Privatisation: Good for foreigners, bad for Tanzanians

[BAK]

Privatisation: Good for foreigners, bad for Tanzanians

By KARL LYIMO lyimok@gmail.com
THE EAST AFRICAN

In 1992/93, Tanzania undertook a privatisation programme that was expected to hand the private-sector the reins of the economy.

Over two decades earlier in 1967, the Nyerere administration had promulgated the Arusha Declaration on Socialism, leading to wholesale nationalisation that turned the economy on its head.

THE PRODUCTIVE SECTORS OF THE economy had largely been in private hands. President Julius Nyerere’s socio-economic philosophy was to put the commanding heights of the economy in government hands.

That marked the beginning of the end of private enterprise — as it is known to the world — and the end of sustainable socio-economic development.

THERE WERE TOO MANY COOKS — AND too many thieves — in the new parastatal sector. It became a field where leaders could reap without having sowed.

The Declaration soon became a failed experiment in socialism — and the scapegoat for an economy crippled by mismanagement and embezzlement.

INEVITABLY, THE DONORS PRESCRIBED privatisation as the antidote. Hence the 1992/93 programme orchestrated by the Public Sector Reform Commission.

Fifteen years later, the programme was ended and the crocodile tears began to flow fast and furious.

PLANNING AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERment Minister Juma Ngasongwa has publicly admitted that the government made serious errors in implementing the programme.

MR NGASONGWA “REGRETS” THAT THE programme ended with much of the economy in the hands of foreign investors, not the Tanzanians it was intended to benefit! But what the minister does not say is why the programme failed so miserably.

Perhaps that is the reason president Jakaya Kikwete ordered a review of the mining policy, legislation and extant contracts by a committee chaired by Justice (retired) Mark Bomani. The regime is heavily lopsided in favour of foreign mining conglomerates.

ADMITTEDLY, SUCH INVESTMENTS ARE strictly not privatisation; they’re mostly direct investments in new ventures. But the impact is virtually the same — good for the foreigners, bad for Tanzanians. Hence the rationale of lumping together privatisation and new investments (especially in the extractive industries) as inimical to national interests.

While we await the bomani findings, we should honestly revisit the privatisation exercise — if only for historical purposes and lessons for future generations.

LET’S FACE IT, IMPLEMENTATION OF privatisation was riddled with ineptitude, fraud, corruption and subterfuge.

Take, for example, the privatisation of the former Kilimanjaro Hotel, and the Novotel Mount Meru. Tanzanians were shut out in the most blatant manner, and it took ages before the establishments were dropped limply in the laps of foreigners. Why?

OVERALL, THE PROGRAMME WAS DERAILED for the benefit of a handful of the powerful and corrupt on both sides of the privatisation table. It is indeed a sign of the rot among top-echelon leaders when they can brazenly shed crocodile tears for criminally devouring the national cake — and getting away with it!

Karl Lyimo is a freelance journalist based in Dar.

 

[mstahiki]

http://www.tanzaniaports.com/Speeches/speech.htm

Click below to view the presentation

 

[Kasana]

THERE WERE TOO MANY COOKS — AND too many thieves — in the new parastatal sector. It became a field where leaders could reap without having sowed.

and they still exist,
Privitazation for benefit of Tanzanians is still a nightmare!

 

[Bongolander]

We need to remind ourselves what brought us here. The running of all factories, companies and parastatals were highly politicized to the extent that all became impotent and burden to the government. The main reason why we chose to privatise, was to deal this problem. The results at the begining and to date were very promising, most of the companies which were privatised restarted prodution, paying taxes to the government etc etc. We see today a lot of improvements in all areas where there is foreign element in the management and production,unlike before.
The problem were facing today is, these collected taxes are being syphoned by few in deals like that of Richmond, EPA etc etc etc and are not directed where they are supposed to be, we should blame ourselves on this not those who we invited. Statements like that of Ngasongwa are very socialist, the last thing we need now.

