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Lobby wants EPA and Richmond culprits prosecuted
2008-06-25 09:58:02
By Correspondents Zuwena Shame and Hafsa Massati
The National Assembly has been urged to take action against all those implicated in the dubious payments from the Bank of Tanzania`s external payment arrears (EPA) account and those involved in the signing of the controversial Richmond power-generating contract.
A feminist organization, FemAct, bringing together Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP), Tanzania Media Women`s Association (Tamwa) and Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), among others, issued the call yesterday at a press conference held in Dar es Salaam.
Usu Mallya, TGNP executive director, said the government should monitor the EPA money and developments of implementation of Parliament`s recommendations on actions to be taken against culprits in the Richmond power generation scam.
``The EPA money should be refunded immediately, not on papers but physically…and those who are involved in these scandals should be taken to court,`` Mallya said.
Mallya said once collected, the EPA money should be channelled into next fiscal year\'s budget to help the government improve social services, including health, education and infrastructure.
``We have many problems in this country and we need to improve health, education and infrastructures sectors …but there is not enough money to improve the sectors,`` she said.
For her part, TAMWA executive director Ananilea Nkya said they appreciated lawmakers` demand for information on the 216bn/-, which was dished out to some people as commodity import support (CIS) some 16 years ago.
Nkya said they did appreciate it when MPs worked in the interest of their people.
``We, FamAct, are grateful when we see our MPs give priority to public interest instead of working for their own interest or party.`` said Nkya.
She said it was the right time now for every MP and leader to be courageous and champion public interests.
Leonard Elias, legal officer from LHRC, called for an amendment of the constitution with a view to giving MPs more powers to supervise the government.
FemAct is a feminist organisation formed by about 50 civil organisations.
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