Helikopta ya Jeshi, ZINAKODISHWA?

Halisi · Dec 9, 2007

Pamoja na kukosewa kwa headline ya ajali ya helikopta, swali langu ni je, helikopta za jeshi zinakodishwa? Je, walikuwa watalii ama wageni wa jeshi/serikali? Niliwahi kumsikia KAtibu Mkuu Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii, Blandina Nyoni, akisema, wageni wetu wamepata ajali ya helikopta lakini hawajafa. Je ni watalii ama wageni wa serikali? Lakini mbona kuna muongoza watalii na si ofisa wa serikali? Je, ni zile helikopta ambazo walizileta akina VITHLANI na mwenzake Tanil Somaiya wa kesi ya RADA?

Walionusurika ajali ya Helikopta ya jeshi watajwa

na David Frank, Arusha

MAJINA ya watu saba walionusurika kufa baada ya helikopta ya Jeshi la Wananchi wa Tanzania (JWTZ) waliyokuwa wakisafiria kuanguka, yamefahamika.
Helikopta hiyo ilianguka na kuwaka moto juzi kwenye Ziwa Natron mkoani Arusha.

Kamanda wa Polisi mkoani Arusha, Matei Basilio, alisema ajali hiyo mbaya ilitokea juzi asubuhi majira ya saa 3:30, baada ya helikopta hiyo, ambayo namba zake za usajili hazijafahamika, kuruka na dakika chache baadaye ikiwa angani kutoa moshi mzito mweusi, kabla ya kuanguka ndani ya Ziwa Natron.

Kamanda Basilio alitaja walionusurika kifo na nchi wanazotoka kwenye mabano kuwa ni pamoja na Jeffrey Sibbery (Canada), Forest Sowyer (Marekani), Ben Herberston (Australia) na Mark Berker (Uingereza), mkazi wa Kisongo wilayani Arumeru, ambaye inasadikiwa kuwa mwenyeji wa watalii hao.

Watanzania walionusurika katika ajali hiyo ni pamoja na rubani wa helikopta hiyo ya jeshi, Luteni Kanali Mayenga, ambaye amevunjika mguu na kupelekwa Hospitali ya Rufaa ya KCMC Moshi, msaidizi wake, Luteni Edward, fundi wa helikopta, Gabriel Majala na mwongoza watalii, Issaya ole Poruo.

Aidha, kamanda huyo alisema kuwa Jeffrey na Forest wamepelekwa Kenya kwa ndege ya kukodi kwa matibabu zaidi baada ya hali zao kuonekana haziridhishi.

Akisimulia ajali hiyo, Kamanda Matei alisema mara baada ya helikopta hiyo kuanguka, wakazi wa Kijiji cha Engusero, waliwahi eneo la tukio na kufanikiwa kuwaoka abiria hao, waliokuwa katika helikopta hiyo kabla hawajapata madhara ya moto uliolipuka.

Watalii hao walikwenda katika eneo hilo kwa lengo la kupiga picha maeneo ya vivutio vya utalii, likiwemo Ziwa Natron na Mlima Oldonyo Lengai, ambao una sifa ya kutoa volkano hai na unaosifika kwa kulipuka mara kwa mara.

Wakati huo huo, Alli Waziri (45), alifariki dunia katika ajali ya gari iliyotokea jana katika eneo la Ndemwa ndani ya hifadhi ya Ngorongoro baada ya gari walilokuwa wakisafiria aina ya Toyota Land Cruiser, lenye namba za usajili T 241 ATC, kupinduka.

Kamanda Basilio alisema gari hiyo ilipinduka baada ya gurudumu la mbele upande wa kushoto kupasuka wakati gari ikiwa katika mwendo mkali. Gari hilo lilikuwa likiendeshwa na Gerald Msaki (45).

Dua · Dec 9, 2007

Mazingaombwe na maluelue mengine haya. Nani anayeruhusu chopa za Jeshi kufanya biashara? Wanalipa kwa nani? Hizo pesa zinakuwa accounted wapi?

Jeshi lina chopa ngapi? Ziko vituo gani na kwa shughuli ipi?

Rwabugiri · Dec 9, 2007

Halisi hivyo ni vitu vya msingi sana ulivo uliza, pamoja na hayo, vipi quality ya hizi helikopta zenyewe? kwani nilisikia hazikuwa zina kidhi viwango, je huenda ni sababu za viwango duni ndo maana imeanguka??

