Reaction on major Constitution views

In the past three weeks or so high profile leaders gave their views on the envisaged new constitution. But, the most prominent issues that they proposed include introduction of a Senate, reduction of powers of the president and appointment of ministers outside MPs.

Now, if these views are adopted in the new constitutions, will decision- making processes and governance be improved in the country?

I am afraid since am not a constitutional expert my comments on opinion made by experienced people such our honourable Speaker might not carry the prerequisite weight.

But I believe those recommending the creation of an upper chamber (Senate) is based on either formal or informal situation analysis of the performance of the current parliament system.

The main concern is its failure to properly articulate issues of national interest without being interfered by partisan politics and in most cases MPs getting preoccupied in impressing their constituents sometimes at the expense of national interest.

I guess the qualifications and methods of picking members of the Senate will have to be different from that used for picking members to the lower chamber, otherwise the Senate is likely to fall into the same trap of narrow and partisan interests.

As to whether the creation of a Senate will lead to improved quality of governance in the country will depend very much on the method of picking representatives.

But let me comment on how we could improve the way our current MPs are picked. I see the current system where any Tanzanian can vie for leadership to represent a constituency irrespective of whether that person has ever lived or participated in leadership at local level (village, ward or district) is quite flawed.

In my view one of the main pre-qualifications should be historical interaction in the respective constituency as a civic leader, political leader, technical expert, etc such that person should have demonstrated practical experience and first hand knowledge of the developmental challenges in the area.

Those sceptical about this approach is that there are very constituents with residents well educated and with nationalistic views such that we risk getting a parliament with semi illiterate people or even if you put the minimum education as a first degree you might have some constituencies without qualifying candidates!

As a planner its my wish that the constitution spells out some basic tenets regarding national vision on social and economic development and articulates some basic social and economic safeguards with respect to economic management, protection and sharing of common heritage resources such as natural resources for the current and future generation of Tanzanians; and of course ensuring growth with equity and protection of special interest groups such as pastoralists, with respect to access to means of production and returns to their labour.

Issues identified as key to attaining national development vision and social cohesion should not be subject to political manipulation and changes by politicians as they are supposed to hold the nation together.

I am being too radical or unrealistic?

Dr Bohela is Executive Director with ESRF

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY