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

View this document on Scribd

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!

Posho za wabunge zapanda kimyakimya

ZAPANDA KUTOKA SH70,000 HADI 200,000, NI ZAIDI YA ASILIMIA 150
Fredy Azzah

Bunge Letu

HUKU mjadala wa kufutwa au kwa posho za wabunge na watumishi wengine wa Serikali ukiwa umefifia, posho za vikao (sitting allowance) za wabunge zimepanda kutoka Sh70,000 kwa siku hadi Sh200,000, imefahamika.

“Zimeongezeka kutoka Sh70,000 mpaka 200,000, wameanza kulipwa Bunge lililopita hili ni ongezeko la karibu mara tatu, yaani asilimia 154,” kilieleza chanzo chetu kutoka ndani ya Ofisi za Bunge.

Kutoka na ongezeko hilo, kwa sasa kila mbunge atakuwa akilipwa Sh80,000 ikiwa ni posho ya kujikimu (perdiem) anapokuwa nje jimbo lake, posho ya vikao (sitting allowance) Sh200,000 na mafuta ya gari Sh50,000 kila siku, ambazo jumla yake ni Sh330,000 kwa siku.

Kutokana na ongezeko hilo, Bajeti ya Bunge kwa ajili ya posho za vikao vya wabunge imepanda na kufikia Sh28 bilioni kwa mwaka.

Katibu wa Bunge, Dk Thomas Kashililah alipoulizwa kuhusu taarifa hizo alisema hawezi kuzungumzia jambo hilo kwa sababu siyo msemaji wa wabunge, bali Ofisi ya Bunge.

“Ni nani kawapa hizo taarifa bwana, au ni vyanzo vyenu vya habari?” alihoji Dk Kashililah.

Baada ya kuelezwa kuwa taarifa hizo zimetoka kwenye vyanzo vyetu vya kuaminika alisema “Hao wana utaratibu wao bwana, labda mtafute Spika ndiye msemaji wa Wabunge.”

Juhudi za kumpata Spika, Anne Makinda kutoa ufafanuzi wa suala hili, hazikufanikiwa baada ya simu yake kuita wakati wote bila kupokewa hata pale alipotumiwa ujumbe mfupi wa simu (sms) hakujibu. Hata simu zote za Naibu wake, Job Ndugai hazikupatikana.

Hata hivyo, Mbunge wa Ludewa (CCM), Deo Filikunjombe alisema kuongezeka kwa posho hizo kunatokana na wabunge kuwa wanalipwa mishahara midogo kulingana na kazi wanayofanya.

Alisema endapo wawakilishi hao wa wananchi wangekuwa wanalipwa mishahara inayolingana na kazi wanayofanya, kusingekuwa na sababu ya kuongezeka kwa posho hizo.

“Ninachosema mimi, siyo wabunge peke yao, lakini watumishi wote wa umma wanalipwa mishahara midogo sana mimi binafsi sitegemei posho za Bunge, kabla ya kuingia bungeni nilikuwa nimefanya kazi kwa miaka 14 na nilikuwa napata mshahara mzuri tu,” alisema Filikunjombe.

Mbunge wa Iringa Mjini (Chadema), Mchungaji Peter Msigwa alisema amezisikia taarifa hizo za kuongezeka kwa posho lakini siyo kwa undani. Hata hivyo alisema hakuwa katika nafasi nzuri ya kuzungumza suala hilo.

Kiongozi wa Kambi Rasmi ya Upinzani Bungeni, Freeman Mbowe alisema walivyokuwa wakipinga posho hizo wakati zilivyokuwa Sh70,000 waandishi wa habari walichukua suala hilo kama ajenda ya Chadema, hivyo kupandishwa kwa posho hizo ni matokeo ya watu kuwapuuza walivyokuwa wakizipinga.

