SOME legislators have expressed their disappointment over
President Jakaya Kikwete’s decision of not sacking Prime Minister as earlier
pressurized by irate parliamentarians during contribution over the report by
the standing committee of Land, Natural Resources and Environment on Friday. Interviewed
legislators have accused the PM for his failure to hold accountable various
ministers whose ministries are engulfed with numerous bad performances
including corruption. Speaking in an exclusive interview over the decision,
some legislators have commented that, the president could have sacked the Prime
minister Mizengo Pinda whom they say has not been particularly active to react
on embezzlement shown by some ministers even if there are evidences tendered as
proof on allegations leveled against them. The legislators were commenting on
President’s decision of sacking the four ministers for failing to effectively
manage the infamous Operesheni Tokomeza Ujangili after a whole day’s
debate on the issue which shocked parliamentarians on Friday this week. The government’s
anti-poaching campaign which was suspended indefinitely due to claims of
civilian abuse, torture, extortion and murder was carried out by security
forces in the country who included the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF).
The decision by the President, who is
currently in the US, to sack the ministers was communicated by the PM, who
however did not answer directly to the calls to resign over what the MPs
said was lukewarm performance. David Silinde (Chadema) is surprised to see
that, the president only reacted on the four ministers and left the Prime
Minister whom he said could be the first to be axed to show maturity on
political responsibility. He said that the Prime Minister is not active in
taking drastic measures against district executives who have been implicated
directly on the embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds in various
districts as recommended by the Controller Accounts General (CAG) in his annual
reports. Felix Mkosamali (Chadema) noted that, the decision by the president
was done just to protect the ruling party CCM and not to defend the national interest
and the general public. He said since the PM has been faced with many
allegations as related to his poor work performances especially in for
ministerial supervision work, it was high time for him to go out of the office.
However, he said that, had become so worried with the decision as the president
didn’t do the right thing, noting that he left the PM and reacted on ministers
under him. Other interviewed legislators of the ruling party who preferred
anonymity when contacted to verify their stand over the issue, admitted the
fact though all of them spoke on strict condition of anonymity on claims that, they
were not ready to criticize their President. They said that, the PM was to be
removed out of the office as he has ashamed their party when it comes to the
issue of power abuse and none compliance of the human rights. Speaking about
the committee report findings, some were painful with what had happened during
the campaign and feelings of the tortured human beings and their sufferings, and
suggested that, as a government had to get somebody in a high ranking position
in the government. On Friday this week, President Jakaya Kikwete has sacked
four ministers Khamis Kagasheki (Natural Resources and Tourism), David Mathayo
(Livestock and Fisheries), Emmanuel Nchimbi (Home Affairs) and Shamsi Vuai
Nahodha (Defence and National Service). The four were shown the door earlier on
Friday following a day of contentious Bunge debates and increasing public
outcry over their failure to rein-in inept, trigger-happy subordinates. The dismissal
of the four ministers was the culmination of a dramatic day in Parliament in
Dodoma as the government came into sharp focus over its performance in
dealing with farmer-pastoralist conflicts.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Parliament waives out SIM card tax, approves communication service tax
THE National Assembly on Saturday last week approved
the amendment of the Cap No: 147 of the Excise Management and Tariff
(amendment) Bill 2013 which was tabled in the house by deputy minister for
Finance Saada Mkuya. The Bill was proposed by the government in a bid to waive
out the monthly SIM Card tax of Sh. 1,000 as approved earlier in July this year
during parliamentary budget session for 2013/14 financial year. This follows
claims by the electronic communication companies and users of cell phones in
the country most of whom are the poorest who could not afford the proposed
monthly amount of money to be paid in Tanzania shillings as tax as it is too
expensive according to the capacity of their usage. Alongside with this
amendment, the parliament has also approved the amendment of the provision No.
