MPS’ best tribute to Sitta: Don’t let Tanzanians down

The outpouring of grief that followed the death of former Speaker of the National Assembly Samuel Sitta, who died on November 7 and was laid to rest on Saturday, showed clearly he was a dearly loved and respected leader.

It was remarkable how his death brought together Tanzanians from all walks of life, irrespective of their social or political standing.

He had an illustrious career in public service, as MP and head of a government agency, minister, Speaker and chair of the Constituent Assembly. Sitta showed his mettle as an astute leader when he held the Speaker’s seat from 2005 to 2010.

It was during his tenure as Speaker that a number of contentious issues came up for debate, the most sensitive one revolving around Richmond, a company that was contracted to supply emergency power when Tanzanian was hit by an unprecedented shortage of electricity in 2006.

Parliament was told that the company’s credentials and capacity to supply power were dubitable and that it won the tender due to undue influence from the then Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, an accusation he strongly denied.

Following a damning report on the matter, the PM resigned on February 2, 2008. Two other ministers whose names were linked to the scam followed suit, a move that forced President Jakaya Kikwete to dissolve his Cabinet.

Sitta sat on the chair of the 2014 Constituent Assembly that was charged with debating the envisaged new Constitution and here too he ably steered the process. It is sad he hasn’t lived to see the new constitution become a reality. Making that happen in the not-too-distant future, we aver, will be one way of paying tribute to this great Tanzanian.

Stronger parliament

But most importantly, the most befitting tribute to Sitta will be to make Parliament stronger. As our MPs go about their work, they need to ask themselves if the conduct of the august House still upholds ideals that Sitta stood for.

It wasn’t for nothing that Sitta was affectionately referred to as man of “Speed and Standards”. Why? He was always keen on seeing things done expeditiously and correctly. And by “standards”, it meant doing things in accordance with internationally acceptable parliamentary way of doing things.

As Speaker, he didn’t only practice impartiality; he made sure he was seen to be impartial. MPs were generally at ease with him, irrespective of their side of the political terrain.

Parliament, being one of the three pillars of the State, needs to be strong in order to play its role alongside the Executive and the Judiciary.

Parliament is most significant to the people, for it is the people who elect MPs. It makes the laws that guide the conduct of the Judiciary and puts in check any excesses on the part of those who govern the country.

Samuel Sitta was the people’s Speaker. The grand final farewell accorded to him at the august House in Dodoma on Friday was an unprecedented honour. We consider that a commitment on the part of the lawmakers that they will honour Sitta by never letting down Tanzanians; that they will remain strong and the only laws they will enact will be those that make the people of this country more prosperous and freer.