Nation mourns the death of Precision Air founder, Shirima

Dar es Salaam. Government leaders and aviation specialists yesterday described the founder of Precision Air, the late Michael Shirima, as a person who had high confidence in his decisions.

In their condolences to the family of the departed prominent investor in the aviation sector, they characterised Shirima as someone who didn’t hesitate to make tough decisions to further his cause and convictions.

Mr Shirima died at the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam on Friday as he was receiving treatment. He was 80 years old.

Speaking to The Citizen, Education, Science, and Technology Minister, Prof Adolf Mkenda, said the deceased’s strong convictions could easily be seen in his book titled: On my Father’s Wings which was launched last year.

“In the book, he explained how he quit a lucrative job at Air Tanzania Company Limited in 1979. He saw that the national airline was headed in the wrong direction. So he cautioned the authorities, but in vain. He quit his job thereafter,” he said.

“He was forced to move his family from a government-owned house and had to survive on a barbeque business. Later on, he secured a loan and started selling cotton oil,” added Prof Mkenda, who doubles as a Rombo Member of Parliament.

Furthermore, he said the deceased was engaged in selling timber and then started exporting coffee. He later decided to invest in the aviation sector.

President Hassan sends condolences

President Samia Suluhu Hassan took to her official Twitter account to offer condolences to the family; “I have received with sadness news of the death of Michael Shirima, the founder and board chairman of Precision Air Company.”

“In over 30 years of selfless service, he has been instrumental in the aviation sector and in other social activities in our country. My condolences to the family, siblings, relatives, and friends. May God rest his soul in eternal peace, Amen,” President Hassan added.

The former Swissport chief executive officer (CEO), Mr Gaudence Temu, first met Mr Shirima over 25 years ago when he was working with Swissport.

“He was a humble person despite his wealth. He was always ready to share his knowledge,” he said.

He said investing in the aviation sector requires unshakable faith in one’s abilities, strong self-confidence, and a large investment due to the sector’s volatility, things the deceased overcame as he was establishing Precision Air.

Mr Temu expressed his confidence that after many years of operation, there was no doubt the deceased had prepared a strong team that would assure business sustainability and continuity.

An aviation expert, Mr John Njawa, described the deceased as an aviation guru and a good mentor.

“Aviation is a sector that requires huge investments, but with such huge risks that one can lose the entire investment in an instant. Mr Shirima risked everything in his decision to invest in the aviation sector,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Njawa said that because the late Shirima was an outstanding figure in the aviation industry in the region, the sector has lost an important person.

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) director general, Mr Hamza Johari, said in his condolence message that Mr Shirima’s dedication, love, and legacy in the aviation industry will be remembered forever. “May his soul rest in peace.”

How Precision Air started

Mr Shirima founded Precision Air in 1993 with a twin-engine, five-seater airplane, a Piper Aztec.

Based in Arusha, the airline provided charter flights to tourists visiting Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, the island of Unguja, and other Tanzania tourist attractions.

The airline’s rapid growth triggered the acquisition of more equipment and began scheduled flights from its Arusha base.

Partnership with Kenya Airways

In 2003, Kenya Airways, East Africa’s largest airline, acquired a 49 percent shareholding in Precision Air for $2 million.

In October 2011, Precision Air floated a 30.35 percent shareholding in the airline stock in an initial public offering on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE).

Mr Shirima also owned five percent of the shares in I&M Bank (Tanzania), a medium-sized commercial bank.

As of December 2011, the bank’s total assets were valued at $130 million (Sh200 billion), and the bank’s shareholders’ equity was approximately $15 million (Sh23 billion).

He also sat on the board of directors of the same bank.

He was the founder and proprietor of Cornelius Ngaleku Orphanage, located in Useri Division, Rombo District, Kilimanjaro Region, which looks after homeless children from different streets in the country.

The deceased also served as the former chairman of the Tanzania Golf Union (TGU).

Burial arrangements

The family spokesperson, Mr Abdallah Singano, said Mr Shirima’s remains would be flown to Arusha tomorrow. The burial is scheduled for Wednesday.