ESRF establishes a studio to communicate with rural communities

THE Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) has established a studio which will be preparing special developmental programs for Radio and Television with a view to feed the rural people with information that will improve their economic and social activities in the country. The programs prepared will be research based evidence from different stakeholders; Research Institutions and individuals who have research evidences on development, agricultural institutes and higher learning centers such as Sokoine University of Agriculture.  ESRF’s Executive Director Dr. Hoseana Bohela Lunogelo said last week in Dar es Salaam that, the information to be delivered by the studio known as ‘Maendeleo studio’ will help quicken the pace of people’s economic activities in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for the poor. Dr. Lunogelo said to start with, the priority issues to be given by the centre are those related with the agriculture which is the main economic activity of most people in rural areas who covers about 80 percent of the country’s population. Other information to be disseminated by the centre will be related with health and education issues as all these sectors contributes to the government’s efforts towards the fight over poverty situation in the country. However, he noted that, these are among the major core development issues proposed by the people living in rural communities that need urgent attention in a one year research work which was carried out by the ESRF. The research aimed at finding out the major challenges affecting people’s life in rural areas and also ways on how to easily help the unprivileged people most of whom the rural dwellers of reaching the targets of the MDGs in the country. 

ESRF’s Executive Director Dr. Hoseana Bohela Lunogelo (Standing left)

During data collection for the research, the three basic issues were pointed by the people to be among the most crucial ideas that are affecting their daily life and which needs urgent attention. It is from this point of view that the ESRF came out with the idea of establishing a studio that would help to educate people so as to make them use various available opportunities in a bid to eradicate poverty stricken situation which Dr. Lunogelo noted that is growing at an alarming rate in rural communities. He said the rate of poverty has increased in the country by 37 percent up to 2013 compared to 16.6 as it was a decade ago, adding that the increased is due mostly to lack of awareness of the basic factors of human development. The studio was inaugurated on Thursday this week in a colorful ceremony that took place at the organization’s head office in Kinondoni in the city and was attended by researchers from both private and public organizations, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and some economists. The government was represented by the Director of the Poverty Alleviation Dept and Empowerment of the Ministry of Finance Anna Mwasha, and among other dignitaries was a Senior Lecturer of economy at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Dr. Oswald Mashindano. In her speech, director Anna said that, the government was highly impressed by the way the ESRF has established and that through the ministry of Finance, it was ready to give support bearing the fact that the targeted audiences are mainly people in rural areas. On his part, Dr. Oswald noted that, Tanzania rural community dwellers needs to get thorough education in a move to fight with the poverty and diseases, the factors has been deteriorating their economic gain.

CA members told to defend union, observe house standing orders

In an unpresented move, the newly elected members of the Constituent Assembly (CA) have been warned not to interact their discussions with the union affair while contributing a debate on the second draft of the new constitution with a view to defend it as it has a national interest. The call was made on Friday last week in Dar es Salaam by a member of the Tanzania Constitution Forum (TCF) Hebron Mwakagenda when presenting his paper during a two day seminar for the newly elected constituent Assembly members which was organized by the forum. A two day seminar which ended yesterday aimed to brain stain the minds of the elected 201 members in order to get prepared for a long session which is ahead of them of discussing  the second draft of the national constitution whose session starts in Dodoma next week. During his presentation, Mwakagenda informed the members the majority of whom seemed to be unaware of some national matters that there are certain matters in the current constitution which have greater potential to the people in the country and that should not be interfered with. He noted that, among them is the union matter which he said is something which has to remain intact and that should not be discussed at any cost as it has the interest of the people of two countries, Tanganyika and Zanzibar. 

The Chairman of Tanzania Constitution Forum (TCF) Mr. Deus Kibamba

He also highlighted to the members to strictly observe the laid down house standing orders while contributing their views while going though each Cap and sections of in the constitution, urging them not to force an argument except to brainstorm an idea and come up with a solution. The house standing orders he said would be made available to them in their first two days prior to the start of the session. This he said would be after being sworn in to become full members of the Constituent Assembly. However, he said adding that, the house standing orders would direct them on how to present ideas and have respect for the ongoing discussions and how they should conduct the debates with all respects reserved. Other things which he told the members is about their discussions which he noted that should directly be focused from within the scope of the matter in discussion and shouldn’t anyone drive his or her points from what has been written in the draft. “Your task is to observe one paragraph after the other as outlined in the constitutional draft, and therefore it wouldn’t be fair at all to inject a point which would seem completely irrelevant to the matter in discussion” he said urging them to stick to the standing orders as they are all matured people. On her part, the Speaker of the National Parliament Anne Makinda who will also be among the members to join the elected team together with other parliamentarians in a joint debate discussion over the constitution told the elected members that, highly disciplined character is needed to be observed in such big gatherings which discusses matters of the national importance. 

