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Privatisation:We need to reflect afresh
2005-05-22 08:13:58
By Editor
It is the wish of every Tanzanian that the national economy should be vibrant, because then, he or she becomes a beneficiary one way or another.
A shaky economy, on the other hand, would turn the people into losers, because with little or no benefits resulting from such an economy, how can they be beneficiaries?
Whatever measures the government thus takes periodically to introduce new positive measures for improving the economy, as well as consolidating the achievements already recorded, are heartily welcomed because they are aimed at making the people happier and more resourceful.
The envisaged net effect is that happier and more resourceful people build a stronger economy that in turns promotes economic and social welfare.
The privatisation and joint venture policy, plus attendant implementation that have been in motion over the past few years, are intended to be a valuable input into the nation‘s economic sector, the thrust being on strengthening it.
The exercises have a theoretical and practical side, and the benefits can be felt and appreciated only if whatever its merits being publicised and defended are backed up by actions that demonstrate that they are tenable and beneficial.
Much as retrenchment——voluntary and compulsory——of workers of state-owned paratastal firms is hurtful, the psychological and related injuries can be healed if evidence is produced that privatised firms run by fewer , presumably more qualified people operating in a technologically sounder environment are better economic machines.
They would have cause to rejoice, as would their Tanzanian compatriots as a whole.
Sadly, however, the picture is not wholly rosy, as ample evidence in regard to Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL , Tanzania Electric Supply company (Tanesco) and, lately, City Water, shows.
TTCL is beset with staff-management wrangling; Tanesco‘s performance has not improved considerably, and City Water—the termination of whose contract has triggered a crisis——didn‘t meet the expectations of water consumers.
It is apparent that there are weaknesses in the way privatization and joint venture schemes are handled, which ought to be addressed.
For we surely must have learnt that foreigners are not miracle workers and that our country has a crop of managers and technical cadre that can do wonders, if availed a sufficiently conducive environment.
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