Two-govt Union means honouring Nyerere: JK

Dar es Salaam. President Jakaya Kikwete has maintained his support of the proposed new Constitution, describing the Samuel Sitta-chaired Constituent Assembly rejection of the three-tier Union government structure as an act of bravery.

He said it would have been difficult keeping Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s legacy if the three-government structure proposed in the Second Draft Constitution carried the day at the CA.

“I don’t know what we would have said, for it would have meant a total denunciation of Nyerere and Mzee Abeid Amani Karume’s legacy,’’ said Mr Kikwete.

The Head of State was speaking yesterday in Tabora during the commemoration of the 15th anniversary Mwalimu Nyerere’s death. The event coincided with the climax of the Uhuru Torch race and the National Youth Week.

In a televised address to the nation, the President said Mwalimu stood firm on the current Union structure and would have protected it at any cost to safeguard the United Republic of Tanzania.

He recalled the time when Mwalimu came out strongly against a group known as G55 which was demanding the government of Tanganyika revival. “Mwalimu said if Tanganyika was revived, the Union would be gone,’’ he said.

Mr Kikwete urged Tanzanians to turn up in bigger numbers to vote in favour of the proposed new Constitution during the coming referendum, stressing that the document provides for interests of all groups.

However, he didn’t disclose the date or month when the referendum would be held. He only said: “Plans for the referendum are in progress and every Tanzanian should read all provisions of the Proposed Constitution ahead of the voting,’’ he added. Last week, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) chairman Judge (rtd) Damian Lubuva told The Citizen that the electoral body would not supervise any public voting before the update of the voter register was completed.

“Holding a referendum or an election before updating the register would lead to protests from politicians and the general public,” he told The Citizen.

He was responding to a question on whether NEC was prepared for a referendum. This means, Tanzanians may not go to a referendum to approve the proposed Katiba anytime soon, according NEC chairman who cast doubt on the country’s capacity to hold it ahead of the 2015 polls. His agency has set May 2015 as the kick-off date for registration.

But yesterday, President Kikwete spent ample time when addressing a mammoth rally at the Ali Hassan Mwinyi Stadium to urge Tanzanians to vote for the proposed Katiba, without stating if the referendum would be held before or after the General Election as agreed in his meeting with opposition party leaders in Dodoma last month.

He said people’s views have been included in the document, including those of pastoralists and farmers and that all groups were represented in the CA including a representative of those in the Diaspora.

Mr Kikwete asked the youth to give a nod to the proposed Mother Law, saying it had recognised them especially with regard to the provision of the National Youth Council which they young had been demanding for a long time.

“Don’t allow yourselves to be used by activists or politicians who don’t wish this country well because the future of this nation lies in your hands and this constitution be a good guide for you,’’ he urged.

He further said his government has  intensified the war against corruption and of impunity, adding that PCCB was doing everything possible to weed out the vice.

His statement comes at a time when government funding of crucial projects and programmes is at crossroads following the decision by key donors to withhold $558 million (about Sh950 billion) in budget support over corruption concerns.

 The donors have said they would  only release the funds factored in the 2014/15 Budget upon seeing—and being satisfied with—the outcome of the investigations into the controversial payments of Sh201 billions of Independent Power Tanzania Ltd (IPTL) escrow monies to Pan Africa Power Solutions Tanzania Ltd (PAP).

Meanwhile politicians in Zanzibar have said government leaders have failed to emulate Mwalimu Nyerere, explaining for the rampant graft and embezzlement of public funds.

They told The Citizen that like Mwalimu, both the Union and the Zanzibar governments must fight corruption “by actions, not empty words.” 

The secretary general of the opposition party Tadea, Mr Juma Ali Khatibu, said some of the evils Mwalimu fought against are being tolerated by current leaders.

“Even those who are said to be eying the  presidency aren’t anywhere near Mwalimu’s standards, yet what we need is a leader like him to take this country forward,” he said. 

A member of the disbanded Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), Mr Simai Mohammed Said, however, said the two governments are doing their best to adhere to Nyerere’s ideals but added that much more needs to be done.

“Law enforcement organs like the PCCB, police and Judiciary have to be financially empowered to make sure good governance and order prevail,’ he said.  CUF Ideology and Mass Communication boss Salim Bimani said that after the Arusha Declaration was abandoned, few care for the leadership code of conduct anymore.