Showing posts with label Mafuta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mafuta. Show all posts

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Oil Tanker Explosion kills 60 in Nigeria

Burning Oil Tanker in Nigeria

By SAM OLUKOYA
Associated Press

   LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) - An overturned oil tanker exploded in Nigeria while dozens of people were scooping up the leaking fuel and many were killed, police and witnesses said Saturday.

   Hundreds of people have died in similar accidents in recent years in Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer, as impoverished people risk their lives to collect fuel leaking from pipelines or trucks.

   "We have recovered 12 corpses and taken 22 persons with serious burns to hospital," police spokeswoman Irene Ugbo told The Associated Press. She said the blast occurred Friday evening in Odukpani in Cross River state in the southeast.

   But some residents put the death toll closer to 60.

   "The police only recovered a few corpses, many of the other dead were burnt to ashes," witness Richard Johnson told the AP.

   He said about 60 people were inside a pit scooping fuel when the explosion occurred. "It is not likely that anyone inside the pit survived as there was a lot of fuel in the pit," Johnson said.

   He suggested the blast was caused by an electrical generator that had been brought to the scene to help pump out the fuel for people's containers.

   It was not immediately clear what caused the truck to overturn.

   About a year ago, more than 30 residents in the same locality were burnt to death while scooping fuel from an oil tanker involved in an accident.

   Nigeria's worst such accident occurred in 1998, when more than 1,000 people died as the leaking oil pipeline from which they were scooping fuel exploded in the town of Jesse.

   ---

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

MBunge wa Marekani Atoa Onyo Kwa Rais Kikwete - Mafuta ya Iran

Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA)

Haya mazito! Wanatisha kusimiamisha misaada kutoka Marekani. Duh!  Pia ametoa tishio kwa nchi ya Tuvalu.

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Kutoka Site Bunge la Marekani

Berman Calls on Tanzanian President to Cancel Reflagging of Iranian Vessels

Berman Writes Tanzanian President, , Warns U.S. Assistance in Jeopardy

Washington, DC – Congressman Howard L. Berman, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today called on the Tanzanian President to cancel the reflagging of Iranian vessels following reports that the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) vessels are being reflagged under his nation’s flag.

Berman added that US assistance to Tanzania would be in jeopardy if these actions persisted.

In the letter, Rep. Berman writes, “It is profoundly disappointing to me to learn that your government has acted in contravention of the broad international coalition that is working together to use peaceful means, including economic sanctions, to change the threatening behavior of the Iranian regime. The decision to accept the re-flagging of NITC vessels casts a shadow over Tanzania’s international reputation.”

Rep. Berman has been a champion of Iran sanctions in Congress, building broad coalitions in support of ending Iran’s nuclear weapons program. In January, Rep. Berman, joined by Senator Menendez (D-New Jersey) introduced stiffer sanctions aimed at the NITC and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) if they are determined to be affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The sanctions would penalize foreign financial institutions that facilitate financial transactions involving NITC or NIOC.

The letter to President Kikwete follows:

Dear President Kikwete,

I am writing to express my deep dismay that Tanzania has permitted the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), to reflag at least 6 and as many as 10 of its vessels under the Tanzanian ship registry, allowing them to remain under NITC ownership and continuing to transport Iran’s crude oil exports. This action by your government has the effect of assisting the Iranian regime in evading U.S. and EU sanctions and generating additional revenues for its nuclear enrichment and weapons research programs and its support for international terrorism.

It is profoundly disappointing to me to learn that your government has acted in contravention of the broad international coalition that is working together to use peaceful means, including economic sanctions, to change the threatening behavior of the Iranian regime. The decision to accept the re-flagging of NITC vessels casts a shadow over Tanzania’s international reputation.

I respectfully request that Tanzania cancel the re-flagging of the NITC vessels. Given the close and cooperative relationship that our two governments now enjoy, it would be unfortunate if this action were permitted to stand.

It would be preferable that Tanzania take this action of its own accord. However, your government should take note of President Obama’s Executive Order 13608, signed May 1, 2012, which provides for the imposition of sanctions on any entity worldwide, including foreign governments, that assists Iran in evading U.S. sanctions. In my view, reflagging Iranian oil tankers falls within the scope of sanctionable activity under that Executive Order. In addition, if Tanzania were to allow Iranian vessels to remain under Tanzanian registry, we in the Congress would have no choice but to consider whether to continue the range of bi-lateral U.S. programs with Tanzania.
Sincerely,

Howard Berman

Ranking Democrat, House Foreign Affairs Committee

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Baraza la Mawaziri Laihenyesha Ewura

Chanzo Habari Leo
http://www.habarileo.co.tz/kitaifa/?n=20352


MKURUGENZI Mkuu wa Mamlaka ya Udhibiti wa Huduma za Nishati na Maji (EWURA), Haruna Masebu,amehenyeshwa kwa kuhojiwa kwa undani na Baraza la Mawaziri kuhusu kuyumbisha bei ya mafuta.

