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Last Updated: 27.8.2010

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Mwandosya, Membe opposed

THE National Electoral Commission (NEC) has received appeals against three of the 19
CCM unopposed parliamentary candidates.

NEC Information Officer Batholomeo Wandi said in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday that the appeals where against Water Minister Prof. Mark Mwandosya (Rungwe East), Foreign Minister Bernard Membe (Mtama) and businessman Mohammed Dewji (Singida Urban).

He said until Wednesday , NEC had received 38 appeals for parliamentary seats and 68 for civic seats from both the opposition and CCM challenging each other's candidacy.

The appeal against Mr Membe has been filed by the Tanzania Labour Party (TLP) candidate while Chadema and CUF candidates are petitioning against Mr Dewji. Prof. Mwandosya is being challenged by a Chadema candidate.

As for appeals filed by CCM candidates against the opposition, the constituencies include Kwimba against Mr Samwel Ndalawa (CUF) and Leticia Nyerere (CHADEMA). In South Kilwa, a CCM candidate has opposed the nomination of CUF candidate.

Other constituencies include Biharamulo West where CCM candidate has filed appeal against Dr Anthony Mbassa (Chadema) and in Ghonga, CUF candidate is being equally challenged.

Other appeals came from Karagwe where Chadema has petitioned against CCM candidate, Mr Gosbert Blandes and that of NCCR-Mageuzi, while in Kyerwa, TLP has filed appeal against Eustace Katagira (CCM) and Innocent Kato ( Chadema).

Mr Wandi said CUF filed appeal against CCM candidates, Hamad Masauni (Kikwajuni), Albert Ntabaliba (Manyovu), Badwel Omar (Bahi) and Donald Max (Geita).

Chadema has filed appeals against CCM candidates in Morogoro Urban, Mr Abood Aziz; Igagula, Mr Athuman Mfutakamba; and Arumeru East against Mr Jeremiah Sumary (Deputy finance minister). Others are against Dr Abdallah Kigoda(Handeni) and Lazaro Nyalandu (Singida North)

He said CUF also filed petition against the returning officer of Iringa Urban constituency citing irregularities in the pronouncement of the party winner.

NCCR Mageuzi has also filed petition against Chadema's Moshi Urban candidate and incumbent MP, Mr Philemon Ndesamburo; Demokrasia Makini is against CUF in Ziwani and Jahazi Asilia against CCM in Mpendae.

Those vying for civic seats are also up in arm such that so far 68 appeals have been filed with NEC and the number was likely to increase, according to the NEC information officer.

Meanwhile, 11 parties engaged in campaigns for parliamentary seats in Kigoma Urban constituency might be suspended by the National Electoral Commission due to failure to present their election campaign timetables.

Only five parties including Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), United Democratic Party (UDP), UPDP and Democratic Party (DP) have submitted their election campaign schedules so far; according to Kigoma Urban returning officer Mr Protus Kato.

He warned over consequences of such move including lengthy delay in starting of their campaigns legally to avoid conflicts during rallies. If submitted in time, Mr Kato said the party's programmes facilitate smooth running of campaigns and avoid unnecessary clashes.

The timetables are also important in facilitating security during their campaigns.

Study finds maize contaminated with toxins

OVER 95 per cent of Tanzanians are at risk of getting aflatoxin due to consumption of toxic substances contained in grains and other food products such as maize, ground nuts and cashew nuts, a recent study on food safety in the country has indicated.

Grains and foods that are contaminated with fumonisins and aflatoxins are feared to cause liver cancer and impairment in infant growth.

Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites produced by certain fungi in foods and feeds. They are probably the best known and most intensively researched mycotoxins in the world.

A research report issued by the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) in collaboration with the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and the Ghent University of Belgium have it that maize samples from various parts of the country indicates to be contaminated with aflatoxins. The findings in samples collected from 120 households in four regions of Iringa, Tabora, Kilimanjaro and Ruvuma indicate to have aflatoxin contamination. The sample areas were chosen based on their high maize yield production compared with other regions in the country. Tests done between 2005 and 2008 found that the contamination takes place during the farming, harvesting, storage, and food preparation stages as well as transportation where farmers have no skills on the best practices in handling the food. According to TFDA's Manager for Food Evaluation and Registration, Dr Martin Kimanya, the study has also revealed that consumers of the contaminated food were likely to lose immunity and contract HIV five times more than those who did not eat it. "The research has further showed that aflatoxin contamination were also in groundnuts and cashew nuts and all are likely to pose a great health risk if no intervention measures are made," he said. Fumonisins, according to the survey, was at 70 per cent in Tabora, 50 per cent in Ruvuma , 44 per cent in Kilimanjaro, 43 per cent in Iringa. The 2005 drought was cited as one of the factors that largely influenced contamination of maize with fumonisins. "In 2005, Tanzania experienced drought that might have influenced contamination of maize with fumonisins. Drought stress condition might have been severe in Tabora compared with the other regions, resulting in more favourable conditions for fungal attack and fumonisin formation in the maize," read part of the findings. Strategies, according to the survey, could include the adoption of fungal-resistant varieties and good agricultural and handling practices such as the use of fertilizers in growing maize and sorting to remove maize with mould before storage and use. "In view of this, agricultural extension officers should advise farmers on good agricultural practices and they should be provided with mycotoxin control package to advocate to farmers in rural areas for adoption," said Dr Kimanya. Other measures suggested include campaigns to sensitize the public on the effects of mycotoxins in human health and their impact on the economy and other strategies like Kilimo Kwanza should seriously address the problem. Prof Bendantuguka Tiisekwa from the Department of Food Science and Technology at the Sokoine University said lack of enough research facilities at the Higher Learning Institutions and Agricultural Colleges held back efforts to mitigate the problem.

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