Chadema Chairman, Freeman Mbowe (left) and The Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Job Ndugai (right)
What you need to know:
Out of 18 committees, only four were yet to have chairpersons as of yesterday. While Industry, Commerce and Environment as well as Parliamentary Rights, Privilege and Powers committee had not conducted the election, chairpersons for Public Accounts and Local Authorities Accounts committees were not able to be picked since the opposition had boycotted the polls.
Dodoma. Heavyweight ruling CCM parliamentarians have scooped the leadership of key Parliamentary Standing Committees following Thursday night elections.
Out of 18 committees, only four were yet to have chairpersons as of yesterday. While Industry, Commerce and Environment as well as Parliamentary Rights, Privilege and Powers committee had not conducted the election, chairpersons for Public Accounts and Local Authorities Accounts committees were not able to be picked since the opposition had boycotted the polls.
The opposition camp is dissatisfied with the nomination of the committee members because Speaker Job Ndugai named unseasoned opposition MPs as members in the oversight bodies, which are supposed to be headed by the camp.
Two former ministers, Ms Hawa Ghasia and Dr Mary Nagu who were in the last Cabinet of President Jakaya Kikwete are now chairing the Budget Committee and Agriculture, Livestock and Water Committee respectively.
Former Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Tanzania’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Adadi Rajabu, has been elected as the new chairman of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Committee.
There are also former committee chairs who managed to get back to leadership positions.
Mr Peter Serukamba (Kigoma North), who chaired the Infrastructure Committee in the 10th Parliament is now taking charge of the Community Service Committee, while former chair of Energy and Minerals Committee, Mr Richard Ndassa (Sumve) has been elected chairman of the newly established Public Investment Committee (PIC).
Former chairs of Budget Committee, Legal and Constitutional Committee, Mr Andrew Chenge, and Mr William Ngeleja who lost their positions after being implicated in the Tegeta Escrow Account scam in 2014 have been respectively elected as chairman and vice chairman of the Legal sub-committee.
While the Opposition were out protesting, CCM lawmakers went on with the election of vice chairs in both oversight committees, with firebrand Mwibara MP Kangi Lugola being elected vice chair of LAAC while Mr Aeshi Hilary of Sumbawanga Urban was elected vice chair of PAC. According to the standing orders it is only the chairpersons of the committees who are supposed to come from the opposition, their deputies can come from any side.
The newcomer MPs from Kigoma South, Ms Hasna Mwilima, and Prof Norman Sigara from Makete have been elected chairpersons of Aids committee and the Infrastructure Committee respectively.
Special seats MPs Martha Mlata and Dr Mary Mwanjelwa have been elected chairpersons of the Energy and Minerals Committee and Lands, Natural Resources and Tourism committee respectively. Bukoba Rural MP Jasson Rwekiza has been elected chairman of Administration and Local Government Committee, while Rufiji MP Mohammed Mchengerwa now leads the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee.