“Msimamo wetu sisi tulishautoa tangu wakati posho zikiwa Sh70,000 wakati sisi tukipinga hizi posho waandishi wa habari na Watanzania mlichukulia suala hili kama ajenda ya Chadema, sisi wenyewe tupo wachache bungeni, tulichotaka ni kuonyesha jinsi fedha za Watanzania zinavyotumika vibaya,” alisema na kuongeza:

“Achilia mbali hizo 200,000 za wabunge kuna watu huko serikalini wanalipwa mpaka Sh400,000 au Sh1 milioni kwa siku nyie ulizeni.”

Alipoulizwa kama amechukua posho hiyo ya Sh200,000 alisema hajafanya hivyo kwa sababu hazifuatilii.

“Sijui hata kama zimeanza kulipwa au la kwa sababu huwa sizifuatilii na haka kama suala la posho hilo zilijadiliwa wakati wa vikao vya mwanzo mimi sikuwepo kwa sababu tulikuwa kwenye kesi yetu Arusha na bungeni tulikuja mwishoni wakati wa Muswada wa Katiba,” alisema Mbowe.

Ongezeko hili la posho za wabunge limekuja wakati Watanzania wakiendelea kuishi kwenye maisha magumu yanayochangiwa na mfumuko wa bei ambao mpaka mwisho mwa Oktoba ulikuwa umefikia asilimia 17.9.

Pia ongezeko hili limekuja wakati Watanzania wakiwa na matumaini ya posho hizi kupunguzwa baada ya Waziri Mkuu, Mizengo Pinda, kutangaza bungeni kuwa Serikali imekubali pendekezo la kutafakari na kuziangalia upya posho mbalimbali wanazolipwa wabunge na watumishi wote umma.

Mbunge wa Muhambwe (NCCR-Mageuzi), Felix Mkosamali alisema kuwa hawezi kuzungumza chochote juu ya posho hizo kwa kuwa hajapata barua rasmi juu ya kupanda kwake.

“Sijapata barua yoyote, nikiuliza na kupata majibu kwa wahusika nitakuwa na uhakika na nitakupa maoni yangu na msimamo wangu vizuri kabisa, lakini kwa sasa siwezi kusema chochote,” alisema Mkosamali.

Juni 7, mwaka huu Naibu Kiongozi wa Kambi Rasmi ya Upinzani Bungeni Zitto Kabwe, aliwasilisha barua Ofisi ya Bunge akikataa posho akisema watumishi wa Serikali na wabunge, hawastahili kulipwa posho wanapohudhuria vikao rasmi vya uwajibikaji wao wa kawaida.

Zitto alisema posho hiyo haistahili kulipwa kwake, wabunge wengine wala watumishi wa umma kwa kuwa kuhudhuria vikao ni sehemu ya kazi zao.

Alisema kitendo cha Waziri Mkuu kueleza kuwa watatafakari na kuangalia upya na kwamba suala la posho ni sera ya taifa na Ilani ya Uchaguzi ya CCM, ni ishara ya kiongozi huyo wa juu kukubali wazo la Chadema na safari ya kufuta posho hizo.

Awali, mara baada ya Chadema kutangaza msimamo huo, Spika Makinda alipinga uamuzi wa kususia posho akisema suala hilo lipo kisheria na kwamba hakuna mtu ambaye anaweza kuamua kuliondoa.

Alisema wabunge wa Chadema wataendelea kulipwa posho za vikao kupitia akaunti zao za benki na watatakiwa kusaini fomu ya mahudhurio ya Bunge, vinginevyo watajiweka katika wakati mbaya.

Hata hivyo, akihitimisha hoja za wabunge katika hotuba yake ya makadirio ya matumizi ya ofisi yake na zilizo chini yake juzi, Pinda alisema suala la posho lipo kwenye mchakato wa kuangaliwa upya.

Source: Mwananchi

MPs sitting allowance up 185pc

By The Citizen Reporter
Dar es Salaam. The daily sitting allowance for an MP has been increased by more close to over 285.7 per cent, The Citizen has been reliably informed.