Speaker of the National Assembly Ms. Anne Makinda

Drawing her experience as a speaker of the National Assembly, she reminded the elected members to respect their chairman who would be elected to conduct the debates. She also urged the members to stick their ideas for the national unity and put aside their political differences as the constitution does not belong to any political party in the country. She said people should not look at a face of a speaker on the floor, and who speaks what, but the best thing to avoid inconveniences in respect of the arguments put forward, they should concentrate on the ideas on a particular phrase in the constitution. The speaker of the National Assembly has also warned the members not to be tempted in anyway by an inducement into accepting somebody’s ideas among those ones put forward for discussion. Anne Makinda is on the view of the fact that, they shouldn’t accept any bribe or envelopes aimed to seek for a majority support of an opinion that might be in discussion just to defend the interest of the few people or groups. “Temptations should not be allowed to lure your minds into accepting an idea which you know thoroughly well that won’t help the future of the nation and the incoming generation” she said adding that, all members should understand the fact that, a constitution is a document which defends the rights of the people and their properties in any country.

Political analysts hail Kikwete’s appointment

A day after President Jakaya Kikwete announced list of 201 appointed members from civil society groups to be included in the National Constituent Assembly scheduled to start next week in Dodoma, political analysts have proclaimed that, there is no doubt as the number of participants is well balanced to the best of their professional ability Speaking in a telephone interview in Dar es Salaam on Saturday a renowned senior lecturer on political science of the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Dr. Benson Bana said that, “the President has done a commendable job and fair in every groups. Basing on politicians, Dr. Bana noted that, the appointment of leaders from all 21 registered political parties in the country would cut off the political impulse likely to arise among the opposition parties who thought before that, the whole constitution process could be dominated by the ruling CCM party. However he noted that, their presence together with other civil society group members of the different categories would make a joint collaborative efforts into getting a comprehensive draft of constitution which would stand for the interests of all Tanzanians regardless of their political and religious affiliations. On the idea of the two tier government structure which has been touted by the ruling party CCM. He said that, this is in their party’s policies and should not be brought forward for discussion as it is not a national issue but rather a directive of the CCM part. In view of this, however, he said members of the assembly should not have their minds lured as the idea of the three tier government as opposed to CCM policies, is a joint collective idea from the general public as recommended by Judge Joseph Warioba’s Commission team. 

Dr. Benson Bana of the University of Dar es Salaam.

To put matters in proper ways, he is optimistic with the facts that the general Constituent Assembly composed of over 600 members who includes national Members of Parliament, and members of House of Representatives from Zanzibar would make proper use of their set 70 days to discuss the outcome of the controversial idea which seemingly to have confused some people in the country. He has posed his challenges and noted that, his tension is on how to get a speaker or a Chairperson to conduct the Assembly which he said all members should be careful when electing their speaker to conduct the proceedings. In this,  he said they need to be careful and shouldn’t look at the interests of their parties, but have to look at someone’s experiences he or she has gained in leadership. On his part, Professor Mwesiga Baregu said that, the President’s appointment has shown a national outlook in general which for any reasons has to be hailed. He said adding that, President Kikwete did not discriminate nor favored any group despite he had encountered difficulties when selecting them. Prof. Baregu who spoke through a telephone interview noted that, the President has done a good job which he expects members of the Constituent Assembly would discuss the second draft at a fair level ground before its acceptance by the general public during referendum opinions. Baregu who is a Professor of political science specializing in International relations has warned that, during the constitution making process, members should not compete each others which is likely to bring negative impacts a result of which might cause chaos among themselves. 

Professor Mwesiga Baregu of Saint Augustine University

On the issue of two tier government structure as being touted by the ruling CCM party, Prof Baregu said that, the issue here is to look at the Union of Tanzania in relation to either two or three tier government structures. He noted that, despite the envisaged open contractions about the matter which is being perpetrated by some members of the ruling CCM party, still the recommendations put across by Warioba’s commission team would remain for discussions. He further noted that, some alterations might occur during the discussions but this should not confuse the minds of the participants who will attend the Constituent Assembly as their discussions over the matter would the final saying. “Parties’ policies is another thing altogether and this should not dominate the entire discussions of the constitutional review process, for doing so is contrary to the national interests” he said and urged members not to look at their parties policies. Another political analyst, and a former cabinet minister during the first and second phase governments Ibrahim Kaduma has commended the good job shown by President Kikwete and hailed his political maturity which he said has proved seriousness on  the matter. He has suggested that, members of the Constituent Assembly should stick on the consolidation of the national unity while contributing the debate of the national constitutional review process. He said that, unity has been the main theme of the country’s philosophy towards various development successes since independence time. 