Mzee Mwanakijiji · Dec 9, 2007

Hold on a minute.. Bi. Nyoni (Katibu Mkuu Maliasili na Utalii) alipohojiwa mara baada ya ajali alisema Helikopta hiyo ilikuwa na "wageni wa serikali" those are her exact words. Sasa inawezekana walikuwa ni wageni wa Serikali ambao waliamua kufanya utaliii kidogo na wakashinda kupata usafiri mwingine wowote ambao ungempa biashara mswahili mwingine isipokuwa wa Helikopta...otherwise, kuna Prof. Ndumba Nangae mahali fulani

Halisi · Dec 9, 2007

Hivi hiyo helikopta ndio hizi zinazouzwa? au ndio biashara imegomba sasa zinakodishwa?

Govt chopper for sale

-Helicopters have of late become a popular means of transport for local politicians during election campaigns, enabling candidates to reach remote areas and also serving as a crowd-puller

Dar es Salaam

THE government has put one of its helicopters, along with various spare parts, up for sale and interested bidders given a deadline of mid-next month to submit offers.

The pending sale of the government chopper was advertised for the first time earlier this year with the initial deadline set for April 5. However, the Ministerial Tender Board in the ministry of finance has now re-advertised the tender and set November 15 this year as the new deadline for submission of tenders.

According to the specifications of Tender No. 1 of 2006/07 as advertised through a weekly regional newspaper last week, the government is inviting bids for the purchase of a boarded helicopter and spare parts on as is, where is basis.

It says details of the helicopter plus a list of the spare parts available and further information can be found on the official website of the ministry of finance.

However, when visited yesterday, the ministrys website showed only the tender notice as printed in the newspaper but did not provide any of the stated additional information.

While reasons for the sale of the government chopper and details of the tender documents remain sketchy, THISDAY understands that the government currently has a fleet of around three Agusta Bell helicopters.

One of them, model Bell 206, is owned by the police force and has traditionally been the only such aircraft owned by the government.

Apart from normal police operations, the machine has been put to use in various rescue missions and to fly top government leaders to remote locations in the country.

The Ministry of Defence and National Service recently bought four Agusta Bell helicopters model 412 EP for the Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces (TPDF). It is understood that two of these aircraft are currently in service.

Investigations by THISDAY have established that the helicopters bought for the TPDF are soft-skin, civilian choppers that are not suitable for specialised military operations.

A private company, Khaisa Enterprises Limited, has already filed a 17bn/- suit against the defence ministry for breach of contract in connection with the supply of helicopters to the TPDF.

The firm is seeking compensation amounting to 10 million euros (approx. 16.8bn/-) from the ministry for unlawfully dishonouring an agreement between the two parties over the supply of the choppers.

In the ongoing civil case number 74 of 2007 being handled by the High Court in Dar es Salaam, the Attorney General ? in his position as the governments chief legal advisor - has also been named as respondent alongside the ministrys permanent secretary.

According to details of the plaint obtained by THISDAY, Khaisa Enterprises claims that the defence ministry went against a valid contract in which the company was to supply six units of COUGAR AS 532 helicopters manufactured by Frances Eurocopters company at a total cost of 125 million euros (approx. 210bn/-).

It is alleged that the Augusta Bell choppers eventually purchased for the TPDF had already been rejected by the defendants (defence ministry), on the basis that the same were of inferior quality and were civilian helicopters, while defendants required helicopters for military use.

It is further alleged that the defence ministry purchased helicopters at a higher cost of $9.263m each, contrary to the ones proposed by the plaintiff (Khaisa Enterprises Ltd) which were relatively cheaper at $4.7m each, thus making the nation suffer a loss of $4.563m for each helicopter purchased.

Our sources say a local company, Merlin International Limited, was the agent used to supply the Agusta Bell helicopters to the government at vastly inflated prices.

Merlin International, registered in the name of local businessmen Shailesh Vithlani and Tanil Somaiya, has also been linked to the controversial 28 million pounds sterling (approx. 70bn/-) military radar system purchase, the governments purchase of a $40m (50.7bn/-) Gulfstream presidential jet, the supply of over 600 IVECO military trucks to TPDF and various other dubious deals.

Helicopters have of late become a popular means of transport for some local politicians during election campaigns, enabling candidates to reach remote areas and at the same time serving as a crowd puller

http://www.thisday.co.tz/News/2853.html

Phillemon Mikael · Dec 9, 2007

Hizo Ndizo Helicopter Vithlani Alizotubambika..the Only Verdict Fitting This Husler Vithlani Is A Deathrow...]..ametuuzia Civilian Choppers Wakati Alitakiwa Atupe Millitary Brand....kapewa Oda Ya Choppers ...hajamaliza Ku Deliver....wizi Huuu...another Valambia!!!!!

