On the issue of Independent Candidates, we are Making Some Progress

Call for independent candidacy in new constitution
By Correspondent

9th March 2012

Sengerema residents in Mwanza region have proposed the Constitutional Review Act, 2011 to include the independent candidacy’s position to broaden democracy in the country.

Tanzania Evangelical Fellowship Network district chairman Lusesa Charles said it was the right time for a country with over 40 million people to have an independent candidate.

Contributing to a constitutional debate, Charles said: “We have been going through a lot of turmoil before and after the election because our constitution does not allow a private candidate to run for any position.”

He said it was possible to have clean and patriotic candidates outside political parties, who could stand for the post.

“We have been missing this chance because our current constitution is silent on the matter,” he said.

A Serengeti resident, Kasusu Wayela proposed the new constitution to put in place the formation of three governments.

“We have seen our colleagues in Zanzibar having their own government, why not we mainlanders and union government. We want the new constitution to state clearly the formation of three governments of Tanganyika, the union and that of Zanzibar. This will help mainlanders to have an equal share for the country’s resources with islanders,” he said.

He was asking what was behind the government’s reluctance to introduce three governments.

Another Sengerema resident Adam Salum was in the opinion that there was no need for the president to appoint deputy ministers suggesting that it was possible their duties be done by permanent secretaries to reduce the government’s running costs.

ASDA pastor in Sengerema Jackson Mazamile proposed powers to revoke licences of investors in the mining sector to enable others to come in if they had violated applicable laws.

“Our resources have been depleted much. We have been observing the government awarding some investors a 99-year contract. This will only create more poverty,” he said.

Mwanza Policy Initiatives (MPI) facilitate Milton Rutabana said the current constitution needed some amendments to meet people’s expectations, rights and give enough room for people to express their views on what they wanted to be in the constitution.

The MPI official stressed the importance of civic education among members of the public to make them well informed of constitutional matters.

“We want people in the country to be empowered in different categories from national to grassroots level,” he said.

MPI finance and administration officer Kizito Kondamali said there was a need for Tanzanians to know various policies so that they could have time to evaluate how policies were implemented by the government for the betterment of all Tanzanians.

“We in MPI are trying to show members of the public how those policies are implemented, where the government has failed and why but also we are cooperating with people to find the way forward,” he said.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Dear, President Kikwete

Mr. President Complainer-in-chief,

If I could offer you one piece of advice, it would be something like this: when public employees or civil servants fail you/fail the country, you just don't blame them, you take proper actions against them.

That is, you fire them immediately!

And so, you need to be serious Mr. President! Get rid of all the lazy and incompetent people and send out a strong message to the rest of your cabinet and other government employees that you mean business. That you will not tolerate these sorts of behavior! Enough is enough!

With all due respect, Mr. President, I must say that for more than seven years now that you have been in the office, you have been doing nothing but jetting around the world and complaining! I mean, all you do is blame everyone for their failures, rather than taking any responsibility for your own bad leadership?

Every time I read a local Newspaper, all I read is you complaining or blaming someone. This needs to stop Mr. President! I mean, as a nation's leader, when are you going to start taking responsibility for your own bad leadership?

Because all these complaints and blames just make us all sick to the stomach! And quite frankly, we are tired of hearing them, and we can no more take them!

I think you are a really cool person [always smiling, dressing well, and attending funerals and such, on time], but quite frankly, I don't think you have what it takes to be the president of a complex, beautiful country like Tanzania.

In other words, you have failed us and we are so very disappointed in you!

P.S. Please fire that Health and Social Welfare minister guy, Dr Haji Mponda. I don't think he's up to the job. And also, you need to meet with 'em doctors in person ( don't send Mizengo Pinda to negotiate, again). I think he's an arrogant and a terrible negotiator. Remember: people's lives are worth far more than an extra 2.5m of salary per month, which the doctors are demanding.

Sincerely,

Me, a concerned citizen,

Edward Chacha

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President Kikwete blames ministry department for degrading forests
By The guardian reporter
6th March 2012

President Jakaya Kikwete has accused the Department of Natural Resources in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism of degrading forests through issuance of permits to loggers.

He sounded the blame at the State Lodge here when responding to a regional development report read to him by Kilimanjaro regional commissioner Leonidas Gama.

The report, among other things, highlighted the challenge of deforestation and efforts being taken to curb it.

The strategies include suspension of issuing permits for harvesting, using and transporting natural forest products.

Gama said the government had been working hard to curb the problem, but a few unfaithful natural resources officers “continue to issue permits” to loggers despite a ban imposed by a local authority.

In his response, Kikwete directed regional leaders to collaborate with politicians by explaining to them their plans and strategies of forest conservation so that they could deliver the message correctly.

