Dorothy Nakaweesi
KAMPALA
LAST year both domestic and foreign investors affirmed their confidence in Uganda’s economy by taking up more licences and injecting cash into the country, the Investment Authority announced yesterday.There was an overall increase in investment by 30 per cent compared to the previous year, the officials revealed.The revelation comes as relief to Uganda’s investor keen government even as the country is experiencing economic uncertainty over the shortage of fuel fuelled by riotous events in neighbouring Kenya.“At least 23 projects licensed last year have come into commercial operation. Uganda Investment Authority salutes all these companies and we promise we will continue to avail them with good customer package,” the Chairman of the Uganda Investment Authority, Mr Patrick Bitature said yesterday while releasing the report.He said Uganda attracted investment worth $2.2 billion (Shs3.8 trillion) of planned investment up from $1.7 billion (Shs3.0 trillion) in 2006. The $2.2 billion came from 374 projects although this was lower than the 424 projects licensed in 2006. In the same year 55,690 jobs were planned compared to the 48,098 jobs recorded the previous year.Projects licensed included Warid Telecom, Hits Telecom, Rileys Packaging, Rio Tinto (UK), Meridian Africa Airlines Ltd operators of (Air Uganda), Imman Hospital, Bujagali Energy Ltd and Jacosen Thermol Plant Co. among others. Mr Bitature said the key factors which attracted such investment were largely the stable macro economic policies put up by the government which include successful liberalisation process, privatisation policy and political stability.Mr Bitature expressed optimism that with the country’s successful hosting of the Chogm and the confirmation of the existence of oil in parts of Uganda, more investments are yet to flow into the country.“A lot needs to be done in attracting investors and they need to be welcomed,” he said.Areas of more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) attraction included ICT, manufacturing, agribusiness, tourism, health care, education, financial service, forestry, and printing among others.UIA Executive Director, Dr Maggie Kigozi said corruption; land for investment, infrastructure especially for road and railway, high interest rates costly bank loans, inefficiency and power need to be addressed if the country is to compete favourably.“Kenya’s crisis is still biting both on the side of imports and exports but this should be used as an opportunity for Uganda to develop other avenues,” Ms Kigozi said.
Kenya Elections 2007 - Departure Statement by the Commonwealth Observer Group
Departure Statement by HE Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group to Kenya Elections
In our interim statement, we noted that these were the most competitive elections in Kenya’s history. We commended the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) for the professional conduct of the electoral process up to that point, and expressed the hope that the final phase of the process would conclude in same manner.
We also praised the people of Kenya for their enthusiasm and for turning out in large numbers to exercise their civic responsibility to vote.
We were pleased that the polling day transpired peacefully. However, developments thereafter have eroded public confidence in the management of the results and their eventual release. As Kenyans awaited the results, the delays in the announcement of the results raised questions about the integrity of the final phase of the election process.
It is our fervent hope that in the days ahead, candidates who may wish to challenge any aspect of the electoral process, should seek redress with due respect to the rule of law.
Our final report has been prepared for submission to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, and will thereafter be distributed to all interested parties.
We now depart Kenya in the hope that, in the best interests of the Kenyan people, our recommendations for the consolidation of democracy will be taken up in the constructive spirit in which they have been made. Given the circumstances surrounding the conclusion of the electoral process, we call upon the Commonwealth Secretariat and other pan-Commonwealth institutions as well as the international community to remain closely engaged during this crucial period of Kenya’s political history.
We wish to thank all of the organisations who provided information and assistance to us.
We are grateful to the people of Kenya and to for their warm welcome and hospitality extended during our entire period in the country, and for allowing us to carry out our mandate.
2 January 2008
Departure Statement by HE Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group to Kenya Elections
In our interim statement, we noted that these were the most competitive elections in Kenya’s history. We commended the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) for the professional conduct of the electoral process up to that point, and expressed the hope that the final phase of the process would conclude in same manner.
We also praised the people of Kenya for their enthusiasm and for turning out in large numbers to exercise their civic responsibility to vote.
We were pleased that the polling day transpired peacefully. However, developments thereafter have eroded public confidence in the management of the results and their eventual release. As Kenyans awaited the results, the delays in the announcement of the results raised questions about the integrity of the final phase of the election process.
It is our fervent hope that in the days ahead, candidates who may wish to challenge any aspect of the electoral process, should seek redress with due respect to the rule of law.
Our final report has been prepared for submission to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, and will thereafter be distributed to all interested parties.
