NAKUAGAJE REGIA?

Mh. Regia Mtema

 

Siku zote ninaamini katika sera za vizazi kufundana na kukabidhiana majukumu. Katika maisha ya kijamii ninaumizwa sana na kupotea kwa utamaduni wa wazazi kurithisha watoto wao masuala kama ufundi na hata majukumu ya kitamaduni kwenye mila na desturi zetu. Ndio maana hivi sasa kwenye vijiji vingi hapa nchini imekuwa nadra kupata mafundi Seremala wa kurithi ama Waashi pia. Kwenye Siasa Kizazi kinaposhindwa kuandaa kizazi kingine kuchukua jukumu la kuongoza kuna hatari kubwa ya Taifa kukosa viongozi walioandaliwa vema na hivyo kuongoza inavyopasa. Taifa huumia sana linapopoteza viongozi wanaoandaliwa kubeba majukumu mazito ya kitaifa.

Dada Regia Estelatus Mtema, Mbunge wa Viti Maalumu, Waziri Kivuli wa Kazi na Ajira na Mjumbe wa Kamati Kuu CHADEMA ni mmoja wa wanasiasa vijana waliokuwa wanafundwa kuchukua majukumu zaidi ya Taifa letu. Alikuwa anafundwa na Chama chake. Alikuwa anafundwa na Bunge (mafundo kutoka kwa vyama vyote na hasa Spika Anna Simamba Makinda). Alikuwa anafundwa na marafiki zake. Alikuwa anafundwa na Chama cha Walemavu Tanzania (CHAWATA). Alifundwa na Shirika la FES. Dada Regia alikuwa anafundika. Alikuwa ni Hazina kubwa kwa Taifa letu. Alikuwa na sifa za peke yake kabisa kulinganisha na wanasiasa wengine na hasa wanasiasa vijana. Nitaeleza.

Sijui ni kwa nini mama yangu Bi Hajjat Shida Salum amekuwa sasa anapata habari kwanza kabla yangu (yeye ndiye aliyenipa habari za msiba wa Mwenyekiti wa Mkoa wa Shinyanga na Rafiki yangu kipenzi Shelembi).

Nikiwa nimepumzika sebuleni, nyumbani kwetu Tabata Bi Shida ghafla ananiuliza, umeongea na dada yako? Ilikuwa kama saa sita mchana hivi, yeye kasimama upenoni mwa ukuta ananiangalia macho makali. Nikashtuka kidogo maana amekuwa mgonjwa mgonjwa toka amerejea toka Hijja miezi kadhaa iliyopita. Najua akiniuliza hivyo ana maanisha nani (Mhonga Said Ibrahim Ruhwanya), nikamjibu sijazungumza naye, kunani? Akaniambia piga simu makao makuu nasikia kuna Mbunge wetu wa Viti Maalumu amepata ajali. Mara moja nikashika simu kumpigia ndugu Msafiri Mtemelwa. Alichoniambia sikuamini. Eti kwamba Regia amepata ajali na amefariki muda mfupi uliopita. Nikamwita rafiki yangu Hatibu Mchange anayeishi jirani yetu kumwambia aje ili anisindikize makao makuu ya chama. Kisha nikamjulisha Bi Shida kuhusu msiba wa rafiki yake na mwanae Regia. Nikamwacha akilia sana. Sikumpa pole wala kumtaka asilie maana kwanza sikuamini kabisa kwamba ni kweli Regia ametutoka. Nikasema mpaka nikamwone mwenyewe kwa macho yangu.

Siku nne kabla ya kifo chake Regia alikuja nyumbani kumsalimu mama yetu (Bi Shida siku zote alimwona Regia kama mwanaye na yeye Regia alimheshimu mama yangu kama mama yake mzazi kabisa). Wakati namsindikiza akaniambia, ‘ naona umeshikia bango suala la ajira kwa vijana. Nakuunga mkono na unipe ‘data’ za kutosha ili kupitia Wizara yangu nilisukume suala hilo kwa nguvu zaidi’. Tukakubaliana. Tukakumbatiana na kuagana. Yeye alikuwa ameambatana na kulwa wake Remija. Kumbe ndio nilikuwa namuaga moja kwa moja dada yangu Regia Estelatus Mtema, mwanasiasa kijana asiye na woga na jasiri haswa. Hii ndio sifa yake kubwa kuliko wanasiasa wengi vijana. Ujasiri!

Regia hakuwa mwanasiasa wa asili ama kurithi. Aliamua kuingia kwenye siasa kwa kwanza ushahiwishi wa ndugu David Kafulila ambaye walikutana huko kwenye Programu ya Mafunzo kwa vijana (YLTP) inayoendeshwa na Shirika la Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), mimi ni mwanzilishi wa Programu hii katika YLTP 1. David akiwa mwakilishi wa CHADEMA na Regia akiwa Mwakilishi wa CHAWATA katika YLTP 6. Regia alishawishika na kuingia CHADEMA, chama kikamweka kitengo cha Vijana kama Afisa. Wakati fulani kukatokea matatizo kati yake na Afisa mwenzake ndugu Ali Omar Chitanda kuhusu namna ya kufanya kazi. Regia akiwa na hoja kwamba chama kinajenga ushawishi kwa wasomi na hivyo vijana wasomi tu ndio waendeshe kitengo kile. Wakawa hawawezi kufanya kazi na mwenzake kabisa. Nikiwa Naibu Katibu Mkuu wa chama nikachukua maamuzi ya kumhamisha Regia na kumpeleka kuwa Afisa wa Mafunzo chini ya Kurugenzi ya Mafunzo na Oganaizesheni inayoongozwa na ndugu Benson Kigaila Masalamakali. Regia kwa ujasiri akaniandikia ujumbe mfupi wa simu ‘uamuzi wako sio sahihi’. Sikumjibu bali nikamwita Ofisini siku ya Pili yake. Nikamweleza namna ambavyo chama kinahitaji kada zote na kwamba wasomi wa vyuo vikuu waje kwenye chama wakijua pia kuna maafisa ambao si wasomi na wana mchango mkubwa katika harakati za kidemokrasia. Nikampa mifano ya namna mtu Kama Samora Machel alivyochaguliwa kiongozi wa FRELIMO ilhali kulikuwa na wasomi zaidi yake kama Joachim Chisano au hata mkewe Graca Machel. Regia alinielewa vizuri sana na mkutano ukaishia kutaniana kuhusu namna ya mitindo ya uongozi. Regia hakuficha kama hakupenda jambo na wala hakuwa anaangalia cheo cha mtu. Alisema anachokiamini na mengine yatabaki mjadala wa baadaye.

