Karl Lyimo
25 February 2008
column
Hosting the president of the world's most powerful nation is a daunting task. This is what President Jakaya Kikwete underwent, in a sense chaperoning US President George Bush during his four-day state visit to Tanzania recently that kicked off on February 16.
Genial to the point of being patronising, the world's number one ruler was able to put at ease his hosts in the airport reception line all the way to State House.
He did as much for those in the local bazaar and at the stifling mosquito net production line, as well as in the outpatient queues and inpatient wards at local hospitals.
THE MAN WAS EVEN ABLE TO STRING together a couple of Swahili words - Mambo Vipi; Asante - much to the delight of his audiences. That was President Bush the affable, easily turning a state visit into a relaxed affair for all - except perhaps for his security detail.
Then there was his other serious, businesslike side as he signed off $ 698 million to finance socio-economic activities in Tanzania.
The five-year US Millennium Challenge compact with Tanzania enables the latter to benefit from economic infrastructure (roads, airports - $373 million; energy - $206 million; water - $66 million).
On February 19, Bush and his immediate entourage left for Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia.
The visit came just after a Parliamentary Select Committee which probed alleged fraud involving a controversial power purchase agreement had just filed its findings.
These triggered the resignation of Premier Edward Lowassa, and two former energy ministers: Ibrahim Msabaha and Nazir Karamagi.
At the centre of the scandal was Richmond Development Company, a fictitious firm embraced by officials of dubious probity.
The result was Kikwete sacked his government and constructed a new one in the nick of time for the Bush visit!
In a manner of speaking, the tour - like a catharsis in the unfolding Richmond tragi-drama - provided comic relief for an obviously bushed President Kikwete.
Now that his guests are well out of the way, Kikwete must get back to brass tacks. For one, he has to live up to the reputation of good governance that his guest lavished on him.
In the words of US Ambassador Mark Green, "US-Tanzania relations are very friendly, and getting more friendly with each passing day?"
If Kikwete wants to remain in America's good books, there is no shortage of opportunities to do so. For starters, the Richmond saga should not be perceived to leave a bad taste in the mouth.
With Tanzania still paying the dubious contractors around $131,000 a day in capacity charges, Dar must do everything possible to abrogate the contract soonest.
THEN KIKWETE MUST HEED AND ACT ON calls for those involved in the fraud to be arraigned accordingly, and the embezzled public funds recovered expeditiously.
There are other scandalous pacts which must be handled with similar expediency, promptness and thoroughness. These include other power purchase agreements, the Central Bank Ernst&Young audit findings, the Justice Bomani Mining Report, and dozens of privatisation deals.
Indeed, if Kikwete wants to keep his good governance momentum - and remain America's friend and 'permanent interest' - then he has no shortage of magic bullets. The ball is truly and squarely in his court.
Karl Lyimo is a freelance journalist based in Dar.
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