The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Faraja Jube Dodoma
30 June 2009
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Samwel Sitta, yesterday denied blocking MPs from debating Tangold, Mwananchi and Deep Green Finance companies, saying he closed debate on Meremera Gold Company only.
Clarifying the issue after the question and answer session in the House yesterday, Speaker Sitta said he did not restrict MPs from debating allegations evolving around Tangold, Mwananchi and Deep Green Finance companies.
"I was misquoted on this. I only restricted debate on Meremeta Gold and not on the other companies," said Mr Sitta, adding that the floor is still open for debate on the other companies.
Controversial issues surrounding Meremeta, Tangold, Mwananchi and Deep Green Finance companies, last week forced Karatu legislator, Dr Wilibrod Slaa, to put the Government to task on its commitment to conduct a special audit similar to the external payment account (EPA), on embezzlement of Sh215 billion by four companies.
Dr Slaa asked the Government to conduct an in-depth special audit on the companies, challenging money transfer transaction from Central Bank and public institutions through the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) at its Corporate Branch and South African NedBank to Meremeta, Tangold, Mwananchi and Deep Green Finance companies.
The Deputy leader of the opposition in the House, asked the Government to explain why it has taken so long to carry out the audit despite concern shown by various probe committees instituted to investigate the matter.
"In 2007, speaking in the House as shadow minister for Regional Administration and Local Government, I spoke of squandering of more than Sh215 billion through Meremeta, Tangold, Mwananchi and Deep Green Finance companies," he said.
However, in response, the Government ruled out the possibility of conducting a special audit on the companies, as the matter pertains to national security.
Speaker Samwel Sitta then concurred with the Government as he did not allow it to respond to the question raised Dr Slaa on issues related to Meremeta Gold Company.
"Mr Seaker, I'm only concerned with embezzlement and not about the military secrets," said Dr Slaa in his supplementary question on why the Government failed to honour Judge Bomani's committee report which, among other things, recommended audit of the companies.
In his response last week, the deputy minister for Finance and Economy, Mr Jeremiah Sumary, told Parliament that the Government would not go beyond explanation on the matter.
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