Ujasiri wake wakati mwingine ulimletea shida kwa wakubwa zake lakini hakuna hata mmoja aliyetilia shaka mapenzi yake kwa chama chetu. Hakujali kuudhiwa na alikuwa tayari kukilinda chama muda wote. Huu ni mfano wa pili wa Ujasiri wake kisiasa.

Wakati wa uchaguzi Mkuu wa nchi mwaka 2010 Regia alikwenda kugombea Ubunge katika Wilaya ya nyumbani kwao Kilombero. Watu wengi hawakumpa nafasi kubwa ya kushinda. Aliliandaa jimbo lake kwa mikutano ya mara kwa mara. Alishinda kura za maoni katika mchakato wa ndani ya chama. Katika kikao cha Kamati Kuu mmoja wa Wakurugenzi wa Chama akasema tunaye mgombea mwingine mzuri sana, Mwanasheria. Regia akaombwa kukaa pembeni. Akakubali. Kamati Kuu ikampitisha mtu ambaye hakwenda kwenye kura za maoni na wala hatukuwa tunamjua maana tuliambiwa na mtu tunayemwamini kwamba ni mgombea mzuri. Regia hakufurahishwa na uamuzi ule lakini kwa heshima na utiifu wa hali ya juu akakubali kutogombea. Siku za kurejesha fomu za kugombea zilipokuwa zinakwisha yule mgombea akatoa nje. Hakuonekana, kwa sababu mbalimbali ambazo sisi tuliokuwa mbali na Dar es Salaam na Morogoro hatuzijui. Chama hakikuwa na namna isipokuwa kurudi kwa Regia kumwomba aokoe jahazi. Regia hakusita. Akaendesha kampeni za uhakika akiwa hana mali wala jina kisiasa. Akaaminiwa na watu wa Kilombero. Akapata kura nyingi sana ambazo hata zilileta utata wa uhalali wa matokeo ya uchaguzi katika Jimbo lile. Ujasiri na nidhamu ya namna hii ni nadra sana kwa wanasiasa sio tu vijana hata waliobobea kwenye siasa. Huyu ndio Regia. Ndiye tunamsindikiza kwenye nyumba yake ya milele. Regia mwenye upendo wa dhati kwa watu aliowapenda. Regia aliyekuwa tayari kusaidia kwa hali na mali wenzake wanapohitaji msaada. Hii ni sifa yake ya nyingine ya kipekee.

Mara baada ya Uchaguzi Mkuu na yeye kuchaguliwa kuwa Mbunge wa Viti Maalumu, Spika alitugawa kwenye Kamati Wabunge wote. Kazi ya kwanza ya Kamati hizi ilikuwa ni kuchagua wenyeviti na makamu wao. Regia alijua mimi napenda kuendelea kuwa Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Bunge ya Mashirika ya Umma (uwekezaji umma). Hata hivyo alijua nina wakati mgumu sana kutokana na mazingira ya kisiasa yaliyokuwapo wakati ule kati ya Wabunge wa CCM na CHADEMA. Regia ni Mbunge pekee (ukiachana na wajumbe wa kamati ya POAC kutoka CHADEMA) aliyezunguka nami usiku kucha na kupiga simu kwa kila Mbunge mjumbe wa Kamati yangu kuniombea kura. Mbunge mwenzangu na Rafiki yangu wa karibu kutoka Ludewa Deo Filikunjombe atamkumbuka Regia kwa aina ya kampeni aliyopiga. Deo aliniambia kwamba alipokea simu ya mwanamke anaongea Kipangwa (moja ya Lugha ya watu wa Ludewa). Mwanamke yule mwenye sauti nyembamba na ya kutulia alikuwa anamwombea kura Zitto kuwa mwneyekiti wa POAC. Deo alifurahishwa na namna Regia alivyoweza kutumia lugha ya nyumbani kwao kuniombea kura. Hata tulipopata taarifa kwamba Kamati ya Wabunge wa CCM imeamua kwamba atakayepewa kura sio mimi, Regia alinitia moyo na kuendelea na kampeni. Asubuhi ya siku ya kura alimpitia kila mjumbe wa Kamati POAC aliyemwona na kumkumbusha kunipa kura hata kama CCM imewakataza. Nilimcheka sana Regia kwa kumwambia wewe sio mzoefu hapa. Hao wakishakaa ndio maamuzi hayo. Akaniambia hapana watabadilika. Ghafla Waziri Mkuu akatangaza kikao kingine cha Wabunge wa CCM na huko wakaelezwa kwamba kamchagueni Zitto. Ningekata tamaa bila kuendelea na juhudi usiku kucha kama nilivyoshauriwa na regia kwa kweli nisingeshinda nafasi ile. Regia alikuwa mtu wa kwanza kumjulisha matokeo ya uchaguzi nilipopata kura 13 kati ya 15 zilizopigwa. Huyu ndiye Regia ambaye alikuwa na uwezo wa kufanya kila mbinu ili mwenzake apate msaada. Ni lazima watu watoe machozi. Ni lazima Wabunge watoe machozi. Ni lazima wana CHADEMA wamlilie. Mimi sitawafuta machozi na nimekataa kulia.

Kikao cha mwisho cha chama ambacho nilishiriki na Regia nilihudhuria kwa muda mfupi sana. Wenzangu watakumbuka mengine katika kila kikao kile. Mimi ninakumbuka moja tu ambalo ni moja ya sifa pekee aliyokuwa nayo na wanayo wanasiasa wachache sana na hasa wanasiasa vijana (ambao hupenda zaidi siasa za kuridhisha kwa kusema watu wapendacho). Regia alikuwa na uwezo mkubwa wa kusema usichopenda kusikia. Alisema tu. Katika kikao kile wajumbe na Wabunge walikuwa katika ‘emotion’ sana kuhusiana na muswada wa mchakato wa kuandika Katiba. Mjadala ulikuwa mkali sana. Mwenyekiti wetu akampa nafasi Regia aseme. ‘mimi nashauri tuombe kuonana na Rais Kikwete’ yalikuwa ni maneno yake makali kupenya kwenye ngome za masikio ya wengi na yalipokelewa kwa mguno mkubwa. Mwenyekiti akaamrisha wajumbe na Wabunge watulie kwani Regia ana haki ya kutoa maoni yake. Mimi niliondoka baada ya muda mfupi maana nilikuwa ndio nimetoka nchini India kwa matibabu na nilikuwa na masharti ya kupumzika muda mrefu. Ushauri wa Regia (pamoja na wajumbe na viongozi wengine wa chama walioshauri ama waziwazi au kwa chinichini) ndio uliofuatwa na sasa kumekuwa na mazungumzo ya mara kwa mara ya viongozi kuhusu sheria ile ya mchakato wa kuandika Katiba. Huyu ndio dada Regia. Maisha mafupi lakini mafunzo makubwa katuachia vijana wenzake kwenye medani ya siasa.

