LEGISLATORS yesterday unanimously endorsed the proposed second Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP), which among other issues aims at boosting industrialisation for economic development.
Virtually, all MPs who debated the FYDP 2016/17- 2020/21 gave it an overwhelming support, which calls for initial implementation later on July 1, 2016. Prior to its endorsement yesterday evening, almost speaker after speaker asked the government to put measures in place to ensure that the plan focuses on improving infrastructure, energy, agriculture, industries, people’s development and other social services.
Others are financial services, business and tourism, Private Sector participation as well as good governance and public accountability. Unlike other sessions of debate in parliament, the debate on the FYDP attracted little criticism from the opposition.
This was attributed by a section of MPs that it was prompted by the fact that the session was not broadcast live as it has always been in the past. Even the attendance by Members of Parliament from the opposition was not convincing either.
Since the beginning of the parliamentary budget session on Tuesday, the sessions have been conducted behind camera. The minister presented in the National Assembly the second FYDP which outlines some of the grand projects to be implemented in the plan. The plan further outlines four key priority areas, according to the Finance and Planning Ministry.
They are Economic Growth and Establishment of Industrial Economy, Combining Economic and Human Development, Creating Enabling Environment for Business Environment and Investment as well as Strengthening Supervision during the Implementation of the plan.
Prior to passing of the bill, during the debate, Ms Lolensia Bukwimba (Busanda- CCM) suggested that government should invest in the mineral sector so as to help more youths to employ themselves as well as injecting funds into the sector to help the young generation get enough capital that will facilitate self employment.
“Again for the country to have strong economy the government should put in place proper mechanisms to invest in the central railway line that will facilitate business in the country and improve living standards.
Constantine Kanyasu (Geita Urban- CCM) said implementation of the plan in five years, should focus on the quality of education to ensure that those who are graduating from colleges are employed.
“Currently, someone graduates from campus but when employed he/ she cannot deliver,’’ he said. He added that despite the mushrooming of higher learning institutions, there should be a system of establishing polytechnic colleges to help graduates acquire more skills.
Kilindi MP, Omar Kigua (CCM) said tourism sector was pertinent, therefore, he added,by purchasing aircrafts, the country stood a chance to attract more tourists to visit the country in bigger numbers.
Upendo Poneza (Special Seats-Chadema) argued that for the government to widen its tax base, there was a need to seal loopholes for tax evasion.
On revenue collection, the MP said the Local Government’s Act was clear on the collection of service levy by the local government authorities but because of poor implementation of the legislation the country was losing revenue.
“I want to commend President John Magufuli for his initiative to ensure that people were paying tax,’’ she added amid applause from CCM legislators. CCM’s Raphael Chegeni (Busega) said for the country to develop; every Tanzanian should voluntarily pay tax.
Mr Chegeni hailed the president’s ongoing exercise of suspending underperforming leaders and those misappropriating the country’s funds under his slogan squeezing the boils ‘Kutumbua Majipu’.
Ally Salehe (Malindi-CUF) said: It is vital for the parliament to pass a resolution so that the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) conducts a special audit on the national debt so that before we ask for more loans for implementation of the plan, we get to understand if the national debt is manageable.’’
He also advised the government to think of improving the Southern Corridor because Mtwara was the next big investment area in Tanzania which has natural gas and other resources.