 

[Jasusi]

We need to remind ourselves what brought us here. The running of all factories, companies and parastatals were highly politicized to the extent that all became impotent and burden to the government. The main reason why we chose to privatise, was to deal this problem. The results at the begining and to date were very promising, most of the companies which were privatised restarted prodution, paying taxes to the government etc etc. We see today a lot of improvements in all areas where there is foreign element in the management and production,unlike before.
The problem were facing today is, these collected taxes are being syphoned by few in deals like that of Richmond, EPA etc etc etc and are not directed where they are supposed to be, we should blame ourselves on this not those who we invited. Statements like that of Ngasongwa are very socialist, the last thing we need now.

Bongolander,
We must also admit that there was a lot of dishonesty and corruption in the whole process of privatization. Where a Tanzanian was able the tendency was to give to the foreigner. There was a time Mr. Mkapa was heard saying that only foreigners are "serious investors." Some foreigners came with nothing and left millionaires.

 

[Kalamu]

We need to remind ourselves what brought us here. The running of all factories, companies and parastatals were highly politicized to the extent that all became impotent and burden to the government. The main reason why we chose to privatise, was to deal this problem. The results at the begining and to date were very promising, most of the companies which were privatised restarted prodution, paying taxes to the government etc etc. We see today a lot of improvements in all areas where there is foreign element in the management and production,unlike before.
The problem were facing today is, these collected taxes are being syphoned by few in deals like that of Richmond, EPA etc etc etc and are not directed where they are supposed to be, we should blame ourselves on this not those who we invited. Statements like that of Ngasongwa are very socialist, the last thing we need now.

Bongolander: Ninakubaliana na wewe kwa kiasi kikubwa kwamba ni sisi wenyewe(hapana, watawala wetu) ndio wanastahili kulaumiwa kutokana na hali duni ya kimanufaa kwa mwananchi wa kawaida inayotokana na kuyauzamashirika na viwanda. Mimi nadiriki kusema kuwa ni 'model' ile ile inayowaletea Wakenya matatizo ndio na sisi hawa wakubwa wanayotuletea Tanzania. Tusipobadili mwenendo huo, miaka sio mingi nasi tutajikuta kama hao wenzetu huko Kaskazini - Too much inequality and injustices brews hatred.

Kwa wenye kujua vizuri mambo haya naomba niulize swali: Hivi hao wawekezaji wangepewa masharti ya kuwekeza yakiwa ni pamoja na kuwashirikisha wananchi katika uwekezaji huo isingewezekana? Nitoe mfano wa Buzwagi. Pale tayari walikuwepo wachimbaji wadogo wa dhahabu, na pia walikuwepo wakazi wenyeji wa siku nyingi walionyang'anywa makazi yao na kuhamishwa kwenda kuishi kwingine, baada labda ya kupewa vishilingi kidogo ambavyo wengi huenda walishavifyeka zamani na sasa ni maskini wa kuchoma! Je, hawa watu badala yake wangepewa vihisa kidogo katika mgodi huo kulingana na thamani ya mali zao lisingekuwa jambo zuri zaidi? Mbona wananchi wa huko majuu wananunua hisa hizo za Barrick?

Wataalam, tuelezeni, ni vipi hili lisingewezekana?
Kwa maana wanachi wenzetu hao tungejua kuwa kila Barrick watakapokuwa wananeemeka na bei nzuri ya dhahabu kama sasa, na wenzetu hao wange

 

[BAK]

Bongolander, Some foreigners came with nothing and left millionaires.

That is very true! and only in Tanzania

 

[Jasusi]

Kwa wenye kujua vizuri mambo haya naomba niulize swali: Hivi hao wawekezaji wangepewa masharti ya kuwekeza yakiwa ni pamoja na kuwashirikisha wananchi katika uwekezaji huo isingewezekana? Nitoe mfano wa Buzwagi. Pale tayari walikuwepo wachimbaji wadogo wa dhahabu, na pia walikuwepo wakazi wenyeji wa siku nyingi walionyang'anywa makazi yao na kuhamishwa kwenda kuishi kwingine, baada labda ya kupewa vishilingi kidogo ambavyo wengi huenda walishavifyeka zamani na sasa ni maskini wa kuchoma! Je, hawa watu badala yake wangepewa vihisa kidogo katika mgodi huo kulingana na thamani ya mali zao lisingekuwa jambo zuri zaidi? Mbona wananchi wa huko majuu wananunua hisa hizo za Barrick?
/quote]

Mwalimu, kabla ya kufariki alisafiri sana Tanzania. Alipita Mererani kujionea mwenyewe mambo yakoje na kushauri raia wapewe hatimiliki ya maeneo ya machimbo yao. Pia alishauri kuwa Tanzania lazima ishikilie asilimia zaidi ya hamsini katika miradi yote na wawekezaji wa kigeni, akitaka kila mradi awemo Mtanzania. Hawa akina Mkapa na wote waliotekeleza zoezi la ubinafsishaji wakamwona zezeta. Kaburu akapewa asilimia 100% na Sinclair akapewa hakimiliki ya madini yoooote yaliyopo Tanzania. Yaani hata leo ikija kampuni ya kigeni inataka kuchimba nickel au madini yeyote yatakayopatikana in future, kampuni hiyo inalazimika kumlipa Sinclair, na si Tanzania royalty. Go figure! Sisi tunabaki kuambulia 1.9% peke yake maana zile nyingine zinaenda kwa wakaguzi wa mabuku.

 

[Mpanda Merikebu]

Kwa wenye kujua vizuri mambo haya naomba niulize swali: Hivi hao wawekezaji wangepewa masharti ya kuwekeza yakiwa ni pamoja na kuwashirikisha wananchi katika uwekezaji huo isingewezekana? Nitoe mfano wa Buzwagi. Pale tayari walikuwepo wachimbaji wadogo wa dhahabu, na pia walikuwepo wakazi wenyeji wa siku nyingi walionyang'anywa makazi yao na kuhamishwa kwenda kuishi kwingine, baada labda ya kupewa vishilingi kidogo ambavyo wengi huenda walishavifyeka zamani na sasa ni maskini wa kuchoma! Je, hawa watu badala yake wangepewa vihisa kidogo katika mgodi huo kulingana na thamani ya mali zao lisingekuwa jambo zuri zaidi? Mbona wananchi wa huko majuu wananunua hisa hizo za Barrick?
/quote]

Mwalimu, kabla ya kufariki alisafiri sana Tanzania. Alipita Mererani kujionea mwenyewe mambo yakoje na kushauri raia wapewe hatimiliki ya maeneo ya machimbo yao. Pia alishauri kuwa Tanzania lazima ishikilie asilimia zaidi ya hamsini katika miradi yote na wawekezaji wa kigeni, akitaka kila mradi awemo Mtanzania. Hawa akina Mkapa na wote waliotekeleza zoezi la ubinafsishaji wakamwona zezeta. Kaburu akapewa asilimia 100% na Sinclair akapewa hakimiliki ya madini yoooote yaliyopo Tanzania. Yaani hata leo ikija kampuni ya kigeni inataka kuchimba nickel au madini yeyote yatakayopatikana in future, kampuni hiyo inalazimika kumlipa Sinclair, na si Tanzania royalty. Go figure! Sisi tunabaki kuambulia 1.9% peke yake maana zile nyingine zinaenda kwa wakaguzi wa mabuku.

Chief Jasusi,

Kwa kweli umenichefua na taarifa yako juu ya Sinclair...sikujua kuwa amepewa hatimiliki ya madini yote. Hivi kweli wanaJF hatuwezi kufanya investigation na kuonyesha huu uozo kupitia investigative news avenues like 60 minutes? Huyu Sinclair anatamba kwenye Wall Street Journal akidai na bingwa wa soko la dhahabu na kuishi maisha ya anasa huko somewhere in New England states wakati watu wameuawa Bulyanhuru, Buzwagi inaendelea kuihakikishia Tanzania nafasi ya chini kama one of the poorest countries in the world.