Nakuagaje Regia?

Nilikataa kuamini kuwa umekufa. Nikasema mpaka nikuone.

Nilipofika Tumbi, nikasema hujafa na wala siingii ‘motury’ kukuona.

Sasa eti nakuandikia Tanzia . Kwa nini nikuage?

Halafu nakuagaje REGIA?

Ukikutana na Shelembi Magadula, mwambie kile kiti chake cha udiwani tulikitunza, akija atakikuta. Ukikutana na Chacha Wangwe Mwambie bado tunaendelea na harakati Nyamongo. Ukikutana na Amina mwambie asilie tena vijana wengi wameingia Bungeni na sasa wanaelekea Ikulu.

Ukikutana na Bibi Titi mwambie sasa wanawake hata wanawake walemavu wanaweza bila hata kuwezeshwa, wanajiwezesha.

Nakuagaje dada yangu mpenzi? Haya.

Mungu atupe subira.

 

Kabwe Zuberi Zitto, Mb

DSM, 16 Januari 2012.

PRESS RELEASE: On Government Austerity Measures-Cut Re-current Expenditure Not Development Expenditure

PRESS RELEASE

MPANGO WA SERIKALI KUPUNGUZA MATUMIZI

Punguza Matumizi ya Posho SIYO Matumizi ya Reli, Barabara, Elimu na Afya

Mwezi Disemba mwaka 2011 Waziri wa Fedha na Uchumi alimwandikia barua Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Shirika la Fedha Duniani (IMF) kumwahidi mambo yepi Serikali ya Tanzania itafanya ili kurekebisha Bajeti yake. Utaratibu huu hufanyika kila mwaka kupitia mpango unaoitwa ‘Policy Support Instrument (PSI). Katika barua hiyo Waziri wa Fedha wa Tanzania ameahidi kwamba Serikali itafanya juhudi kupunguza matumizi ili kuweza kupunguza uwiano wa nakisi ya Bajeti na Pato la Taifa (fiscal deficit to GDP ratio) kutoka asilimia 7.2 mpaka asilimia 6.6 ya Pato la Taifa.

Waziri wa Fedha na Uchumi ameiambia IMF kwamba ifikapo mwisho wa Mwezi Disemba mwaka 2011 (wiki mbili zilizopita) Baraza la Mawaziri la Tanzania limefikia maamuzi ya kupunguza nakisi ya Bajeti kwa kiwango kilichotajwa. Maeneo yanayotajwa ni Pamoja na Miradi ya Maendeleo ambapo jumla ya miradi yenye thamani ya Tshs 157bn itakatwa. Waziri
wa Fedha ametaja miradi hiyo katika Ukarabati na Ujenzi wa Miundombinu.

Kambi ya Upinzani Bungeni inapinga kuondolewa kwa miradi ya maendeleo ili kupunguza matumizi ya Serikali. Kimsingi wakati kama huu ambapo hali ya uchumi ni mbaya na vijana wengi vijijini na mijini hawana ajira tunasisitiza umuhimu wa kutumia zaidi kwenye miradi ya maendeleo.

Punguza matumizi ya kawaida

Kambi ya Upinzani Bungeni inarejea wito wake kwa Serikali kupunguza matumizi ya kawaida ili kupata fedha za kutosha kwa ajili ya maendeleo. Haiwezekani kamwe tukawa Taifa huru iwapo miradi yetu yote ya maendeleo inafadhiliwa na wahisani. Kiwango kidogo tulichokiweka katika Bajeti ya mwaka huu ndicho hicho sasa kinakatwa na hivyo miradi yote ya maendeleo kubakia kwa wahisani ama kwa mikopo au misaada. Kiwango cha Tshs 203bn sawa na 0.5% ya Pato la Taifa ambacho Serikali imeahidi kupunguza ni kidogo mno na kinalenga kuumiza watumishi wa kada ya chini ya Serikali na sio viongozi wakubwa. Bajeti ya Mafunzo inayoenda kukatwa itaumiza Manesi na Walimu au watumishi wanaoongeza ujuzi ili kuboresha kazi zao. Serikali ikate matumizi yote yasiyo ya lazima na hasa posho (360bn), ipunguze matumizi ya magari na yale yasiyo na uhitaji yapigwe mnada na viongozi wote isipokuwa Rais, Makamu wa Rais, Waziri Mkuu, Spika na Jaji Mkuu washushwe madaraja ya kusafiria kwenye ndege. Safari zote ambazo hazina mahusiano na miradi ya maendeleo zipigwe marufuku kwa muda wote wa miezi sita ya Bajeti iliyobakia.

Serikali ihakikishe matumizi katika Sekta ya Elimu na Afya hayakatwi kabisa ili kuhakikisha tunalinda mafanikio kiduchu ya upanuzi wa sekta hizi na kuongeza uwezo wa Serikali kutoa huduma bora kwa wananchi hasa wa vijijini.

