The Deputy Minister of State (Vice President – Environment), Ummy Ally Mwalimu was forced to move in and swiftly quell what seemed like unending wrangle between members of a parliamentary committee and Moshi District and municipal executives.
Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, Ms Ummy Mwalimu
Under scrutiny at Kilimanjaro Regional Hall by Parliamentary Committee of Land, Natural Resources and Environment was the implementation of a four-year Sustainable Land Management (SLM).
The project started in 2010, it is not complete and the Acting Project Supervisor, Mr Damas Masologo, asked for more time but stopped short of giving the percentage of completion and time they need.
That prompted Special Seats MP, Ms Ester Bulaya to demand the exact percentage of project completion up to now and time they think will be enough to complete that important project for the environment.
Ms Bulaya who represents youths in Parliament, also wanted to know the number and percentage of youths involved in the project as she said it was an order of the Parliament.
In addition to her doubts and questions, Lushoto MP, Mr Henry Shekifu wanted to know the kind of trees planted in the project while the Committee Chairman, Mr James Lembeli (Kahama) wanted to know the percentage of trees that survived.
Mr Shekifu further expressed doubt over use of consultants, alleging that they just delay projects and their projections in theory are found not to be practical on field.
Mr Masologo said it was a complicated project, difficult to calculate the exact completion percentage because some aspects were under consultants, others had been completed while some were still under implementation but all in all it has been completed by more than 50 per cent.
Kilimanjaro Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Dr Faisal Issa, said only half of the funds were released but all activities had commenced and said they track the consultants closely before approving their proposals.
The Permanent Secretary in Vice President’s Office, Mr Sazi Salula took the opportunity to tell the committee that when the project was signed RAS office had no funds at hand as they were delayed for a year or so, hence an additional year would do for the project completion.
Some experts from different departments responded to the questions but their answers were not corroborative as far as youths’ engagement in the project was concerned.
While one officer said most of those involved in the tree planting project are youths, another gave a detailed account showing that CBOs involved are composed of old people, some over 70 years.
That triggered Ms Bulaya for more questions as she seemed ready for a prolonged debate until the truth unfolds and asked for the committee to be supplied with documents to that effect.
A spontaneous reaction from Deputy Minister Mwalimu saved the day as she said everybody wanted the project to be completed and could understand why some MPs were so inquisitive. She further said that because the project was halfway and evaluation was due they will direct youths to be engaged in all thematic areas.
However, she noted that there was no direction on that specific project as far as engagement of youths is concerned but promised that Ms Bulaya and Mr Shekifu will be happy. Mr Lembeli said more explanation would be provided to the committee in writing.
The project involves curbing soil erosion, control ravines, introduce best irrigation schemes, rain water harvesting and enable farmers to access and use weather forecast reports.
The parliamentary committee is on its mission to inspect and get reports on environmental matters and different projects in Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Arusha and Kigoma.
By DEUS NGOWI, Tanzania Daily News