Our Parliament

Some sources who attended the just-ended fifth Parliament told this paper that the amount has gone up by almost three times –  from Sh70,000 to a whopping Sh200,000 per day.

The latest adjustment has effectively increased the amount of cash that goes to a legislator pocket daily during a Bunge session to Sh330,000 because, besides the Sh200,000 for sitting, they also receive a per diem of Sh80,000 plus Sh50,000 for fuel.

However, when contacted, Clerk of the National Assembly Thomas Kashillila said his office was not aware of the said increase.

“I understand there was talk among MPs to have their allowances raised, but if that has been effected, my office hasn’t been formally informed yet.

Therefore, I cannot confirm that MPs’ allowances have gone up,” he said over his mobile phone yesterday. Dr Kashillila advised The Citizen to check up with the Speaker of the National Assembly Anne Makinda or her deputy, Mr Job Ndugai, for a precise response but our efforts were in vain for the two officials’ phones were not reachable despite repeated attempts.

Though many MPs who attended the just- ended Parliament session were hesitant to comment on the matter, impeccable sources confirmed to this paper that the sitting allowances have nearly tripled.

The MPs’ hesitation to comment on the raise could be on account of uneasiness stemming from the recent debate in which the opposition Chadema pressed for abolition of sitting allowances for the lawmakers.

When contacted, the Leader of Official Opposition in the Parliament, Mr Freeman Mbowe, saidthe latest raise clearly showed that the government has not taken note of Chadema’s sentiments over allowances.

He maintained that his party’s stand over allowances should not be personalised as it was national resources that are being used to overpay a few individuals while the majority of Tanzanians languished in abject poverty.

“We abide by our stand since the time the daily sitting allowances stood at Sh70,000. When we issued statements contending the allowance, some people, and a section of the media took the issue as a Chadema agenda, but we wanted to expose the misuse of taxpayers’ money,” he said adding:

“We have MPs’ pocketing Sh200,000 as sitting allowance and then there are some people in the government who are paid between Sh400,000 and Sh1 million as daily allowance.”

Mr Mbowe said personally, he would not know for certain that there has been a rise in sitting allowances for MPs since he doesn’t collect his.

“Maybe the new allowances were discussed in the House at the time I was attending  my cases in Arusha… I was only present during a few sessions towards the end of the debate on the Constitutional Review Act Bill,” he said.

The increase in MPs’ allowance comes at a time when the majority of ordinary Tanzanians are lamenting over the cost of living against their frozen incomes. Hardships for the mwananchi are reflected on the two-digit inflation which at the moment stands at around 17.9 per cent as announced by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently. The decision to increase MPs’ sitting allowance is also said to contradict the government’s five years development plan, unveiled mid this year, one of whose agenda was to reduce allowances.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda is also on record as telling the Parliament during the Budget session that the government had agreed to a proposal to slash allowances.

When contacted, Felix Mkosamali (Kibondo-NCCR Mgeuzi) and Rev Peter Msigwa (Iringa Urban – Chadema) declined to discuss the matter in detail and said MPs have not been officially informed of the decision to increase their sitting allowances. “I have not received any letter informing me that my allowance has been increased. I will inquire and once I get a categorical answer I will make my stand over this issue known,” said Mr Mkosamali.

But Deo Filikunjombe (Ludewa-CCM) said the raised allowance was justifiable given the meagre salaries paid to lawmakers.

“And my stand is that if MPs were being paid in accordance with the weight of their job, there would be no need to pay them hefty allowances and this is not for MPs only. Civil servants too receive very small salaries,” he said.

In June this year, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament, Mr Zitto Kabwe, presented a letter in which he rejected his sitting allowance on the grounds that MPs were not supposed to be paid for sitting, arguing that their job, for which they receive monthly salaries, is to sit at the Bunge and debate.

Mr Kabwe’s stand, however, drew stiff opposition from a majority of the MPs, including some from his own party.

Source: The Citizen