We now depart Kenya in the hope that, in the best interests of the Kenyan people, our recommendations for the consolidation of democracy will be taken up in the constructive spirit in which they have been made. Given the circumstances surrounding the conclusion of the electoral process, we call upon the Commonwealth Secretariat and other pan-Commonwealth institutions as well as the international community to remain closely engaged during this crucial period of Kenya’s political history.
We wish to thank all of the organisations who provided information and assistance to us.
We are grateful to the people of Kenya and to for their warm welcome and hospitality extended during our entire period in the country, and for allowing us to carry out our mandate.
2 January 2008
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burudika na band yetu y 3-8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUQ4So-UWkE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUQ4So-UWkE
Dear Supporter,
I was pleased to get through to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup after a difficult game at Turf Moor on Sunday. Burnley played well. They missed the first chance with a header against the crossbar and I firmly believe that a goal then would have had a big effect on the game. At 1-0 in that atmosphere it would have been a very different game for us. We took our first chance through Eduardo but Burnley pushed us back a bit in the second half. We missed a few chances for the second goal and then the sending off killed the game before Nicklas Bendtner made it 2-0. I must say that Burnley gave everything. They played at a high pace and in a fair way. I am surprised to see where they are in the Championship - that division must be very difficult. What surprised me was the tempo of their game and how quickly they could pass it. I was surprised by the quality of their crosses but they could not score. One of the differences on Sunday was the quality of our finishing. Eduardo scored one and for me the surprise of the day was that he missed the other one. You quickly get used to your players putting the ball in the back of the net. But he has scored one and had an assist for the second so the two strikers did well. I rested a number of players for the Cup tie because I have a squad and I am not afraid to use it. We went to Everton with Bendtner and Eduardo up front like we did at Burnley. I rotate the squad but my team on Sunday still had top-quality players. I had a Premier League side out there but we had a busy Christmas period so I had to rest some of them. Thanks for your support.
Arsène Wenger
The Presidency of the European Union, currently held by Slovenia , has urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to fulfill their obligations under the Algiers Agreements and according to the relevant Security Council Resolutions. The Security Council has called on Eritrea on several occasions to withdraw its troops from the demilitarized Temporary Security Zone and lift all restrictions on the operations of UNMEE. While these are clear violations of the Algiers Agreements, Eritrea has continued to ignore the demands of the Security Council and of the UN Secretary-General to restore the integrity of the TSZ and remove the restrictions placed on UNMEE. In its statement at the end of last week, the European Union, one of the witnesses of the Algiers Agreements, also called upon Ethiopia and Eritrea to refrain from any threat or use of force and to resolve their differences by peaceful means. The EU statement came two days after a shooting incident in the border area near Tserona. UNMEE was unable to go to the scene due to restrictions imposed on it by Eritrea . It could only call upon both Eritrea and Ethiopia to "exercise maximum restraint and maintain their commitment to the Algiers Agreements". The European Union statement emphasized that the two parties have primary responsibility to resolve their differences. It expressed readiness to assist both countries in the implementation of their respective obligations under international law. It welcomed the commitments made by the two parties with respect to demarcation and the normalization of relations. It is necessary to underline here that the EU statement is fully in line with what Ethiopia has been calling for and is also consistent with the position of the Security Council and the Secretary General of the UN on the matter.
TAARIFA KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI
TAMKO LA SERIKALI KUHUSU TAARIFA YA UKAGUZI WA HESABU KATIKA AKAUNTI YA MALIPO YA MADENI YA NJE (EXTERNAL PAYMENT ARREARS ACCOUNT – EPA) ILIYOKO
BENKI KUU YA TANZANIA
Nafurahi kuwaarifu kuwa, kazi ya Ukaguzi wa Hesabu za mwaka wa fedha 2005/06 za Akaunti ya Madeni ya Malipo ya Nje yaani External Payment Arrears (EPA) katika Benki Kuu ya Tanzania imekamilika. Kazi hiyo ilifanywa na Wakaguzi wa Kampuni ya Ernst and Young kwa niaba ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali. Ilianza Septemba, 2007 na kukamilika Desemba, 2007. Juzi tarehe 07 Januari, 2008 Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete alikabidhiwa Taarifa hiyo na Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Serikali. Rais ameisoma, ameifanyia kazi na kuitolea maamuzi.
Historia ya EPA
Katika miaka ya 1970 mpaka 1990 nchi yetu ilikuwa inakabiliwa na tatizo kubwa la upungufu wa fedha za kigeni. Benki Kuu ya Tanzania ilipewa jukumu la kusimamia matumizi ya fedha za kigeni kwa niaba ya Serikali. Benki Kuu ndiyo iliyokuwa na mamlaka ya kupanga na kuamua nani agawiwe fedha za kigeni na kiasi gani!
