Taoiseach pledges €170m in aid for Tanzania

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today met political leaders in Tanzania and pledged €170m in direct aid for the country up to 2010.

Mr Ahern, who is on the second leg of his southern Africa visit, promised further support via NGOs, missionaries and international organisations.

The Taoiseach met Tanzania president Jakaya Kikwete, prime minister Edward Lowassa and senior government ministers for talks in the capital, Dar es Salaam.

The dialogue also focused on the need for good governance in relation to aid, the troubled situation in Kenya and other challenges on the continent.

“President Kikwete briefed the Taoiseach on his particular perspectives on the situations in a number of countries, including Zimbabwe which is a cause for grave concern,” the Taoiseach’s spokesman said.

“The Taoiseach welcomed the mediation role being played by Tanzania and expressed a desire to see meaningful policy change in Zimbabwe to reverse the terrible impact on ordinary people.

The Taoiseach also briefed the leaders on the role that Ireland is playing in Chad, where up to 450 Irish troops will be deployed as part of the EU mission early next month.

He noted that Ireland and Tanzania both shared a proud tradition of peacekeeping activities.

On the issue of aid, the spokesman said: “The Taoiseach confirmed that Tanzania is a particularly important partner in Ireland’s development programme. It is making a real difference for the people in their everyday lives.

“The current framework strategy for Ireland’s support for Tanzania covers the period 2007 to 2010 during which some €170m will be provided in direct bilateral aid.”

Mr Ahern also pledged €1.3m to the Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation (CCBRT) in Dar es Salaam, which provides medical services for people with disabilities.

Health is a major focus of the Irish Aid programme to Tanzania.

Mr Ahern is being accompanied on his visit by the Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development, Michael Kitt.

He earlier viewed a water supply project in Kigilagila, a poor urban suburb in the west of Dar es Salaam.

Mr Ahern also attended the Mwananyamala Municipal Hospital, funded by Irish Aid, where he visited the maternity wards and met with TB and leprosy patients.

The Taoiseach also met with members of the local media and commended them for their commitment to accountability, openness and transparency.

Ireland’s aid programme with Tanzania has been in place since the mid-1970s.

Mr Ahern, who visited South Africa on the first leg of his week-long official trip, returns to Ireland on Friday.