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Natural Resources and Tourism Ministry under fire
2006-07-15 10:07:40
By Pastory Nguvu, Dodoma
The Opposition took the government to task yesterday over allegations that some senior officials in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) took part in the illegal harvesting and export of forest products.
It demanded to be told why action had not been taken against the Director of Wildlife who refused to accept a transfer and instead opted to remain in the same office contrary to regulations governing the civil service.
Opposition spokesperson on Tourism and Natural Resources Magdalena Sakaya told the House yesterday that irresponsible government officers were tarnishing President Jakaya Kikwete government.
Sakaya was responding to the MNRT budget, which was presented in the House by minister in charge, Anthony Diallo.
”Honourable Speaker, the Opposition congratulates the government for being aware that there are some known MNRT senior officials who are major accomplices in illegal sale of forest products. But to know that there are corrupt officers and allow them to remain in office without taking action is to fail the government,” she said
She added: ”Since the leaders are known, the Opposition would like to be told what measures the government had taken to bring culprits involved in the illegal sale of forest products to justice.”
Citing a report by the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, chaired by Job Ndugai, she said the commission had recommended that the officials who had defied their transfers be disciplined. However, no action had been taken.
In his budget estimates, Diallo requested the House to approve a total of 59.7 bn/-for the 2006/07 financial year.
He said MNRT would increase patrols around state-owned resources such as wildlife sanctuaries, lakes and forests.
He said that a total of 4,434 patrols would be conducted along the coastal areas and Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa and Lake Tanganyika.
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