“As you have all witnessed, the debate in the Parliament was centred around three issues: due diligence of Pan Africa Power (PAP); capacity charges; whether the funds were public and lastly, ethical status of civil servants and political leaders who received money from the account,” said Mr Membe.
By Florence Mugarula ,The Citizen Reporter
Posted Wednesday, December 10 2014 at 08:42
Posted Wednesday, December 10 2014 at 08:42
IN SUMMARY
Mr Membe told the partners that the government won’t spare any official who would be proved culpable by the National Ethics Committee.
Dar es Salaam. It is now clear that President Jakaya Kikwete will give his stand on the Tegeta escrow account scam next week.
According to a statement released yesterday by the State House Directorate of Communications, the Head of State has already received the CAG report, Parliament resolutions and other documents on the controversial cash withdraw.
“The President is presently now going through all documents, he will give his stand in a week’s time. He will take action on issues that he has to handle directly and give directives on the implementation of others,” reads part of the statement.
According to the statement, Mr Kikwete has also ordered the publication of the CAG report in most read newspapers and social media for wananchi to read and understand its content with regard to the escrow scam.
On Monday, the State House said President Kikwete wouldn’t take any action against the escrow-named officials until the commissioned bodies present investigation reports to him.
Chief Secretary Ombeni Sefue said that the investigation had started and that the Head of State would act upon its completion.
Meanwhile, the government has assured development partners it will take stern measures against officials implicated in the Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL) and the Tegeta escrow account scandal.
The assurance was given before the management team of development partners led by Finnish Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Sinikka Antila.
The team visited Mr Membe’s office on Monday to discuss the matter.
Mr Membe told the partners that the government won’t spare any official who would be proved culpable by the National Ethics Committee.
“As you have all witnessed, the debate in the Parliament was centred around three issues: due diligence of Pan Africa Power (PAP); capacity charges; whether the funds were public and lastly, ethical status of civil servants and political leaders who received money from the account,” said Mr Membe.
He said that the National Ethics Committee has already begun the investigation on the third issue—on who in public service crossed the ethical line in the scandal—so that they could be dealt with in accordance with the committee’s standard procedures.
He added: “It isn’t just the general budget support funds that you our development partners are withholding that are at stake; the credibility of our government is also at stake; the President won’t hesitate taking swift action on the culpable.”
The chairperson of development partners, Ms Antila, commended the minister’s efforts in providing them with timely information on action that is being considered by the government on the issue.
She said the diplomatic community was impressed with the way debate was conducted in the august House and the report that was presented for the government to act on.
The delegation, which had been invited by the Foreign minister, was drawn from donors who had moved to withhold support worth over nearly Sh1 trillion to the government Budget pending the CAG and PAC reports on the escrow account scandal.
The management team comprised representatives from the European Union, World Bank, African Development Bank, Norway, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Denmark and Germany.
Last month the Parliament asked President Kikwete to discipline his four top officials implicated in the scandal.
These include Energy and Minerals minister Sospeter Muhongo and his permanent secretary Eliachim Maswi as well as Attorney General Frederick Werema.
They also demanded action on minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Prof Anna Tibaijuka.
The list also includes other officials from the Judiciary and Parliament. The MPs also demanded the President form an inquiry team to investigate Judges Aloycius Mujulizi and John Ruhangisa whose names appeared on the list of people who received money from Mr James Rugemalira, the owner of VIP Engineering.
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