Membe lobbying for withheld GBS funds

Foreign Affairs Minister Benard Membe.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Bernard Membe has said he will this week meet with Tanzania’s development partners who have withheld funds for the General Budget Support on corruption allegation grounds.

Membe said the main aim of his mission is to convince the donors to release the money they have suspended for the General Budget Support which might affect government operations if not released.
The minister said before he meets the donors, he would go through the Tegeta Escrow Account report first.

The minister vowed that any official implicated in the scandal will be taken to task.

He would not name any officials implicated, but several government officials, banks and court officials have been mentioned by a section of the media to have been involved in the decade old scam of the nation which has rendered power bill to skyrocket.

“The Controller and Auditor General’s report on Tegeta Escrow Account is ready and I will have a look at it before I meet the development partners. My meeting with the development partners is mainly meant to find a solution to the standoff,” he said on the sidelines of the interview at the official opening of the First Voice of Social Sciences International Conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

He hastened to add: “Tomorrow (today) or Wednesday I am going to meet with the development partners, the aim being to plead with them to release the GBS withheld funds to the tune of USD500m (roughly 846bn/-).”

According to the minister, the country will continue to maintain transparency on such matters as doing so will help foster good governance.

“If there is any one implicated in this matter, disciplinary action shall be taken immediately,” he noted.
The conference is organised by the University of Dar es Salaam, School of Social Sciences.

Speaking at the conference, Membe called on academics to assist the government in conducting research on issues pertaining to corruption saying their finds would have a big impact on individuals and the nation at large.

Membe said it is wrong to pretend that there is no corruption while the wananchi are being affected by it.

“We should not reach a point of accepting that corruption is part and parcel of our country. This is why I implore on you members of the academics to help by carrying out scientific studies on corruption and give us recommendations on how it can be touted out,” he said.

He added: “If professors will not do research untrustworthy people who have no knowledge in research will do the same for the interest of few people through their finances.”

Dean Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof Sam Maghimbi promised to work on the matter for the benefit of the nations.
The two-day conference with the theme Achieving Sustainability in an Interconnected World” has brought together over 200 academicians from different countries in Africa with aim of discussing four issues, the organisers said.

They include energy, research, corruption and environment.
Meanwhile, the Controller and Auditor General’s report on the transactions involving the Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL)   in the Tegeta Escrow Account has been referred to a Parliamentary Public Accounts subcommittee for closer scrutiny.

The report will be examined by full committee of the PAC before making its recommendations to the Parliament.

Speaking yesterday in Dodoma shortly after receiving the report from the Assembly Deputy Speaker, Job Ndugai, Committee Chairman Zitto Kabwe said the committee will operate as an investigating entity.

In executing its ten-day task, the committee will in the first place meet the Controller and Auditor General, who carried out the probe, to be followed by the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) director general.

“This marks government commitment in working on the matter as recommended by Members of the Parliament. All the matters have been held quite open, we have the report and we assure you that we will deliver to our best,” the chairman said.

Kabwe, who had earlier recommended for live broadcast as the PAC investigates those implicated in the saga, yesterday rescinded his stand, saying that all proceeding will be in camera.
This is because the committee will be working as an investigatory body, he insisted.

The chairman said the committee will work around the clock to ensure that all the required matters are addressed without fear or favour.

Deo Filikunjombe, PAC Deputy Chairman said the ten days that the committee will be working on the document are more than enough to conclude the saga.

Applauding media houses for revealing the scandal, Filikunjombe noted that media had played a pivot role and that “we have to thank them for making the matter public.”

He said there is no doubt that PAC has never backed down in its proceedings, especially in examining controversial reports and that the PAC sittings will resort to justice