Secret deals: Govt dares investors

[BAK]

Attorney General Frederick Werema.PHOTO|FILE
By The Citizen Reporter

Posted Sunday, October 5 2014 at 09:09
In Summary
But the government has come back with its own denial. Besides saying the accusations are baseless, it wants the investors to be the first to make their deals public if their allegations are truly honest. The counter-claim has bamboozled observers, with many wondering who is fooling who.

Dar es Salaam. After investors accused it of secrecy surrounding contracts, the government has dared its critics to go public with whatever details they choose to disclose. According to senior officials, including ministers, there is no law or regulation that stands in their way.

Many of the officials said they were surprised by the claims since it was the investors who ask for confidentiality, mostly for commercial reasons. One minister said the investors ask for secrecy because it helps them hold off competition and gives them an edge over business rivals.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he told The Citizen on Sunday in Dodoma last week: "The government has never asked anyone or directed them to keep the contracts secret… We do not have any policy or law that binds them not to disclose contracts. They can do so if they wish."

A fortnight ago, this paper exclusively reported that investors were ready to disclose their contracts with the government but for the latter's opposition. They blamed the secrecy surrounding the contracts on the government and said they saw no reason to keep the deals confidential.

For many years, the impression created by the authorities was that it was the investors who wanted the details of the contracts to stay under wraps. Gas and mining investors who spoke on the matter said the opposite was the truth.

But the government has come back with its own denial. Besides saying the accusations are baseless, it wants the investors to be the first to make their deals public if their allegations are truly honest. The counter-claim has bamboozled observers, with many wondering who is fooling who.

"The solution here would be in a specialised legal framework that demands for transparency from all parties," said Mr Joel Nanauka of IQ Management Services said.

According to him, such disclosures should not be confined to mining, oil and gas investors but should also include those in other lucrative sectors such as banking and mobile telephony.

There are those who argue that both investors and the authorities have hidden interests in the contracts that they cannot readily disclose.

Transparency

The ruling CCM has also challenged the investors to disclose their contracts if they want to do so. Secretary General Abdulrahman Kinana said doing so would help promote transparency in the management of natural resources and national wealth.

"If those who insisted on confidentiality in the contracts now want them to be public, I have no problem with that," he added. "In fact, it will help promote transparency and let Tanzanians know how their resources are utilised."

Attorney General Frederick Werema says he has never come across a secret contract in his career, especially in public contracting where such deals are uncommon.

According to him, confidentiality has never been absolute and the terms and agreements of any contract can be disclosed with the consent of the parties involved.

Mr Werema challenged the investors accusing the government of secrecy to be the first to make their contracts public.

It was difficult for him to make an informed comment, he added, without information on the contracts being referred to and, moreover, few of the investment contracts had confidentiality clauses.

"Yes, confidentiality in commercial contracts exists," Mr Werema told The Citizen on Sunday. "But such confidentiality is not absolute. The veil can be lifted."

Whereas some people are not particularly concerned about transparency in the contracts, others want safeguards against corruption and incompetency in negotiating them.

Prof Mwesiga Baregu of Saut wants three things guaranteed: Transparency because the people have a right to know, professional competence in negotiations and safeguards against corruption.

The chairman of PanAfrican Energy, Mr Patrick Rutabanzibwa, says that the country's negotiation capacity is still very low but contracts can be balanced if Tanzanians are empowered to follow up the deals.

Activist Moses Kulaba noted: "It is true there is neither regulatory framework nor obligation by either party, so the decision to disclose contracts depends on the goodwill of either party. But this goodwill is overridden by the secrecy and disclosure provisions that are built into the contracts and none of the parties is willing to jump the gun first. If the companies are accusing the government, why can't they show their copies first?"