Maybe this should be a challenge for JF members...to expose all foreign-born fisadis. Tukumbuke the impact the film "Blood Diamond" had in that industry, once diamond buyers learned what really happens in the mines, and maybe this attitude can help our cause.

 

[Kalamu]

Chief Jasusi,

Kwa kweli umenichefua na taarifa yako juu ya Sinclair...sikujua kuwa amepewa hatimiliki ya madini yote. Hivi kweli wanaJF hatuwezi kufanya investigation na kuonyesha huu uozo kupitia investigative news avenues like 60 minutes? Huyu Sinclair anatamba kwenye Wall Street Journal akidai na bingwa wa soko la dhahabu na kuishi maisha ya anasa huko somewhere in New England states wakati watu wameuawa Bulyanhuru, Buzwagi inaendelea kuihakikishia Tanzania nafasi ya chini kama one of the poorest countries in the world.

Maybe this should be a challenge for JF members...to expose all foreign-born fisadis. Tukumbuke the impact the film "Blood Diamond" had in that industry, once diamond buyers learned what really happens in the mines, and maybe this attitude can help our cause.

Jasusi na Mpanda Merikebu:
Kwani haiwezekani maoni kama haya ya kuwashirikisha wananchi yakapelekwa kwa kamati ya Bomani/Zitto inayofanya kazi wakati huu ili yapewe uzito unaostahili katika ripoti yao watakayoitoa?

Wenye ukaribu na kamati hiyo, je, mnaweza kupenyeza mawazo hayo kama bado hawajayaangalia? Tusikubali kubaki kuwa wasindikizaji tu katika mambo ya nchi yetu.

 

[Azimio Jipya]

From:Re: Petition: Bunge lipitie na kuchunguza Mikataba yote!
http://www.jamboforums.com/showthread.php?t=9765

Quote: mpanda merikebu

Ningeshauri serikali isitishe mipango ya kuweka mikataba mipya effectively ili sheria mpya itungwe yenye kuhakikisha kuwa maslahi ya Taifa yanapatikana kwanza. Kisha, mikataba iliyopitishwa ichunguzwe upya, itenguliwe na kisha kuandika upya.

Sioni kwanini viongozi wa serikali wanakubali kupitisha mikataba ambayo haina at least 50% ya faida inabakia Tanzania. Hata kama hawa Barrick na makabaila wengine watatengeneza barabara au kujenga hospitali nk, hiyo wafanye kwa hiari yao wenyewe, cha msingi ni kuwa serikali inapata walau nusu ya kile kilichovunwa.

Tuliambiwa kuwa adui wa maendeleo ni umasikini, ujinga na maradhi. Evidently wakati huo ufisadi ulikuwa haujagunduliwa! Ufisadi huu wa 10% kwa viongozi ndio unaotumaliza kuliko ujinga, umasikini na pengine maradhi!

Mpanda merikebu:

Kiukweli kabisa,..I found your view very validy. Ningepeda kusisitiza concept ya "SEED MONEY" Jirani yalo mwenye shida ya chakula hutumii tatizo hilo kumtawala na kumshuhia heshima. Haumpi chakuala ili umtawela na Kumnyayasa.

Unampa "MBEGU"..akatoe jasho lake kondeni alime ..akavune na msimu ujao arudishe "MBEGU". Hivyo sio kumtawala na Kumshushia hadhi kama ungempa chakula .... na kisha kikimalizika ..anomba tena....that is not good enough. NCHI KWA NCHI TUNGEPEANA MBEGU. Mavuno sio ya mtoa mbegu..ila na ya mtoa jasho shambani..HUU NDIO USAWA NA UTU. Hata kama mtoa mbegu atahitaji alipwe faida kidogo....ni sawa lakini akijua na kuheshimu kuwa mavuno sio yake..na atalipwa kwa namna isiyomfanya kutawala mavuno kwani NI KWELI KUWA sio yake...!!Hata kama Ni madini ya buzwagi.