Kwa ajili ya kuwahudumia wafanyabiashara, mashirika na makampuni yanayoagiza bidhaa na huduma kutoka nje, Akaunti maalum ilifunguliwa katika Benki ya Taifa ya Biashara kwa wakati huo. Akaunti hiyo ilijulikana kwa jina la External Payment Arrears (EPA) au Akaunti ya malipo ya Madeni ya Nje, kwa tafsiri ya Kiswahili.
Waagizaji wa bidhaa au huduma kutoka nje waliwajibika kulipa kwenye Akaunti hiyo, fedha ya Tanzania yenye thamani inayolingana na fedha za kigeni zinazotakiwa kulipia bidhaa au huduma hiyo huko nje. Baada ya waagizaji wa ndani kufanya hivyo, kutegemeana na upatikanaji wa fedha za kigeni, wauzaji au watoaji huduma wa nje walilipwa. Benki Kuu iliamua nani alipwe na Benki ya Biashara ilifanya malipo.
Juni, 1985 iliamuliwa kuwa shughuli za akaunti hiyo zihamishiwe Benki Kuu kutoka Benki ya Taifa ya Biashara na zimeendelea kuwepo hapo mpaka sasa. Katika Benki Kuu kikaundwa kitengo maalum cha kusimamia na kuendesha shughuli za akaunti hiyo kilichojulikana kama Debt Management Unit chini ya Kurugenzi ya Sera (Directorate of Economic Policy).
Kwa sababu ya tatizo la upungufu wa fedha za kigeni kuendelea, malimbikizo ya madeni hayo yalizidi kukua mwaka hadi mwaka. Kwa mfano, mwaka 1999 deni hilo lilifikia dola za Kimarekani 623 milioni. Kati ya fedha hizo, dola 325 milioni ndilo deni la msingi na dola 298 milioni ni riba yake. Baadae likaongezeka kufikia dola 677 milioni.
Juhudi za Kulipa Madeni
Juhudi za kulipa malimbikizo ya madeni hayo ziliendelea kadri fedha za kigeni zilipopatikana. Kwa nia ya kutaka kutafutia ufumbuzi wa haraka tatizo hilo na kupunguza mzigo wa madeni, Serikali ilianza kutafuta njia nyingine mbalimbali. Mwaka 1994, Serikali kwa kushirikiana na Benki ya Dunia ilianzisha Mpango wa Kununua Madeni (Debt Buy Back Scheme). Yaani waliokuwa wanaidai BoT waliombwa wakubali kulipwa sehemu tu ya madeni wanayodai. Wapo wadai kadhaa walikubali na madeni yao yakauzwa chini ya mpango huo. Taarifa za mwaka 2004 zinaonyesha kuwa madeni ya thamani ya dola 228 milioni yalilipwa chini ya mpango huu.
Pili, Serikali ilifanya juhudi ya kupata msamaha wa madeni hayo kutoka nchi wanachama wa Paris Club. Serikali iliomba kuwa pamoja na kutusamehe madeni ya kiserikali toka nchi zao wasaidie tusamehe na madeni ya makampuni yao kwetu. Yapo pia madeni ambayo yamelipwa na makampuni ya Bima baada ya makampuni yaliyouza bidhaa na huduma Tanzania kushindwa kulipwa. Madeni ya dola 216 milioni yalihusika chini ya michakato hii. Hivyo basi, deni la dola 444 milioni lilipungua katika ile jumla ya dola 677 milioni. Kwa hiyo mwaka 2004 deni katika Akaunti ya Malipo ya Nje lilikuwa dola 233 milioni. Yalikuwepo mawazo ya baadhi ya watu kuwa pengine deni hilo lisilipwe au tulikatae. Walikuwepo waliokubali madeni yao yafutwe na wengine waliagiza fedha zao zipewe NGO. Lakini, baadhi ya wadai waliendelea kudai na wengine hata kushitaki mahakamani. Hivyo BoT ililazimika kuendelea kulipa kadri wadai walipojitokeza.
Ulipaji kwa Idhini
Katika utaratibu wa malipo ya madeni ya EPA kanuni zinaruhusu mdai kuamua deni lake kulipwa kwa mtu au kampuni nyingine. Kanuni zinamtaka mdai kutoa hati iliyothibitika kisheria ya yeye kuidhinisha malipo hayo yafanywe (Notarised Deeds of Assignments) hivyo. Pia yapo masharti ya kutimizwa na kampuni au mtu aliyeidhinishwa kulipwa hilo deni. Utaratibu umetumika kufanya malipo kadhaa ya madeni katika Akaunti ya EPA.