124, clause (6c) of the Excise Management Act, which has increased taxes to be charged
on the electronic communication services from 14.5 percent to 17 percent
respectively. Under the system proposed, the deputy finance minister noted that
this would enable every user of the electronic communications services in the
country to pay such tax according to the capacity of his or her usage. However,
minister Saada noted that, the system would effectively start in January 2014. According to Saada, whoever uses more services
will pay more, and those who limits their uses will also pay less. However, she
clarified without analyzing how the rates of payments would be manifested in
the financial debt transactions. She said, the system has been coordinated to
favor the poor especially rural dwellers and will be contrary the earlier
system which had proposed a uniform rate of payment for every user without
considering the rate of each one’s capacity of usage. The decision by Parliament was reached after
a short debate over the issue whereby some legislators blamed the government
for having delayed the money which the communication companies were supposed to
pay immediately when the Bill was first passed by house in July this year. Some
legislators blamed the government in the whole process of making their
proposals saying that, stakeholders in the electronic communication industry
were not involved in the process. Saleha Pamba (CCM) noted that, it was prudent
to include all communication companies in this process before coming into a
decision over the matter in Parliament. He said and called onm fellow law
makers to do what he termed as political ground work in order to have
transparency on the matter for Tanzanians. He said that, the earlier proposed
SIM card tax rate was so expensive in comparison with what is being charged by
other East African Community member states. A nominated ;legislator
(NCCR-Mageuzi) James Mbatia openly noted that, the amendment of the Bill has
some sort of cheatings in the sense that it shows that, there are some
government executives who are not
working with efficiency. He queries the rationale of the government to bring
back its own bill which it had proposed and later approved, now it should have
been amended an aspect there might have caused some losses incurred on the part
of the implementation.
In view of this however, he has advised the
government to hire money for the development for the time being while the taxes
are being prepared in a short while. Mwigulu Mchemba (CCM) than ked the
government to have listened its people when it has decided to waive out the tax
saying that, it would help the poor who had become psychologically affected
when the announcements were made in July this year. However, he has insisted
that, tax payments for the local people is important for their country’s
development and it is therefore necessary to implement it as it is the nation
which benefits. In July this year, the government had allocated billions of
shillings for the development of rural electrification in the country, and part
of the allocated money was directed to be contributed by electronic communication
companies through monthly SIM card taxation. The decision by the government had
later on caused a mutual of understanding between the government and the
company’s owners who saw it impracticable for fear of losing customers in the
local market. Under the system, all electronic communication companies were
ordered to pay a monthly tax of Sh. 178.4 billion, the money which has never
been collected since the Act was passed by the house six months ago. The
resistances over the payments followed a controversy which had arisen between
the government and the communication business companies who resort to seek for
a solution before the court of law. Likewise the stakeholders and the public in
general especially users of cell phones were nlot happy by the government’s
decision and raised claims that, the amount of money was so great and not
affordable.
Govt: The bill to coordinate foreign work permit is in offing
THE Government through the ministry of labor and employment in collaboration with the stakeholders is preparing a proposal for the bill of permit that would enable to facilitate foreign employment activities in the country, the Parliament has been informed. The deputy minister for labor and employment Dr. Makongoro Mahanga told the Parliament last week in Dodoma that, the government’s aim is to have an Act that would give full authority to empower the government institution that would supervise foreign employment status in the country. Dr. Makongoro noted that, the aim is to have a smooth control over the employment status of foreigners in the country compared to how is being done now whereby the operation by private companies over the issue has apparently rendered ineffective the supervision work by the government. Dr. Mahanga was responding a question by Catherine Magige (CCM0 who wanted to know why foreigners are given permits to work in the specialization which could well be performed by the local people. Elaborating on this, Dr. Mahanga noted that, strategies being undertaken by his ministry in order to supervise the employment to foreigners are regular check up in various institutions.