Mr. Ibrahim Kaduma a former cabinet minister during first phase government

However, he said adding that without unity in this constitutional review process, things would disintegrate and the centre cannot hold. Kaduma is on the view of the fact that, the selected members and those who make up the constituent assembly should have a common stand which would enable get a national constitution that would have a common interest for the coming future generation, and has also called upon journalists to help promote their views.  On Saturday evening this week, the names of the 201 individuals who will join MPs and members of the House of Representatives to form the Constituent Assembly were revealed in Dar es Salaam drawn from 3,754 proposed names in ten groups. The names were read by the acting Chief Secretary Dr. Florens Turuka who told weary journalists who were kept waiting for nearly two hours that President Jakaya Kikwete considered age, gender, religion, political parties and regional balance in selecting them. Two-thirds of the names were from the mainland and the remaining one third was from Zanzibar as the law required. The 201 individuals together with 357 MPs and 80 House of Representatives from Zanzibar will establish the eagerly awaited Constituent Assembly to kick-start the home-stretch for the envisaged new constitution. The organ is scheduled to start its sittings on February 18 in the political capital city of Dodoma. They will debate the second draft constitution that was prepared by the Judge (rtd) Joseph Warioba-led Constitutional Review Commission.

Kingunge faulted CCM leaders against burdensome ministers

In unpresented move, a veteran politician and former cabinet minister has faulted top most leaders of the ruling CCM party for what he termed as violation of ethical leadership code when they publicly pronounced some cabinet ministers were a burden to the nation. The two party leaders called the alleged ministers for being burdensome on assumption that were not performing well to the people irrespective of their portfolios.  They said about two months ago while in campaign meetings aimed to mobilize party’s activities in a move to implement its manifestoes in southern regions of the country. Kingunge Ngambale Mwiru issued his concern in an exclusive interview early this week at his residence in Dar es Salaam. Kingunge’s call has come amid the on-going debate of some people who complains why President Jakaya Kikwete left the alleged burdensome ministers in his new cabinet list which he had appointed and announced three weeks ago. Hopes by many people had it that, the President would have listened to his fellow party leaders who are the Secretary General Abdulhaman Kinana and NEC’s Secretary and party’s publicity Nape Mnauye when preparing a reshuffle, on the grounds that he could have reacted on their recommendations. During the interview, Kingunge noted that, there are some CCM party leaders who are completely ignorant about the leadership barriers existing between them and the government. However, he said adding that, there are procedures to be followed on the side of the party’s jurisdiction once its member has messed up. He said ministers are Members of Parliament and in view of this he has reiterated that if a member of the ruling CCM party has faulted, he or she should be reprimanded in party’s internal meetings instead of ridiculing them in public. “It should have not been so, just because some people complained about their performance and rated them down. He said this is a breach of ethical rule and poor leadership guidance as far as their mission was concerned”, he asserted. He said the ruling CCM party follows its policies when it comes to the issue of reprimanding its members who seem to have flouted the party’s policies, and does not bring such debates in public view the way Kinana and Mnauye did. Meanwhile, a city based lawyer who has specialized in constitution has said that, the selection of the cabinet ministers is a sole decision by the President as this is among his responsibilities for which he doesn’t necessarily need to wait for the party to say but rather are presidential prerogatives under which he should not have been interfered with by any organ to implement. Jackson Makota, who is a staunch member of CCM told the Guardian in an exclusive interview that, it was a great mistake according the constitution for any organ, be it a ruling party, NEC of the Central Committee which can force the President to change his appointments whatsoever. 

A veteran politician and former cabinet minister  Mzee Kingunge Ngombale Mwiru

He said the matter is upon the President himself to decide, others he noted among the prerogatives are amnesty for inmates, to cancel death sentences already imposed to convicted killers and proclamation of wars. Al these are his sole responsibilities according the constitution. Quoting the relevant paragraphs in the constitution Section 55 which says that, the President can at his own will appoint cabinet ministers and their deputies at any number after having been advised by the Prime Minister. The appointed ministers would change their duties on behalf of the President as in accordance to the laws, but this does not necessarily mean that such ministers are not responsible or accountable in any way by the directives of their party’s NEC. The president is the one who can question the performances of his ministers and their deputies. If the appointed ministers mess up and the President keeps quite and takes no any action against them waiting for the masses to complain to the extent and see them burdensome for the party, then it is the President who has to be blamed for that. According to the CCM constitution section 109 has stated clearly that, among the major tasks the NEC contends with is for the party only and not associated with the government duties. In this respect, the Central Committee of the CCM party has no any mandate to call and interview or direct the appointed ministers or anybody with presidential appointment including PCs, DCs and basically this is such interference in one way or another. Three weeks ago, State House Director of Communications Salva Rweyemamu noted that, the President had committed his work and that there should not be further argument on the matter. In November last year, the CCM secretary General Abdulhaman Kinana and NEC secretary and Party Publicity Nape Mnauye publicly announced some of the ministers in the current cabinet list to be burdensome and that had requested President Jakaya Kikwete to remove them from their portfolios. The proclaimed Ministers with their portfolios in brackets are Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa (Education and Vocational training), Christopher Chiza (Agriculture and Food security) and his deputy Adam Malima who is now deputy minister for Finance. Others are Hawa Ghasia (Local Government and Regional Administration) and her deputy Aggrey Mwanri. In a recent cabinet reshuffles which was made on 19^th January this year, the President re-appointed the ministers who were complained to be burdensome. The situation caused a severe debate over the issue from various groups of people in the country.