MPs urge revival of Central Line, ailing local industries

ALVAR MWAKYUSA in Dodoma

CONSTRUCTION of the central railway line network to standard gauge and revamping of ailing industries as well as setting up of new factories are among issues that took the centre stage as MPs continued debating the guidelines for 2016/17 development plan and budget here.

Several legislators on the other hand took issue with the move by the government to shelve retention of funds by public institutions and local government authorities, arguing that the decision will cripple operations of the institutions.

The development guidelines were moved in the National Assembly on Monday by Finance and Planning Minister, Dr PhilipMpango, outlining the government’s priorities and financial plan for the next fiscal year.

MPs from across the political divide pressed the government to overhaul the railway network to ease transportation of passengers and cargo and eventually perk-up the economy.

As the debate was ongoing, a number of MPs outside the debating chamber formed what they call a Parliamentary Railway Caucus to make a close follow-up on implementation of the project that seeks not only to provide affordable transport locally but to neighbouring landlocked countries.

The group, which comprises MPs from areas along the railway network, will be chaired by Msalala MP Ezekiel Maige (CCM) while Kigoma Urban MP Zitto Kabwe (ACT-Maendeleo) will be the secretary.

In his contribution, Mr Zitto argued that funds to be accrued from the railway development levy introduced by the government in the current financial year could be used to execute the plan.

The government introduced in June last year a levy of 1.5 per cent on all imports to fund development of the railway network, a crucial infrastructure for improving inter-regional trade from and to the port of Dar es Salaam.

“We should however be clear that construction of the railway should start locally before extending it to neighbouring landlocked countries,” the outspoken legislator argued.

The central railway network which was constructed by the Germans during the colonial era runs from Dar es Salaam to Tabora and then part of it branches to Mwanza and the other to Kaliua-Mpanda-Kalema; Uvinza-Msongati and Isaka-Keza.

For his part, Kigoma North MP Peter Serukamba (CCM) said it was high time Tanzania constructed the railway line to tap opportunities from land-locked countries.

“If we delay implementing the project, we risk losing the opening to other countries in the region which are implementing same initiatives,” Mr Serukamba noted.

On Monday, Kigamboni MP, Dr Faustine Ndugulile, challenged the government to implement the plan in the coming fiscal year, stressing the economy importance of the project.

His sentiments were echoed by Special Seats MP, Ms Mwanne Nchemba, (CCM), Kasulu Urban MP, Mr Daniel Nsazugwanko (CCM), Geita Rural MP Joseph Kasheku alias ‘Msukuma’ (CCM) and Bunda Urban MP Easter Bulaya (Chadema). Mr Nsazugwanko said the government will face hard time in the National Assembly if it fails to present in its budget on how it planned to implement the project.

“We want to hear how the government will implement the plan and nothing else; even if it means seeking credit the project should come on board,” he charged. In another development, MPs here hailed the government for its move to establish industries based on geographical location advantage to, among others, boost the agriculture sector.

Ms Bulaya, however, said it was high time the government trained adequate technicians to provide manpower for the envisaged industries through establishment vocational training centres in all districts countrywide.

The idea was supported by Kaliua MP, Ms Magdalena Sakaya (CUF), who noted the importance of the manufacturing sector in enhancing exports and eventually stabilize the local currency against the greenback.

Meanwhile, Babati Urban MP Ms Pauline Gekul (Chadema) and Mr Serukamba opposed the move by the government to abolish retention of funds, arguing that the decision will cause bureaucracy and cripple performance of public institutions.

Ms Gekul argued that the shelving of retention will lower morale in revenue collections at local councils, stressing on the other hand that decentralisation was introduced to bring services closer to the people.