Matumizi ya Maendeleo yasiguswe, yaongezwe

Tayari imeonekana kwamba katika kipindi chote cha nusu ya Bajeti Halmashauri za Wilaya hazijapata fedha za maendeleo. Mfano Halmashauri ya Wilaya Kigoma imepata asilimia 0.3 tu ya Bajeti ya Maendeleo ilhali Halmashauri ya Mji wa Mpanda imepata asilimia 4 tu. Ni dhahiri miradi ya maendeleo kwa maeneo mengi ya vijijini itakwama kwani ni wazi kabisa kwamba Halmashauri hazipati fedha zote za Bajeti ya Maendeleo. Serikali itambue kwamba miradi ya maendeleo sio anasa bali ndio vyanzo vya baadaye vya mapato ya serikali. Miradi ya maendeleo hutoa ajira kwa wananchi na hivyo kuwapunguzia umasikini wa kipato. Jumla ya Tshs 157bn zinazotakiwa kukatwa zisikatwe bali ziongezwe ili kupata fedha za kurekebisha miundombinu kama Reli ya Kati.Kwa mfano Reli ya Kati inahitaji Tshs 200bn katika kipindi cha miaka 3 ili iweze kusafirisha mizigo tani 1.5m kwa mwaka kila siku na kuzalisha faida.

Ongeza Mapato ya Ndani

Inashangaza kwamba katika mpango wa Serikali kupunguza nakisi ya Bajeti mkazo umewekwa kwenye kuondoa miradi ya maendeleo badala ya kuongeza mapato. Nakisi hupunguzwa ama kwa kupunguza matumizi au kwa kuongeza Mapato. Serikali katika Taarifa yake kwa IMF imeibua njia moja tu ya kuongeza mapato, kodi ya mapato kutoka Kampuni ya Geita Goldmine. Huu ni uvivu wa kufikiri.

Serikali imeambiwa mara kadhaa suala la kuanza kutumika kwa sheria mpya ya madini kwa Kampuni za Madini zilizokuwapo. Makusanyo ya Mrahaba peke yake kwa sheria mpya, kiwango kipya na kanuni mpya ya kukokotoa ingeongeza mrahaba mpaka Tshs 203bn kutoka Tshs 99bn za sasa. Kwanini Serikali ianvuta miguu katika kutekeleza hili? Waziri wa Nishati na Madini aliahidi Bungeni kwamba mazungumzo na Kampuni za Madini yanaisha Mwezi Septemba. Mbona Serikali imekuwa BUBU katika hili?

Serikali iliahidi kuangalia suala la mauzo ya mali za makampuni zilizoko Tanzania na kodi ambayo tunapaswa kukusanya, Serikali imekuwa kimya kabisa katika suala hili. Marekebisho ya Sheria ya Kodi ya Ongezeko la Thamani (VAT) kwa kuondoa msamaha kwenye ‘deemed capital goods yangeongeza mapato ya Serikali kwa kiwango kikubwa na kupunguza mzigo wa
misamaha ya Kodi.

Uwajibikaji kwa Bunge

Inashangaza zaidi kwamba sasa imekuwa ni mtindo kwa Serikali kutoa ‘commitments’ muhimu za kibajeti kwa Shirika la IMF badala ya wananchi kupitia Bunge. Bunge limepitisha Bajeti, mapitio yeyote ya Bajeti yanapaswa kuidhinishwa na Bunge. Bila kufanya hivyo maana ya Bunge kupitisha Bajeti inakuwa haina mantiki na uhuru wa Taifa letu unakuwa haupo kwetu.

Umuhimu wa Bunge kutunga haraka Sheria ya Ofisi ya Bajeti ya Bunge (Parliamentary Budget Act) sasa unaonekana waziwazi. Muswada umewasilishwa Bungeni na Wabunge binafsi kutaka kuundwa kwa mfumo wa kuisimamia Serikali katika Bajeti. Ofisi ya Spika wa Bunge ihakikishe muswada huu unachapishwa katika Gazeti la Serikali mara moja ili usomwe kwa mara ya kwanza katika mkutano wa Sita wa Bunge na kutungwa kuwa sheria katika mkutano wa Saba.

Kambi ya Upinzani inaitaka Serikali ilete mpango wa kupunguza matumizi Bungeni ili ujadiliwe na kuidhinishwa na Bunge kabla ya kuanza kutumika. Vinginevyo Mpango wa Serikali kwa IMF utakuwa ni kudharau wananchi na kuuza uhuru wetu kwa Shirika la Fedha la Kimataifa. Mwalimu Nyerere aliwahi kusema mwishoni mwa miaka ya Sabini ‘toka lini Shirika la Fedha la Kimataifa (IMF) limekuwa Wizara ya Fedha ya Kimataifa (International Ministry of Finance)?’

Kabwe Zuberi Zitto, Mb

Waziri Kivuli Fedha na Uchumi

Naibu Kiongozi wa Upinzani Bungeni (NKUB)

Dar es Salaam, 10 Januari 2012.

Mkulo, Zitto lock horns on inflation(via The Citizen)

 

By Alawi Masare
The Citizen Reporter

Dar es Salaam. Finance and Economic Affairs minister Mustafa Mkulo has countered the recent assertion by his parliamentary shadow counterpart, Mr Zitto Kabwe, that the spiralling inflation that had persisted over the past six months had caused a six per cent budget deficit.Mr Mkulo argues that there is no significant relationship between the two variables, but in a quick rejoinder, Mr Kabwe (Chadema-Kigoma North) expressed amazement at the minister’s reaction.Speaking to this paper yesterday from Kigoma where he is on end-of-the-year holidays, he remarked that “the ministry is out of touch with the basics of the economy”.

Mr Mkulo’s reaction was in response to comments made by Mr Kabwe last week, against the backdrop of the inflation rate chalking 19.2 per cent in November.Mr Kabwe, who also doubles as deputy leader of the official opposition in the Parliament, said the government’s  capacity to pay for goods and services had been diminished by six per cent by the growing inflation.He warned that the deficit (equivalent to Sh780 billion) would affect the economy seriously if it was not contained immediately.

However, Mr Mkulo told The Citizen on Monday that the said deficit didn’t feature in the budget which he tabled in the Parliament in June this year.Brushing aside Mr Kabwe’s comments, he was emphatic that the government would proceed with implementation of its budget as planned.He accused Mr Kabwe of misleading the public on the issue, characterising his sentiments as political gimmickry associated with his being in the opposition camp.

Mr Mkulo remarked in a telephone interview: “I am the minister who supervises the data body (National Bureau of Statistics-NBS) and the central bank, but so far, no such information has been brought to my notice.  Where did he get it?”

Generally, the government may run a budget deficit when its expenditure exceeds total tax revenue in a given year. And one of the factors which might diminish the government’s purchasing power is spiralling inflation, according to economists.

