Says the Port Debate is dividing the nation.
1. This debate (about the port) has ruptured our unity and unearthed some graves. We have found some graves where the deceased have not decayed.
The constitution, reconciliation, unity, religious understanding, freedom of expression, and citizen empowerment without parliament are crucial in mending the emerging rifts.
2. President Samia Suluhu Hassan belongs to all of us. It is important as a nation to shield her from the divisions arising from this (port development) debate. There is life after the port debate. She has the responsibility to lead us all and all groups until we overcome. Patience will teach us more than haste. This rift can be closed by listening and taking action.
3. In the Port debate, we have heard complaints about three types of corruption: those benefiting from port negligence striving to obstruct the contract; DP World pushing for the contract to proceed; and those called patriots who neither want DP World nor port negligence but fail to provide a solution. This rift is difficult to address without delaying the contract and first engaging in dialogue."
4. The debate and people's behavior have shown that this government does not solely belong to President Samia, even though she appointed it. It is a mixture of past governments. It has divided loyalty, with one oath in Chamwino and others in graves in Msufini and Butiama. A government without "collective responsibility" is like a gang of troublemakers. This rift demands a fresh start.
5. Parliament should have been privatized before the port. What they say in parliament is not what they say on the streets and in bars. They deceive the President by claiming support while carrying arrows to destroy her. Our parliament has made the port debate challenging.
6. It is surprising that very few of the lawyers who have spoken about the port development contract truly understand it. Most of them are cunning and deceptive. Our economists' cunning ends in Kariakoo. They neither comprehend nor explain this (port development) contract to us. This is a dangerous rift.
7. Our leaders have their religions. I don't wish to choose a leader without religion. The problem is that we have leaders of religion. We criticize leaders of a different religion and praise those of our own. Or we remain silent until we are injected with praises instead of offering advice. It is pleasing to criticize and advise your own religious leader, although it is not forbidden to criticize one from a different religion.
8. The debate (about the port) has shown that those who claim to build/defend unity and nationalism are the ones tearing it down. Those who seem to tear it down are the ones building it. The port has wounded our unity and nationalism. This will have future consequences. We know each other; let us live cautiously.
9. Corruption at the port is what has led to its current state. Once bribery is exchanged, the government loses revenue, cargo is delayed, lost, and the port becomes a den of vices. The question is, should we sell wherever there is corruption? Should we privatize it? Should we hand it over to the private sector?
10. The debate of selling, privatizing, or leasing, whatever form it takes, has revealed dangerous cracks in our Tanzanian home.
Rev. Dr. Benson Bagonza, Archbishop of the Karagwe Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
0 Comments