Jeshi Letu Linahitaji Gunship Choppers Sio Hizi ..na Mjue Gharama Ya Kununua Vifaa Feki Vya Kijeshi....wakati Wa Amani ..ndio Huleta Gharama Kununua Vitu Genuine Wakati Wa Vita!!!! Sasa Why Not Being Honest And Nationalist..chida Yetu Mtu Anakula Rushwa Na Ananunua Vitu Mbovu...wakati Nchi Nyingine Wana Ufisadi Kwenye Millitary Procurement ..lakini Haiadhiri Ubora Wa Vifaa ...

Idimi · Dec 9, 2007

Ndio hizi tiktak tumekuwa tukifichwa, sasa ajali zinafumua kila kitu. Nakumbuka mwaka juzi shangingi fulani la sirikali lilipata ajali wilayani Mkuranga mkoani Pwani likiwa limesheheni pembe za ndovu. Watu wakaanza kuulizana, meno yale yalikuwa ya nani na yanakwenda wapi? Nakumbuka viongozi fulani wa sirikali walilikana shangingi lile kuwa sio lao, ni la mradi wa UNDP, nao UNDP wakasema mradi ulikuwa umeisha na gari likarejeshwa sirikalini. Yaani ilikuwa tiktak kwenda mbele. Sijajua mpaka kesho ile kesi imeishia wapi, ila nataka kuwahakikishia wana JF kuwa haya mambo yapo kwa wingi sana sirikalini.
Kama mtakumbuka miaka michache iliyopita, Magufuli akiwa waziri wa ujenzi aliwakoromea vigogo wa sirikali waliokuwa wamesajili magari yetu walipakodi kwa namba za kiraia huku wakiwa wanachukua mafuta katika visima vya sirikali, wakati magari yakifanya kazi binafsi. Sirikalini kumeoza sana kwa dili feki kama hizi.
Kwa hiyo huenda hizi choppers zilikodishwa kwa maslahi binafsi! Sitashangaa.

Power to the People · Dec 10, 2007

Ninachojua mimi msafara huu haukuwa wa watalii, kulikuwepo na watu kutoka ofisi ya raisi ambao walikuwa wameruka the day before ambao walitumwa kufuatilia utata unaoendelea sasa hivi kuhusu ujenzi wa soda ash factory ambao umeshindwa kuendelea baada ya Enviromental Impact Assesment report kuonyesha kwamba mradi is not sustainable na ungeharibu kabisa breeding site ya flamingo.

kiwanda hiki cha chumvi kinaitwa TATA kutoka India. Roumour has it that EL anataka sana hiki kiwanda kiendelee lakini watu wengi hasa conservation activist wameupiga vita kabisa na wengi bado wanaendelea kuupiga vita.

Inasemekana JK alituma vijana wake wakatafuta na wataalamu wanaolijua eneo ili kumsaidia kufanya decision kama TATA ifanye kazi au la.

Halisi · Dec 10, 2007

Ninachojua mimi msafara huu haukuwa wa watalii, kulikuwepo na watu kutoka ofisi ya raisi ambao walikuwa wameruka the day before ambao walitumwa kufuatilia utata unaoendelea sasa hivi kuhusu ujenzi wa soda ash factory ambao umeshindwa kuendelea baada ya Enviromental Impact Assesment report kuonyesha kwamba mradi is not sustainable na ungeharibu kabisa breeding site ya flamingo.

kiwanda hiki cha chumvi kinaitwa TATA kutoka India. Roumour has it that EL anataka sana hiki kiwanda kiendelee lakini watu wengi hasa conservation activist wameupiga vita kabisa na wengi bado wanaendelea kuupiga vita.

Inasemekana JK alituma vijana wake wakatafuta na wataalamu wanaolijua eneo ili kumsaidia kufanya decision kama TATA ifanye kazi au la.

Power to the people, hebu tueleze vizuri hao wageni waliotajwa na RPC wa Arusha wanatoka wapi kama ilikua ni safari ya maofisa wa serikali?

Dotori · Dec 10, 2007

power to the people said:
Rumour has it that EL anataka sana hiki kiwanda kiendelee lakini watu wengi hasa conservation activist wameupiga vita kabisa na wengi bado wanaendelea kuupiga vita.

Inasemekana JK alituma vijana wake wakatafuta na wataalamu wanaolijua eneo ili kumsaidia kufanya decision kama TATA ifanye kazi au la.

This is a problem of leaders who self-serve. Their self-interests are above everything else.