As part of a verbal ping-pong, Mr Kabwe wondered who, between him and Mr Mkulo, was politicising the matter.
“Any economist you would talk to would tell you that increasing inflation is not healthy for the budget.”
“He has demoted our country from a stable economy to the current situation in which  even macro economy fundamentals are starting to become unstable; it is  high time he vacated the office,”  Mr Kabwe furiously remarked.

Mr Kabwe said if Mr Mkulo could not fathom the impact of increasing inflation on the national budget, then “he is out of touch with economic fundamentals and is not supposed to handle such a high portfolio in the government.”
When the budget was endorsed in July, the inflation rate was recorded at 13 per cent and by last month it had jumped to 19.2 per cent.

According to Mr Kabwe, the trend means  that the government’s capacity to pay for goods and services has been reduced by about six per cent, equivalent to Sh780 billion evaporating from the budget within four months of its implementation.According to the Bank of Tanzania (BoT)’s September monthly economic review, during August 2011,  government budgetary operations on cheques issued, registered a deficit of Sh112.1 billion after adjustment to cash.

Economists fear that the government would either jump into borrowing or cutting expenditure,  hence increasing debts or sometimes denying  the public of vital services.

“If the government is running a budget deficit, it has to borrow this money through the issue of government debt such as Treasury Bills and long-term government bonds,” commented Dr Honest Ngowi of the Mzumbe University Business School.He added: “Sometimes it may decide to cut expenditure, which I think is a bad option because by so doing it will not implement some important projects planned earlier.”

He also warned that the second half of the financial year may require more expenditure following the increase in allowances for MPs and widen the deficit.“The recent floods in Dar es Salaam and some other parts of the country are also increasing government spending,” he noted.

Source: The Citizen Newspaper

 

Matumizi ya Fedha za Mfuko wa Mbunge Jimbo la Kigoma Kaskazini Awamu ya Tatu(Tshs 21,719,000/=)

Matumizi ya Fedha za Mfuko wa Mbunge Jimbo la Kigoma Kaskazini Awamu ya Tatu(Tshs 21,719,000/=)

Uchumi wa Taifa hatarini: Mfumuko wa Bei tishio kwa Serikali, Wafanyabishara na Wananchi.

=PRESS RELEASE=

Uchumi wa Taifa hatarini: Mfumuko wa Bei tishio kwa Serikali, Wafanyabishara na Wananchi.

Mfumuko wa Bei umezidi kuongezeka kama taarifa ya Ofisi ya Taifa ya Takwimu inavyoonesha kwamba, wakati mfumuko wa bei mwezi Julai mwaka huu (Bajeti ya mwaka wa Fedha 2011/2012 ilipokuwa inaanza) ulikuwa asilimia 13, umefikia asilimia 19.2 mwezi Novemba. Hii maana yake ni kwamba, Bajeti ya Serikali iliyopitishwa na Bunge mwezi Juni 2011, imepunguza uwezo wa kununua bidhaa na huduma kwa takribani asilimia 6. Hii ni sawa na shilingi 780 bilioni kuyeyuka katika Bajeti katika kipindi cha miezi Minne tu ya utekelezaji wa wake. Kutokana na kasi ya ukuaji wa Mfumuko wa Bei ni dhahiri kwamba, itakapofika mwisho wa mwaka wa Bajeti Serikali itakuwa imepoteza kwa kiasi kikubwa uwezo wa kununua bidhaa na huduma kwa zaidi ya robo ya Bajeti yake.

Hali ni mbaya zaidi kwa wananchi kwani Mfumuko wa Bei za vyakula umekua kwa kasi kikubwa mno. Ofisi ya Takwimu imeonesha kuwa wakati mfumuko wa Bei za vyakula ulikuwa asilimia 14.8 mwezi Julai, umefikia asilimia 24.7 mwezi Novemba 2011. Ukilinganisha na bei za vyakula mwaka 2010, mwananchi amepoteza uwezo wa kununua chakula kwa zaidi ya robo katika ya Novemba 2010 na Novemba 2011. Jumla ya vyakula ambavyo mwananchi alinunua kwa shilingi 10,000 mwaka 2010, sasa atanunua kiwango kile kile kwa shilingi 12,500. Bei za vyakula zimeongezeka kwa kiwango hiki ilhali kipato cha mwananchi aghalabu kipo pale pale. Mwathirika mkubwa ni mwananchi wa kawaida wa kijijini ambaye mapato yake ni kidogo na hivyo sehemu kubwa huyatumia kununua chakula.

Ukiangalia kwa undani utakuta mfumuko wa bei wa bidhaa kama mchele, sukari, nyama na samaki umekua maradufu. Bei ya mchele imekua kwa asilimia 50, sukari asilimia 50, nyama asilimia 30 na Samaki kwa takribani asilimia 40. Bidhaa hizi zote ni muhimu sana kwa afya ya binadaamu na hasa watoto kwa upande wa vyakula vya protini. Tusipokuwa makini na kupata majibu sahihi ya tatizo la mfumuko wa bei za vyakula, wananchi wengi na hasa watoto watapata utapiamlo na Taifa kuingia gharama kubwa katika kuwapatia huduma ya afya.

Kwa upande wa bidhaa zisizo za vyakula, mfumuko wa bei wa mafuta ya taa na gesi asilia unapaa kwa kasi kama moto wa nyikani. Wakati mafuta ya taa yamepanda bei kwa asilimia 71 katika ya mwezi Novemba mwaka 2010 na mwezi Novemba 2011, bei ya gesi asilia imepanda kwa asilimia 35. Madhara ya hali hii ni makubwa mno maana wananchi watakimbilia kwenye matumizi ya mkaa na kuni, hata hivyo bei za mkaa zenyewe zimepanda kwa asilimia 24. Kwa hali hii, na kutokana na ukweli kwamba wananchi wengi wa Tanzania wapo kwenye mpaka wa umasikini na daraja la kati chini, juhudi za muongo mzima za kupunguza umasikini zitafutwa ndani ya mwaka mmoja tu.

Mfumuko wa Bei unasukuma Watanzania wengi zaidi kwenye dimbwi la umasikini, unapunguza uwezo wa Serikali kutoa huduma za jamii kupitia Bajeti na hata kutimiza mipango ya miradi ya maendeleo kama miundombinu ya barabara, umeme, bomba la gesi, madaraja nk. Mkakati mahususi unatakiwa kubadili hali hii. Hatua zifuatazo zinapendekezwa ili kuuhami uchumi na kupunguza upandaji wa kasi wa gharama za maisha.

