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Exclude the corrupt from new Cabinet
2008-02-10 09:57:16
By Lucas Lukumbo
You could tell from the placards how Tanzanians are all out in making sure that no stone was left unturned in making sure that corrupt elements in the government and political leadership were eliminated.
Dar es Salaam residents mostly the youth had placards that read, ``Corrupt leaders should not be in the new cabinet,`` ``HIV/AIDS is eliminating us just as the corrupt leaders are,`` ``Money from the Richmond implicated leaders should strengthen schools, hospitals and construction of a machinga market``, ``We are now getting independence…`` ``Congratulations on dissolving the cabinet.``
They had marched from Mabibo to Mnazi Mmoja in the city to hammer home the fact that they were behind President Jakaya Kikwete`s move in the war against corruption.
The members of Feminist Activist Organization (FemAct) and the Network of Southern African Human Rights Tanzania Chapter SAHRiNGON) together with other civil society organizations and groups took the opportunity to thank Parliament, together with the members of Parliamentary Probe team on the way they dealt with the awarding of the controversial tender to the dubious Richmond Development Company (LLC).
``We are shocked by the findings of the probe team which has irrefutable evidence that the Ministry of Energy and Minerals favoured Richmond Development Company (LLC) from its initial tendering to the end,`` the Executive Director of the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme, Usu Mallya told a rally at the Mnazi Mmoja Grounds.
``We condemn this action as revealed by the Richmond Parliamentary Probe Team Committee which has benefited Richmond and other leaders by forcing TANESCO to pay a total of US Dollars 121,811 equivalent to Sh 152,000,000 every day until the contract ends. Even today TANESCO is paying Richmond,`` she said.
The statement said the scam has increased the misery and suffering of rural and urban Tanzanians and has increased women and infant deaths during birth, find more orphans caused by maternal deaths due to lack of health facilities especially in rural areas.
``We congratulate the President on accepting the Prime Minister`s resignation and the dissolving the cabinet,`` adding, ``we urge the President to take this opportunity to make history through selecting a new cabinet which adheres to leadership ethics, gender quality.``
But it was the Executive Director Tanzania Media Women Association (TAMWA) Ananilea Nkya who hammered the point home more forcefully.
She asked the government to make sure that all those involved in the recent Richmond scam to have their accumulated wealth confiscated by the state.
``We will know that the money has been returned in the state coffers if the government announces the reduction of price of food stuffs, electricity tariffs, and for social services like water and health,`` she said.
``I would like to advise President Jakaya Kikwete to appoint as many women ministers as possible in his cabinet.
If possible a fifty-fifty representation would very much be appreciated, `` she remarked.
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