Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Monday, July 31, 2023.
Lawyer who opposes Dubai DP Word-Tanzania port deal summoned by the Advocate’s Disciplinary Committee
Lawyer and activist, Boniface Mwabukusi has been called to the Advocate Committee on the allegation of professional misconduct.
The complainant, in this case, is the Attorney General who claimed that Advocate Mwabukusi has conducted himself unprofessionally with his utterance to the press. In his submission, the Attorney General quoted a statement by Mwabukusi:
“The Speaker and Prime Minister have no clue what they have passed in parliament, even Chief Mangungo knew what he had signed is a contract… the government is lying to the people that it has signed an agreement and not a contract.” One of the five statements by Mwabukusi that the Attorney General says is seditious and aimed at bringing hatred and contempt against the administration of justice in Tanzania.
Mwabukusi who has emerged as a fierce critic of the controversial deal between Tanzania and Dubai DP World is also the lawyer who is leading a case filed at the Mbeya High Court against the agreement. A case by four citizens, Alphonce Lusako, Emmanuel Chengula, Raphael Ngonde, and Frank Nyalus, and the decision for this case is expected to be out on August 7, 2023.
“Mbarawa (Minister of Works and Transport) and his Permanent Secretary should vacate office, they are risking the properties of the Tanganyikans,” another statement mentioned by Attorney General in his complaints against Mwabukusi.
“Parliament decided to forsake its wisdom, its understanding, and integrity to please one person, and they said this is a contract of that person and if anyone opposes this contract, they are the enemy of that person.” Another statement from Mwabukusi that the Attorney General believes is a criminal, unprofessional, and unethical act. Read the full story here.
TANESCO boasts a 109 billion profit
The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) has on yesterday reported a net profit of Tshs. 109 Billion in the financial year 2021/22, from the profit of Tshs. 77 billion reported in the previous financial year. TANESCO assets have also increased from Tshs. 17.2 trillion to 19.5 trillion with over 500,000 new clients enrolled.
The revelation was made yesterday during the launching of TANESCO’s annual report and strategic plans for the next 10 years. In this plan, TANESCO plans to extend its production capacity, in accordance with the global trend of shifting to renewable energy sources.
TANESCO has an ambition of placing itself as a strategic powerhouse for Eastern and Southern Africa, with the Minister of Energy saying that it’s important to have a long-term vision, to dream big as they continue to solve some of the imminent power challenges in the country.
One of the recent government move that changed TANESCO’s fate is turning the Tshs. 2.4 trillion (USD 977 Billion) debts to capital, making the books of TANESCO more appealing for business partnerships.
“This is a historical move by the government, it opens many doors of possibilities for the organization including investments and loan opportunities,” said Minister of Energy, January Makamba as he was explaining the government’s move to write off TANESCO debt.
The Minister has made a call to his fellow politicians to stop involving TANESCO in politics so as to allow the company to operate efficiently and focused.
