Metro

Tanzanian’s President decrees more punishment for prisoners

The president of Tanzania has called for prisoners to be made to work long hours, and to be punished if they are lazy

Published

6 years ago

July 17, 2018

Africa News Watch

The president of Tanzania has called for prisoners to be made to work long hours, and to be punished if they are lazy.

John Magufuli was speaking at the inauguration of a new prisons chief.

Rights groups have accused him of growing intolerance. Mr Magufuli has lost his initial huge popularity by clamping down on the media, targeting opposition politicians and calling for pregnant schoolgirls to be banned from school.

He said inmates should grow their own food in prison fields.

“It is a shame for the country to continue to feed prisoners. All the prisons have fields, inmates must cultivate them,” he said.

“Some prison staff don’t have homes. Make the prisoners work, let them make bricks day and night. If they show laziness, kick them. You have labourers, and for free,” he added.

He also called for conjugal visits to be stopped.

“A man is in prison, leaving his wife outside, and a prison official receives this woman and authorises the prisoner to do things he is not supposed to do during his detention. I don’t want to hear talk of that anymore,” he said.

Mr Magufuli said the underemployment of inmates led to drug use and homosexuality in jails.

“I don’t want to hear about this. I want reforms in the management of prisons,” he said.

The leader, whose nickname is The Bulldozer, has been accused by detractors of becoming increasingly authoritarian – a charge he denies.

Related Topics:John Magufuli more punishment for prisoners in Tanzania prisoners Tanzania Tanzanian’s President The Bulldozer

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Metro

ZESCO says Zambians can enjoy improved power supply but offers condition

Published

10 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Isaac Dachen

State-owned Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) has assured Zambians of improved power supply spanning seven-hour daily, depending on the approval of its emergency tariff adjustment by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).

ZESCO, which is Zambia’s largest power company producing about 80% of the electricity consumed in the country, made the commitment during a public hearing held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Monday.

In his address, Victor Mapani, ZESCO’s Managing Director, stated that the proposed tariff increase would allow the company to raise $15 million monthly to import 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

“ZESCO’s ultimate goal is to add 788 MW of power to the 400 MW it currently imports from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe,” Mapani said.

Also speaking at the forum, Mark O’Donnell, representing the Business Coalition Task Office, noted that ZESCO’s tariffs were more affordable than diesel generators, which many households and businesses had resorted to due to Zambia’s energy challenges.

He emphasized the coalition’s support for the tariff hike but urged ZESCO to ensure efficient use of resources.

Ashu Sagar, President of the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM), raised concerns about ZESCO’s inconsistent load-shedding schedule, which he said had disrupted production planning and increased costs in the manufacturing sector.

On his part, ERB Board Chairperson, James Banda, announced that the board would make an independent decision on ZESCO tariff adjustment request on Thursday, devoid of political influence.

Metro

All the choices we have made are for sustainable, inclusive growth— Tinubu

Published

15 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that all the choices his administration has made since assuming office 17 months ago have been made to stop the country’s decline and put it on a path to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Tinubu, who made the assertion at the 54th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, said it was encouraging that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product growth for the first and second quarters of 2024 was positive, giving credence to his reforms and policies.

The president, who was represented by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, noted that it was gladdening that inflation was on a downward trend, and the foreign exchange market was stabilising, with encouraging investment signals.

“We are continuing with innovative reform measures: digitisation of revenue collection and government services, consumer credit system to boost manufacturing and enable access to goods and services,” Tinubu said in his address to the audience.

“Our reforms include removing punitive subsidies to the economy. Revenue bleeding has reduced, and the three tiers of government are receiving higher allocations, which enable more support to vulnerable populations.

“Social investment spending is increasing, the minimum wage has increased, student loans are available, and interventions to support NANO, MSME, farming, fishing, and the livestock sector have increased.

“Our collective vision for Nigeria’s future is anchored on strengthening our institutions and nurturing a pervasive culture of accountability,” he said.

He added that his government was committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to boost transparency and efficiency and cultivate strategic partnerships to pave the way for sustainable development.