Power to the People · Dec 10, 2007

Wajamaa wa serikali walikuwa wafanya trip the day before, hao waliopata ajali walienda kama wataalamu, huyo muaustralia alikuwa mpiga picha na huyo jamaa wa uingereza anayeishi arusha alichukuliwa kwa sababu ni mtaalamu wa mimea na ndege na ameshafanya kazi katika maeneo hayo.

hao wengine sina uhakika walikwenda kama nani.

Mpaka Kieleweke · Dec 11, 2007

CHADEMA wakati wa kampeni wakachukue hizi chopper,.......

S. S. Phares · Dec 12, 2007

power to the people said:
Wajamaa wa serikali walikuwa wafanya trip the day before, hao waliopata ajali walienda kama wataalamu, huyo muaustralia alikuwa mpiga picha na huyo jamaa wa uingereza anayeishi arusha alichukuliwa kwa sababu ni mtaalamu wa mimea na ndege na ameshafanya kazi katika maeneo hayo.

hao wengine sina uhakika walikwenda kama nani.

Mkuu Huoni kama maelezo yako yanapingana kabisa na maelezo ya Waziri wa Utalii hapa??

Angalieni jinsi Waziri wa Utalii anavyodanganya Watanzania waziwazi....

My Take: Hii ni biashara ya pembeni ya baadhi ya wakuu wa JWTZ; na kama ilivyo kawaida HAKUNA mwenye UJASIRI ndani na nje ya Sirikali wa kuwauliza maswali wakuu wa JWTZ.

RAIA MWEMA said:
Maliasili, Ulinzi, Ikulu watofautiana

Waandishi Wetu

Ajali ya Watalii Arusha

WAKATI kuna hisia kwamba helikopta ya Jeshi la Ulinzi la Wananchi wa Tanzania (JWTZ) ilikodishwa kwa watalii ambao walipatwa nayo ajali wiki iliyopita Arusha, kulikuwa na hali ya kujiumauma katika Wizara ya Ulinzi na Jeshi la kujenga Taifa, Wizara ya Utalii na Ikulu, ili kuelezea sakata hilo.

Gazeti hili katika kufuatilia ajali hiyo, ambayo watalii wanne wa kigeni walinusirika kifo, lilipigwa ‘danadana' sehemu zote hizo bila kujua ‘wageni' hao walikuwa wa nani hasa na kwa nini walitumia helikopta hiyo.

Waziri wa Ulinzi na Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa, Profesa Juma Athumani Kapuya na naibu wake, Omar Yussuf Mzee, hawakuwa na majibu ya kutosheleza juzi walipoulizwa kuhusu mazingira ya helikopta hiyo ya Jeshi la Wananchi wa Tanzania (JWTZ) kubeba watalii wa kigeni.

Wakati Kapuya alisema yuko likizoni Kaliua, Tabora, na hajui chochote kuhusiana na suala hilo, alilitaka Raia Mwema kumtafuta Mkuu wa Majeshi atoe ufafanuzi wa suala hilo.

"Hivi sasa nipo Kaliua. Niko likizo…Mimi sijui kinachoendelea huko. Mtafute CDF (Mkuu wa Majeshi) ili akupe taarifa hizo," alisema Profesa Kapuya.

Raia Mwema lilipowasiliana na Naibu Waziri wa Ulinzi na Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa, Omar Yussuf Mzee, alisema kwamba hakuwa na taarifa za kina kwa kuwa alikuwa safarini, na kwamba alikuwa ameagiza apewe taarifa zaidi kuhusu ajali hiyo.

Naibu Waziri alisema tayari ameomba apatiwe taarifa za suala hilo kutoka uongozi wa JWTZ kuhusu nani walikuwamo, helikopta hiyo ilikuwa inafanya nini huko na sababu za ajali yake.[/B]

Kama ilivyokuwa kwa Kapuya, naye pia alilitaka gazeti hili kupata maelezo kutoka JWTZ kwenyewe, na kumtaka mwandishi awasiliane na Mnadhimu Mkuu wa Jeshi kwa maelezo.

"Nimeomba nipewe taarifa za ajali hiyo. Ninataka kujua helikopta hiyo ilikuwa ikifanya kazi gani huko, nani walikuwamo na nini kilisababisha ajali.

"Kwa sasa unaweza kuwasiliana na Chief of Staff (Mnadhimu Mkuu). Atakuwa amekusanya taarifa hizo kwa sababu nimeagiza nipewe. Wasiliana naye," alisema Mzee.

Juhudi za kuwapata mkuu wa Mkuu wa Majeshi, Davis Mwamunyange na Mnadhimu Mkuu wa Jeshi, Luteni Jenerali Abdulraham Shimbo hazikuweza kufanikiwa.

