Parties to government: Restore donor confidence

Above: The disgraced Professor Tibaijuka!

BY THOBIAS MWANAKATWE
Political parties with no representation in Parliament want the government to clarify how far it has gone to resolve a stalemate with donors after President Jakaya Kikwete stated the country’s position over Tegeta Escrow Account on Monday this week.

Their call comes barely a week after Kikwete sacked Lands, Housing and Human Settlement Minister, Prof Anna Tibaijuka over the Tegeta escrow account scandal.

Also, the Attorney General Judge Fredrick Werema resigned over the same issue while Ministry of Energy and Minerals Aliakim the Permanent Secretary Maswi has been suspended.

The international donor community suspended financial aid to Tanzania over illegal transactions, leading to the withdrawal of ShSh202.9 billion from the Tegeta Escrow Account.
The eight political parties yesterday issued a joint communiqué in Dar es Salaam, which they said is aimed at restoring donors’ faith to Tanzania, recently lost because of the scandal.

The parties are AFP, CCK, SAU, JAHAZI, UMD, CHAUSTA, NRA and UPDP. They praised the president for responding to eight parliamentary resolutions which were to be implemented together with measures against officials directly linked with the scam.

Secretary General of the Sauti ya Umma party (SAU) Ali Kaniki read the statement on behalf of other parties at a press conference.

He said donors are anxiously waiting for a government official report on the steps the government has taken so far over the matter.

He said: “Many citizens have understood the Escrow issue after hearing the President’s speech and that it is important for the government to issue a statement that would make donors and external investors to restore faith in Tanzania government.”

Donors are reportedly waiting for a government response on the Tegeta escrow investigations, with the Chair of development partners (DPs), Finnish Ambassador Sinikka Antila saying they respect Tanzania’s accountability systems and that they look forward to a solid government response.

Antila said: “While still assessing the situation, DPs maintain a dialogue with the Ministry of Finance and any decisions on further disbursements will be communicated to the minister,” she said, on inquiry if the donors would consider releasing the withheld funds.

In May 12 donor countries and multilateral bodies, including the World Bank, withdrew $558 million (nearly Sh1 trl) budget support for 2014/2015 over the Tegeta escrow scandal.

On its part, the US recently announced that it had put on hold the signing of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact with Tanzania pending government’s action on the Tegeta escrow scandal.

The value in the MCC facility was pegged at around $700 million in five years from 2015.

The Secretary General of the Chama Cha Kijamii (CCK) Renatus Muabhi said the suspension of funds hurts the nation and blamed leaders for failing to safeguard national wealth and for not being serious enough to fight corruption.

He cautioned President Kikwete about local politicians who are just bent on building personal fame using the escrow account saga.

He implored Tanzanians to continue building peace and harmony which has been maintained for a long time in the country.

The AFP Secretary General, Rashid Rai cautioned: “Let us not try to advise advise the president on matters which we have not thoroughly checked.”

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY