IN a goodwill gesture to ensure students resume classes, UK Department for International Development (DFID) yesterday donated 6.3bn/- to restore learning infrastructure in the quake hit Kagera Region.
The generous contribution is for
rebuilding, upgrading and equipping the schools, which were badly
damaged by a recent earthquake that also claimed 17 lives and destroyed
houses, rendering hundreds of people homeless.
The new British High Commissioner to
Tanzania, Ms Sarah Cooke, announced the aid at State House in Dar es
Salaam yesterday after she presented her credentials to President John
Magufuli.
Education, Science, Technology and
Vocational Training Minister, Prof Joyce Ndalichako, addressing
reporters in the city shortly after receiving the aid on behalf of the
government, said the funds will be spent on rebuilding schools and
teachers' houses.
"UK has always been our good friends in
education development ... we are really grateful for this timely support
that will help our children to resume studies as soon as possible.
The earthquake left behind severe
damages on school infrastructure, there are classes and teachers' houses
that collapsed ... it is hard for teachers to perform their duties with
no places to sleep," said Professor Ndalichako.
She named some of the schools that would
benefit from the aid as Ihungo and Nyakato secondary schools as well as
Rugambwa Girls' Secondary School and teachers' houses. Prof Ndalichako
assured Tanzanians that the students will soon resume classes, hinting
that the Tanzania Building Agency (TBA) which has been entrusted with
the reconstruction works, is scheduled to start the work shortly.
"As we speak, TBA engineers are in
Kagera evaluating the site ready to start reconstruction works," said
the minister, adding that the over 6bn/- support will enable over 740
students to resume their studies.
She pleaded with other well-wishers to
continue supporting the victims of Kagera earthquake. The latest aid
follows a tour of the region by Prof Ndalichako and DFID Head Vel
Gnanendran.
Mr Gnanendran, on behalf of the UK
government, consoled all the victims who continue suffering from the
consequences of the tragedy.
"We feel it important to support the
ministry of education as quickly as possible because the children in
Bukoba have not to suffer further ... they have to resume studies in the
shortest time possible," said Mr Gnanendran, promising additional
assistance to ensure education provision.
The UK aid came as the government
yesterday issued 17m/- condolence to the families of 17 people who died
in the earthquake. Each family received 1m/- as Edson Rwebangira
received 2m/- for losing a wife and daughter in the tragedy.
Handing over the condolence, Regional
Commissioner (RC), Major General (retired) Salum Kijuu, said was aware
that the token was not enough to compensate for the difficulties they
are currently experiencing but simply a symbol of solidarity. Apart from
the government, the communication company Viettel Tanzania Limited
(Halotel) also gave 15m/- as condolences, with each family receiving
850,000/-.
Mr Rwetabura who lost a wife Verdiana
(24) and a baby girl (8 months) was short of words, simply giving thanks
for the assistance.
"I thank you all, may God bless you," he
said in a sombre mood. Meanwhile, the World Vision has donated items
worth 300m/- to support the victims of Kagera earthquake.
World Vision Acting Cluster Manager,
Prosper Mujungu, handed over the items to Kagera Regional Commissioner
(RC), Major General (retired) Salum Kijuu, saying the 46.4m/- worth of
items were delivered yesterday, with the rest 253.6m/- items scheduled
for delivery soon.
"We understand that many other materials
are needed there ... we have prepared a number of write-ups to solicit
more funds to assist more victims," said Mr Mujungu. Tigo and Clouds
also donated cement worth 40m/- to the RC for the same purpose.
No comments:
Post a Comment