TANZANIA: Christian Leaders Warn Parliament Against Politicizing Governance Issues
After the Tanzania Parliament resolved to stop working with the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) Professor Mussa Assad on 2nd April 2019, some Christian leaders in the country have expressed concerns that refusal to listen to specialists on sensitive issues of the country will undermine the country’s economic growth, good governance and democracy.
This comes after the 2017/2018 CAG report to the Parliament shows that Government has failed to honour its commitment to implement in full some donor funded development projects.
Professor Assad said that during the 2017/2018 financial year, the Government remit only two-thirds of the funds to 10 development projects which are being co-implementing with development partners; that there are 27 local government projects that are already completed but not yet operational; and that 14 public entities including the Air Tanzania Cooperation, Tanzania Women Bank are facing financial woes.
These observations made the Auditor General conclude that as a governance institution, the Parliament is rather ‘weak’ because it is not making the Government accountable to the public.
Speaking recently with the AMECEA Correspondent in Dar es Salaam at different occasions, some Christian leaders are of the opinion that these are serious issues that do not need to be politicized as they would water down the national vision.
Bishop Oscar Munga of the Anglican Church is of the opinion that Parliament is one of the most sensitive national structures and is responsible for enacting legislation. Therefore, it should be careful in regulating the law and protecting the constitution.
“The Parliament and Parliamentary Speaker should be tolerant to criticism and critical views so that the country can move in development. Parliament should not politicize sensitive issues that affect the economy of the country, especially when they border around governance, accountability and democracy,” he said.
Bishop Munga said that as a citizen and as a religious leader, he advises Parliament to be more careful when passing decisions. “What is the job of the Parliamentary committees? Now when the CAG presents the Audit report and say that the Parliament is weak, should they punish him?” asked Bishop Mnunga
Catholic Bishop of Rulenge Ngara Diocese Rt. Rev. Severine Niwemugizi who says that he has been following the issues between CAG and Parliament as well as the CAG report and that now he monitors some of the media and the fact that that some citizens have concluded that there is no good governance in the country.
“Personally, I advise Parliament and the CAG’s office to follow and respect the laws that govern daily duties of each and every sector in the country. The Parliament must protect itself from being irresponsible in its resolution that they will not work with CAG. Constitutionally CAG’s office has the obligation to present facts in accordance with the results of the audit.,” he said.
“The Constitution allows people to express themselves. The CAG office has done its work and measured the performance of the public entities. The role of the Parliament is to accept the challenge and work for the better,” he continued.
He also said that it would be good for each and every sector in the country to be open to criticism because that is what brings about positive results with regard tp good governance and accountability.
“Criticism is not hostility; criticism is a desire to engage in a productive dialogue for the development of the country,” he said.
Bishop Martin Shao of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania
He advises the Parliament to work with seriousness on sensitive issues that touch on good governance, economic growth and democracy.
“The CAG report has disclosed many things. The CAG Office is sensitive to the development of the country. It should not be interrupted by political fanaticism,” he said.
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Sarah Pelaji