CC: Tized, Mr Rocky, Chakaza, Elly B, MziziMkavu, Power to the People, Jasusi, Eiyer, idawa, nguruvi, Mentor, Sikonge, Dingswayo, MANI, tpaul, Bramo, Bulesi Bulldog, Sangarara, MTAZAMO, Erythrocyte, Mag3, Mimibaba, zumbemkuu, Crashwise, amkawewe, Idimi, Ogah, Chakaza, mshana jr, joka Kuu, MWALLA, genekai, PRINCE CROWN, Tuko, Shark, lynxeffect22, samaki2011, MoudyBoka, adolay, Elli, nyabhingi, Janjaweed, S.N.Jilala, MEANDU, Tabby, Candid Scope, August, BONGOLALA, Gefu, Bigirita, Kozo Okamoto, Daudi Mchambuzi

 

[BAK]

Hii Serikali inachekesha sana, sasa jukumu la kuweka wazi mikataba kati ya Serikali na wachukuaji (wenyewe wanawaita wawekezaji) sasa wameachiwa wachukuaji!!! Kwa mfano mkataba kati ya Serikali na Statoil toka Norway wa kuchimba gas ambapo Tanzania itapoteza $55 billion kutokana na utapeli uliofanywa na hao Statoil halafu hao hao Statoil ndio waweke details za mkataba huo hadharani na kutwambia Watanzania angalieni huu mkataba nchi yenu itakosa $55 billion kutokana na kuwepo kwa corrupt officials in your government ambao hawakujali maslahi ya nchi bali maslahi yao binafsi!!! Kweli hawa mafisi na mapanya hata woga hawana.

 

[Tuko]

Sometimes nawashangaa viongozi wa umma wanao measure public interests against individual investors interests.
Huwezi ukasema eti kwa kuwa mwekezaji anataka secrecy due to business backgrounds iwanyime wananchi haki yao ya kufahamu jinsi raslimali zao zinavyotumika kama alivyosema Baregu.
Haya maneno ya kejeli ya Werema ni mwendelezo wa ulimbukeni wa baadhi ya viongozi wanaodhani kuwa wamemilikishwa hii nchi na kuwa wananchi hawana maana mbele ya hao wawekezaji.
Hao viongozi watambue kuwa kuna siku watatazama nyuma walivyoiharibu hii nchi kwa tamaa ya fedha na madaraka alafu roho iwaume sana... sure

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

Hii Serikali inachekesha sana, sasa jukumu la kuweka wazi mikataba kati ya Serikali na wachukuaji (wenyewe wanawaita wawekezaji) sasa wameachiwa wachukuaji!!! Kwa mfano mkataba kati ya Serikali na Statoil toka Norway wa kuchimba gas ambapo Tanzania itapoteza $55 billion kutokana na utapeli uliofanywa na hao Statoil halafu hao hao Statoil ndio waweke details za mkataba huo hadharani na kutwambia Watanzania angalieni huu mkataba nchi yenu itakosa $55 billion kutokana na kuwepo kwa corrupt officials in your government ambao hawakujali maslahi ya nchi bali maslahi yao binafsi!!! Kweli hawa mafisi na mapanya hata woga hawana.

Ujumbe wako umefika kwa wahusika iliyo bakia ni utekelezaji hapo ndipo ni pagumu kwa Serikali yetu sikivu asante sana. Mkuu BAK

 

[BAK]

Dr unadhani hawa mapanya na mafisi wanajali kuhusu maslahi ya nchi!? Sasa hivi hawajali kabisa wala hawana woga watatumia mabavu kuitawala nchi huku wakiweka pembeni maslahi ya nchi na kushindana ni nani fisadi mkubwa kuliko mwenzie wa kukwapua pesa za walipa kodi kila kukicha. Angalia jinsi walivyopotezea wizi wa bilioni 200 za Escrow, Richmond $100 million, EPA $133 million, Meremeta $155 million, vitambulisho vya Taifa 300 billion.

Ujumbe wako umefika kwa wahusika iliyo bakia ni utekelezaji hapo ndipo ni pagumu kwa Serikali yetu sikivu asante sana. Mkuu BAK

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

Dr unadhani hawa mapanya na mafisi wanajali kuhusu maslahi ya nchi!? Sasa hivi hawajali kabisa wala hawana woga watatumia mabavu kuitawala nchi huku wakiweka pembeni maslahi ya nchi na kushindana ni nani fisadi mkubwa kuliko mwenzie wa kukwapua pesa za walipa kodi kila kukicha. Angalia jinsi walivyopotezea wizi wa bilioni 200 za Escrow, Richmond $100 million, EPA $133 million, Meremeta $155 million, vitambulisho vya Taifa 300 billion.