Lakini, Raia Mwema iliwasiliana na Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii, Profesa Jumanne Maghembe, ambaye alikiri kuwa wageni waliokuwa katika helikopta hiyo walikuwa ni wageni wa serikali, na kwamba walikuwa hapa nchini kwa ajili ya kutengeneza filamu ya vivutio vya utalii nchini.

Profesa Maghembe alisema: "Wageni hao walikuwa ni wa serikali. Walikuwa wakitoka Travel Channel, na walikuja nchini ili kusaidia kutengeneza documentary (filamu) ili kusaidia kukuza utalii hapa nchini.

Watalii waliokuwamo katika helikopta hiyo, na ambao walinusurika katika ajali hiyo ni Jeffrey Sibbery anayetoka Canada, Forest Sowyer wa Marekani, Ben Herberston wa Australia na Mark Berker wa Uingereza. Pamoja nao, alikuwapo mkazi wa Kisongo wilayani Arumeru, Issaya ole Poruo, ambaye ilielezwa ya kuwa alikuwamo katika helikopta hiyo kwa ajili ya kuwaongoza watalii hao.

Alipoulizwa ilikuwaje wizara yake ikatumia chombo cha JWTZ kwa masuala ya kitalii, alisema: "Huu ulikuwa ni mpango wa serikali, na ulikuwa ni utaratibu wa State House (Ikulu). Halikuwa tatizo kubwa kupata helikopta ya jeshi.

"Tulishirikiana na Ikulu… Hawa walikuwa pia wageni wa Commander-in- Chief (Amiri Jeshi Mkuu, Rais Jakaya Kikwete). Kwa hiyo halikuwa tatizo kwetu kupata helikopta ya jeshi. Tulihakikisha tunatumia vyombo vyote vya serikali ili kufanikisha kazi hiyo.

"Kama tungetumia vyombo vingine ingebidi tukodi. Na kama tungetumia vile vya nje ya nchi, basi tungepambana na washindani wetu (wa mambo ya utalii) jambo ambalo lisingefaa," alisema Waziri.

Hata hivyo, mwandishi wa habari wa Rais, Premmy Kibanga, alipoulizwa kuhusu Ikulu kuhusika na suala la kutoa kibali cha kutumia helikopta hiyo, alisema kwamba Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii ndiyo iliyopaswa kutoa ufafanuzi wote jinsi walivyoweza kupata helikopta hiyo ya jeshi. "Wao walitakiwa kutoa taarifa zote. Waeleze ni nani alitoa kibali cha matumizi ya helikopta, na huyo ndiye angepaswa kueleza sababu za kuitumia… Kama wizara ilikosa ndege za kukodi, angeeleza," alisema Kibanga.

Hata hivyo, utata mwingine unaojitokeza hapa ni ushiriki wa mtu binafsi kuongoza watalii ambao walikuwa wageni wa serikali, kwani inafahamika kuwa serikali ina maofisa wake wanaohusika na uongozaji wa watalii.Waziri Maghembe alisema kwamba wageni hao walikuwa wamekuja kufanya kazi hiyo kama msaada kwa serikali, na kwamba kama ingekuwa wanalipwa basi kazi hiyo ingegharimu dola za Kimarekani milioni tano.

Alisema wageni hao tayari walikuwa wametunga filamu zao 5 ambaza zilikuwa zimeshinda Tuzo ya Oscar, na kwamba hata ya kwetu, kama ingekamilika, basi ingeweza kushinda tuzo hiyo.

Kwa mujibu wa Waziri wa Utalii, kabla ya ajali hiyo, wageni hao walikuwa wamefanya kazi Zanzibar na kisha wakaenda Mlima Oldonyolengai na hatimaye Ziwa Natron, ambako walipata ajali wakati wakifanya kazi.

"Kwenye Ziwa Natron kuanzia mwezi Oktoba kunakuwa na flamingo (korongo) wengi kutoka sehemu mbali mbali za Afrika. Wanakuja pale kwa ajili ya kuzaana. Kwa hiyo, hali inavutia sana na ndiyo maana wageni walikwenda kupiga picha pale.

"Bahati mbaya helkopta ilipoingia ndani ya ziwa iliangukia ndani. Bahati nzuri ilikuwa katika speed (kasi) ndogo, na milango ilikuwa wazi kwa sababu ya kupiga picha.

"Tunashukuru wenyeji wa eneo lile waliweza kuingia ndani ya ziwa kuwaokoa… Walitengeneza stretcher (machela) kwa kutumia nguo zao. Baadaye tulipopata taarifa tulituma flying doctors (madaktari wasiokuwa na mipaka) Jumatano iliyopita helikopta inayomilikiwa na JWTZ ilianguka na kushika moto Ziwa Natron mkoani Arusha, asubuhi majira ya saa 3:30, baada ya helikopta hiyo, ambayo namba zake za usajili hazikufahamika, kuruka na dakika chache baadaye ikiwa angani kutoa moshi mzito mweusi, kabla ya kuanguka ndani ya Ziwa Natron.

