Bunge discusses amendments on Monday

NELLY MTEMA in Dodoma

National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Dr Tulia Ackson.

THE National Assembly resumes here on Monday with a debate on The Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments No 2 Act of 2016), which was tabled last Friday by the Attorney General (AG) proposing changes in 22 Acts.

Postponing the National Assembly last Friday, the Deputy Speaker, Dr Tulia Ackson, said after the bill was tabled that the amendments will be debated today before the Members of Parliament (MPs) choose to endorse or reject the Bill.

The Bill proposes a number of amendments which the AG, Mr George Masanju, said are meant to enhance accountability. The proposed amendments include the Education Act Cap 353 whose the changes call for a 30-year jail sentence on any man who will marry or impregnate a primary or secondary school girl.

The current penalties involve a 500,000/- fine or a three-year jail term.

Other amendments are on the Anti-Money Laundering Act cap 423 whereby the AG asked for endorsement of an increased fine of an amount equivalent to three times the market value of the property when the offense has been conducted by a corporate body unlike the maximum of 500m/- fine under the current law.

Also under the proposed changes that are expected to raise a heated debate is the The Public Leadership Code of Ethics Act, Cap 398 which bars leaders, their families or limited company to enter into any business contract with the government during their term of service and they can only do so six months after retirement.

Mr Masaju said the changes are aimed at doing away with conflicts of interest when serving the public. Should the amendment be endorsed, a leader who will prevent an official the right to perform his/her duties will pay a 1m/- fine and a one year jail sentence.

The local contractors are set to enjoy the market share of the industry as the amendment in the Contractors Registration Act, Cap 235 calls for restriction on registration of a foreign foreign firm where local firms can do the job.

Foreigners are also not allowed to register a local contracting firm unless they join forces with a Tanzania who must be the major shareholder.