|
Opposition vents anger
2007-01-21 10:42:08
By Raymond Kaminyoge
Leaders of the political opposition camp have asked government leaders who were involved in the radar purchase deal to resign immediately, to facilitate proper investigations.
The call was made in Dar es Salaam yesterday, at the climax of a procession organized expressly for voicing misgivings about alleged corruption in government circles, of which the radar scandal has been cited as one of the glaring manifestations.
Five parties, embracing leaders, members and supporters, took part in the procession and subsequent rally.
The parties are Civic United Front, Chadema, Tanzania Labour Party, UDP and NCCR-Mageuzi. Ubungo Maji was the starting point of the nearly two-hour procession that started at 11 am and climaxed at the Jangwani grounds.
CUF National Chairman Professor Ibrahim Lipumba stressed that a thorough probe into the “scandal” must be conducted and legal action taken against the culprits.
He decried the tendency of a few crafty individuals enriching themselves illegally off collective national resources while many Tanzanians were suffering due to economic hardships.
The CUF leader also decried what he claimed was the tendency of pouncing on small-time bribe seekers, givers and recipients, but sparing big-timers for alleged lack of adequate evidence to pin them down.
The opposition, he said, was deeply upset and angered by the 15b/- that had been pocketed corruptibly in the radar purchase, and only appropriate action against those involved would placate them.
The sentiments were echoed by NCCR-Mageuzi Chairman James Mbatia, who said lack of earnest action against corrupt characters cultivated hatred amongst wananchi for their government.
He said the Freedom of Information Bill that has generated controversy, would weaken the anti-corruption drive.
The UDP boss, John Cheyo said, the money related to the radar deal would have been beneficially spent on stocking medicine in public hospitals.
TLP Chairman claimed that pressure from the Western world was instrumental in influencing acquisition of the radar at more than 50b/-.
Britain‘s reputed newspaper, The Guardian, made disclosures recently, about corruption in the radar purchase deal.
It alleged that a sum of 12 million US dollars (about 15 billion Tanzanian shillings) was secretly deposited into the Swiss bank account of one of the individuals who played a role in the deal.
|