Watanzania walionusurika katika ajali hiyo ni pamoja na rubani wa helikopta hiyo ya jeshi, Luteni Kanali Mayenga, ambaye alivunjika mguu na kupelekwa Hospitali ya Rufaa ya KCMC Moshi, msaidizi wake, Luteni Edward, fundi wa helikopta, Gabriel Majala na mwongoza watalii, Issaya ole Poruo.

Watalii Jeffrey na Forest walipelekwa Kenya kwa ndege ya kukodi kwa matibabu zaidi baada ya hali zao kuonekana haziridhishi.

Mara baada ya helikopta hiyo kuanguka, wakazi wa Kijiji cha Engusero, waliwahi eneo la tukio na kufanikiwa kuwaoka abiria hao, kabla ya kupata madhara ya moto uliolipuka.

Keil · Dec 12, 2007

JWTZ na utalii!

JUMATANO iliyopita helikopta inayomilikiwa na Jeshi la Ulinzi la Wananchi wa Tanzania (JWTZ) ilianguka na kushika moto Ziwa Natron mkoani Arusha.

Kwa mujibu wa Kamanda wa Polisi mkoani Arusha, Matei Basilio, abiria waliokuwamo katika helikopta hiyo hawakuwa wanajeshi, bali watalii ambao walikwenda katika eneo hilo kwa lengo la kupiga picha maeneo ya vivutio vya utalii.

Maeneo hayo ni pamoja na Ziwa Natron na Mlima Oldonyo Lengai, ambao una sifa ya kutoa volkano hai na unaosifika kwa kulipuka mara kwa mara.

Kamanda Basilio aliwataja watalii walionusurika katika ajali hiyo kuwa ni Jeffrey Sibbery anayetoka Canada, Forest Sowyer (Marekani), Ben Herberston (Australia) na Mark Berker wa Uingereza. Pamoja nao, alikuwapo mkazi wa Kisongo wilayani Arumeru, Issaya ole Poruo, ambaye ilielezwa ya kuwa alikuwamo katika helikopta hiyo kwa ajili ya kuwaongoza watalii hao.

Kwamba helikopta ya JWTZ ilikuwa imebeba watalii pamoja na mwongozaji wao, kwa nia ya kupiga picha vivutio vya utalii mkoani Arusha, ni jambo linaloshangaza.

Linashangaza kwa sababu hakuna uhusiano wa aina yoyote kati ya JWTZ na utalii kikazi. Ilikuwaje basi, watalii wakumbwe na balaa la ajali wakiwa katika chombo kinachomilikiwa na jeshi hilo?

Waziri wa Ulinzi na Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa, Profesa Juma Athumani Kapuya na naibu wake, Omar Yussuf Mzee, hawakuwa na majibu ya kutosheleza juzi walipoulizwa baada ya kupigiwa simu.

Wakati Kapuya alisema yuko likizoni Kaliua, Tabora, na hajui chochote kuhusiana na suala hilo na kulitaka gazeti hili kumtafuta mkuu wa majeshi alielezee, naibu wake angalau alionekana kuguswa ingawa naye hakuwa na jibu la kutosheleza.

Naibu Waziri alisema tayari ameomba apatiwe taarifa za suala hilo kutoka uongozi wa JWTZ kuhusu nani walikuwamo, helikopta hiyo ilikuwa inafanya nini huko na sababu za ajali yake. Kama ilivyokuwa kwa Kapuya, naye pia alilitaka gazeti hili kupata maelezo kutoka JWTZ kwenyewe, na kumtaka mwandishi awasiliane na Mnadhimu Mkuu wa Jeshi kwa maelezo.

Kama ilikuwa inafanya kazi huko kwa maslahi ya watu binafsi, watu hao ni nani na kwa nini wasichukuliwe hatua?

Tunasema hivi kwa sababu tayari kuna hisia kwamba huenda helikopta hiyo ilikodiwa na kama ilikuwa hivyo, huo ndio utaratibu wa kawaida na unafahamika?

Upo wasiwasi miongoni mwa jamii kwamba vyombo vya asasi ambavyo vinanunuliwa kwa bei kubwa kutokana na kodi za wananchi, vinatumika vibaya na wanasiasa na watu waliokabidhiwa kwa ajili ya asasi hizo.

