JPM praised for containers’ verdict

LYDIA SHEKIGHENDA

A DAY after President John Magufuli issued his verdict over a dispute surrounding the fate of 20 furniture containers politicians and academicians have hailed his unshakable stance, saying his decision should serve as a lesson to members of the public and government leaders that no one is

above the law.

The President brought to an end the tax dispute on Thursday by directing the payments of all requisite taxes and duties as required by the law.

The 20 furniture containers belonging to Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner (RC) Paul Makonda were imported into the country early this year and the RC was trying to seek a tax waiver because the furniture was meant for improving teachers’ offices in Dar es Salaam’s public schools.

However, the Finance and Planning Minister, Dr Philip Mpango, said the imported furniture could not be granted the tax waiver as the country’s laws restricted such goods to be exempted from tax payment.

Since the containers have overstayed at the port with the owner not showing up despite a notice issued by Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Dr Mpango directed the tax administration body to auction the furniture to recover the tax amounting to 1.2bn/-

Commenting on the saga, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Pius Msekwa, said the President’s decision was centred on the country’s laws, rules and regulations.

Mr Msekwa noted that every citizen in the country was required to abide by the laws regardless of the title own had. “The President has observed the laws and abides by his oath of office.”

“When the President took the oath of office, promising to execute his duties without any form of favour, fear and any mistreatment he really means it. The unshakable stance he has demonstrated in this dispute is a clear indication that the Head of State abides by his oath of office and laws of the land,” Mr Msekwa said.

University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Senior Lecturer, Dr Benson Bana, said the President’s stance had put to rest feelings harboured by some individuals that he was favouring some leaders in his government.

“The President has shown that anything to do with the laws of the country must be implemented within legal bounds and not otherwise and leaders are also required to communicate because they are all working for the same government,” Dr Bana said.

He noted that the President’s decision had proved that no one would by any way be supported upon being found to violate laws.

“President Magufuli is a dauntless leader with firm stance … his decision on this matter is a proof that no one is favoured. Every person will be praised for his good work and charged when he does wrong,” Dr Bana noted.

Chairman of the Tanzania Political Parties’ Council John Shibuda said President Magufuli’s decision to stick to the law by directing Mr Makonda to pay tax should serve as a lesson

 to others, who were unaware of protocol issues and implementation of the laws or not. 

He said the President also ironed out uncertainties surrounding the requirements of legislation on debts, public procurement and importation of goods. 

“Apart from the clarification given by the President, it is high time public leaders in the country underwent training to understand the implementation of various pieces of legislation,” he said. 

For his part, Acting Head of the Centre for Foreign Relations (CFR), Dr Bernard Achiula, said President Magufuli was implementing his plans he set out since the day he took the oath of office. 

Dr Achiula noted that tax payment was a legal requirement, which needed to be fulfilled by abiding by the laws and leaders were supposed to be a good example of paying all mandatory taxes. 

“When some leaders go against procedures and pieces of legislation they cause people to lose trust in them because they are supposed to show the way as the President has been doing,” he said. 

Addressing public leaders and civil servants at Chato District Council’s Hall on Thursday, President Magufuli said all leaders were duty bound to observe the country’s legislation and refrain from being used for individual interests. 

He cited the ongoing dispute over the alleged containers stashed with school furniture, which the TRA had confiscated at the Dar es Salaam Port over its owner’s failure to pay tax. 

“All requisite taxes and duties for the containers must be paid as the law requires…it’s only the Finance and Planning Minister who is allowed to receive grants on behalf of the government, not regional commissioners,” he fumed. 

Dr Magufuli cited the Act No 30 of 1974 on government’s loans, guarantees and grants, which was amended by the Act No 9 of 2003 sections 3, 6, 13, and 15, empowering only the Finance Minister to act on behalf of government grants. 

The President’s unshakable stance on the dispute and the verdict he issued have sent a clear message to public leaders that the rule of law is the cornerstone of the country’s administration.