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Kabwe queries ATCL plane acquisition
2008-07-03 10:36:23
By Hannah Mwandoloma, Dodoma
The parliamentary opposition yesterday demanded explanations over alleged loss incurred by the government through purchase and hire of four Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) planes.
Giving the opposition`s viewpoint on budget estimates of the ministry of Infrastructure Development, Zitto Kabwe (Chadema-Kigoma North) said they possessed information that all the airplanes that were purchased last year were not airworthy.
``We have heard that two of the four airplanes bought last year-B737-200 and B737-700/800-were acquired in a doubtful manner and are currently not even working properly.
We are giving ATCL the benefit of doubt, so we need a clear explanation from the government,`` Kabwe told the House.
The MP said it was a pity to learn that ATCL was transporting only half the number of passengers flying with Precision Air.
``This is shameful. ATCL is supposed to the pride of the nation. After all, it had been there long before Precision Air,`` he said.
Presenting his 2008/09 budget estimates yesterday, the minister for Infrastructure Development Dr. Shukuru Kawambwa said the government would in this financial year buy two more airplanes with 72 passenger capacity each.
Dr. Kawambwa said ATCL would also hire a B737-200 or any other airplane of the same capacity as part of a strategy of making Julius Nyerere International Airport the hub of Eastern and Central Africa.
The minister said ATCL was set to expand services to Bukoba, Shinyanga, Lindi and Pemba as well as starting trips to Mumbai, India.
Meanwhile, a House Committee has called on the government to review the current system in use at Tanzania Railway Limited (TRL) of sharing top management positions.
Presenting their recommendations to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development yesterday, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure Development, Alhaj Missanga (CCM-South Singida), said all TRL top posts were occupied by Indians.
``The privatisation of TRL was completed last year and the Indian company-RITE-acquired 51 per cent of shares as the government remained with 49 per cent of total company shares.
We believe there is a need for TRL to have Tanzanians in top positions and not the foreign investors occupying all by themselves.
The government should make sure that this is done,`` said Missanga.
Speaking shortly after Dr. Kawambwa had presented his 2008/09 budget estimates, Missanga said the problem of railway transportation had become chronic.
``The only solution for easing chronic problems of railway transportation is for the government to sit together with both the investor and staff members and discuss on better ways to overcome existing hurdles,`` Missanga said.
Missanga said the House Committee was not satisfied with plans of reintroducing passenger railway transportation from Dar es Salaam- Tanga- Arusha as well as improving the Tabora -Mpanda and Manyoni- Singida routes, as signs indicated that implementation would take too long.
Speaking of Tanzania and Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), Missanga claimed that top positions particularly that of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) were monopolised by one partner, Zambia, for quite a long period, adding that the government should also review the contract of ownership.
Dr. Kawambwa asked Parliament to endorse 801,961,340,900/- as the annual budget for his ministry.
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