Day THREE

AT the end of Day THREE, one question kept revolving in me, "were the three days enough for the training!" Both answers also came revolving also, that is yes and no.

On one hand, the three days of  training meet my expectations, the major one being using links in facts finding from the internent and linking my readers to the links for detailed information.

During the three days of the training I was able to create my own blog, search for information from the internent and use of links in the internet.

The training was very relevant and resourceful to me, and considering the way our trainer, Peik Johansson managed the Programme, I felt a need for more days so that I get more professional magics from him.

I enjoyed is class, his styles and techniques made my learning easier!

Thanks so much Mr. Peik, you are great!!

Gas boom ib Mtwara

By Felix Mwakyembe

PUBLIC opinion about Mtwara region has changed dramatically in the recent years, from a worthless place to a destiny of any wealthy digger, just because of the gas boom.

Foreign and local investors flock in the region to tape the opportunities opened up by the gas boom including manufacturing plants.

According to TPDC Multinational oil and gas companies currently engaged in deep sea exploration include Statoil, Ophir Energy and BG Group,  and their activities have opened up a new economic era for the Southern region and Tanzania as a nation.

Tanzania Rex Attorney, the 2012 total estimates show that discoveries of natural gas reserves quadrupled from 10 trillion to 40 trillion cubic feet.

Gas pipeline;

Construction of the 542km gas pipeline, from Mtwara to Dar es Salaam is at its final stages and according to the projection of the project the work was to be completed by the end of February, this year.

TPDC, report showed that the work was completed by 97pc.

 

Day TWO; Mbeya journalists training on online investigative journalism

Our second day of the training was more exciting, as it kept us busy working on our computers, searching for information.

The most exciting was getting the US President Barack Obama's phone number. 

You know what, I never dreamed of getting to know the White House telephone contacts numbers, that because of this training exercises, now I am confident, one day I might call the White House for information.

Writing an investigative story is not an easy work, you need to have research skills, spending much time on facts finding.

Before getting into the work I have to identify an idea for the story, set an hypothesis, gather information from various sources such as internet, documents and people. It is at these early stages that I spend most of my time.

After gathering of information and facts, I spend about two days for my first draft, re-reading  final draft before sending it to the editor.

 

Smart Kigali

SMART Kigali makes life easier in this first ranking clear city in East Africa. Is an initiative projected to make life simpler for residents of Kigali in Rwanda and its visitors.

The initiative was launched on 20^th September 2013 in Kigali, meaning that the city residents are now getting free access to broadband Wi-Fi which is available in various public places in the city.

Launching of the initiative was graced by the Rwanda’s Minister of Youth and ICT (MYICT), Kigali City in partnership with Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Rwanda Utilities and Regulatory Agency (RURA), Rwanda Hotel and Restaurant Association and major Telecom Operators.

Areas where the services would be accessed including commercial buildings, bus terminals, airports, in public transport buses and cabs.

The initiative also aims at improving internet connectivity and access in hotels and restaurants, establishing online automated navigation system for direction using street and home addressing information system, introducing automates ticketing and taxi meters in public transport and electronic payment systems to improve financial services.

Early beneficiaries included Union Trade Center, Kigali City Tower, Kigali City Market, MTN Center, Nyabugogo Bus Park, Remera-Kisementi, Stade Amahoro, Kigali Public Library, Kanombe International Airport, KBC, Kacyiru Ministere, KIST and KIE.

The Internet connectivity at these sites were powered by BSC Ltd, MTN Rwanda, TIGO Rwanda Ltd, AIRTEL, LIQUID Telecom and ISPA.

Day One; Journalists Training on Online Investigative Journalism

My first day at the training was so good that I enjoyed the class. I liked most the way topics were presented, it made the class to be live. the class was more practical.

Fortunately, I could not notice anything unpleasant that could put me off the class.

During the Day I class I learn how to make a blog, I did it myself contrary to my first blog which was made by an IT expert.

The use of social media in gathering information was more exciting, I enjoyed it as it was so resourceful.

Very optimistic that Day TWO tomorrow will be more resourceful.

  

Welcoming note

Welcome to Going Green, the blog by an Environmental Journalist, Felix Mwakyembe

I am a journalist based in Mbeya City, in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. I work for a weekly Swahili paper, Raia Mwema and sometimes write for Reuters AlertNet on climate change related issues.

My areas of interest are environment, agriculture and extractive industries, where I have written many articles.

From Monday 23^rd to 25^th March, 2015 will be attending Investigative Internet Journalism Training at the Open University, Mbeya Campus. The training is organized by MISA-Tan.

In 2010 I attended the UN Climate Change conference in Cancun as COP16 as CCMP fellow and September, 2014 I attended launching of the IPCC 5^th Report in Pretoria.

I find the training to be relevant to my work and expect to acquire skills in searching for information using the internet that will able me write well researched stories.