. This is the Zambian Constitutional way. It is also the Commonwealth way.

We reiterate the appeal we made to all Zambians, in the joint statement by African and International Election Observation Missions on 10 August 2016, to refrain from making any utterances and/or performing acts that could trigger tensions and negatively affect the post-election environment.

As we underscored in that statement, Zambia has committed itself to certain democratic values contained in the national, regional, Commonwealth and International obligations it has chosen to subscribe to. This country has a history of upholding these values during elections. We urge all stakeholders to cherish this history.

SERIKALI MKOANI SIMIYU YAAZIMIA KUWACHUKULIA HATUA WATENDAJI WANAOTOA TAKWIMU ZA UONGO

Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Simiyu, Anthony Mtaka akizungumza na Wakuu wa Wilaya, Makatibu Tawala Wilaya na Wakurugenzi wa Halmashauri za  Mkoa huo (hawapo pichani), katika Mafunzo elekezi yaliyotolewa kwa viongozi hao Mjini Bariadi kwa lengo la kuwajengea uwezo wa Kiutendaji

Katibu Tawala Mkoa wa Simiyu, Jumanne Sagini(kushoto) akitoa maelezo ya utangulizi kwa Wakuu wa Wilaya, Makatibu Tawala Wilaya na Wakurugenzi wa Halmashauri za  Mkoa huo (hawapo pichani) kabla ya kumkaribisha Mkuu wa Mkoa huo Anthony Mtaka (kulia) kufungua Mafunzo elekezi kwa viongozi hao

Baadhi ya Wajumbe wakimsikiliza Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Simiyu, Anthony Mtaka (hayupo pichani) wakati akifungua mafunzo elekezi kwa Wakuu wa Wilaya, Makatibu Tawala Wilaya na Wakurugenzi wa Halmashauri za  Mkoa huo, yaliyotolewa kwa lengo la kuwajengea uwezo wa Kiutendaji.Mstari wa Kwanza kutoka kushoto Wakuu wa Wilaya,Tano Mwera (Busega), Seif Shekalaghe (Maswa), Joseph Chilongani (Meatu), Benson Kilangi (Itilima) na Festo Kiswaga (Bariadi).

Wakuu wa Vyombo vya Ulinzi na Usalama Mkoa wa Simiyu wakimsikiliza Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Simiyu, Anthony Mtaka (hayupo pichani) wakati akifungua mafunzo elekezi kwa Wakuu wa Wilaya, Makatibu Tawala Wilaya na Wakurugenzi wa Halmashauri za  Mkoa huo, yaliyotolewa kwa lengo la kuwajengea uwezo wa Kiutendaji. Kutoka (kushoto) Kamanda wa Polisi Mkoa, Mkuu wa Usalama wa Taifa, Afisa Uhamiaji, Kamanda wa Zimamoto na Mkuu wa TAKUKURU

Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Simiyu, Anthony Mtaka (wa pili kulia kwa waliokaa) akiwa katika picha ya pamoja na  Wakuu wa Vyombo Vya Ulinzi na Usalama Mkoa, Makatibu Tawala Wasaidizi, Wakuu wa Wilaya, Makatibu Tawala Wilaya na Wakurugenzi wa Halmashauri za  Mkoa huo, baada ya kufungua Mafunzo elekezi yaliyotolewa kwa viongozi hao wa Wilaya Mjini Bariadi, kwa lengo la kuwajengea uwezo wa Kiutendaji. (wa pili kushoto)Katibu Tawala Mkoa wa Simiyu, Jumanne Sagini (kushoto)Mkuu wa Wilaya Busega, Tano Mwera na( kulia) Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Bariadi, Festo Kiswaga.

Na Stella Kalinga, SIMIYU

Serikali Mkoani Simiyu imesema haiko tayari kuwavumilia na kuwaacha katika vyeo na majukumu waliyonayo watendaji wanaotoa takwimu zisizo za kweli.

Kauli hiyo imetolewa na Mkuu wa mkoa huo, Mhe. Anthony Mtaka wakati wa ufunguzi wa mafunzo elekezi yaliyotolewa kwa Wakuu wa Wilaya, Makatibu Tawala Wilaya na Wakurugenzi wa Halmashauri za Mkoa huo, yaliyofanyika jana Mjini Bariadi, kwa lengo la kuwajengea uwezo wa kiutendaji, kwa kuwa baadhi ya viongozi hao wametoka katika sekta binafsi ambazo zina mifumo tofauti ya kitendaji na mfumo wa Serikali.

“Tunawezaje kukaa na Mtendaji ambaye ukimwomba taarifa za upungufu wa madawati anadanganya, idadi ya wanafunzi anadanganya, walimu anadaganya tutamchukulia hatua tu. Lazima tupeleke ujumbe kwamba taarifa za uongo hazina nafasi tena katika Mkoa wa Simiyu. Namwagiza Katibu Tawala Mkoa, aanze kuchukua hatua stahiki dhidi ya watendaji wote waliotoa taarifa zisizo za kweli  hususani katika takwimu za wanafunzi, walimu, madawati na vyumba vya madarasa”, alisema Mtaka.

Mtaka amesema azma ya Serikali Mkoani humo ni kuhakikisha Nafasi za watendaji wasio waadlifu zinajazwa na watumishi waadilifu, wenye sifa na elimu ya kutosha waliopo katika Halmashauri za Mkoa huo.

Aidha, Mkuu huyo wa Mkoa amewataka viongozi hao wa Wilaya kubaini watumishi wenye sifa na uwezo wa kutekeleza majukumu ya Serikali katika maeneo yao na wawape fursa watumie talanta zao kwa manufaa ya wananchi na Taifa kwa ujumla.

Pamoja na kubaini watumishi wenye sifa, viongozi hao wameelekezwa kuwachukulia hatua watumishi wanaopenda kufanya kazi kwa mazoea, ikiwa ni pamoja na kuwapangia majukumu yanayoendana na uwezo wao wa kufanya kazi.

Katika kuboresha ukusanyaji wa mapato, Mtaka ametoa wito kwa viongozi hao kuibua vyanzo vipya vya mapato na kusimamia ukusanyaji wa Mapato hayo kwa kuzingatia maagizo ya Rais wa Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania, Dkt. John Pombe Magufuli ya kutowabugudhi wananchi wanyonge na akawataka Wakurugenzi wa Halmashauri  kuhakikisha wanatenga asilimia 10 ya mapato yao ya ndani kwa ajili ya kuimarisha vikundi vya uzalishaji vya vijana na wanawake 

Sanjari na hilo Mtaka amewataka Viongozi hao wa Wilaya kutambua fursa za maendeleo katika maeneo yao na kuzitekelezafursa hizo kwa manufaa ya Wananchi walio katika maeneo yao.

Akizungumza baada ya mafunzo hayo, Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Busega Mhe, Tano Mwera alisema mafunzo hayo yamemsaidia  kumpa mwanga na dira ya utendaji katika nafasi yake hasa katika utaratibu wa mawasiliano na mahusiano kati ya Serikali Kuu na Serikali za Mitaa kwa Mujibu wa Sheria, Kanuni na Taratibu za Nchi, Nafasi yake kama Kiongozi wa Serikali Wilayani pamoja na Sheria na Miongozo ya Vyombo vya Ulinzi na Usalama.

Mafunzo hayo ya siku moja kwa Wakuu wa Wilaya, Makatibu Tawala Wilaya na Wakurugenzi wa Halmashauri ambayo yaliongozwa na Katibu Tawala Mkoa wa Simiyu, Jumanne Sagini. yaliendeshwa na Makatibu Tawala Wasaidizi kutoka Ofisi ya Mkuu wa Mkoa, Wakuu wa Vyombo vya Ulinzi na Usalama wa Mkoa huo.

Hakuna fidia kwa wakazi watakaopisha miradi ya REA- Prof Muhongo

Mkandarasi kutoka kampuni ya Future Century Limited  ya  Tanzania Hellen Masanja (kushoto) akielezea utekelezaji wa usambazaji wa umeme  katika jimbo la Handeni Vijijini mbele ya Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Profesa Sospeter Muhongo (kulia) katika eneo la Kweditilibe wilayani Handeni mkoani Tanga. Profesa Muhongo  yupo mkoani Tanga kwa ajili ya kukagua miradi ya umeme  vijijini inayotekelezwa na Wakala wa Nishati  Vijijini (REA) pamoja na kuzungumza na wananchi.

Mbunge wa Handeni Vijijini (CCM), Mboni Mhita akielezea utekelezaji wa miradi ya  umeme  vijijini  (REA) uliofanywa na kampuni ya Future Century Limited katika  jimbo hilo katika eneo la Kweditilibe wilayani Handeni mkoani Tanga.

Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Profesa Sospeter Muhongo (katikati) akielezea mikakati ya usambazaji wa umeme vijijini itakavyotekelezwa na  Wakala wa Nishati Vijijini Awamu ya  Tatu katika eneo la Kweditilibe wilayani Handeni mkoani Tanga

Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Profesa Sospeter Muhongo (katikati) akipokea zawadi  ya mbuzi kutoka kwa baadhi wa wakazi kutoka eneo la Kweditilibe wilayani Handeni mkoani Tanga

Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Profesa Sospeter Muhongo akisalimiana na wanakijiji wa kata ya Kwamgwe iliyopo wilayani Handeni mkoani Tanga

Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Profesa Sospeter Muhongo akisani kitabu cha wageni mara baada ya kuwasili katika  kata ya Kwamgwe wilayani Handeni mkoani Tanga.

Afisa Mtendaji wa Kata ya Kwamgwe iliyopo wilayani Handeni mkoani  Tanga, Athumani Ndutu (kushoto) akiwasilisha taarifa ya utekelezaji wa miradi ya usambazaji  wa umeme vijijini  inayotekelezwa na  Wakala wa Nishati Vijijini (REA) Awamu ya Pili.

Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Profesa Sospeter Muhongo (katikati) akisikiliza maoni yaliyokuwa yanawasilishwa na mmoja  wa wakazi wa Kata ya Kamgwe wilayani Handeni mkoani Tanga. Kulia ni Mbunge wa Jimbo  la Handeni Vijijini, Mboni Mhita.

…………………………………………………………………………….

Na  Greyson Mwase, Tanga

Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Profesa Sospeter Muhongo amesema kuwa hakuna fidia yoyote itakayotolewa kwa wananchi watakaopisha ujenzi wa miundombinu ya kusambaza umeme  vijijijni unaotekelezwa na Wakala wa Nishati Vijijini (REA).

Profesa Muhongo aliyasema hayo alipokuwa  akizungumza  kwa nyakati tofauti na wakazi kutoka katika vijiji vya Kweditibile na  Kamgwe  vilivyopo katika wilaya ya Handeni mkoani  Tanga. Profesa Muhongo  yupo mkoani Tanga kwa ajili ya kukagua utekelezaji wa miradi ya  usambazaji wa umeme  vijijini  inayosimamiwa na Wakala wa Nishati Vijijini (REA) pamoja na kuzungumza na wananchi.

Profesa Muhongo alisema kuwa serikali imetenga kiasi kikubwa cha  fedha kwa ajili ya usambazaji wa umeme  vijijini  ambapo  iwapo fedha hizo zitatumika kwa ajili ya kulipa  fidia, inaweza kuathiri utekelezaji wa miradi  ya REA

“Mkumbuke kuwa  iwapo fedha hizi zitatumika kulipa  fidia kwa wananchi wanaopisha miradi ya umeme  vijijini, fedha nyingi zitatumika na kukwamisha utekelezaji wa miradi ya REA,” alisema Profesa Muhongo

Aliendelea kusema kuwa miundombinu ya umeme haihitaji eneo kubwa hivyo haiwezi kuathiri mazao kwenye mashamba kama inavyoaminika na watu wengi

Alifafanua kuwa nishati ya umeme ni muhimu kwa ukuaji wa uchumi wa nchi na kuongeza kuwa serikali imeweka mkakati wa kuhakikisha kuwa ifikapo mwaka 2020 vijiji vyote nchini  vinapata huduma ya umeme na kuchangia ukuaji wa uchumi wa nchi

Alisema kuwepo kwa nishati ya uhakika  vijijini kutapelekea wanavijiji kuanzisha  viwanda vya kusaga  na kukoboa nafaka, kilimo cha  kisasa na kuongezeka kwa ufaulu darasani.

Hata hivyo Profesa Muhongo alitoa agizo kwa Shirika la Umeme Nchini (TANESCO) kuhakikisha kuwa wananchi waliostahili kuunganishiwa umeme kupitia REA Awamu ya pili wanaunganishiwa kabla ya mwezi Oktoba mwishoni kwa gharama  ya shilingi 27,000.

Wakati huohuo Mbunge wa Handeni Vijijini, Mboni Mhita aliishukuru Serikali kupitia Wakala wa Nishati Vijijini (REA) kwa kasi kubwa ya usambazaji wa umeme  vijijini na kuwataka wananchi  wa jimbo lake kuchangamkia fursa hiyo.

LAPF YAWAFUNDA WAHARIRI WA VYOMBO VYA HABARI KUHUSU MAANDALIZI KABLA YA KUSTAAFU

Meneja Masoko na Mawasiliano wa Mfuko wa Pensheni wa Serikali za Mitaa LAPF Bw. James Mlowe akizungumza wakati wa semina na wahariri wa Vyombo vya habari mbalimbali kuhusu maandalizi ya mafao ya kustaafu inayofanyika kwenye jengo la LAPF Tower Makumbusho jijini Dar es salaam, ambapo mada mbalimbali zimetolewa kuhusu mafao yanayotolewa na mfuko huo Kutoka kulia ni Kafiti Kafiti Afisa  Matekelezo Mwandamizi Kanda ya Mashariki LAPF, Amina Kassim Meneja wa Kanda LAPF.

Meneja Masoko na Mawasiliano wa Mfuko wa Pensheni wa Serikali za Mitaa LAPF Bw. James Mlowe akizungumzawakati wa semina ya wahariri wa Vyombo vya habari mbalimbali kuhusu maandalizi ya mafao ya kustaafu inayofanyika kwenye jengo la LAPF Tower Makumbusho jijini Dar es salaam, Kutoka kulia ni Kafiti Kafiti Afisa  Matekelezo Mwandamizi Kanda ya Mashariki LAPF, Amina Kassim Meneja wa Kanda LAPF, Theophil Makunga Mwenyekiti wa Jukwaa la Wahariri na kushoto ni Victor Kikoti Meneja Matekelezo LAPF.

Baadhi ya wahariri wa vyombo vya habari wakiwa katika semina hiyo inayofanyika kwenye jengo la LAPF Tower jijini Dar es salaam.

Afisa Habari wa LAPF Rehema Mkamba akigawa vifaa kwa ajili ya semina ya wahariri wa vyombo vya habari katika semina ya mafao ya kustaafu yaliyofanyika kwenye jengo la LAPF Tower jijini Dar es salaam.

Mwenyekiti wa Jukwaa la Wahariri TEF Bw. Thephil Makunga akizungumza jambo wakati wa ufunguzi wa semina hiyo, kulia ni Amina Kassim Meneja wa LAPF Kanda ya Mashariki na kushoto ni Meneja Masoko na Mawasiliano wa Mfuko wa Pensheni wa Serikali za Mitaa LAPF Bw. James Mlowe.