Hela yote ya msaada inayoingia Tz iwe sio ya kutufanya tutawaliwe,tunyanyaswe,kuonewa na waliotupa msaada..Ni mbegu tu..!!Its just a seed money. Tuna nguvu akili na jasho letu wenyewe to work hard..mpaka kurudushi SEED MONEY.

"Seed money"
..Hata kama ni kuchimba madini...sio yao..watumpe mbegu..Technology transafer..Education seed ..etc wakimaliza waondoke ..au kitu kama hicho..na hatuwezi kuwachia wadhani madini ni yao au wayatawale..watupe seed money au seed techmology..etc tuwalipe na kamwe hatuwezi kulipana nusu kwa nusu ..kwani hiyo haitafanya waone kuwa madini siyo yao..Lazima iwe below 50% kwao ili kuonesha nguvu ya mwenya mali. Naogelea utu na ubinaadamu kwnye contracts

Huo ndio usawa, heshima, haki, utu..ubinaadamu..etc. Kama mwekezaji hataki hivyo..arudi kwao...!!!

Mali au rasilimali ya taifa ni ya tanzania na watanzania....na wakati wote wa mkataba ..hilo liwe wazi na liheshimike.hata kwa vizazi vijavyo.

Sawa hatuwezi kufanya biashara kama kisiwa..tunahitaji kushirikiaana....etc but katika mahusiano ya MBEGU..SEED MONEY..SEED TECHNOLOGY, SEED EDUCATION,SEED SKILLS ETC. hii itatufanya watanzania Tuwe makini kwenye kutoa jasho letu na kuwa wachapakazi..kwani Mbegu ukiifanyia mzaha..huvuni. Ninarejea hili kama msingi wa SIASA YA KUJITEGEMEA kama mambavyo Liko kwenye katiba ya muugano taifa tanzania.Mungu ibariki Tz

 

[Azimio Jipya]

From:Re: “Wafadhili wa Kimataifa = Mafisadi Wakubwa”:: Kuliko Mafisadi waliondani ya nchi
http://www.jamboforums.com/showthread.php?t=9722

Quote: MADELA WA- MADILU
Kwanza:.... Wafadhili wa nje wanatoa fedha wengi kwa nia njema, nia njema pekee haisadii kama sisi wapokeaji tumejaa mawazo yenye nia ya kujinufaisha katika ubinafsi wetu.

Pili:.....Sisi watanzania hatuko tayari kusema ukweli kwamba, wengi wetu kama siyo wote tumejaa mawazo ya wizi kwa mfano wa wizi alio ufanya MH Former PM Lowassa.Tunaiba kwa sababu tunadhani kuna kundi la watu waitwao wafadhili ambao kazi yao ni kujazia pengo tulilo liacha kwa wizi.

Tatu:......Wafadili wa kimataifa hawana uwezo wa kufanya ufisadi Tanzania bila sisi Watanzania wenyewe kuwaruhusu kwa moyo mmoja kufanya hivyo.

Nimevutiwa zaidi na vipengele vitatu!

Kwanza: Nia njema yao tunaiharibu sisi wenyewe, nakubalina kabisa kuwa hapa tatizo ni la kwetu. Nilifikiri wangetakiwa wawe na nia njema iliyozidi hiyo kwa Vipi? Waone upuzi wetu na hivyo wasiiedelee kuwapa wapuuzi misaada. Swali kwani nini uwepe wapuuzi na wabinafsi Misaada huku ukijua fika ni wabinafsi, waharibifu nk? Kama sio kuwa unataka kuwakamua kifisadi? Nia njema ya kweli an kubwa kuliko hiyo unayosema ingekuwa ni kuwakatia na kuwanyima miasaada;Kwangu hiyo ndio nia njeama na sio kuendelea kutupumbaza kwa faida yao!!

