Need for a committee to verify government’s answers in Parliament

The opposition legislator has suggested that, there is a need for the Tanzania parliament to form its own special committee which would edit thoroughly government’s written answers before these are read in parliament during question and answers sessions. David Kafulila (Kigoma South, NCCR-Mageuzi) said in an exclusive interview during the 14^th Parliamentary debate session which ended ten days ago in Dodoma capital city. The legislator was narrating how the national parliament is conducting its sessions which he noted it to be contrary to parliamentary debate procedures of other East African member states which he said everything is checked and verified by the committees to see if such government statements are informative. He said that, despite having various parliamentary standing committees there is no committee which is specifically assigned to verify answers given by the government for any query raised. The legislator is on the view of the fact that some government answers issued in written form and read by ministers in early opening sessions do not nave sufficient information contents needed for public consumption.

 David Kafulila (Kigoma South, NCCR-Mageuzi)  insisting a point in parliament recently

 Kafulila is on the view of the fact that, under the current system ministers who normally answer such questions on behalf of the government do not give adequate and satisfactory answers which he says do not cater for the need of those who have asked and people who follow the session in television screens. Citing an example of what is happening in other countries which conducts the same as in commonwealth parliamentary debating systems, Tanzania is not serious with the matter mainly due to the absence of a committee to counter-check the answers to see if have sufficient information contents. In view of this, he is therefore proposing to have a special standing parliamentary committee to be assigned for the work and go through such answers before are read before Members of Parliament in order to satisfy the demand of legislators in need of clarification for a question put across.  Contacted for comments, the Minister of State in Prime Minister’s office responsible for Policy, Coordination and Parliamentary Affairs, William Lukuvi said that, with his mandate as a minister he is not directly concerned with the formation of Parliamentary committees. However, he said in a telephone interview and directed this reporter to contact the speaker of the national assembly whom she said was closely responsible. Efforts by this paper to contact Speaker of the House, Anne Makinda throughout this week has proved futile as her two phone numbers could not be reached when dialed.