Baraza hilo lilitaka kujua kwa nini mamlaka hiyo imekuwa ikiyumbisha nchi na wananchi kuhusu bei za mafuta.

Kwa zaidi ya saa moja, Masebu na wasaidizi wake waliwekwa kiti moto kuhusu bei zilizotangazwa na Ewura mwishoni mwa wiki, ambazo zimepanda kwa asilimia sita kutoka zile zilizotangazwa awali.

Habari za kuaminika kutoka kwenye mkutano wa Baraza la Mawaziri uliofanyika jana kwenye Ukumbi wa Wizara ya Kilimo, Chakula na Ushirika, mjini Dodoma zinasema kuwa waziri mmoja baada ya mwingine walimhoji Masebu na wasaidizi wake kuhusu mwenendo usioridhisha wa bei za mafuta nchini.

Habari zinasema kuwa Masebu ambaye aliingia kwenye ukumbi huo akionesha kujiamini, alianza kupoteza mwelekeo kwa kadri maswali yalivyokuwa yakimiminika kutoka kwa mawaziri.

Hatimaye siyo yeye mwenyewe ama yoyote kati ya wasaidizi wake ambaye alikuwa na majibu ya kutosheleza ama hata ya kuwashawishi mawaziri kuhusu hatua hizo za Ewura na kwa kadri kikao hicho kilivyoendelea, Masebu na wenzake walionekana kukosa hoja.

Habari zinasema kuwa Masebu na wasaidizi wake walitakiwa kujielezea mbele ya Baraza la Mawaziri ili kuliwezesha Baraza hilo, chini ya Uenyekiti wa Rais Jakaya Kikwete, kujiridhisha na mwenendo mzima wa bei mafuta.

Baraza hilo lilitaka ufafanuzi kuhusu bei za petroli, mafuta ya taa na dizeli; nishati ambazo ukosefu wake nusura uiingize nchi katika zahama kubwa wiki iliyopita.

Moja ya maswali ya awali kutoka kwa Baraza la Mawaziri ilikuwa ni kwa nini Masebu na Ewura walitangaza kupanda tena kwa bei za mafuta siku chache baada ya kuzishusha kwa asilimia 9.17 kwa petroli, asilimia 8.31 kwa dizeli na asilimia 8.70 kwa bei ya mafuta ya taa.

Hatua hiyo ya Ewura kupunguza bei ya mafuta ilikuwa inatekeleza uamuzi na maagizo ya Serikali yaliyotangazwa na Waziri wa Fedha, Mustafa Mkullo Juni 22, mwaka huu, bungeni wakati alipowasilisha Bajeti ya Serikali.

Katika bajeti hiyo, Mkullo alisema kuwa Serikali iliamua kuondoa kodi na tozo kadhaa kwenye bei ya mafuta yanayoingizwa nchini kwa nia ya kupunguza bei ya bidhaa hizo ili kumpungumzia makali ya maisha mwananchi.

Hatua hiyo ya Mkullo, pamoja na ile ya Ewura kupunguza bei za mafuta ziliungwa mkono na Bunge na wananchi kwa kiwango kikubwa ambao walikiri kuwa hatua hiyo ilithibitisha jinsi gani Serikali yao inavyowajali.

Hatua ya Ewura kupunguza bei ya mafuta ilipingwa na kampuni karibu zote kubwa za kuingiza mafuta nchini ambazo zilianzisha mgomo kupinga hatua hiyo hasa BP, Engen, Oilcom na Camel Oil.

Baada ya siku moja ya mgomo huo, kampuni zingine nchini zilianza tena kuuza mafuta, lakini kampuni hizo nne zilikataa kufungua vituo vyao kuuza mafuta.

Agosti 9, mwaka huu, Ewura ilitoa amri ya Kimahakama (Compliance Order), kwa kampuni hizo nne kuanza mara moja kutoa huduma katika maghala yao na katika vituo vya rejareja vikiwemo vile vilivyoko chini ya miliki zao.

Katika amri hiyo, kampuni hizo zilitakiwa kuacha mara moja kusababisha upungufu wa makusudi wa mafuta ya petroli katika soko la Tanzania na kujieleza katika saa 24 kwa nini wasichukuliwe hatua za kisheria kwa kukiuka matakwa ya Sheria ya Mafuta na Utaratibu wa Ewura.

Siku iliyofuata, kampuni tatu zilianza kutoa huduma lakini BP (T) Ltd iliendelea kukaidi amri ya Ewura.

Bodi ya Ewura katika kikao chake cha Agosti 12, ilichukua hatua kadhaa ikiwa ni pamoja na kutoa onyo kali kwa kampuni za Oilcom, Camel Oil na Engen, na kuisitishia BP leseni ya biashara ya jumla ya mafuta kwa miezi mitatu na kuamuru Mtendaji Mkuu wa kampuni hiyo na mwenyekiti wake wa bodi wafikishwe kortini.