Matatizo ya Mwaka 2005/6
Katika ukaguzi wa Hesabu za BoT za mwaka wa fedha 2005/6, Agosti, 2005 kuligundulika matatizo katika ulipaji wa madeni kwa utaratibu wa idhini ya kulipwa wakala wa mdai katika akaunti ya EPA. Kukajitokeza kutokuelewana kati ya Benki Kuu na Mkaguzi Deloitte and Touche’ aliyegundua tatizo hilo. Baadaye mkaguzi huyo alisitishwa kuendelea na kazi. Serikali ikaingilia kati na tarehe o4 Desemba, 2006 ilimuagiza Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali (CAG) kuhakikisha kuwa ukaguzi wa akaunti hiyo unafanyika kwa kina. Aidha, ilimuagiza atafute kampuni ya kimataifa ya ukaguzi ifanye kazi hiyo kwa niaba yake. Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabau za Serikali, ndiye kwa mujibu wa Sheria ya BoT mkaguzi wa Hesabu za Benki Kuu. Hata hivyo kwa mazingira hayo maalum Serikali ilimtaka CAG atafute mkaguzi mwingine wa nje.
Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali (CAG) alifanya hivyo na matokeo ya mchakato wa kutafuta kampuni hiyo uliochukua miezi mitano (Januari hadi Mei, 2007) ndipo ikapatikana kampuni ya Ernst and Young.
UKAGUZI
Wakaguzi wa Kampuni ya Ernst and Young wakaanza kazi hiyo Septemba, 2007 na kuikamilisha Desemba, 2007. Wakaguzi hao wamefanya kazi nzuri iliyothibitisha kiwango cha juu cha weledi (Professionalism) cha wakaguzi hao. Tunawapongeza, tunawashukuru. Tunatambua kuwa walipata matatizo mengi hasa ya kupata taarifa zilizo sahihi kwa sababu ya matatizo ya utunzaji wa kumbukumbu. Madeni haya ni ya miaka 27 na zaidi iliyopita. Kumbukumbu zimehamishwa kutoka NBC kwenda BoT. Hata huko NBC shughuli zilikuwa zinafanywa katika matawi mbalimbali nchini tena miaka hiyo hapakuwa na kompyuta hivyo kumbukumbu zote ziliwekwa kwenye majalada. Pamoja na matatizo hayo ukaguzi wa hesabu za mwaka 2005/6 ulikamilika kwa kiwango cha kuridhisha.
Kwa mujibu wa taarifa hiyo ya Ukaguzi katika mwaka wa fedha wa 2005/2006 uliochunguzwa, katika mwaka 2005 yalifanywa malipo ya jumla ya Shilingi 133,015,186,220.74 kwa Makampuni 22 ya hapa nchini. Makampuni hayo ni: Bencon International Ltd. of Tanzania, VB & Associates Company Ltd. of Tanzania, Bina Resorts Ltd. of Tanzania, Venus Hotel Ltd. of Tanzania, Njake Hotel & Tours Ltd., Maltan Mining Company Ltd. of Tanzania, Money Planners & Consultants, Bora Hotels & Apartment Ltd., B. V. Holdings Ltd., Ndovu Soaps Ltd., Navy Cut Tobacco (T) Ltd. of Tanzania, Changanyikeni Residential Complex Ltd., Kagoda Agriculture Ltd., G&T International Ltd., Excellent Services Ltd., Mibale Farm, Liquidity Service Ltd., Clayton Marketing Ltd., M/S Rashtas (T) Ltd., Malegesi Law Chambers (Advocates), Kiloloma and Brothers na KARNEL Ltd.
Aidha, ukaguzi umebaini kwamba kati ya fedha hizo, kiasi cha Shilingi 90,359,078,804.00 zililipwa kwa makampuni kumi na tatu (13) ambayo yalitumia kumbukumbu, nyaraka na hati zilizo batili na za kugushi. Hivyo, Makampuni hayo hayakustahili kulipwa chochote. Makampuni hayo ni: Bencon International Ltd. of Tanzania, VB & Associates Company Ltd. of Tanzania, Bina Resorts Ltd. of Tanzania, Venus Hotel Ltd. of Tanzania, Njake Hotel & Tours Ltd., Maltan Mining Company Ltd. of Tanzania, Money Planners & Consultants, Bora Hotels & Apartment Ltd., B. V. Holdings Ltd., Ndovu Soaps Ltd., Navy Cut Tobacco (T) Ltd. of Tanzania, Changanyikeni Residential Complex Ltd., Kagoda Agriculture Ltd.
