It was a historic year

2008-12-28 11:57:10
By Richard Mgamba and Rodgers Luhwago

Most Tanzanians may not have had much cause to smile during the year 2008, due to the tough economic situation, but they were gladdened by dramatic, historically significant events, topping the list being the government`s earnest move to probe and prosecute perpetrators of grand corruption.

Looking at the laundry list of the events spanning the past 12 months - the dramatic resignation of prime minister Edward Lowassa, the four-day historic visit by the world`s most powerful leader, US President George W. Bush, the resignation of three senior cabinet ministers, the EPA scam and the arrest and prosecutions of top individuals - the year under review was truly historic, and will remainfor a long time in the minds of the Tanzanians and even external observers.

Economically it was a tough year because of the dramatic surge of fuel prices at the global market reaching a record high of $146 per barrel, while food production plummeted extremely, posing a threat to millions of people, especially in the Third World.

At the global level, there was an ill-omened frailty about the economic trend following the financial turmoil that emerged suddenly during the last quarter of 2008.

In mid-September, the financial system came close to collapse. The failure of Lehman Brothers, the 158-year-old Wall Street investment bank, triggered panic in markets.

Barrick considering pulling out

The giant mining firm Barrick Gold Tanzania has said it is considering halting its operations in the country. Barrick Vice President, Africa Region, Gareth Taylor told this paper in an interview yesterday, shortly after he attended a workshop to launch the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) held in Dar es Salaam, a global mining `watchdog`. During the interview with selected media, Taylor said the mining firm had for several years recorded declining profits. He did not give figures, only stating: ``We are now thinking about our future operations in the country. This is due to the fact that the company has for several years not recorded profits. As a business company, this is a critical position where we are required to think about our future,`` he said. He said the widely exaggerated criticism that the mining firm was enriching itself through exploiting the mineral wealth of the country at the expense of its poor people was not true as the company paid all levies and taxes and that it operated in an open and transparent manner. ``All criticisms being levelled at us are not true. They are just unfounded claims which intend to tarnish the good image of our company. We are operating under rules and regulations stipulated in the mining laws and not otherwise,`` said Taylor.

Tanzania, Iran seek stronger relations

By Citizen Reporter

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has said his country is set to strengthen ties with Tanzania in agriculture and other economic activities.

"Iran's relations with Tanzania are very friendly, and historical�we welcome the expansion of ties with you," Tehran Times quoted Mr Ahmadinejad as telling Foreign minister Bernard Membe yesterday.
Mr Membe, on his part, called for stronger relations between Iran and Tanzania.

"Tanzania is determined to deepen its relations with Iran and would support the Islamic Republic in international forums," he said.
He said Iran's scientific developments showed that the sanctions against the country had been ineffective.

The sanctions had taught Iranians to stand on their own feet and Iran had defeated the supporters of sanctions through making progress, Mr Membe stated.

In a separate meeting with Mr Membe, Iranian Foreign minister Manuchehr Mottaki said Tanzania was an important target in Iran�s plan to develop ties with African states.

Mr Mottaki said time was ripe for closer ties between the two countries, adding that Iran had used its friendly relations with African states to help end conflicts in Africa.

Tehran has mediated peace talks between Chad and Sudan, Mr Mottaki explained. Mr Membe said Tanzania wanted to learn from Iran�s experience in industrial, agricultural, and health spheres.