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Dar residents hail Sitta’s election as Speaker
2005-12-30 09:52:04
By Judica Tarimo
Dar es Salaam residents yesterday lauded the newly elected Speaker of the National Assembly, Samuel Sitta as a capable and competent person who could accelerate positive institutional reforms in the fourth-phase Parliament.
’’For years, we had been witnessing opposition camp undermined in the parliament, but I am confident that the new Speaker would reverse the trend,’’ David Mkumbo, Dar resident from a cross-section of those interviewed by The Guardian said.
’’I believe Sitta would end the era of dictatorial regime in the House and strengthen democracy as well as improve the performance of the opposition camp,’’ he added.
Shortly after being sworn in as Speaker on Wednesday, Sitta cautioned the would-be ministers against shallow answers that would not satisfy the interests of poor men and women in the country.
A Dar es Salaam-based businessman, Matiko Kasesela, hailed Sitta’s statement as a good start and clear indication of his commitment and seriousness to introduce institutional and democratic reforms in the Parliament.
In trying to cope up with a widely known President Jakaya Kikwete’s slogan ’’new zeal, new vigor, new vision,’’ Sitta branded himself as ”Mr. Standard and Speed.’’
’’Standard and speed must be reflected in the performance of the Parliament…calling yourself ’standard and speed’ is not enough; people wants to see results of the work done,’’ said Kasesela.
On condition of anonymity, one Dar resident said: ’’The election of the new Speaker is one step ahead towards democratic processes.’’
He described Sitta as strict and serious man, who could bring in new ideas that would enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the parliamentary proceedings.
’’Changes are obvious despite of low representation of opposition members in the House.
I am very confident that Sitta would help to push the government in the implementation of the country’s development agendas,’’ he said.
The Director of Transparent International-Tanzania, Willy Kitima said Sitta is brilliant, diplomatic, hard worker and result-oriented who would bring tremendous changes in the legislative structure and performance.
’’I know Sitta very well. He served as minister in different ministries and worked in various public institutions and government organs. In fact, he is capable with vast leadership experience,’’ he said.
’’Frankly speaking, he is somebody who believes in delivering…not only delivering but delivering on time.
So, what is needed is co-operation from MPs to enable him utilise his vast experience,’’ said Kitima.
A water expert from DAWASCO’s Construction Supervising Office, Moses Kainga, said the election of Sitta as Speaker would mark the end of harassment and intimidation of MPs in the House.
’’He is the right person to hold such position. I expect great changes in the management and general performance of the Parliament,’’ Kainga noted.
On his part, the Secretary General of the Tanzania Forum Group for Rural Transport and Development, Adam Msenga, said: ’’Saying that he will not spare ministers who would give shallow answers is in itself a positive step.’’
He said the work ahead for the new Speaker is to ensure that questions posed by MPs and answers from ministers focused the reduction of poverty and enhance economic growth and development.
’’If political debates in the Parliament will not be reflected on development, the change of Speaker would be useless,’’ Msenga said.
The National Chairman of NCCR-Mageuzi, James Mbatia said ’’standard and speed’’ as pronounced by the new Speaker would hardly work if the parliamentary regulations and rules would not change.
He proposed to the new Speaker to overhaul the House’s regulations and rules and adopt new system that would enhance productive, democratic debates and encourage contributions from MPs.
Said he: ’’The present regulations allocates only 15 minutes to each MP to comment on a ministry’s budget.
Two ministries’ budgets are discussed within a day before being endorsed.’’
’’Actually, there is no live debates and discussions in the current systems. ’Standard and speed’ as he calls himself cannot be realised under these old and outdated systems,’’ added the opposition leader.
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