“There has been a problem for experts to have good plans, but politicians are not involved effectively, as a result they fail to talk about and support the plans to their electorate,” he said.

Kikwete also directed local authorities to deal with forestry officers who issue illegal permits to loggers.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Oh no, Mr. President:you didn't just say that!?

My take: The President shouldn't have wobbled to these greedy investors! Instead, he should have been as savvy and assertive [in defending his people & his nation's interest] as a strong leader ought to be. I mean, you just don't beg greedy investors, you direct them! After all, you are the head of the state, for crying out loud!

Fulfill commitments, JK tells mining firms Pay Taxes or else your gonna be in big, big Trouble!

By Judica Tarimo
1st March 2012

Wants them to source more goods and services locally

President Jakaya Kikwete has warned investors who do not pay rightful taxes to the government or fulfill their social responsibility commitments were to blame for the conflicts that ensued in their operations.

“It’s disappointing to see some mining investors want to benefit alone…leaving the government, surrounding communities with nothing,” said Kikwete when officially launching the Presidential Award on the Extractive Industry Corporate Social Responsibility and Empowerment (CSRE) programme. The award will be contested annually and companies with outstanding performance will be acknowledged.

According to the President, investors’ failure to pay taxes to the government, support small-scale operators, and surrounding communities creates hostile environment in the mining operations.

“This triggers endless conflicts and tug of war between the investors and residents living around the mining areas,” said the president, in the wake of increasing public concerns over mining investors’ benefiting from the sector at the expense of millions of poor Tanzanians.

He described the CSRE presidential award as an important milestone in the development of the country’s mining industry, but noted that investors must act responsibly and observe the underlying principles.

“Mining investors need to pay taxes that are due to the state, rightfully and timely. They have to support local development projects around them. They have to empower small-scale mining operators,” said Kikwete.

If investors observe these principles, he said, they will enjoy good relations with the government, small mining operators, and local communities noting that all sides (the government, investors, and surrounding communities) must benefit from the country’s mining operations.

“In the end everybody benefits and a win-win situation will be realised. I believe this is the best insurance policy one can long to have as an investor and as an investment destination.”

If this is absent, he said conflicts would ensue, something which was not healthy for business and may put the investments in jeopardy. “Everybody will be at risk losing,” he insisted.

Apart from direct contributions, mining companies must promote socio-economic growth of the respective areas and the country’s economy by sourcing goods and services locally, thus creating jobs and incomes for Tanzanians.

He said that it was unfair for mining investors, with all sorts of incentives (tax holidays, exemptions etc) to generate profits but contribute nothing to the communities where they operate.

According to Kikwete, there were services which can be sourced locally, decrying the growing tendency of mining companies of importing every service and commodity from abroad.

Sourcing goods and services locally, he said, would create “what economists call backward and forward linkages. This will make the people strongly feel a sense of ownership and an obligation to protect the investments.”

“But if such things are absent people will have no stake in the operations of the company. As a result, they may care less about the presence, survival and progress of the company. They may even turn hostile,” said the President, appealing to all mining investors to take it seriously.

Besides, Kikwete said in the same context of CSR, large-scale mining companies should use their economic strength and technological capacity to help small mining operators improve their operating systems, increase productivity, and production.

“I believe, this will reduce jealousies, minimise friction, and avoid unnecessary hostility and increase friendship and cooperation. If large companies assist small operators and treat each other as partners, instead of competitors or contenders, it will very much improve relations between the two players.

“It will clear undue misunderstanding and remove the mistrust and resentment. Attitudes of hostility, threats and violence can easily be avoided. In the end everybody benefits,” he added.

He proposed that all these components (including community well-being and sustainability, local industry participation, community safety, water and environment, infrastructure development roads, electricity etc) should be incorporated as indicators for picking the winner of the Presidential Award on CSRE.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Acha wabunge wajiuzuru!

Spika: Nusu ya wabunge wanatamani kujiuzulu
Na Godfrey Mushi, Nipashe
27th February 2012

Spika wa Bunge, Anne Makinda, ameibua upya mjadala wa posho za wabunge zilizokuwa zikidaiwa kupanda kutoka Sh. 70,000 hadi kufikia Sh. 230,000 kwa kila kikao anachohudhuria mbunge, akisema kuwa sakata hilo la nyongeza ya posho, limesababisha nusu ya wabunge kutishia kuachia ngazi kutokana na hali ngumu inayowakabili.

Spika Makinda alitoboa siri hiyo mwishoni mwa wiki mbele ya wakazi wa Jimbo la Njombe Kusini mkoani Iringa wakati akizumgumza nao katika mkutano wa hadhara uliofanyika kwenye Kata ya Ikwivaha, Njombe Mjini.

