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Sensitive contracts to remain secured,...
2008-07-24 10:47:42
By Bilal Abdul-Aziz, Dodoma
A legislator`s demand that the government stop treating as confidential sensitive contracts of national interest and directly affecting the people’s lives has hit the wall.
Kilontsi Mporogomyi (Kasulu West - CCM) made the demand in the National Assembly here yesterday, saying the move would be ``for the good of our country and its people``.
Responding, Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Mathias Chikawe said bluntly that the government would not budge on commercial contracts ``because lifting the lid on them will affect the willingness and commercial operations of the companies involved``.
Defending the government’s stance further while responding to a question by Wilbrod Slaa (Karatu - Chadema), the minister said none of the three pillars of the State had more stake in the interests of the nation than any other.
Dr Slaa had recommended that all sensitive contracts deemed to be in the people`s interest be debated in the National Assembly before they are signing ``because the House represents the interests of the people more than does the government``.
However, Chikawe was not impressed and shot back: ``I disagree with the MP… None of the three pillars of the state has a bigger stake in the matter than any other.
All pillars, that is, the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary, have the interests of this country at heart.``
Mporogomyi had wondered why the government was fond of signing some contracts before taking them to the House, saying the practice amounted to usurping the functions of the National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the government has agreed to explore the possibility of including in curricula at various levels of education a course on ethics as part of a strategy to moulding honest and patriotic future leaders for the nation.
Responding to a question by Fatma Maghimbi (Chake Chake - CUF), Chikawe said his ministry would consult the Education and Vocation Training ministry to see if the introduction of the course was viable.
The MP had recommended special training on ethics for legislators, saying many leaders commonly breached laws and regulations governing ethical practice in politics and other fields.
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