Kwa kweli kuna haja kwa serikali kuanza kulitolea maelezo suala hilo. Na bila shaka watu wengi watakuwa na shauku ya kusikia maelezo kuhusiana na ajali hiyo ya helikopta ya JWTZ mkoani Arusha ikiwa na kundi la watalii.

Haiyumkiniki kwamba waziri mwenye dhamana ya Ulinzi anajivua wajibu kwa maelezo kwamba yuko likizo na kwa sababu hiyo hana taarifa kuhusu tukio muhimu kama hilo.Waziri ni waziri wakati wote, hata anapokuwa likizo na ni wajibu wake kushughulikia mambo yanayojitokeza katika himaya yake, hususan pale mambo hayo yanapoelekea kuzua maswali mengi zaidi kuliko majibu.

Bado tutakuwa na shauku ya kujua ni nini hasa kilitokea katika ukodishaji wa helikopta hiyo na ajali iliyotokea. Baadhi ya wananchi wameanza kujiuliza iwapo helikopta hiyo ina uhusiano wo wote na taarifa za hivi karibuni kuhusu utoaji wa zabuni za vifaa vya jeshi hilo kwa wafanyabiashara waliohusishwa na utaratibu usioridhisha wa utoaji tenda kwa ajili ya ununuzi wa vifaa hivyo. Wananchi wanayo haki ya kupata maelezo kamili.

Keil · Dec 12, 2007

Pamoja na utata wote huo bado sioni kama mtu ndani serikali ya JK anaweza kusimama na kutoa tamko kuhusu hiyo kadhia ya Chopper za JWTZ. Kweli Bongo watu wanafanya kufuru tena kwa kiburi kabisa na kwa uwazi mkubwa na wanajua hata bomu likilipuka hakuna madhara maana awamu ya nne mambo ni tambarare, kila mtu anawahi chake mapema kabla mtandao haujasambaratika kabisa.

Mungu endelea kuwaumbua kwa kuwaweka nuruni ili hayo madudu wanayoyafanya yajulikane, maana hiyo shughuli kama ingeisha salama ndiyo watu wangekuwa wameishalamba BINGO ya nguvu na watu tusingejua lolote. Lakini ajali hiyo imetufumbua macho na wao wanazidi kushituka na kuona kwamba dili za gizani zinaendelea kuonekana na hivyo kuwaumbua. Kaazi kweli kweli, lakini tutafika tu hata kama ni mbali sana!!

Bubu Msemaovyo · Dec 12, 2007

power to the people said:
Ninachojua mimi msafara huu haukuwa wa watalii, kulikuwepo na watu kutoka ofisi ya raisi ambao walikuwa wameruka the day before ambao walitumwa kufuatilia utata unaoendelea sasa hivi kuhusu ujenzi wa soda ash factory ambao umeshindwa kuendelea baada ya Enviromental Impact Assesment report kuonyesha kwamba mradi is not sustainable na ungeharibu kabisa breeding site ya flamingo.

kiwanda hiki cha chumvi kinaitwa TATA kutoka India. Roumour has it that EL anataka sana hiki kiwanda kiendelee lakini watu wengi hasa conservation activist wameupiga vita kabisa na wengi bado wanaendelea kuupiga vita.

Inasemekana JK alituma vijana wake wakatafuta na wataalamu wanaolijua eneo ili kumsaidia kufanya decision kama TATA ifanye kazi au la.

Usishangae EL anahisa kubwa katika kiwanda hicho TATA. Hayo ndiyo maandalizi ya ufisadi LIVE

BAK · Dec 12, 2007

Air of mystery engulfs TPDF helicopter crash

-All passengers and crew members survived, but the questions still linger

THISDAY REPORTER
Dar es Salaam

WHY was a Tanzanian military helicopter used to fly a group of foreigners on an assignment to shoot a wildlife documentary film in Arusha Region?

This is the big question now emerging following last weeks near-fatal crash involving a Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces (TPDF) chopper in the Lake Natron area.

The 12bn/- aircraft, now believed to have been one of the four Agusta Bell model 412 EP helicopters owned by the military, was apparently on a civilian mission when it went down and exploded on Wednesday morning, with eight people on board.

Although all civilian passengers and military crew members survived, questions now linger on how a TPDF chopper came to be used for an obviously non-military mission.

When contacted for comment by THISDAY, the Deputy Minister for Defence and National Service, Omar Yusuf Mzee, said he was also in the dark over the whole incident.

Mzee said he had instructed the TPDF top brass to send him a report on the accident and circumstances leading up to it.

I am still waiting for the report�you can contact the military for additional information on the matter, he said.

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Davis Mwamunyange, was yesterday not immediately available for comment.

It has been established that the military helicopter was being deployed by a crew of four television documentary makers from assorted Western countries - Australia, Canada, the United States and Britain � on a mission to film flamingos over Lake Natron.

The Arusha Regional Police Commander, Matei Basilio, identified the crash survivors as Jeffrey Sibbery (Canada), Forest Sowyer (US), Ben Herberston (Australia) and Mark Berker (UK).

Tanzanians who survived the crash were named as Lt. Col. Mayenga, the TPDF pilot; Lt. Edward (his co-pilot), helicopter technician Gabriel Majala, and the crew�s tour guide Issaya ole Poruo.

Interviewed by one Australian newspaper, two of the crash survivors - Sydney cameraman Ben Herbertson and producer Jeff Sibbery - narrated how they had been in the air for little more than five minutes and were flying at a very low altitude over the lake, when the pilot dipped too low - catching the water with the helicopters landing skis.

In an instant, they said, the aircraft plunged nose-first into the shallow lake, breaking apart and tossing those on board into the hot, caustic water.

The skids hit the water and we just crashed and smashed into pieces, Herbertson said.
The next thing I knew, I was in the lake and the water was burning my eyes.

He added: The reason the flamingos breed there is because the conditions are so harsh there are no predators. The water is physically hot.

Sibbery broke his hip on impact, while the pilot, Lt. Col. Mayenga, ended up with a badly broken leg and deep bleeding cuts on his face.

We managed to get all the injured people out of the helicopter, but then we had to figure out how to get out of there because it really looked like it was going to explode, Herbertson said.

According to the survivors, it was the women and children from nearby Maasai tribal homesteads who came to their rescue. And as they were being assisted onto the salt plateau, the wreck of the helicopter did explode, sending an empty fuel tank flying and a plume of thick black smoke into the air.

Reports say the group was planning an extended flight so the chopper was heavy with fuel, but luckily nobody was injured in the blast.

The injured Sibbery and pilot Mayenga were airlifted out of the area, the former to a hospital in Nairobi in neighbouring Kenya where he underwent an operation that same night.

News of the crash and the type of aircraft involved come in the wake of reports that the government, through the Ministry of Defence and National Service, recently bought four Agusta Bell model 412 EP helicopters for the TPDF in somewhat controversial circumstances.

Investigations by THISDAY have established that the choppers bought are of soft-skin, civilian mode, and not suitable for specialised military operations.

A private local company, Khaisa Enterprises Limited, has since filed a 17bn/- suit against the defence ministry for breach of contract in connection with the supply of helicopters to the TPDF.

According to details of the plaint obtained by THISDAY, Khaisa Enterprises claims that the defence ministry went against a valid contract in which the company was to supply six units of COUGAR AS 532 helicopters manufactured by Frances Eurocopters company at a total cost of 125 million euros (approx. 210bn/-).

It is alleged that the Augusta Bell choppers eventually purchased for the TPDF had already been rejected by the defendants (defence ministry), on the basis that the same were of inferior quality and were civilian helicopters, while the defendants required helicopters for military use.

It is further alleged that the defence ministry purchased the helicopters at a higher cost of $9.263m each, contrary to the ones proposed by the plaintiff (Khaisa Enterprises Ltd) which were relatively cheaper at $4.7m each, thus making the nation suffer a loss of $4.563m for each helicopter purchased.

Our sources say the controversial military radar agent Shailesh Vithlani and his business partner were the agents used to supply the Agusta Bell helicopters to the government at vastly inflated prices.

Vithlani is currently wanted by Tanzanian authorities over perjury charges before the Kisutu Resident Magistrates Court in Dar es Salaam.

Meanwhile, the actual cause of the military helicopter crash in Arusha has yet to be established.

Bowbow · Dec 12, 2007

Tume nyingine mbili hizo zaja

Moja kuchunguza chanzo cha ajali na kuchunguza kwa nini military copter itumiwe civilian tena foreigners

Pili kuchunguza manunuzi ya ndege hizo ambazo zimekuwa inflated, na sio zilizokuwa zinahitajika na mengine

Pundit · Dec 12, 2007

Hivi huyu rais Mjeshi kashaanza military spending? Mi nilifikiri ile mikogo yake iliyo U-Tube (rampant blubbering on the verge of undiplomatic warmongering about Uganda) were just one of his gazillion gaffes.

It is a good thing to see these previously "sacred military" matters being discussed in the press, watu wanamtafuta mpaka mkuu wa majeshi wamuhoji, tumetoka mbali.

Helikopta ya Jeshi, ZINAKODISHWA?

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