Pili: Tunaiba na kutawanya hivyo maana wafadhilili watatupa zaidi na zaidi..The same argument kama wafadhili wanajua tunafikra za kijinga namnahiyo na wanania njema sana na sisi..wangetunyima misaada tu maana tunafikra za kijinga..kama wao sio mafisadi wanatupa miasaada ya nini ..kama sio kutonyonaya ndani ya ujinga wetu? Ili nisiwaite mafisadi watunyime Misaada.Kwani wakitunyima Nini kitatokea? Tuzidi kuwa wajinga au Kuna uwezekano wa kumaka. Na kama kuna uwezekano wa kuamaka na wao wanajua..Ni dhahiri hawataki tuamke ndio maana hawataupuka kuitwa mafisadi kamili.

Tatu: Hawawezi kufanya ufisadi wa kimataifa bila sisi kuwaruhusu. That is right na hata wao wanjua hivyo. Kama wanajua kuwa sisi ni majuha na bado wanatumia ujuha wetu kututumia kutekeleza ufisadi wao ..mimi nachagua kuita kitendo hicho ufisadi. Naningependa watanzania wajue wanaonekana hivyo,wanafaa kutumika, haweheshimiki, wanachezewa na hivyo waamke kwenye unyonge huo!!Lakini hao wanajua udhaifu wetu na kuutumia huku wakisema wana nia njema na sisi..Sioni kwanini waisitwe mafisadi.

Kama Tunajeuri ya kupingana na Ufisadi Ni rahisi tu! Tuungane nchi nzima tuwaeleze waelewe kuwa tunawaita Mafisadi. Unajua kwanini tunaogopa sisi na viongozi wetu kuona kama ninavyoonyesha na kwanini hakuna wa kufungua mdomo, Hata rais na kuwaeleza ukweli? Sisi ni wanyoge Tumeganda fikra na maono,hatuwezi kuishi bila kuuedekeza ufisadi wao. tunajifanya sio ufisadi, tunarembesha sauti na sentensi tusije kuharibu mahusiano haya ya kifisadi.. Wamefanikiwa kutufanya SOKO!!

 

[Rev. Kishoka]

Bongolander,
We must also admit that there was a lot of dishonesty and corruption in the whole process of privatization. Where a Tanzanian was able the tendency was to give to the foreigner. There was a time Mr. Mkapa was heard saying that only foreigners are "serious investors." Some foreigners came with nothing and left millionaires.

Jasusi,

Viwanda na mashirika yetu hayakufa kwa ajili wa wizi, rushwa au kukosa ubunifu na ufanisi pekee. Welfare subsidies given to employees and families also contibuted to the down fall of most of our companies.

The idea to supplement Government responsibility to create a great health care system or creative ways to enrich a middle class ended in these companies striving to improve the living conditions of the employees, hence emergence of artificial middle class made up by the working class.

This is a fact and we should not run away from it!

 

[Manda]

I personal think privatisation as a policy was something un avoidable to our country one day, the problem ni kwamba tulikimbilia ubinafsishaji bila kufikiri kwa makini ni nini tunabinafsisha na kwa manufaa gani kwa taifa letu. So far si kila kitu kibaya tunachoweza kusema juu ya ubinafsishaji kwani kuna baadhi ya mazuri ambayo tumefaidi ila tunacho lia ni kwamba still tulikuwa na uwezo wa kufaidi zaidi ya hapa.Binafsi sina shida kama mgeni au mzawa abinafsishiwe an organisation, ila ni nini huyu mwekezaji ata deliver kwa maslahi ya taifa, thats all!, there fore we need to learn from mistakes, kauli kama ya Ngaswongwa might be true lakini this is type of politicians tulionao.. 'say s'thing which they cant do and the opposite is alo true"