Bariadi West MP Andrew Chenge (CCM) faces the public leadership ethics tribunal in Dar es Salaam, which had summoned him to answer to allegations against him yesterday. PHOTO |SAID KHAMIS
Dar es Salaam. Bariadi West MP Andrew Chenge (CCM) yesterday defended himself before the Ethics Tribunal against accusations he received Sh1.6 billion from James Rugemalira’s VIP Engineering and Marketing Limited in violation of the code of ethics for public leaders. For about two hours, he responded to complaints against him, while referring to sections of Tanzanian laws related to ethics guiding public leaders. Mr Chenge is a legal expert and served as Attorney General in the past.
The Ethics Secretariat, being the complainant, claimed that entering a contract with VIP Engineering and Marketing as a legal consultant after retiring from his position as Attorney General (AG) went against ethics since he used information he obtained from the public office for his personal interests.
The VIP Engineering and Marketing Limited had 30 per cent shareholding in the Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL) which led to the Tegeta escrow scam. Mr Chenge was among those who were alleged to have benefitted from the escrow account. In his defence to the Ethics Tribunal, Mr Chenge said complaints against him were baseless, and the complainant had not given evidence on information that he purportedly used for personal benefit after serving as AG.
“My head has carried so many things...so, how could the complainant prove that I had the information I obtained from the public office?” he asked.
Mr Waziri Kipacha, who stood as witness for the Ethics Secretariat, endeavoured to convince the Tribunal that the contract Mr Chenge signed with the company saw him earn Sh1.6 billion which was deposited in his Mkombozi Bank account last year. Mr Chenge admitted it was true that the company had deposited the money in his account, but disagreed that he violated the Leadership Code of Ethics.
“I haven’t solicited...I had a contract with the company to provide consultancy services. I have not been paid as a public leader but I have been paid following the consultancy I provided,” he said.
He stressed that the VIP Engineering and Marketing Limited had contracted him to provide it with consultancy on disputes between it and the main shareholder Mechmar Corporation. “Didn’t you want me to use my profession to earn a decent income? Or the complainant wanted me to provide free consultancy,” he queried.
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