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MPs say life unbearable as living costs skyrocket
2009-02-09 10:31:49
By Lusekelo Philemon, Dodoma
2009-02-09 10:31:49
By Lusekelo Philemon, Dodoma
Members of Parliament have expressed concern over the increasing costs of living, saying government statements that the country`s economy was stabilising were contrary to the reality.
Commenting on last week`s Finance and Economic Affairs minister Mustafa Mkulo report on global economic crisis and its impact to Tanzania, the MPs said that the prevailing government statistics did not correspond with the actual people`s lives.
``Out there the inflation is very high, but the government says that the country`s economy remains stable,`` said Mbozi East MP, Godfrey Zambi.
He added: ``Right now the price of a mango is between 500/- and 600/-. It is stunning to say that the country`s economy is stable...this is too much,`` said the MP.
He further said that the prevailing global economic slump shouldn`t be taken as an excuse, but rather the government should do something to avert the alarming situation.
``The government and its organs should put more practical efforts to strengthen the economy. High prices of food in the market brings a very negative impact to the economy,`` he noted.
Magu MP Dr Festus Limbu said: ``This is a worse global economic meltdown, that needs extra efforts to bring things to normal.``
He however suggested that the next fiscal budget should reflect on economic recession.
``To me I see this as the end of capitalism...how come capitalists failed to normalise the situation, which resulted from their own problems,`` said Njombe North legislator Jackson Makweta.
Let us change our direction and start looking at what the Chinese are doing, the Western countries have failed to normalise the situation facing the world, he observed.
He said its impact affected much the low-income earners, hence there must be a proper way to ensure that Tanzania`s natural resources were wisely tapped and used.
Vedastus Manyinyi (Msoma Urban, CCM) also suggested that the only way for Tanzania to cut down inflation, was to practically invest seriously in agriculture.
Echoing the idea Basil Pesambili Mramba (Rombo,CCM) said inflation was skyrocketing, hence there was need to put in place a mechanism to contain it.
Mramba also said that there was a need to call an emergency consultative meeting among the stakeholders to discuss the matter and find positive solutions.
Kinondoni legislator Azan Zungu said: ``Already some local companies in the country have started to re-trench employees because of growing fears associated with the international economic slump.``
Other MPs who contributed to the debate included Juma Ngasongwa, Prof. Idris Mtulia, Dr Binilith Mahenge, Bernadetta Mshashu, Hasnain Gulamabbas Dewji.
SOURCE: Guardian