1.     Kuongeza uzalishaji wa chakula kwa kuweka mbinu za kukuza uchumi wa vijijini ni njia mojawapo endelevu ya kupunguza mfumuko wa Bei hapa nchini. Serikali sasa iache maneno matupu kuhusu sekta ya uchumi vijijini kwa kuelekeza nguvu nyingi huko. Serikali iruhusu na ivutie kwa kasi na kutoa vivutio kwa wazalishaji binafsi wa Sukari na mpunga katika mabonde makubwa. Waziri wa Kilimo na Maafisa wake watoke Ofisini na kuhimiza uzalishaji mashambani, fedha zielekezwe kujenga miundombinu ya barabara vijijini.

Vyakula vilivyolundikana mikoa ya Mbeya, Iringa na Rukwa ambapo Serikali iliahidi kununua na kutotimiza ahadi yake vinunuliwe mara moja na kusambazwa mikoa yenye shida ya chakula kama Mwanza, Mara, Kagera na mikoa ya Kaskazini. Chakula kukuta msimu mwingine katika mikoa ya Nyanda za Juu Kusini ni kashfa kubwa kwa Serikali na inaonesha Serikali isivyokuwa makini na maisha ya wananchi.

Wakati huu ambapo tunaweka mikakati ya kuongeza uzalishaji wa chakula, Serikali inunue chakula cha kutosha na hasa mchele na sukari kutoka nje na kukisambaza kwenye soko ili kupunguza upungufu wa bidhaa (scarcity) katika masoko.

Mfumo uliotumika kununua Sukari tani laki moja hivi karibuni usitumike tena kwani ulizaa rushwa ya hatari na ufisadi ambao haujaripotiwa kwenye kutoa vibali. Wizara ya Kilimo iruhusu wauzaji kutoka nje walete sukari nchini moja kwa moja na kununuliwa na Bodi ya Sukari kisha kuiuza kwa wauzaji wa Jumla. Mfumo wa kutoa vibali umeonesha kutokuwa na tija na kwa kweli kunufaisha maafisa wachache wa Wizara ya Kilimo na Bodi ya Sukari.

2.     Kitengenezwe kiwanda cha kutengeneza gesi ya matumizi nyumbani (LPG extraction plant) kwa haraka ili kupunguza bei ya gesi, kuepuka kuagiza gesi kutoka nje na hivyo kuokoa fedha za kigeni na kutengeneza ajira hapa nchini. Kupanda kwa bei ya gesi asilia kunatokana na kwamba Tanzania inaagiza gesi hii yote kutoka nje ilhali malighafi ya kutengeneza gesi ipo hapa Tanzania na kwa kweli huchomwa moto (flared). Shirika la Maendeleo ya Petroli nchini liingie ubia na kampuni Binafsi ili kuwekeza katika kiwanda cha kuzalisha gesi hatimaye kushusha bei na hivyo kuwezesha wananchi wengi zaidi kutumia gesi kwa matumizi ya kupikia n.k, hivyo kutunza mazingira.

3.     Ushuru wote unaokusanywa kwenye Mafuta ya Taa upelekwe Wakala wa Nishati Vijijini ili kufidia kupanda kwa bei ya mafuta ya Taa. Mfumuko wa Bei katika bidhaa ya mafuta ya taa unatokana na uamuzi wa kuwianisha bei ya mafuta ya taa na diseli ili kuondoa tatizo la uchakachuaji wa mafuta. Tatizo limeondoka (au hatulisikii tena) lakini wananchi wanaumia sana. Uamuzi sahihi wa kisera ni kupanua huduma za umeme vijijini kwa kuipa fedha zinazotokana na ushuru wa mafuta ya taa Wakala wa Umeme Vijijini. Usambazaji wa Umeme Vijijini utaongeza shughuli za kiuchumi vijijini, kukuza uchumi wa vijijini, kuongeza mapato ya wananchi kwa kuongeza thamani za mazao yao na hivyo kupunguza athari za mfumuko wa bei.

4.     Sera ya Matumizi ya Serikali iangaliwe upya kwa kupunguza kwa kiasi kikubwa matumizi yasiyo ya lazima, na kuelekeza fedha nyingi zaidi katika uwekezaji umma (public investments). Matumizi Mengineyo ya Serikali yanaongeza fedha kwenye mzunguko ama kwa kulipa watu wachache stahili mbalimbali kama posho n.k au kwa kununua bidhaa na huduma bila mpango, na hivyo kusukuma bei kuwa juu kinyume na uhalisia wa soko. Tafiti za mfumuko wa Bei Tanzania zinaonyesha kwamba sera za fedha na zile za matumizi (monetary and fiscal policy) zina nafasi kubwa katika kukuza mfumuko wa bei. Hivi sasa nakisi ya Bajeti inayopelekea Serikali kukopa kwa kwa kiwango kubwa inapandisha gharama za viwanda kukopa mitaji ya muda mfupi na hivyo kuongeza gharama za uzalishaji na kasha bei za bidhaa. Wizara ya Fedha ambayo mpaka sasa imekaa kama imeishiwa namna ya kufanya, inapaswa kuamka na kutoa maelekezo mapya kwa Wizara, Idara na Wakala za Serikali kuhusu namna ya kubana matumizi na kuziba mianya yote ya kukwepa kodi.

Hitimisho

Serikali imeonesha udhaifu mkubwa sana katika kusimamia uchumi katika nusu ya kwanza ya Bajeti ya mwaka 2011/2012 ambayo pia ni Bajeti ya kwanza ya kipindi cha pili cha Serikali ya awamu wa Nne. Kuna hatari ya dhahiri kwamba ifikapo mwezi Januari 2012 tutakuwa tumerejea mfumuko wa Bei wa kiwango cha mwaka 1992 (21.9%). Tusipochukua hatua za haraka tutafikia na hata kuzidi mfumuko wa Bei kiwango cha juu kabisa ambacho kilifikiwa mwaka 1994 (33%) na hivyo viwanda kushindwa kukopa kwenye Mabenki kwa mahitaji yao ya haraka ya mitaji ya muda mfupi, wazalishaji wadogo kushindwa kulipa mikopo yao kwenye Taasisi za fedha na hivyo kufunga uzalishaji, Shirika la Umeme kushindwa kabisa kulipa gharama za mafuta ya kuendesha mitambo na kipato cha mwananchi kutomudu gharama za za kila siku. Uchumi utadorora kabisa. Taifa litakuwa hatarini.

