Will Three Governments Solve Union Problems

Iringa — The Cry for three governments dominated nearly all the public hearing that I have attended in both Mufindi and Iringa districts.

Several speakers who are residents of these two districts wanted the new constitution to allow the Mainland (Tanganyika) to have its own government like it was the case with Zanzibar, and both sides should form a third union government as a way forward.

A good sample of such doctrine comes from a land retired officer, who is a senior citizen, Mr Joseph Meshack who touted the opinion to the Constitutional Review Team currently collecting opinion in Iringa region.

He recently told the team here that the new constitution should state that the two governments formed in Zanzibar and mainland should be led by two prime ministers from both independent countries to be elected by the parliaments.

"The union government should have a president who should be elected by the people from the two countries," he said. Mr Meshack who is currently a farmer said that it should be included in the constitution that each sovereign state should have its own constitution as well as the union government.

He clarified that the members of the Union should be drawn from both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. However he stressed that the prime minister should be the one to form the cabinet but he should not pick them from the parliament.

There should be a special committee that will advise the prime minister on choosing the ministers, he said. "The ministers and permanent secretaries should be employed inline with their qualifications and experience in the sectors they will serve," he said.

"These permanent secretaries should also have assistants who will be competent too in their fields of specialization," he added. He also called upon downsizing the cabinet by merging some of the portfolios as a cost cutting measure. It is of course their opinion that there should be three governments.

But most of those who gave their views thought that it might be a solution to some of the problems facing the union. It remains to be seen. Of course time will tell. But those dissenting views on the third government still believe that it might even complicate matters.

Another crucial issue that has continued to surface in the public hearing on constitution Review Meetings here is the issue of patriotism and erosion of morality in the country. The Councilor for Kitanzini Ward, Ms. Jesca Jonathan said that nationalism, patriotism and accountability should be included in the new constitution.

Some of the elements of corruption that emerged in our society is a clear indication of growing moral decay in our society, said some of the speakers. Ms. Jonathan who is a graduate said that the constitution should earmark a body, which will be charged to handle these components to transform the nation.

The issue of morality cannot be restored by anyone other than our own people, an opinion, which was appreciated and shared by many. "I do agree with those who think that the national service which helped the nation to achieve these qualities in the past can be a catalyst in transforming and reforming the youth to live up to the ideals of Arusha declaration," said the councilor.

Many speakers who spoke on the subject of morality said that parents have the ultimate responsibility of caring for their children. Therefore the new constitution should make it an obligation for parents to care for their children.

In certain occasions some speakers wanted the new constitution to retain the roles of the president as the head of state, head of government and the commander in chief of the armed forces. However the councilor was of the opinion that the ministers and permanent secretaries and others on line of duty should do their job diligently without any complacence for the system to work effectively.

She also said that the union should remain as it is, saying that it would be absurd to dissolve it since the country can learn from the formation of East Africa Community, which is one of the achievements in the region and other unions around the world.

A second year student of Law Mr Cleopas Mkeluka said that the union parliament has been curtailed to carry its duties diligently. The new constitution should give the parliament powers to limit the tax holidays extended by the government to the investors not to exceed six months upon putting an investment in the country, he said.

He said that the new constitution should allow people to sue the government on failure to deliver social economic issues. "For example if the government cannot extend financial support to a student to acquire education, the student should be allowed by the new constitution to demand this from the court of law," he explained.

He also said that the new constitution should outline that any amendment in the constitution principles including human rights and rule of law clauses should not be undertaken without public consent. Further regardless of one's political inclination the government should bring on board any expert who is capable of advising it.

"It is disturbing to see Prof Lipumba not being utilized by the government yet he is an authority in economic issues," he said. Same Massaba who is a senior citizen living in Mshindo Ward in Iringa Municipality wanted the new constitution to include three governments. He also said that the new constitution should show the borders in both territories of Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania.

A farmer George Lazaro wanted the new constitution to state the salaries of both president and ministers so that if they accumulate wealth illegally the public should be able to question on their wealth. He also wanted the new constitution to usher the Arusha Declaration leadership code.

"Those who are wealthy are the only ones who can compete in leadership which is not healthy for the development of the nation," he said. Another Senior Citizen, Saidi Nyamloga wanted the new constitution to retain the current structure of unionship between Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar.

He urged that the new constitution should include the Arusha declaration model that brought youth to work together. "The youth should be exposed to agriculture techniques and self reliant activities," he said. What appears in this exercise of collecting views is that people really wanted to see changes in the constitution. Therefore to many residents of Iringa this exercise is timely and highly appreciated.

Source: Daily News