Amina Kassim Meneja wa LAPF Kanda ya Mashariki akitoa mada katika semina hiyo

Amina Kassim Meneja wa LAPF Kanda ya Mashariki akisisitiza jambo  mada katika semina hiyo.

Victor Kikoti Meneja Matekelezo LAPF akitoa mada wakati wa semina ya Wahariri wa Vyombo vya Habari kuhusu maadalizi ya mafao ya kustaafu iliyofanyika kwenye jengo la LAPF Tower jijini Dar es salaam.

KILA KIJIJI KUPATIWA UMEME IFIKAPO MWAKA 2020

Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Profesa Sospeter Muhongo (kulia) akisalimiana na sehemu ya watendaji kutoka Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (TANESCO) pamoja na wakandarasi wanaosimamia miradi ya umeme vijijini inayosimamiwa na Wakala wa Nishati Vijijini (REA) mara baada ya kuwasili wilayani Handeni mkoani Tanga.

Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Profesa Sospeter Muhongo (kulia) na Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Tanga, Martine Shigela (kushoto) wakifuatilia taarifa ya utekelezaji wa miradi ya umeme vijijini inayosimamiwa na REA Awamu ya Pili (REA II) iliyokuwa inasomwa na Meneja wa Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (TANESCO) mkoani Tanga Mhandisi Abdulrahman Nyenye (hayupo pichani)

Meneja wa Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (TANESCO) mkoani Tanga Mhandisi Abdulrahman Nyenye akisoma taarifa ya utekelezaji wa miradi ya umeme vijijini chini ya Wakala wa Nishati Vijijini (REA) mbele ya Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Profesa Sospeter Muhongo pamoja na watendaji wengine kutoka Ofisi ya Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Tanga, Wilaya ya Handeni, Wizara ya Nishati na Madini, TANESCO na wakandarasi wanaotekeleza miradi ya REA.

Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Tanga Martine Shigela akielezea mafanikio ya miradi ya usambazaji wa umeme vijijini iliyotekelezwa na Wakala wa Nishati Vijijini Awamu ya Pili (REA II).

Na Greyson Mwase, Tanga

Waziri wa Nishati na Madini Profesa Sospeter Muhongo amesema kuwa serikali imeweka mikakati ya kuhakikisha kuwa ifikapo mwaka 2020 kila mwananchi anapata umeme wa uhakika na kupelekea uchumi wa nchi kukua kwa kasi.

Profesa Muhongo aliyasema hayo mara baada ya kupokea taarifa ya utekelezaji wa miradi ya usambazaji wa umeme vijijini inayosimamiwa na Wakala wa Nishati Vijijini Awamu ya Pili (REA II) kutoka kwa watendaji wa Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (TANESCO) mkoani Tanga. Profesa Muhongo yupo mkoani Tanga kwa ajili ya kukagua miradi ya umeme vijijini inayotekelezwa na REA pamoja na kuzungumza na wananchi.

Profesa Muhongo alisema kuwa kwa kutambua mchango wa nishati ya umeme katika ukuaji wa viwanda nchini, serikali imeweka mkakati wa kuhakikisha kuwa kasi ya usambazaji wa umeme vijijini inaongezeka ili ifikapo mwaka 2020 mgawo wa umeme uwe ni historia

Alieleza kuwa serikali imeamua kuweka nguvu katika usambazaji wa umeme  hususan katika maeneo ya vijijini ili kufuta umaskini kwani kupitia nishati ya umeme wananchi waishio vijijini wana uwezo wa kuanzisha viwanda vidogo vidogo na kuongeza ajira na kupunguza wimbi la vijana wengi kukimbilia mijini kwa ajili ya kutafuta maisha.

Akielezea mpango wa utekelezaji wa miradi ya umeme vijijini itakayosimamiwa na REA Awamu ya Tatu (REA III), Profesa Muhongo alisema kuwa serikali imetenga zaidi ya shilingi trilioni moja kwa ajili ya kusambaza umeme katika maeneo yote kipaumbele kikiwa ni katika vijiji vilivyokosa umeme REA Awamu ya Pili. (REA II) Hata hivyo Profesa Muhongo alieleza kuwa wakandarasi waliokwamisha miradi ya REA Awamu ya Pili hawatapewa kazi ya kusambaza umeme vijijini katika REA Awamu ya Tatu.