Wizara ya Fedha, Benki Kuu ya Tanzania na Wizara ya Kilimo na Chakula iamke kuhami uchumi dhidi ya adui namba moja, Mfumuko wa Bei. Huu sio wakati wa kupiga porojo, viongozi wafanye kazi zao, Wananchi wajitume.

Inabidi sasa turejee kauli mbiu za miaka 50 iliyopita za Uhuru ni Kazi. Tuseme Demokrasia ni Kazi. Demokrasia sio lelemama.

Ndg. Kabwe Zuberi Zitto, Mb

Naibu Kiongozi wa Upinzani Bungeni na Waziri Kivuli Fedha na Uchumi

18 Disemba 2011

Mahojiano ya Zitto Mlimani Tv(Keki ya Taifa) kuhusu Posho za Wabunge

Mahojiano MlimaniTV Part 1

Mahojiano MlimaniTV Part 2

Mahojiano MlimaniTV Part 3

Mahojiano MlimaniTV Part 4

Scrap Sitting Allowances, Create Jobs

By Zitto Kabwe

Our Parliament

For the last two weeks there has been a fierce debate on allowances given to members of parliament fuelled by recent revelations by two leading dailies Mwananchi and The Citizen. The revelations were first denied by the Clerk of the National Assembly but later in a swift move confirmed by the Speaker.

Members of Parliament herein referred as MPs are entitled to various allowances in conducting their affairs. According to the National Assembly administration act these are subsistence allowance, travel allowances, constituency allowance and for those holding parliamentary portfolios a responsibility allowance. Sitting allowance is paid to MPs everyday he or she attends a committee meeting or parliamentary debate. However this allowance is not mentioned in the law. Currently an MP receives TZS 70,000 ($40) a day as sitting allowance.

A member of Parliament in Tanzania receives a monthly salary as a renumeration for the legislative, representative and oversight role he or she does. On top of that he or she is paid for sitting! Sounds ridiculous for sure.

During the 5th session of Parliament which ended in November 2011, MPs lobbied for an increase in allowances claiming that costs of living have skyrocketed. MPs are paid per diem to cover costs of living, but in an interesting move the Parliamentary service commission passed a resolution to increase a sitting allowance to TZS 200,000 ($130) a day.

Sitting allowance doesn’t address the challenge of cost of living, it is subsistence allowance that is pegged to costs of living. I asked one of my colleague who serves in the Parliamenatary Service Commission about this and she said, per diem applies to all civil servants so an increment to it would mean an increment to all civil servants so it must be avoided. And they did avoid and went ahead directing The Clerk to effect new rates. The Clerk refused as the law requires that the President of the United Republic approve the new increment in writing. Hence the divided stand between the Clerk and the Speaker. When the news reached investigative and news hungry editors of the media the difference between them was all out and the public outcry was huge.

The President hasnt approved the new increment so far, some credible sources say that Speaker didn’t even attempt to send the requests to the President. The Parliamentary Service Commission met over the weekend and revoked their proposal. Media has played its role and the public won. A senior parliamentary staff told me the other day, that the whole matter was a hoax. MPs pressured the Speaker to increase allowances and even threatened her that she will be relieved from her post. Speaker in turn pressured the Clerk to pay new rates contrary to the laws and regulations. Public through media pressured both of them and the President did not dare increase the sitting allowances rate. So far the public has won.

Is it a temporary victory? Definitely yes.

The highest prize is scrapping sitting allowances regime altogether. Paying an MP for sitting isn’t justified. The public, NGOs/civil society organisations and the media should campaign towards this to the very end. The allowances culture is killing our Nation as it misdirect public funds from public investments to current spending. It kills our working culture as public office holders keep attending meeting after meeting to earn sitting allowances instead of working.

Our country faces mountain of challenges, it requires us to work and create an enabling environment for economic activities that create jobs, add value to our produce, increase our exports, produce more food and generate more electricity. Otherwise no one will call us a nation.

Scrap sitting allowances, create jobs to the people.

MP exposes $5.5 billion loss to Congolese people through questionable mining deals with BVI ‘shell’ companies

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An Open letter to Balozi Mwapachu on ABG crosslisting

Dear Balozi,

I send my congratulatory message following the bold step by the Country’s leading exporter to trade its shares at Dar Bourse(DSE). It is an opportunity for Tanzanians to own part of this lucrative business and individually benefit from it. I have some issues that I would like to raise for your attention. I am using the opportunity in your capacity as Board of ABG to air my concerns. I understand that crosslisting of ABG shares at DSE has been a dream of many Tanzanians working with the company. I personally in 2009 intervened and asked BoT to relax the capital account and allow Tanzanians to buy ABG shares during its IPO in London. Crosslisting is thus welcome and encouraged. Below is a list of issues (which makes me have genuine reservations) about the move.

