|
After resignations, contract reviews should follow
2008-02-08 08:48:45
By Editor
The Parliamentary Selection Committee which was probing the USD 172bn/- Richmond Power Generating power-generation contract has finally tabled its findings in the National Assembly.
The damning report has made shocking revelations that Richmond was a briefcase company that lacked international qualifications to be awarded such a big tender.
The committee discovered that the contract was fraught with many irregularities and suspect decisions which contravened the country`s procurement laws and regulations.
The committee was of the view that the Prime Minister was the top most government leader behind the controversial contract.
This revealed that there was failure in leadership all the way up the ranks.
It recommended that the Prime Minister should make a sensible decision to resign, and should be held accountable for his actions, that former Energy Minister Ibrahim Msabaha and incumbent Energy minister Nazir Karamagi should also resign, while a string of other government officials, among them the Attorney General and the PCCB director general, should be held accountable.
Earlier, there was an attempt that was made to try to bury the bad news, when a cabinet minister tried to block the tabling of the report.
Quite fortunately for this country, things turned the other way round.
Prime Minister Lowassa was quick to read the sign of the times and according tendered his resignation.
It was clear that others would follow suit, although some of those implicated had initially made some half-hearted attempts to defy the findings.
We wish to commend all Members of Parliament—and those of the select committee—for living up to public expectations by saying that enough is enough, that the country`s corridors of power should not be seen to be immersed in vice.
We are encouraged that Parliament has been able to uphold its mandate of serving the interests of the people of the United Republic of Tanzania by handling this sensitive matter in a manner that has made it possible for the Prime Minister to offer his resignation.
This indicates that our democracy has reached a stage of maturity that allows changes in leadership to take place in an institutional way.
We are quite optimistic that Prime Minister Edward Lowassa`s written intention to retire will be successfully accepted by the President, and the other ministers who have followed suit.
Finally, the Parliamentary Select Committee has called for a quick review of the Richmond, IPTL, Songas, Aggreko and Alstom rentals contracts.
These contracts are deplorable to the wananchi because they have imposed an unbearable burden on power consumers, such that the dream of affordable energy for the people of Tanzania has been shattered.
This should not be the case, especially in a country that has already discovered and is exploiting its abundant natural gas reserves.
In other words, much as it would be difficult to admit, this is a shameful situation which we must address.
There is no way Tanzania can develop without deliberately building a sustainable power structure that will ensure an adequate supply of affordable electricity.
As a first move, let us urgently review these contracts, because they are spoiling any chances for current and future generations to lead modern and dignified lives.
Already, they have made life very difficult for people of all walks of life.
|