Aidha, ukaguzi umeendelea kubaini kuwa Makampuni tisa (9) ambayo yalilipwa jumla ya Shilingi 42,656,107,417.00 hayakuwa na nyaraka za kuonyesha stahili ya malipo na hivyo kuwafanya wakaguzi washindwe kuhakiki uhalali wa malipo hayo. Makampuni hayo ni: G&T International Ltd., Excellent Services Ltd., Mibale Farm, Liquidity Service Ltd., Clayton Marketing Ltd., M/S Rashtas (T) Ltd., Malegesi Law Chambers (Advocates), Kiloloma and Brothers na KARNEL Ltd.
Wakati huo huo Makampuni mawili, yaani, Rashtas (T) Ltd na G&T International Ltd., kumbukumbu zake za usajili katika daftari la Msajili wa Makampuni nchini hazikuweza kupatikana.
Uamuzi wa Rais
Baada ya kuipitia Taarifa ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Serikali na ya Mkaguzi wa Nje, yaani, Kampuni ya Ernst and Young, Mhe. Rais amesikitishwa na kukasirishwa na taarifa ya kuwepo vitendo vya ukiukwaji wa makusudi wa sheria, kanuni na taratibu za uuzaji wa madeni ya nje vilivyofanywa katika taasisi muhimu na nyeti kama vile Benki Kuu. Kwa hiyo, ameamua kuwa hatua za kisheria na kiutawala zichukuliwe dhidi ya makampuni na watu waliohusika na vitendo hivyo viovu.
Kwa ajili hiyo Rais ameamua yafuatayo:-
1. Ametengua uteuzi wa Dkt. Daudi A. Balali kuwa Gavana wa Benki Kuu ya Tanzania.
2. Ameagiza Bodi ya Wakurugenzi ya Benki Kuu ikutane mara moja kujadili taarifa ya ukaguzi na kuchukua hatua zipasazo za kinidhamu dhidi ya Maofisa wote wa benki, walio chini ya mamlaka yake waliohusika na kusababisha hasara hii kwa taifa.
3. Shughuli za ulipaji wa madeni katika Akaunti ya EPA zisimamishwe mara moja mpaka hapo taratibu za uhakiki na utaratibu mpya utakapotengenezwa.
4. Rais amewaagiza; Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali, Inspekta Jenerali wa Polisi na Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Taasisi ya Kuzuia na Kupambana na Rushwa, kuchunguza na kuchukua hatua zipasazo za kisheria kwa makampuni na watu waliohusika na uhalifu huu. Rais amewataka watumie ipasavyo mamlaka na madaraka waliyo nayo kwa mujibu wa sheria. Aidha, amewataka wakamilishe kazi hiyo katika kipindi cha miezi sita. Amemuagiza Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali awe kiongozi wa kazi hii. Amewataka wahakikishe kuwa fedha zilizolipwa isivyo halali zinarudishwa.
5. Rais pia amemtaka Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali kushirikiana na kuwasaidia watendaji wakuu hao wa vyombo vya dola katika kufanikisha jukumu lao hilo. “Watu wengine wenye taarifa za ziada pia wazitoe kwa Timu ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (AG) na wenzake”.
6. Kutokana na hatua ya kutengua uteuzi wa Bwana BALALI, Mhe. Rais amemteua Prof. BENNO T. NDULU (Naibu Gavana) kuwa Gavana Mpya wa Benki Kuu. Halikadhalika, amemteua Dkt. ENOS S. BUKUKU (Katibu Mkuu – Miundombinu) kuwa Naibu Gavana wa Benki Kuu (Fedha na Uchumi). Pia amemteua Ndugu Omari Chambo kuwa Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Miundombinu. Uteuzi huu unaanza mara moja.
(Phillemon L. Luhanjo)
KATIBU MKUU KIONGOZI
IKULU,
DAR ES SALAAM
09 Januari 2008
TAMKO LA SERIKALI KUHUSU TAARIFA YA UKAGUZI WA HESABU KATIKA AKAUNTI YA MALIPO YA MADENI YA NJE (EXTERNAL PAYMENT ARREARS ACCOUNT – EPA) ILIYOKO
BENKI KUU YA TANZANIA
Nafurahi kuwaarifu kuwa, kazi ya Ukaguzi wa Hesabu za mwaka wa fedha 2005/06 za Akaunti ya Madeni ya Malipo ya Nje yaani External Payment Arrears (EPA) katika Benki Kuu ya Tanzania imekamilika. Kazi hiyo ilifanywa na Wakaguzi wa Kampuni ya Ernst and Young kwa niaba ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali. Ilianza Septemba, 2007 na kukamilika Desemba, 2007. Juzi tarehe 07 Januari, 2008 Rais Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete alikabidhiwa Taarifa hiyo na Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Serikali. Rais ameisoma, ameifanyia kazi na kuitolea maamuzi.
