From LEONARD MWAKALEBELA in Dodoma, 9th February 2011 @ 04:36
DAILY NEWS
THE government is expected to move a bill to kick-start constitutional review process in April.
The Prime Minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda, told the National Assembly here on Tuesday that the government has decided to move the crucial bill in order to involve fully legislators and the general public.
Mr Pinda said despite the fact that the president has the mandate to lead the process, the government had decided to table the bill so as to get more views.
"Articles of the Union mandates the president to form a Constituent Assembly whose members come from both sides of the Union.
"... but in order to broaden democracy, the government will table the bill in April in order to fully involve the National Assembly and the public in general," Mr Pinda told the cheering MPs.
The prime minister noted that the MPs would air the views on the structure and composition of Constitution Review Commission, terms of reference, membership and modus operandi.
Mr Pinda explained past experiences in which the president formed Justice Francis Nyalali Commission and Justice Kisanga Commission which enabled the government to amend the Constitution.
He said that the move to table the bill was aimed at writing the Constitution which would accommodate unfolding challenges and be compatible to 50 years of the country's independence.
Mr Pinda, however, said the current Constitution was still good, having led the country into peaceful and prosperous nation.
The prime minister urged the MPs to educate the public on the constitution review process and thanked Tanzanians for their sobriety all the time.
Mr Pinda also called on Tanzanians to protect and maintain peace and harmony at all costs because they are the country's major resources.
On Monday the Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr Thomas Kashililah, said the House would not discuss private motion proposed by Mr John Mnyika (Ubungo-Chadema) on the constitution review on grounds that the government had already started the process to review the constitution.