At the centre of public dismay is the way the administration of President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is tackling the problem of corruption in public institutions.
Some former cabinet ministers in previous administrations, lawmakers and idealists have gone as far as calling for swift changes in the way the government is combating the problem, the Guardian daily observed.
Speaking at a symposium organised by the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation to discuss the nation's political destiny, several participant demanded evidence from the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), set up by the government to fight corruption.
Commenting on the same subject, the government-owned Daily News urged corrupt leaders to quit politics and public offices.
Several high-profile personalities who took part in the forum, according to the daily, expressed dismay "that some, if not all, political leaders, including cabinet ministers and MPs, clung to their political posts even when they were being prosecuted in law courts."
"There has been a noticeable U-turn from past norms when ministers resigned in the middle of some scandals or unpleasant happenings that involved their ministries in a show of accountability."
Meanwhile, another private daily, the Citizen, has lashed at what it called "shame of a nation" in reference to the Tanzanian delegation to the UN conference on climate change.
Expressing disgust at a huge delegation lined up to represent Tanzania at next week's UN Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark, the paper blankly demanded a convincing explanation that tax payers' money would be put to good use.
"It is shocking to learn that a country like ours will be sending between 60 and 95 people to the meeting, when densely populated China, a major contributor to the problem whose solution is being sought, will have only 35 representatives," the daily wondered.
Quoting a recent study by a non-governmental organisation, the paper wrote that foreign trips have become quite lucrative for Tanzanian public officials because an individual can pocket between US$ 300 and US$ 540 as per diem on a mission overseas.
While the Copenhagen conference chiefly targets industrial countries to pledge their carbon reduction levels, the Citizen argued that even a five-member government delegation would suffice to deliver Tanzania's message at the meeting.
Dar es Salaam - Pana 05/12/2009
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|