Local News

Constitution review debate 'smooth'

Judge Joseph Warioba

THE process of collecting opinions from the people on redrafting of the constitution started smoothly in eight regions on Monday as the Constitutional Review Commission embarked on its business.

In a telephone interview with the 'Daily News' on Monday evening, the Commission's Principal Information Officer, Mr Omega Ngole, said the process started peacefully in all the eight regions.

"Our coordinators in every region have been updating us on what is transpiring on the ground. Generally, everything is moving as planned," Mr Ngole said.Adding; "However, there are some minor hitches such as people turning up late for the meetings and some people taking too long to make contributions and thus irking others."

The Judge Joseph Warioba-led commission has started collecting views from Dodoma, Kagera, South Pemba, South Unguja as well as Manyara, Pwani, Shinyanga and Tabora.Apart from public meetings that would be conducted countrywide, Tanzanians are also free to send in their contributions through telephone, e-mail, blogs as well as social networks such as facebook and twitter.

The 30-people commission will be split into seven groups and each will visit different regions in the country where it would spend a month in each, save for smaller regions, Judge Warioba recently said during a news conference.During the occasion, he also cautioned contributors against impatience, urging them to air their views without using abusive language or insulting other people.

Meanwhile, Issa Yusuf reports from Zanzibar that mixed feelings about the formation of the Union between Zanzibar and Tanganyika continued yesterday to dominate public opinion forums in search for new union constitution. The first forum was held at Makunduchi in South Unguja. "We want equal rights in the Union in Defence Forces, Foreign Affairs and in higher learning opportunities," Mohammed Hassan said.

Ms Kazija Kombo said she wants the current structure of the Union of two governments to continue. But some people such as Mr Abdallah Suleiman suggested that the only solution to the current grievances in the Union is to have one government."One government is the solution and the president should have an eight-year term in office to minimize the costs of frequent elections," said Suleiman suggesting also that political parties with bad conduct should be deregistered outright.
 
Many people avoided to speak and just submitted their opinions in sealed in envelopes. More than 100 envelopes were received. Few people spoke. It was calm and peaceful with a close eye from security officials and South Unguja Administrative officers. Members of the Constitution Review Commission who facilitated the forums include Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, Dr Sengondo Mvungi, Dr Lymo and Mr Mohammed Yussuf. The forums continue today.