|
Waweru’s permit rejection: Government sending wrong signals
2005-08-16 08:34:47
By Editor
A section of the press has reported that the government has rejected an application from Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL), for extension of work permit in respect of its General Manager, David Waweru, who is a Kenyan.
Reports say that the rejection is contained in a letter dated August 4, this year, from the Director of Immigration Services, addressed to MCL which read in part: ”Please refer to the request sent to us through the Tanzania Investment Centre…
I am directed to inform you that after going through your application, permission to extend your permit is not granted…If you wish to employ other personnel to fill the vacancy, we would suggest that a Tanzanian be employed.”
It is the last bit of the letter that we would like to comment upon.
While it is not our intention to question decisions made by any government authority on any applications for services, permits, status etc, etc— as we believe that these are done in accordance with the laws of the land, we think that in this particular case, the government is sending wrong signals to foreign investors.
In rejecting Mr Waweru’s application, the Immigration Department did not state the reasons behind its decision, and at this point, we do not intend to speculate.
However, this does not deter the thirsty public from gossiping, unless of course the government comes out of its shell and clears the air.
We put this point across because according to law and regulations governing investment in the country, an investor is free to appoint any person, of any nationality in its top executive positions. No investor is obliged to employ a Tanzanian.
This has been the practice which we dare say is customary. Needless to say, scores of investor firms have foreigners as their CEOs.
We wonder whether any decision, similar to Waweru’s case, has ever been made on other foreigners, least of all, those from the East African Community.
If not, then we are afraid to say that our country has set a bad precedent. The approach could tarnish the good name it boasts of, in so far as its investment policy is concerned.
Unless the government states categorically that it is now reviewing its investment policy, on issues pertaining to people at the helms of investor firms, we remain convinced that the decision to reject Mr Waweru’s permit was taken rather arbitrarily.
|