Lakini katika muda wa saa 48 tu, baada ya hatua hiyo ambayo iliungwa mkono na nchi nzima, Ewura ilibadilisha msimamo na mwelekeo wake na kutangaza kupandisha tena bei ya mafuta hayo ya petroli, dizeli na taa kwa asilimia tano.

Hatua hiyo ya Ewura, ilisababisha hasira ya Serikali yenyewe, Bunge, wabunge na wananchi kwa jumla.

“Ulichofanikiwa kufanya Masebu ni kuharibu kabisa mamlaka na madaraka ya Ewura. Hii ni taasisi ambayo ilikuwa imeanza kujijengea heshima kubwa kwa wananchi kwa kuchukua hatua mwafaka, na sasa mmevuruga kabisa heshima hiyo ya Ewura.

“Kwa kuvuruga heshima ya taasisi hiyo mmezitia doa siasa za nchi yetu,” waziri mmoja alimwambia ana kwa ana Masebu katika mkutano huo.

Masebu alijaribu kujitetea kwa kusema kuwa upandishaji huo wa bei ya mafuta uliofanywa na Ewura kwa mujibu wa Sheria na kwa mujibu wa makubaliano ya kuangalia upya bei kila baada ya wiki mbili kwa sababu mafuta huingizwa nchini kutoka Uarabuni kila baada ya wiki mbili.

Lakini Masebu aliambiwa kuwa hakuna mafuta yoyote yaliyoingizwa nchini tangu mvutano ulipoanza kati ya Ewura na kampuni za mafuta baada ya tangazo la kupunguza bei ya mafuta la Agosti Mosi, mwaka huu.

“Mheshimiwa Mwenyekiti ni mafuta yapi yameingia nchini kutoka Uarabuni katika wiki mbili zilizopita kwa sababu katika muda wote kwanza ulikuwepo mgomo wa kampuni za mafuta uliokolezwa zaidi na kampuni zile kubwa nne.

“Katika kipindi hiki, hakuna mafuta yaliyoingia nchini kwa sababu mafuta yalikuwepo kwenye matangi ya maghala na hayakuuzwa. Sasa Mkurugenzi anatuambia mafuta haya mapya yametoka wapi?” Alihoji waziri mmoja na kuongeza;

“Walichofanya Ewura ni kupandisha bei ya mafuta ambayo yalikuwa yamekwishafika nchini kabla ya mzozo kuanza mwanzoni mwa Agosti mwaka huu,” alisema waziri huyo.

Masebu alipojaribu kujitetea kuwa kwa taratibu za Ewura ni lazima bei za mafuta zipitiwe upya kila baada ya wiki mbili, waziri mwingine aliingia kati na kumwuliza:
“Mnapitia tu hata kama hakuna mafuta mapya yaliyoingizwa nchini kama ilivyotokea katika wiki mbili zilizopita? Mnafanya kazi kama mashine bila kutilia maanani hali halisi?” Alihoji.

Waziri mwingine alionya kuwa vitendo vya Ewura katika wiki mbili zilizopita vililenga kuyumbisha nchi na kuipeleka pabaya bila sababu za msingi.

“Inaelekea nyie Ewura mnahangaika zaidi kutetea maslahi ya wafanyabishara kuliko maslahi ya wananchi wetu,” alisema Waziri huyo.

Saturday, July 03, 2010

Ajali ya Mafuta Congo - Lori Ilitoka Tanzania!

Watu zaidi ya 200 wamekufa Congo baada ya lori liyokuwa imebeba mafuta kupinduka huko Congo leo. Lori ilitoka Tanzania. Watu wengi waliokufa walikuwa wanajaribu kuiba mafuta hayo! Umaskini jamani! Mtu unachukua ndoo, viplastiki kwenda kusomba mafuta bila kujali kuwa yanaweza kuwaka moto! mUngualaze wroho zao mahala pema mbinguni. AMEN.

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KINSHASA, Congo (AP) - At least 204 people were killed in Congo when a tanker truck transporting oil flipped over and exploded overnight in the east of the country, a Red Cross official said Saturday.

The truck was carrying fuel from neighboring Tanzania when it overturned at high speed late Friday in the village of Sange, around 100 kilometers (60 miles) outside the regional capital, Bukavu, said Red Cross official Desire Yuma.

Speaking by telephone from Bukavu, Yuma said the toll could rise since Red Cross workers were still collecting bodies from the scene.

U.N.-funded Radio Okapi reported a similar death toll, and said some local residents had rushed to steal the leaking fuel when it burst into flames.

Madnodje Mounoubai, a spokesman for the U.N. mission that has peacekeepers in the region, said the U.N. force was investigating the blast. He said no U.N. troops were killed or wounded.