“Serikali iko makini katika kuhakikisha kuwa wakandarasi wenye sifa wanapewa kasi ya kusambaza umeme vijijini, hatuhitaji wakandarasi wasiotekeleza miradi kwa wakati,” alisema Profesa Muhongo.

Profesa Muhongo aliwataka wakandarasi wa kitanzania wenye vigezo kujitokeza na kuchangamkia fursa ya kusambaza umeme vijijini kupita REA Awamu ya Tatu. Aliongeza kuwa kupitia REA Awamu ya Pili wakandarasi wa kitanzania walionyesha uwezo mkubwa sana katika kusambaza umeme vijijini.

Ili kuendana na mahitaji ya umeme nchini Profesa Muhongo alilitaka Shirika la Umeme Tanzania (TANESCO) kuhakikisha linaongeza Megawati 200 za ziada ndani ya miezi 18.

Alisema wakati serikali kupitia REA ikiendela na kasi yake ya kusambaza umeme nchi nzima, shirika la TANESCO linatakiwa kuhakikisha nishati ya uhakika inapatikana ikiwa ni pamoja na ubunifu wa vyanzo vipya vya umeme.

Awali akielezea utekelezaji wa miradi ya umeme vijijini mkoani Tanga, Meneja wa Shirika la Umeme Tanzania mkoani Tanga, Mhandisi Abdulrahman Nyenye alisema kuwa miradi ya umeme vijijini chini ya ufadhili wa REA imekuwa ikitekelezwa katika wilaya zote nane za mkoa wa Tanga ambazo ni pamoja na Tanga Mjini, Muheza, Korogwe, Handeni, Kilindi, Lushoto, Pangani na Mkinga ambazo zinapata umeme wake kutoka Gridi ya Taifa kupitia vituo vya Hale, Kange na Tanga (Majani Mapana)

Alisema kundi la kwanza lilihusisha wilaya za Korogwe, Lushoto, Handeni na Kilindi ambapo mradi wa wilaya hizi ulitekelezwa na mkandarasi STEG International Services Ltd ya Tunisia na kusimamiwa na TANESCO.

Alifafanua kuwa gharama za mradi huo ilikuwa ni Dola za Marekani 9,463,502 ambazo ni sawa na shilingi bilioni 14.6 na kuendelea kusema kuwa kundi la pili lilihusisha wilaya za Muheza, Mkinga, Tanga Vijijini na Pangani na kutekelezwa na mkandarasi Sengerema Engineering Group Ltd ya Tanzania na kusimamiwa na TANESCO.

Alisema kuwa mradi huu uligharimu shilingi bilioni 15.6 na kusisitiza kuwa miradi yote kwa mkoa wa Tanga imekamilika kwa asilimia 99 ambapo jumla ya vijiji 178 vimepatiwa huduma ya umeme.

Akielezea changamoto katika utekelezaji wa miradi hiyo Mhandisi Nyenye alieleza kuwa ni pamoja na tatizo la wananchi kuzuia upitishwaji wa laini za umeme kwenye maeneo yao kwa kudai fidia ili kuruhusu mazao yao yakatwe na hali ya hewa ya mvua isiyotabirika hasa maeneo ya wilaya za Muheza na Lushoto.

Alitaja chagamoto nyingine kuwa ni pamoja na ubovu wa miundombinu hasa ya barabara kwenye maeneo mengi , hali duni ya kiuchumi ya wananchi inayopelekea wananchi kushindwa kulipa gharama za kuunganishiwa umeme na gharama kubwa za ukaguzi wa miundombinu ya ndani (wiring) zinazotozwa na wakandarasi ambazo zimekuwa ni kikwazo kwa wananchi wanaohitaji huduma ya umeme.