1.  In 2010 (from its prospectus) ABG had a turn over of $975m, EBITDA of $419m and a Net Income of $218m. As a result of that performance it declared dividend of $3.7 per share. I later learnt that ABG posted an incmoe tax expense of $86,471,000. However TRA did not receive this revenue as a corporate tax from ABG, thus this was definately not paid at source due to a fact that ABG resides in London. You will take a strong note that WHILE all ABG operations are in Tanzania,it is Her Majesty(HM) Revenue collecting its corporate tax. ABG has designed Tanzania (Dar) as a logistics Office while J’burg is largely procurement office and London HQ. This structural design is one of the ways Multi National Corporations(MNCs) use to minimise tax payments to developing countries. The source – Domicile method is used by many tax avoiders and it is really causing alot of stress to governments in LDCs. You will as well note that while ABG declares profit in London, pays dividends and even corporate tax at domicile, no single ABG subsidiary in Tanzania declared profit and paid corporate tax in 2010. Bulyanhulu Goldmine (Kahama Mining ltd), NorthMara Goldmine ltd and Pangea Minerals (owning Tulawaka and Buzwagi) all didn’t pay corporate tax in Tanzania in 2010, but ABG posted an income tax expense as shown above. From my knowledge of International Taxation, it seems ABG is enjoying a Double Taxation Treaty(DTT) between Tanzania and UK which is unfair in all measures. I am kindly asking you Balozi to consider this matter and raise it in your Board meetings so that ABG either relocate to Tanzania as its HQ or subscribe to a system whereby it pays its corporate tax at source rather than at domicile (with 5 officials only).
2. I read from The Citizen and DailyNews that you raised the issue of wider benefits and that ABG brought back to Tanzania more that $540m as wages and salaries and other costs. I totally agree with your views of gross benefits (jobs, skills transfer etc) and looking at things in a bigger picture rather than just Government Take Statistic (Royalties, Taxes and other fees). However we must balance the two as the Government has a duty to provide for its citizens including the companies themeselves. These are Public goods like Defence, Law and order as well as infrastructural development, and Merit goods like Health, Education and even social security. Therefore focus on Government Take statistic is as crucial as Gross benefits. I understand that ABG is one of the largest contributor to NSSF. But we shouldnt close our eyes on the importance of government Revenue. I kindly ask you to understand when some of us repeatedly raise this issue. It doesnt mean i belittle the bigger picture NO as i am big fun of linkages approach of looking at mining sector and its contribution to our economy.
3. From 7th December, ABG will start trading at DSE as a crosslisted company. 24% of the shares of ABG held by individuals and institutions will be traded locally, ofcourse at LSE prices. This doesnt mean Tanzanians will be buying some slice of ABG from itself but from investors owning the shares now. This isnt the spirit behind the Mining Act 2010 which aim at having part of the company to be owned by Tanzanians. I think ABG was supposed to sell atleast 10% of its shares to Tanzanians (reducing the shareholding of BarrickGold Corporation from 76% to 66%). You might argue that the market wouldnt absorb this amount but ABG could do a private placement to Tanzania’s institutional investors like Pension Funds and even Unit Trust of Tanzania. Let Tanzanians buy the shares traded at LSE as they wish (ofcourse we are a free market country) but strategic shares sell to Tanzanian institutions (on behalf of the people) shall be explored. I kindly ask that ABG does this for its gesture to be meaningful. I will be shocked and saddened if Pension Funds will buy ABG shares to be crosslisted. I think ABG should engage our institutional investors through a private placement of 10% from shares held by BarrickGold Corporation in addition to crosslisting. This is good for ABG as i must remind you that according to the Mining Act 2010  the Government has the right to own up to 15% of each company and for ABG it will be a big trouble as the government will treat all subsidiaries separately and not as ABG. In real sense there is no ABG in Tanzania but Bulyanhulu Goldmine ltd, NorthMara Goldmine ltd and Pangea Minerals ltd. A strategic private placement by ABG to institutional invetors will place it on upperhand when the government decides to enforce the new law and this will be very soon.

I have written to you believing You are one of the Tanzanians highly trusted and with credibility to effect changes to our country. I hope you will take note of my views, weigh them and take forward the ones you think are relevant. We must together answer this paradox: A Rich Country with Poor People. It is very clear to me that mining sector will not alone end all poverty we have in Tanzania, but its contribution to poverty reduction is massive.

Zitto

Msimamo wangu: Kupandisha posho za wabunge ni ukichaa na kutojali Hali ya Nchi

Nimeshtushwa sana na taarifa za kupandishwa kwa posho za vikao kwa Wabunge. Nimeshtushwa zaidi kwamba Posho hizi zimeanza kulipwa katika mkutano wa Bunge uliopita kabla hata Rais hajaamua maana maslahi yote ya Wabunge huamuliwa na Rais Baada ya kupokea mapendekezo ya Bunge kupitia Tume ya Bunge.

Wabunge wote watambue kwamba kuamua kujipandishia posho zao bila kuzingatia Hali ya maisha ya mwananchi wa kawaida ni usaliti usio na mfano. Mbunge yeyote ambaye anabariki Jambo hili au anaishi hewani haoni tabunza wananchi au ni mwizi tu na anaona Ubunge ni Kama nafasi ya kujitajirisha binafsi.

Kwa Wabunge wa Chadema, wajue uamuzi kuhusu posho ni uamuzi wa chama na ni uamuzi wa kisera. Mbunge yeyote wa Chadema anayepokea posho za vikao anakwenda kinyume na maamuzi ya sera za chama tulizoahidi wananchi wakati wa uchaguzi. Nimemwomba Katibu Mkuu wa chama kuitisha kikao maalumu cha Kamati Kuu ya chama kujadili suala hili.

Toka tarehe 8 juni mwaka 2011 nilikataa kupokea posho za vikao. Popote ninapohudhuria vikao huomba Risiti ya fedha ninazokataa. Baadhi ya Wabunge Kama Januari Makamba wamekataa posho na hata kwenye semina ya kamati ya nishati alikataa na tumeona kwenye vyombo vya habari jina lake likiwa limekatwa ilhali viongozi wakubwa kabisa wamechukua posho. Nampongeza kijana mwenzangu kwa uzalendo huu. Nawataka wabunge wengine wenye Moyo wa dhati kukataa sio tu ongezeko hili la posho Bali posho yote ya vikao. Kwa nini mbunge akubali kulipwa kwa kukaa?

Tazama nchi hii, juzi serikali ilipokea Msaada wa tshs 20bn kwa ajili ya Sensa ya mwakani wakati wabunge wanalipwa 28bn Kama posho za kukaa tu.

Tanzania inaagiza gesi ya matumizi ya nyumbani kutoka nje kwa kutumia mamilioni ya dola za kimarekani. Kuwanda cha kutengeneza LPG kinagharimu tshs 35bn tu, Wabunge peek Yao kwa mwaka wanatumia 28bn kwa posho za kukaa tu achilia mbali mishahara na marupurupu mengine.

Ipo siku Watanzania watatupiga mawe kwa usaliti huu dhidi yao.

****

June 10, 2011-Barua: Posho za Vikao

Update: Posho za Vikao- Majibu ya Ofisi ya BUNGE na Uamuzi Wangu (June 11, 2011)

June 19, 2011- SUALA LA POSHO ZA VIKAO: WAZIRI MKUU-ANAPASWA KUCHUKUA HATUA MBILI, AFUKUZWE AU AJIUZULU!

October 10, 2011-#1 Say NO to Posho!

October 14,2011-#2 Say NO to posho!