Edward Lowassa
By Polycarp Machira
The Citizen Reporter
Dar es Salaam. The Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs is concerned about the concealment of a Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre contract.The building project is sponsored by China at the cost of over $29.6 million. At least 40.6 per cent of the cost is a grant while the remaining is a soft loan repayable in 10 years.
The committee was shocked that Tanzania has not received an itemised list of materials, parts, labour and costs for constructing, maintaining, or repairing the structure .
According to the ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation permanent secretary, Mr John Haule, the building is complete and will be handed over to the government on 25 March, this year.
Mr Haule assured the committee that the building would be a big asset to the government upon its completion.
He said the ministry was working on the best way to manage the building because there were options like that of renting it out to a private company or putting it under the management of the Arusha International Conference Centre.
However, he cited some problems that the ministry had with the Chinese contract. He said those who signed the contract ought to have noticed them from the beginning. “We don’t know the type of materials, the quantity and the value as they are not specified in the contract.”
The committee members were unhappy with the quality of furniture in the main hall. They said it was poor.
Committee chairman Edward Lowassa said the finishing of the building was doubtful and most of the materials used might not last long. “Experience shows that most Chinese contractors are not good. There is a need to verify what has been done or else Tanzanians will be paying back for a substandard job.”
He was unhappy that the government entered into a bad contract with the Chinese government.
The three-storey building has a capacity to hold 1,853 people. The main hall on the first floor can accommodate 1,003 people.
Also on the same floor are four meeting rooms that can hold 50 people each.
There is also a canteen for workers on the same ground, a meeting room for about 200 people and a small library.
The second floor comprises open office rooms while the third floor consists of two small halls which can hold 100 people each, multifunction halls with a seating capacity of 200 people, resting rooms for VIPs, press conference room and a business centre.
Maswa East MP John Shibuda (Chadema) demanded that the ministry prepare a report on the building and table it before the committee today when the ministry officials will appear before the committee.
Special Seats MP Susan Lyimo (Chadema) wondered why the ministry had not shown a plan of managing the building upon its completion.
http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/-/29779-mps-concerned-about-deal
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