GOVERNMENT WITNESSES SIGNING OF MINDU DAM EMBANKMENT RAISING PROJECT

Morogoro Regional Commissioner,Adam Malima,centre,poses for a group photo with other leaders while displaying the construction contract documents for the Mindu Dam embankment.

GOVERNMENT WITNESSES SIGNING OF MINDU DAM EMBANKMENT RAISING PROJECT

By Thadei Hafigwa

The Morogoro Regional Government has adopted a strategy to address the impacts of climate change by raising the embankment of Mindu Dam, which is a major source of water for residents of Morogoro Municipality.

Government leaders in Morogoro Region witnessed the signing of a contract for the implementation of the Mindu Dam embankment-raising project between the Morogoro Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (MORUWASA) and China-based Sinohydro Corporation.

The project is estimated to cost TZS 33 billion and is financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the French Development Agency.

Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, Morogoro Regional Commissioner, Adam Malima, said Sinohydro emerged as the successful bidder to implement the project, noting that the company has extensive experience, having also participated in the construction of the Kidunda Dam Project.

Malima said the government is committed to ensuring that the project is implemented on time and in accordance with the required standards in order to strengthen the availability of clean and safe water for residents of Morogoro.

He also condemned environmental destruction within the Mindu Dam catchment area, stressing that all activities that threaten water sources must be stopped immediately.

He said residents who will be required to vacate areas within the dam's protected zone will be compensated in phases, with the government expecting to spend more than TZS 9.7 billion on the compensation exercise.

Mindu Dam which located in Morogoro Manicipal council,has been increasingly affected by human activiites and the impacts of climate change.

He further directed the Morogoro Regional Mining Office to ensure that mining activities within and around the Mindu Dam area are stopped in order to protect the environment and conserve the important water source.

For his part, the MORUWASA Managing Director, CPA Sais Kyejo, said the project will involve raising the dam embankment by 2.5 metres, a measure that will increase the dam's water storage capacity from 12.62 billion cubic litres to more than 22 billion cubic litres.

“This increase will help reduce the challenges of accessing clean and safe water among residents of Morogoro Region, while the project is expected to be completed within 18 months, as stipulated in the contract,” said CPA Kyejo.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the MORUWASA Board, Professor Moses Warioba, said the authority will continue improving water services to meet the growing demand resulting from population growth as well as increasing social and economic activities in Morogoro Region.

Professor Warioba said expansion of water infrastructure is essential to ensuring that residents have reliable access to clean and safe water, adding that MORUWASA will continue implementing sustainable strategies to strengthen water services for the development of the region. 

FBME CUSTOMERS TO RECEIVE 100 PERCENT OF THEIR DEPOSITS

          Mr.  Isack Kihwili, Director General of the Deposit Insurance Board (DIB)

FBME CUSTOMERS TO RECEIVE 100 PERCENT OF THEIR DEPOSITS

By Thadei Hafigwa

The Deposit Insurance Board (DIB) has begun the process of paying the fourth phase of compensation to Tanzanian customers who held deposits with the former FBME Bank Limited, a move that will complete the repayment of 100 percent of their deposits.

This was revealed by Isack Kihwili, Director General of the Deposit Insurance Board (DIB), while speaking to journalists in Morogoro about the progress of compensation payments to customers of the bank.

According to Kihwili, FBME Bank Limited was closed by the Bank of Tanzania (BOT) on May 8, 2017, and placed under liquidation after it was established that the bank had engaged in activities that violated the conditions of its banking licence.

Following the closure, the Bank of Tanzania appointed the Deposit Insurance Board as the liquidator of the bank in accordance with the Banking and Financial Institutions Act, 2006.

Kihwili said a total of 2,280 customers who had deposits of more than TSh 1.5 million at the time the bank was closed had claims against FBME.

He explained that among them, 1,414 were Tanzanian customers, whose claims amounted to TSh 35,233.95 million, while 866 international customers who held accounts in Tanzania had claims valued at TSh 308,216.62 million.

Kihwili said that as of June 30, 2026, Tanzanian customers had already received 85 percent of their deposits through three previous phases of compensation.

Journalists attentively listening to the General Director of deposit Insurance Board(DIB) Mr.Isack Kihwili(not at photo)

He said the first phase involved payment of 30 percent, the second phase 25 percent, and the third phase 30 percent.

According to the DIB, as of June 30, 2026, a total of 986 customers, equivalent to 69.73 percent of the 1,414 claimants, had received compensation amounting to 85 percent of their deposits, valued at TSh 26,021.09 million out of a total of TSh 29,928.23 million.

However, 428 customers, equivalent to 30.27 percent of the claimants, had not yet been paid. Their claims were valued at TSh 3,907.14 million.

The DIB said one of the major reasons some customers had not been paid was their failure to submit their claims.

Speaking about the current phase of the process, Kihwili said the DIB had successfully collected sufficient funds to pay the remaining 15 percent of the deposits, following efforts to trace and recover assets belonging to the former FBME Bank.

He said the DIB convened a meeting of the Creditors’ Committee on July 29, 2026, to approve the payments and, following the approval, had already begun the payment process for the affected customers.

Kihwili said completion of the payments would mean that Tanzanian customers who had deposited their money with FBME Bank Limited would have received 100 percent of their deposits. While the process of completing payments to Tanzanian customers is underway, the DIB continues to address the claims of other customers.

According to the statement, the DIB, in collaboration with the Liquidator of the Cyprus Branch, continues to recover FBME assets to facilitate payments to depositors who have not yet been compensated. These include international customers and customers of the Cyprus branch, as well as other creditors in accordance with the law.

Kihwili urged members of the public to continue placing their deposits with banks and financial institutions licensed by the Bank of Tanzania, noting that deposits held in such institutions are protected under the deposit insurance scheme in accordance with the law.

The DIB also expressed its appreciation to FBME customers for their patience throughout the liquidation process, as well as to the Government for its cooperation, advice and guidance, which have contributed to reaching the current stage of the process.

Morogoro Strengthens Early Childhood Development through Integrated Services

 

Morogoro Strengthens Early Childhood Development through Integrated Services

By Thadei Hafigwa

The future of Tanzania depends on how well today's children are nurtured, protected, and prepared for life. In Morogoro Region, significant progress is being made through the implementation of the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Programme (PJT-MMMAM), a multi-sector initiative aimed at ensuring every child receives quality healthcare, proper nutrition, early learning opportunities, protection from violence, and responsive parenting.

Presenting the regional implementation report for January–June 2026, Ms. Amisa Kagambo, Social Welfare Officer from the Morogoro Regional Secretariat, highlighted remarkable achievements that demonstrate the region's commitment to giving children the best possible start in life.

During the reporting period, more than 603,000 children under two years received essential immunization services, over 61,000 pregnant women accessed maternal healthcare, and thousands of families benefited from nutrition education and emergency maternal referral services. The programme also supported school feeding initiatives, rescued vulnerable children living on the streets, strengthened child protection systems, expanded early childhood education, and promoted positive parenting through community outreach and media campaigns.

Despite these achievements, Ms. Kagambo noted that challenges remain, including low birth registration, insufficient registration of childcare centres, limited services for children with special needs, inadequate funding, and weak data management systems. Addressing these gaps will require stronger collaboration among government institutions, development partners, communities, and parents.

As Morogoro continues investing in children's health, education, nutrition, and protection, the programme sends a clear message: every child deserves a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment to reach their full potential. The success of the initiative will depend on sustained commitment from all stakeholders to ensure that no child is left behind.