Historia ya EPA
Katika miaka ya 1970 mpaka 1990 nchi yetu ilikuwa inakabiliwa na tatizo kubwa la upungufu wa fedha za kigeni. Benki Kuu ya Tanzania ilipewa jukumu la kusimamia matumizi ya fedha za kigeni kwa niaba ya Serikali. Benki Kuu ndiyo iliyokuwa na mamlaka ya kupanga na kuamua nani agawiwe fedha za kigeni na kiasi gani!
Kwa ajili ya kuwahudumia wafanyabiashara, mashirika na makampuni yanayoagiza bidhaa na huduma kutoka nje, Akaunti maalum ilifunguliwa katika Benki ya Taifa ya Biashara kwa wakati huo. Akaunti hiyo ilijulikana kwa jina la External Payment Arrears (EPA) au Akaunti ya malipo ya Madeni ya Nje, kwa tafsiri ya Kiswahili.
Waagizaji wa bidhaa au huduma kutoka nje waliwajibika kulipa kwenye Akaunti hiyo, fedha ya Tanzania yenye thamani inayolingana na fedha za kigeni zinazotakiwa kulipia bidhaa au huduma hiyo huko nje. Baada ya waagizaji wa ndani kufanya hivyo, kutegemeana na upatikanaji wa fedha za kigeni, wauzaji au watoaji huduma wa nje walilipwa. Benki Kuu iliamua nani alipwe na Benki ya Biashara ilifanya malipo.
Juni, 1985 iliamuliwa kuwa shughuli za akaunti hiyo zihamishiwe Benki Kuu kutoka Benki ya Taifa ya Biashara na zimeendelea kuwepo hapo mpaka sasa. Katika Benki Kuu kikaundwa kitengo maalum cha kusimamia na kuendesha shughuli za akaunti hiyo kilichojulikana kama Debt Management Unit chini ya Kurugenzi ya Sera (Directorate of Economic Policy).
Kwa sababu ya tatizo la upungufu wa fedha za kigeni kuendelea, malimbikizo ya madeni hayo yalizidi kukua mwaka hadi mwaka. Kwa mfano, mwaka 1999 deni hilo lilifikia dola za Kimarekani 623 milioni. Kati ya fedha hizo, dola 325 milioni ndilo deni la msingi na dola 298 milioni ni riba yake. Baadae likaongezeka kufikia dola 677 milioni.
Juhudi za Kulipa Madeni
Juhudi za kulipa malimbikizo ya madeni hayo ziliendelea kadri fedha za kigeni zilipopatikana. Kwa nia ya kutaka kutafutia ufumbuzi wa haraka tatizo hilo na kupunguza mzigo wa madeni, Serikali ilianza kutafuta njia nyingine mbalimbali. Mwaka 1994, Serikali kwa kushirikiana na Benki ya Dunia ilianzisha Mpango wa Kununua Madeni (Debt Buy Back Scheme). Yaani waliokuwa wanaidai BoT waliombwa wakubali kulipwa sehemu tu ya madeni wanayodai. Wapo wadai kadhaa walikubali na madeni yao yakauzwa chini ya mpango huo. Taarifa za mwaka 2004 zinaonyesha kuwa madeni ya thamani ya dola 228 milioni yalilipwa chini ya mpango huu.
Pili, Serikali ilifanya juhudi ya kupata msamaha wa madeni hayo kutoka nchi wanachama wa Paris Club. Serikali iliomba kuwa pamoja na kutusamehe madeni ya kiserikali toka nchi zao wasaidie tusamehe na madeni ya makampuni yao kwetu. Yapo pia madeni ambayo yamelipwa na makampuni ya Bima baada ya makampuni yaliyouza bidhaa na huduma Tanzania kushindwa kulipwa. Madeni ya dola 216 milioni yalihusika chini ya michakato hii. Hivyo basi, deni la dola 444 milioni lilipungua katika ile jumla ya dola 677 milioni. Kwa hiyo mwaka 2004 deni katika Akaunti ya Malipo ya Nje lilikuwa dola 233 milioni. Yalikuwepo mawazo ya baadhi ya watu kuwa pengine deni hilo lisilipwe au tulikatae. Walikuwepo waliokubali madeni yao yafutwe na wengine waliagiza fedha zao zipewe NGO. Lakini, baadhi ya wadai waliendelea kudai na wengine hata kushitaki mahakamani. Hivyo BoT ililazimika kuendelea kulipa kadri wadai walipojitokeza.
