News From Parliament

MP touts free powers for cabinet ministers

MINISTERS should be allowed to execute their duties freely as a way of making them efficient, the National Assembly was told on Tuesday.

Ms Ritta Mlaki (Special Seats - CCM) said Tanzania was having highly qualified, experienced and diligent ministers.  "These people should be left to work innovatively and deliver instead of blocking their plans through various bureaucratic channels," said Ms Mlaki a former deputy minister.

She said Tanzania should strive to increase value added exports to accelerate the country's economic growth and lift the people's standards of living. Ms Ritta Mlaki said exporting raw crops such as tobacco, coffee and cashew nut was not much beneficial.
Debating the government's budget proposals for the 2012/2013 fiscal year, the MP added her voice to calls for protection and safeguarding of local industries.

She said tax incentives and guarantees would boost industrialisation and job creation in the country. Mr James Mbatia (Nominated - NCCR-Mageuzi) said in his maiden speech in the National Assembly that he opposed the budget because there was nothing new.

Mr Mbatia said there were many issues that needed to be addressed including depreciation of the shilling, inflation and persistent budget deficit. He said the budget needed over 1.5tri/- for development projects including upgrading of the railway network, ports and airports but only 300bn/- was made available.  "This is a sad story," he said.