Nani anaweza kuwashitaki hao unaowaita Mapanya na Mafisi?Mkuu BAK? Kashindwa Rais hizo kesi kuna Mtu mwengine mkubwa hapo Tanzania Zaidi ya Rais? na ameshindwa hizo kesi kuwafunga hao wahusika ataweza nani hapo Tanzania kuwafunga hao Unaowaita Mapanya na Mafisi? Kesi ya Tumbili na nyani unaweza kumpa mbuzi ili ahukumu?

 

[BAK]

Rais anayejali maslahi ya nchi yake kamwe hawezi kushindwa kuwachukulia hatua kali wezi wote wanaokwapua pesa za walalahoi, ila Rais ambaye yeye mwenyewe si msafi na hata kuingia kwake madarakani kuligubikwa na rushwa ya hali ya juu ya mabilioni ya pesa siku zote ataogopa kuwachukulia hatua wezi kama hawa maana anajua hao wezi wanajua uchafu wake na walishawahi kumtishia hivyo pale alipodai, "sasa tunalivua gamba" na kutaka kuwafukuza wachafuzi wa chama cha wahuni akina Lowassa, Rostam, Chenge na wengineo lakini walipomtisha kwamba wataanika uchafu wake hadharani akagwaya gamba halikuvuliwa tena.

Nani anaweza kuwashitaki hao unaowaita Mapanya na Mafisi?Mkuu BAK? Kashindwa Rais hizo kesi kuna Mtu mwengine mkubwa hapo Tanzania Zaidi ya Rais? na ameshindwa hizo kesi kuwafunga hao wahusika ataweza nani hapo Tanzania kuwafunga hao Unaowaita Mapanya na Mafisi? Kesi ya Tumbili na nyani unaweza kumpa mbuzi ili ahukumu?

 

[Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu]

Rais anayejali maslahi ya nchi yake kamwe hawezi kushindwa kuwachukulia hatua kali wezi wote wanaokwapua pesa za walalahoi, ila Rais ambaye yeye mwenyewe si msafi na hata kuingia kwake madarakani kuligubikwa na rushwa ya hali ya juu ya mabilioni ya pesa siku zote ataogopa kuwachukulia hatua wezi kama hawa maana anajua hao wezi wanajua uchafu wake na walishawahi kumtishia hivyo pale alipodai, "sasa tunalivua gamba" na kutaka kuwafukuza wachafuzi wa chama cha wahuni akina Lowassa, Rostam, Chenge na wengineo lakini walipomtisha kwamba wataanika uchafu wake hadharani akagwaya gamba halikuvuliwa tena.

Kazi ipo hapo ndio maana nikakwambia haiwezekani hapo nyumbani Kumpata Kiongozi Mkuu atakaye washitaki na kuwapeleka Jela hao wewe unao waita akina Mapanya buku na Mafisi Sio rahisi kabisa kwa Tanzania kwisha matatizo ya Ufisadi Labda ateremka Rais toka mbinguni na hiyo itakuwa ni maajabu makubwa.Mkuu BAK

 

[Power to the People]

Atokee kiongozi rutheless, kichaa zaidi ya chairman Mao labda tutanyooka. Hawa wa sasa hivi sijui nani ana guts za hivyo. Tunahitaji mtu wa kuirudisha tz kwenye mstari. Kila mtu awe humble, hawa wanaojiona miungu watu washikishwe adabu.

Kazi ipo hapo ndio maana nikakwambia haiwezekani hapo nyumbani Kumpata Kiongozi Mkuu atakaye washitaki na kuwapeleka Jela hao wewe unao waita akina Mapanya buku na Mafisi Sio rahisi kabisa kwa Tanzania kwisha matatizo ya Ufisadi Labda ateremka Rais toka mbinguni na hiyo itakuwa ni maajabu makubwa.Mkuu BAK

 

[Janjaweed]

I think Werema has some kind of mental issues

 

[Determinantor]

Kuna uwendawazimu mkubwa sana kwenye serikali kuu. Bisha kama unabisha

 

[nyabhingi]

this is funny!yani tunapigia kelele mikataba ya serikali isiwe siri huyu kichaa werema anasema wawekezaji waweke mikataba yao hadharani kwanza,anadhani sisi wapuuzi!kuna commercial secrecy gani ukiwaambia watanzania wenye hizo rasilimali kuwa mkataba wetu ni wa miaka kadhaa,tutakuwa tunapata kiasi kadhaa na mwekezaji kiasi kadhaa..jinga kabisa,ndio maana wamejifungia dodomafisadi chenge na fisadi sitta wakachomoka na upuuzi wanaouita katiba pendekzwa.