Ulipaji kwa Idhini
Katika utaratibu wa malipo ya madeni ya EPA kanuni zinaruhusu mdai kuamua deni lake kulipwa kwa mtu au kampuni nyingine. Kanuni zinamtaka mdai kutoa hati iliyothibitika kisheria ya yeye kuidhinisha malipo hayo yafanywe (Notarised Deeds of Assignments) hivyo. Pia yapo masharti ya kutimizwa na kampuni au mtu aliyeidhinishwa kulipwa hilo deni. Utaratibu umetumika kufanya malipo kadhaa ya madeni katika Akaunti ya EPA.
Matatizo ya Mwaka 2005/6
Katika ukaguzi wa Hesabu za BoT za mwaka wa fedha 2005/6, Agosti, 2005 kuligundulika matatizo katika ulipaji wa madeni kwa utaratibu wa idhini ya kulipwa wakala wa mdai katika akaunti ya EPA. Kukajitokeza kutokuelewana kati ya Benki Kuu na Mkaguzi Deloitte and Touche’ aliyegundua tatizo hilo. Baadaye mkaguzi huyo alisitishwa kuendelea na kazi. Serikali ikaingilia kati na tarehe o4 Desemba, 2006 ilimuagiza Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali (CAG) kuhakikisha kuwa ukaguzi wa akaunti hiyo unafanyika kwa kina. Aidha, ilimuagiza atafute kampuni ya kimataifa ya ukaguzi ifanye kazi hiyo kwa niaba yake. Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabau za Serikali, ndiye kwa mujibu wa Sheria ya BoT mkaguzi wa Hesabu za Benki Kuu. Hata hivyo kwa mazingira hayo maalum Serikali ilimtaka CAG atafute mkaguzi mwingine wa nje.
Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali (CAG) alifanya hivyo na matokeo ya mchakato wa kutafuta kampuni hiyo uliochukua miezi mitano (Januari hadi Mei, 2007) ndipo ikapatikana kampuni ya Ernst and Young.
UKAGUZI
Wakaguzi wa Kampuni ya Ernst and Young wakaanza kazi hiyo Septemba, 2007 na kuikamilisha Desemba, 2007. Wakaguzi hao wamefanya kazi nzuri iliyothibitisha kiwango cha juu cha weledi (Professionalism) cha wakaguzi hao. Tunawapongeza, tunawashukuru. Tunatambua kuwa walipata matatizo mengi hasa ya kupata taarifa zilizo sahihi kwa sababu ya matatizo ya utunzaji wa kumbukumbu. Madeni haya ni ya miaka 27 na zaidi iliyopita. Kumbukumbu zimehamishwa kutoka NBC kwenda BoT. Hata huko NBC shughuli zilikuwa zinafanywa katika matawi mbalimbali nchini tena miaka hiyo hapakuwa na kompyuta hivyo kumbukumbu zote ziliwekwa kwenye majalada. Pamoja na matatizo hayo ukaguzi wa hesabu za mwaka 2005/6 ulikamilika kwa kiwango cha kuridhisha.
Kwa mujibu wa taarifa hiyo ya Ukaguzi katika mwaka wa fedha wa 2005/2006 uliochunguzwa, katika mwaka 2005 yalifanywa malipo ya jumla ya Shilingi 133,015,186,220.74 kwa Makampuni 22 ya hapa nchini. Makampuni hayo ni: Bencon International Ltd. of Tanzania, VB & Associates Company Ltd. of Tanzania, Bina Resorts Ltd. of Tanzania, Venus Hotel Ltd. of Tanzania, Njake Hotel & Tours Ltd., Maltan Mining Company Ltd. of Tanzania, Money Planners & Consultants, Bora Hotels & Apartment Ltd., B. V. Holdings Ltd., Ndovu Soaps Ltd., Navy Cut Tobacco (T) Ltd. of Tanzania, Changanyikeni Residential Complex Ltd., Kagoda Agriculture Ltd., G&T International Ltd., Excellent Services Ltd., Mibale Farm, Liquidity Service Ltd., Clayton Marketing Ltd., M/S Rashtas (T) Ltd., Malegesi Law Chambers (Advocates), Kiloloma and Brothers na KARNEL Ltd.