He said legal action
is being undertaken against the companies which are found to have violated the set
rules which requires them to follow as succession plan to give priority of
employment to locals, and failure to comply by the rules have their work
permits snatched away. For example, Dr. Mahanga noted that, during the 2012/13
a total of 148 companies were inspected. Either he noted that, the government
does not issue a work permit to foreigners guarantee positions which could be
done by locals in the country’s local employment market. He said the ministry
of labour does not have statistics records of foreigners who have been employed
in the country doing the jobs which can be done by the locals. However, he has noted
that his ministry has proposed the issuing of foreign work permits under the
following grounds. The applicants should have a qualification on a particular
job opportunity which has not been filled by any Tanzanian, such as medical
experts as well as those in mining sector. Companies with contract deals with
the government which is nationally accepted such as road construction companies
and those of the real estate. Experts representing their countries in respect
to a particular job, and those experts working in companies which have devoted
to provide work training on the specific area of specialization to the local
people.
Government urged to give priority to locals in gas production
The Parliamentary standing committee on Energy and
Minerals last week threw a challenge to the government requesting the
involvement of the local companies in the production of the discovered gas
which currently is under exploration in southern region of the country. The committee’s
chairman Victor Mwambalaswa said on Thursday evening when summing up the
committee’s report which was discussed by lawmakers for two days before its
approval. He said the government should be more transparent to ensure that its
gas production is more transparent to Tanzanians and that, the first priority
should be given to local companies. He said prudence is important in order to
ensure that, locals are favored in gas business in the country. Elaborating,
Mwambalaswa said such mistakes were committed in the recent past in the mining
sector and it would be shameful to repeat again in the oil and gas sectors. He
said that, Tanzanians have not yet given opportunities to enjoy their
underground wealth as the higher authorities do enter the contracts with the
foreign companies and disintegrate the local companies to trade. He gave an
example in mining sector whereby during the allocation, he said foreigners were
more favored and made to acquire larger squire kilometers of the mining land
causing a public outcry and the government does not take any action to review
their contracts. However, he has appreciated the current system under the
Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) which locals could get oil
and gas exploration blocks, was open to everybody sand no one is hindered for
applying. “But we should also know that oil and gas drilling investment process
is very expensive and needs a lot of money, and in view of this, the committee
is asking Tanzanians who are able to come forward to compete in tendering and
should not complain” he said Mwambalaswa made the remark after noting that in
recent days, there has been complaints that, the local were denied involvement
due to the fact that, were poor and unable to afford such huge expenses
incurred for exploration. Other suggestions which he presented to the
government are mere advices which his committee wanted it implanted in relation
to various developments for energy and minerals sector. When summing up the
report, Mwambalaswa noted that, the government should snatch away the mining
sites which it originally gave to the foreigners who seemed to have failed to
develop them, and instead give to the locals. The committee also has advised
the government to quickly sponsor its citizens for higher studies in China so
that they could get enough education as related with the knowledge of oil and
gas exploration activities as well as their production for the future nation. Another
thing is that, the committee has tasked the government to continue enlightening
the people of Mtwara and Lindi regions on how they could benefit from this
natural resource in a bid to minimize and clear their worries. The committee has also given an advice to the
TPDC to work in collaboration with the national Insurance companies to prepare
the insurance covers to the locals who would directly involve in the
exploration and production of gas. On oil sub sector, Mwambalaswa said the
government should advise the Energy and Water Utility Regulatory Authority
(EWURA) to designate special fuel dispensing stations which could be
distributed in rural areas. Mwambalaswa made the remark after noting that in
recent days there has been ensure that, on the proliferation of substandard
fuel dispensing units which endangers the quality.
More innocent Tanzanians lynched by mob justice
A Total number of 4,500 Tanzanians have been killed by a mob
justice in various parts in the country for the last one year, ex-minister for
Home Affairs Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi said in Parliament on Monday last week before his position rescinded by the President on Friday. Dr.