Alilazimika kuzungumzia sakata hilo baada ya wananchi waliohudhuria mkutano huo kumtaka atoe ufafanuzi kuhusu suala la nyongeza ya posho za wabunge ambazo zimeibua mjadala na malumbano katika jamii nchini kwa miezi ya karibuni.

Aliyeibua suala la posho katika mkutano huo ni Ali Mhagama, ambaye alimtaka Spika Makinda, kueleza msimamo wake kuhusu posho za wabunge kwa kuwa yeye (Makinda) na Spika wa Bunge la Tisa, Samuel Sitta, walinukuliwa wakiunga mkono nyongeza ya posho za wabunge.

“Mheshimiwa Spika, tunataka utueleze msimamo wako kuhusu posho za wabunge kwa sababu wewe na Samuel Sitta, mlikuwa mnaunga mkono nyongeza hizo,” alisema Mhagama.

Akijibu swali hilo, Spika Makinda alisema: “Kwa taarifa yako, mheshimiwa Mhagama, sasa hivi wabunge waliofika pale, nakwambia karibu nusu wanataka kuondoka ubunge, wanauliza mama tuache ubunge, nikasema hamuwezi kuacha mtasababisha hasara nyingine ya by-elections (chaguzi ndogo), wamechoka kabisa,hawakujua.”

Spika Makinda aliongeza: “Mimi nakwambia miaka 10 kuanzia sasa, mtu yeyote mwenye shughuli yake, ama aliyekuwa anafanya professional (taaluma) yake, hatagombea ubunge kwa sababu ni eneo la umaskini wa kutupwa kabisa…Aaah, mnapenda mnachopenda, lakini nawaambia facts (ukweli)! na mimi ni Mkristo kabisa, sisemi uongo.”

Aidha, Spika Makinda aliwataka wananchi hao kuelewa kuwa wabunge si watumishi wa serikali, bali ni kikundi cha watu ambao mkataba wao ni miaka mitano tu na wanayo sheria ya kwao peke yao ikiwamo sheria ya uendeshaji wa Bunge peke yake (Sheria namba 14 ya mwaka 2008) na kuongeza kuwa kuna Kamisheni ya kuhudumia wabunge ambayo imeundwa na mambo yake yaliyopo pale ni kimkataba tu.

Kufuatia hali hiyo, Spika Makinda, alilazimika pia kufafanua maslahi ya wabunge wanayopata ikiwamo mshahara wa Sh. milioni 2.3 kwa mwezi kabla ya kulipa kodi ya serikali.

Akifafanua kuhusu hilo, Spika Makinda, aliwaeleza wananchi hao kuwa kodi ya serikali ambayo mbunge anatakiwa kuilipa kwa mwezi ni zaidi ya Sh. 700,000.

“Hii posho tuliyokuwa tunaisema sisi tuna utaratibu wetu na duniani kote kuna taratibu za posho, tukamwongezea mbunge posho wakati wa vikao na ni siku tisa, vikao vyetu viko vinne ambapo vitatu ni siku tisa tisa, akirudi jimboni hapa kama mimi, hakuna cha allowance (posho) wala nini,” alifafanua Spika Makinda.

Tangu kuibuka kwa suala la nyongeza ya posho za wabunge wakati wa Mkutano wa Pili, makundi mbalimbali yalijitokeza na kupinga hoja zilizotolewa na wabunge kwamba wanataka nyongeza hiyo kutokana na kupanda kwa gharama za maisha.

Wakati mjadala huo ukiendelea huku wananchi wengi wakipinga kuongezwa kwa posho kizo kwa maelezo kuwa sio wakati mwafaka kutokana na hali ngumu ya uchumi inayolikabili Taifa, Spika Makinda, alisema posho mpya zilikuwa zimeanza kulipwa.

Hata hivyo, kuna taarifa kuwa baada ya Rais Jakaya Kikwete, kulitaka Bunge kulitafakari upya suala la nyongeza ya posho, posho hizo zimesitishwa.

AOMBA KUNG’ATUKA UBUNGE

Katika hatua nyingine, Spika Makinda, alilazimika kuomba ridhaa ya wakazi wa Jimbo lake la Njombe Kusini, wamruhusu ang’atuke katika medani ya siasa baada ya muda wake kumalizika ifikapo mwaka 2015.

“Ninawaombeni mnikubalie ikifika 2015 nisigombee nimewatumikia kwa muda mrefu kwa hiyo na mimi nipumzike maana nataka kufanya shughuli zangu binafsi,” alisema Spika Makinda, akiwaomba wapiga kura wake.

Kabla Spika Makinda, hajawatangazia rasmi wapiga kura wake kwamba anataka kung’atuka ubunge, aliwahi kunukuliwa mara kadhaa akisema hana nia ya kugombea tena kiti hicho katika uchaguzi mkuu ujao.
CHANZO: NIPASHE