MPs graft probe report complete

Written by DAILY NEWS 

A SUB-COMMITTEE of the Parliamentary Privileges, Ethics and Powers Committee that was formed by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Anne Makinda, to probe allegations of graft amongst some lawmakers has completed the work and handed its report to the Speaker.

A press statement issued by the Bunge office here, said the sub-committee had accomplished its mission as outlined in the terms of reference and handed the report to the Speaker on September 27, this year.

“The Speaker will hence issue a directive on how the report will be handled,” the statement said without giving more details.

Ms Makinda formed the committee following allegations that some members of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Minerals as well as other MPs had been bribed in a bid to oust the Minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Eliakim Maswi.

The alleged acts of corruption are said to have been committed during the marathon session of the National Assembly that sat between June and August, this year and particularly at the time when the MPs were to debate the Budget estimates for the Ministry of Energy and Minerals for fiscal year 2012/2013.

Meanwhile, the parliamentary standing committees are today set to start meetings ahead of the National Assembly session which is scheduled to sit between October 30 and November 9, this year. It is only the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Minerals that will not be in action, following its dissolution due to allegations of corruption during the previous Bunge session.

Among others, the committees will separately discuss audited accounts for various public organizations, central and local government authorities for the financial year 2010/2011. The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Water has been charged with a responsibility to deliberate on The Plant Breeders’ Rights Act, 2012.

Source: Daily News (15/10/2012): http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/local-news/10532-mps-graft-probe-report-complete