Nchimbi noted that, there has been increasing habits by some people who tend to
take law into their hands and continue killing innocent Tanzanians, some are suspecting
their victims without proving their involvements in such mischief beyond any
reasonable doubt. He noted that, among the killed suspects includes old people
suspected to have been involved in witchcraft, the incidences which are
notoriously being practiced in Shinyanga, Simiyu and Mwanza regions
respectively. Dismayed by the alarming rate, Dr. Nchimbi has called upon people
to desist from taking law in their own hands. He has also reiterated the government’s
commitment to deal with the matter once and for all. Minister Nchimbi was
winding up his statement when contributing to a report of Parliamentary
standing Committee on Security and Defense which was tabled earlier and later
on was approved by the house in the evening. Contributing his views for the
same committee, another ex-minister for Defense Shamsi Vuai Nahodha highlighted
various dangerous effects resulting for residential houses to be
constructed closer to the military
camps. He has therefore warned Tanzanians with such thing in mind as it is very
dangerous. He cautioned saying that it poses danger owing to the fact that,
there are explosive materials which are very dangerous to the people. On the compensation
payments of soldiers who fought in war in Darfur and elsewhere in the country,
the minister noted that. The government was doing all it can in order to settle
such payments to soldiers who dedicated their lives as patriots for the sake of
the country. However, he noted that, the United Nations has started to settle
such payments of soldiers who lost their lives while in mission to accomplish
the UN declaration for peace keeping process in war torn region of Darfur in
Sudan. He said already the payment of the three soldiers is already made and
the bereaved families have received the money since on 27th November
2013. However, he has also promised that the government would continue making a
follow up of the payments of the remaining soldiers to make sure that their
families are paid as planned. For Tanzanian soldiers who died while in
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the same mission, he noted that, their
payments have already been settled. He said that, Tanzanian soldiers who have
been stationed in DRC will continue staying there as the situation is not well
with the rebel groups. He noted that the n notorious M23 rebel group received a
thorough beating to the extent that they decided to withdraw their troupes. In
view of this, he has thanked other soldiers from Malawi and South Africa who
have strengthened security in the region for their cooperation in the region
which has now restored peace in the area. Contributing to the report of
Parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs and international
cooperation also tabled on the same day, the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Benard Membe responded to the various queries that the committee members had
raised in their report. Among the issued discussed were the slow pace decision
making of the government and its failure to construct three diplomatic Tanzania
offices in New York-USA, London-UK and Nairobi-Kenya. However, minister Membe said that, the
government is still committed to accomplish its plans in order to have own
office building in these countries despite of financial constraints which has
been a drawback to quicken the process. On the foreign investors in the country
which the report noted that should be reinforced for the better national
economy, minister Membe said that, Tanzania continues to receive foreign investors
and this has been building a good relationships with the outside world. About
the border between Tanzania and Burundi, the foreign minister noted that there are
no proper beacons to identify the demarcation marks in these two countries. In
view of the issue, he noted that, fresh beacons would be placed next year in
April in a ceremony which would be attended
by Presidents of two countries, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Pierre
Nkurunziza of Burundi. However, he noted that, there are also the same problem
of the disappearance of such beacons in the border of Tanzania-Kenya which he
said would also be solved later. Either he stated that, the government of Tanzania
has thanked the Chinese government for its assistance over the construction of
Nyerere Convention Centre in Dar res Salaam which he said had cost Sh. 46.2
billion. Minister Membe said that, out
of these, the Chinese government contributed Sh. 21.6 billion as grant to the
government of Tanzania, and the rest would be paid as soft loan after having
enjoying a grace period to last after 10 years’ time. He further noted that, the construction of
this famous convention centre has been carried out under the values of the
Chinese laws which Tanzanian government has a reason to be proud of its
magnificent. Contributing for the same committee’s report, the Minister for
East Africa Community (EAC) Samwel Sitta said that, the five member states of
the East African regional bloc have not yet approved the use of a single VISA
traveling for lack of a network as the member states are not yet connected to a
single network. Speaking on his behalf, the deputy minister for East African
Community Abdallah Juma Abdallah also noted that, the member states have agreed
to make a rotation while attending the EAC common issues. He said about 50
percent of such issues would be held outside the headquarter building in Arusha
city, and another 50 percent of its sessions would be held in rotation at the
capital cities of the member state
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