Lawmakers divided over Lissu's allegations

Dodoma. MPs were yesterday divided on whether or not soliciting and receiving money from the pension funds compromises their watchdog role.

Reacting to charges by Singida East MP Tundu Lissu that some MPs and ministers were getting cash from the Local Authorities Pension Fund (LAPF), which they use to boost their political mileage in their constituencies, most of the MPs interviewed by The Citizen agreed that the habit undermines the moral authority of legislators.

Kasulu Urban MP Moses Machali (NCCR— Mageuzi) told The Citizen yesterday that the money thus received contradicts MPs duties which include putting in check the executive and its institutions.

But Ismail Rage (Bukene-CCM) said cash from pension funds were part of such entities’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) and that does not necessarily undermine MPs’ duties. “In countries like South Africa, it is enshrined in their laws that pension funds should contribute five per cent of the remittances to CSR per year,’’ he said.

Lindi MP Salum Baruany (CUF) said by receiving funds, MPs would find it tricky querying the conduct of their helpers.

Reaction to the Lissu charges began with Mr John Komba (Mbinga West-CCM) who moved to seek the Speaker’s guidance following the assertions by the Chadema lawmaker that many MPs have the habit of begging from LAPF, which they use to win political affection.

Debating the 2014/15 Budget estimates for Employment and Labour ministry at the weekend, Mr Lissu said some MPs requested millions from the pension fund, charging that the aid from LAPF made it difficult for the “benefitting” MPs and ministers to fully apply their mandate of supervising and criticising the entity when it failed in its functions.

Mr Komba, who is among the named MPs asked the deputy speaker to compel Mr Lissu to apologise and withdraw his offending statement.

Others in the Lissu list are: Ms Betty Machangu (Special Seats-CCM), Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children Pindi Chana, deputy minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Angela Kairuki, Ms Livingstone Lusinde (Mtera-CCM), Ms Eugenia Mwaiposa (Ukonga-CCM) and Mr Aliko Kibona (Ileje-CCM).

Others are Mr Goodluck ole Medeye (Arumeru West-CCM), Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy Coordination and Parliament) William Lukuvi, Works Minister John Magufuli and Deputy Speaker Job Ndugai.

“In my constituency it was Nyasa Development Fund that requested Sh1.5 million from LAPF and not me...I stepped into the offices of the pension fund that the MP says I went to beg for money,’’ said the visibly agitated Komba.

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Mr William Lukuvi, admitted in the House that it was true he requested money several times and he got Sh3 million once.

“It is not a big deal for an MP to request funds from a pension fund because there is money for CSR that is given out to help people,’’ he said.

He said he used the money to supply solar energy to a school in his constituency.

Deputy speaker Mr Job Ndugai who is also in the list, asked Mr Lissu to respond to assertions from Mr Komba that the Singida East MP should apologise.

Mr Lissu queried why LAPF favoured CCM legislators, adding that by taking money from the funds; he insisted, it became difficult for MPS to supervise institutions which gave them money.

“I don’t get a clear picture of why workers’ money should go to Mr Magufuli’s constituency to buy sports equipment. Again money from the same fund was used to buy computers for the ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which has its own budget.”

Employment and Labour Minister, Gaudensia Kabaka said if CCM lawmakers requested funds, that cannot be a problem. “If the opposition MPs aren’t requesting any money, that isn’t our problem, the only problem is when you take a loan and fail to pay back,’’ she insisted.