Aidha, ukaguzi umebaini kwamba kati ya fedha hizo, kiasi cha Shilingi 90,359,078,804.00 zililipwa kwa makampuni kumi na tatu (13) ambayo yalitumia kumbukumbu, nyaraka na hati zilizo batili na za kugushi. Hivyo, Makampuni hayo hayakustahili kulipwa chochote. Makampuni hayo ni: Bencon International Ltd. of Tanzania, VB & Associates Company Ltd. of Tanzania, Bina Resorts Ltd. of Tanzania, Venus Hotel Ltd. of Tanzania, Njake Hotel & Tours Ltd., Maltan Mining Company Ltd. of Tanzania, Money Planners & Consultants, Bora Hotels & Apartment Ltd., B. V. Holdings Ltd., Ndovu Soaps Ltd., Navy Cut Tobacco (T) Ltd. of Tanzania, Changanyikeni Residential Complex Ltd., Kagoda Agriculture Ltd.
Aidha, ukaguzi umeendelea kubaini kuwa Makampuni tisa (9) ambayo yalilipwa jumla ya Shilingi 42,656,107,417.00 hayakuwa na nyaraka za kuonyesha stahili ya malipo na hivyo kuwafanya wakaguzi washindwe kuhakiki uhalali wa malipo hayo. Makampuni hayo ni: G&T International Ltd., Excellent Services Ltd., Mibale Farm, Liquidity Service Ltd., Clayton Marketing Ltd., M/S Rashtas (T) Ltd., Malegesi Law Chambers (Advocates), Kiloloma and Brothers na KARNEL Ltd.
Wakati huo huo Makampuni mawili, yaani, Rashtas (T) Ltd na G&T International Ltd., kumbukumbu zake za usajili katika daftari la Msajili wa Makampuni nchini hazikuweza kupatikana.
Uamuzi wa Rais
Baada ya kuipitia Taarifa ya Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Serikali na ya Mkaguzi wa Nje, yaani, Kampuni ya Ernst and Young, Mhe. Rais amesikitishwa na kukasirishwa na taarifa ya kuwepo vitendo vya ukiukwaji wa makusudi wa sheria, kanuni na taratibu za uuzaji wa madeni ya nje vilivyofanywa katika taasisi muhimu na nyeti kama vile Benki Kuu. Kwa hiyo, ameamua kuwa hatua za kisheria na kiutawala zichukuliwe dhidi ya makampuni na watu waliohusika na vitendo hivyo viovu.
Kwa ajili hiyo Rais ameamua yafuatayo:-
1. Ametengua uteuzi wa Dkt. Daudi A. Balali kuwa Gavana wa Benki Kuu ya Tanzania.
2. Ameagiza Bodi ya Wakurugenzi ya Benki Kuu ikutane mara moja kujadili taarifa ya ukaguzi na kuchukua hatua zipasazo za kinidhamu dhidi ya Maofisa wote wa benki, walio chini ya mamlaka yake waliohusika na kusababisha hasara hii kwa taifa.
3. Shughuli za ulipaji wa madeni katika Akaunti ya EPA zisimamishwe mara moja mpaka hapo taratibu za uhakiki na utaratibu mpya utakapotengenezwa.
4. Rais amewaagiza; Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali, Inspekta Jenerali wa Polisi na Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Taasisi ya Kuzuia na Kupambana na Rushwa, kuchunguza na kuchukua hatua zipasazo za kisheria kwa makampuni na watu waliohusika na uhalifu huu. Rais amewataka watumie ipasavyo mamlaka na madaraka waliyo nayo kwa mujibu wa sheria. Aidha, amewataka wakamilishe kazi hiyo katika kipindi cha miezi sita. Amemuagiza Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali awe kiongozi wa kazi hii. Amewataka wahakikishe kuwa fedha zilizolipwa isivyo halali zinarudishwa.
5. Rais pia amemtaka Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali kushirikiana na kuwasaidia watendaji wakuu hao wa vyombo vya dola katika kufanikisha jukumu lao hilo. “Watu wengine wenye taarifa za ziada pia wazitoe kwa Timu ya Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (AG) na wenzake”.
6. Kutokana na hatua ya kutengua uteuzi wa Bwana BALALI, Mhe. Rais amemteua Prof. BENNO T. NDULU (Naibu Gavana) kuwa Gavana Mpya wa Benki Kuu. Halikadhalika, amemteua Dkt. ENOS S. BUKUKU (Katibu Mkuu – Miundombinu) kuwa Naibu Gavana wa Benki Kuu (Fedha na Uchumi). Pia amemteua Ndugu Omari Chambo kuwa Katibu Mkuu wa Wizara ya Miundombinu. Uteuzi huu unaanza mara moja.
(Phillemon L. Luhanjo)
KATIBU MKUU KIONGOZI
IKULU,
DAR ES SALAAM
09 Januari 2008