 

[Tized]

''Who is fooling who'' business as usual Maccm fooling the Wadanganyikaz.

Sijawahi kusikiliza hoja na utetezi wa hawa jamaa hata mara moja nisijiulize maswali mengi na ya msingi kuhusu utashi wao na Utanzania wao. ''Who is fooling who for whose interest?''

Kwa kuwa ndio wapo madarakani, na njia ambao tutaweza walao kuibadili kwa kiasi hii hali ni KUJIANDIKISHA kwa wingi na tupige kura kwa wingi against them na TUZILINDE.

Many thanks Mkuu BAK

 

[Bulesi]

Serikali yeyote ambayo sio corrupt haiwezi kuwatetea wawekezaji bali italinda interests za wananchi wake!! Mikataba yeyeote inapokuwa siri inapunguza ushindani katika sector husika na hivyo kuwaumiza wananchi; inaeleweka kuwa panapokuwepo ushindani ufanisi hupatikana na wananchi hunufaika kwa kupata wigo mkubwa wa kuchagua mahitaji na pia hata bei huwa nafuu, sasa hawa mburula kwa kushirikiana na hawa wakwepuaji wanawakandamiza wananchi!! Wanaficha mikataba kwa sababu ya mazagazaga yao ya rushwa anbayo ndio yanaongeza bei za huduma na bidhaa kuwa juu.

 

[acer]

Dr unadhani hawa mapanya na mafisi wanajali kuhusu maslahi ya nchi!? Sasa hivi hawajali kabisa wala hawana woga watatumia mabavu kuitawala nchi huku wakiweka pembeni maslahi ya nchi na kushindana ni nani fisadi mkubwa kuliko mwenzie wa kukwapua pesa za walipa kodi kila kukicha. Angalia jinsi walivyopotezea wizi wa bilioni 200 za Escrow, Richmond $100 million, EPA $133 million, Meremeta $155 million, vitambulisho vya Taifa 300 billion.

Mbona Mbowe kachukua $2millions na Mnyika $400,000? Pesa hizi wanapiga viongozi wenye ukwasi wa kutosha bora kuwa na kiongozi mwenye hali ya kawaida

 

[Mr Rocky]

Mkuu BAK naungana na Tized hapo juu nani anamdanganya nani kwa kuwa kila siku tunaambiwa kuwa mikataba ni siri kati ya hao wakwapuaji na serikali ila hatujawahi kulelezwa ni nani baina ya serikali na mwekezaji anayetaka haya mambo yawe siri
Inapofikia kuwa kuna kiongozi kashachukua ten percent yake na anajua kuwa kuna vipengele kwenye mkataba ambavyo vitaita serikali hasara kiongozi kama huyo hatapenda mkataba huo uanikwe na kile kitu kijulikane

Itakapokuja kudikia sasa hasara inaonekana ndo wanaanza kushikana uchawi na kusema kuwa ulikuwa na faida sana uliposainiwa ila kwa sasa kutokana na soko na sijui madudue gani ndo maana tumepata hasara
Rejea mikataba ya wachina ya kujenga reli ya Bagamoyo ambayo mpaka leo hakuna ajuaye kilichomo kwenye ile mikataba au kama tushauzwa na nchi yetu sijui

 

[brave_3]

Kuna uwendawazimu mkubwa sana kwenye serikali kuu. Bisha kama unabisha

Naku unga mkono

 

[Power to the People]

Sio Werema tu, all of them. Huwa najiuliza kama wanasikiaga wanachoongea in public.

I think Werema has some kind of mental issues

 

[Jenerali Ambamba]

Kulalamika tu hakutoshi hatua zichukuliwe, maana tushaongea sana toka miaka hiyo hadi sasa.

 

[Bigirita]

The counter-claim has bamboozled observers, with many wondering who is fooling who.

hahahahahahaaa....