National Assembly takes part in DITF to showcase itself

THE National Assembly took part for the first time in the just-ended Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) with a view to creating public awareness of one of the key pillars of the state. This was revealed in an interview at the Julius Nyerere Fair grounds on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam by the House director for civil education and international co-operation Jossey Mwakasyuka. “We have never participated in any trade fair before because we had the fear that it`s difficult to handle the whole process. But we got courage when we toured a trade air in Zimbabwe where we saw other parliaments participating as institutions” he said. He said most people were not aware of what was going on in the National Assembly because they failed to attend its sessions where they could learn more about its activities.

The current National Assembly speaker, Mr. Samwel Sitta (standing extreme left) with other national leaders including President Jakaya Kikwete when the latter had sworn in the Chief of the Armed Forces General Davis Mwamunyange (standing at the center, front row)

Mwakasyuka said among challenges the National Assembly was facing included public exposure about its activities. The National assembly has vowed to publicize itself with its activities even to those living in rural areas. Many people were amazed to have seen the National assembly to have advertised itself in public. Thomson Joseph, a visitor who toured the pavilion at the DITF, was excited to see the institution participation in the fair. However, its participation had been an eye opener to every person about its activities. Among the most impressive things were the newly constructed State-of-the-art National Assembly building (known by Kiswahili language, Jengo la Bunge)