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Lessons from the Richmond saga
2008-02-17 09:59:50
By Henry Muhanika
I have always believed in the saying that for every cloud there is a silver lining. It is for this reason that I think there is a good side of the infamous Richmond saga which has felled the mighty and is likely to ruin careers of some corrupt Government officials.
Firstly, it has clearly revealed the extent to which grand corruption has penetrated the elitist ranks in Government, who are now engaging in it in an amateurish manner – just imagine awarding a tender of about 170bn/= to a company not registered anywhere on earth!
Secondly, the Richmond revelations have demonstrated clearly that some institutions and Government units are not functioning properly.
It is not easy, for example, to believe that lawyers from the Attorney General`s office were part of the team which recommended to award a tender to the Company with no clear identity.
Then there is the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau, which at one time pretended to probe the scandal, only to come out with the statement that after all, the deal did not cause any financial loss to the nation. The unprofessional approach to the scandal has affected its integrity.
We have now also realized that Parliament can be effective in correcting wrongdoings in our society, if it avoids being enslaved by sectarian interests and accepting to be a toothless bull dog. Results of its probe team on the Richmond scandal are a testimony to the above mentioned view.
This brings us to another big lesson that much as corruption is a hydra-headed monster, it can be dealt a blow if there is determination to do so.
Since corrupt elements are fewer than clean people in society, there is no reason why the former should be allowed to terrorize the latter with impunity.
It is also now clear to most Tanzanians that opposition political parties have an important role to play in society.
The truth is that had it not been for strong voices of some no-nonsense opposition parliamentarians, this scandal and many others currently making heads roll would have been swept under the carpet.
The role of the media in the war against corruption in our society has been clearly demonstrated as well.
While covering Richmond and other scandals, some media outlets seemed to be regarded by the powers that be as trouble makers with a hidden agenda.
But these didn`t give up, and their efforts have not gone down the drain. Richmond has jolted us out of indifference to corruption.
Henry Muhanika is a Media Consultant
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