We can still get a new constitution without burning taxpayers’ money

          When recently asked if he intends to usher in a new Constitution, decidedly and openly President Dr John Pombe Magufuli matter-of-factly retorted “we should not send money to the Parliament where people will receive per diem allowance, we want that money to be spent on meeting SDGs, constructing railway, improving agriculture; and this why there are big countries whose Constitutions were enacted many years ago, this is not the right time.” Though Magufuli’s argument scares the daylights out of those seeking the new Constitution, it makes sense, especially if we consider what we need to prioritise as a nation. Magufuli’s refused to be politically correct or tell lies. However, telling truth to the people used to be told lies is a sin that creates many animosities and enemies. For example, for over fifty years of independence we’ve had Constitutions but not a single SGR not to mention failing to meet our SDGs for a long time.

Seemingly, Magufuli’s response peeved many; and I’m sure; it’s very welcome and unwelcome in some quarters. However, there are things we need to consider before passing any judgment. We need to ask ourselves about what we need first and most.

Firstly, there’s no doubt that Tanzania, indeed, needs a new Constitution. This is because, a) the current Constitution is a wee bit archaic; and needs replacement or amendments. b) The people verily need a new constitution. This is why they didn’t object the commencement of the process that aimed at enacting one. c) Any Constitution’s to serve the people according to the needs of the time. Therefore, those agitating for and opposing to having a new constitution have legit claims. Importantly, as a country, we need to get our priorities right premised on what is the most important thing that the nation needs between the new Constitution and new developmental projects. I can say we need both however at different times. Pius Msekwa in his column (Daily News, April 6, 2017) raises two important questions that can guide us in this issue. He queries “is it really proper to ignore President Magufuli’s clearly stated position, namely that the matter of enacting a new Constitution of the United Republic is not one of his urgent priorities?” He goes on “is the ‘new push’ really necessary?” This informs us of two important things namely the position of the current government and its priorities.

Nonetheless, the two opposing forces in regards to the drive or push for the new Constitution have different importance depending on what we’ll decide to tackle first. To get a solution for this looming situation, we need to embark on constructive, healthy and open dialogue knowing that we all share this country equally. Thus, it is upon our people based on vox-populi rationale to decide what they want first between development and the new Constitution. Again, how’ll this be attained without necessarily burning taxpayers’ money or being seen as one section of the population is bulldozing, ignoring or stymieing another? For example, if we consider what the priorities of the majority Tanzanians who live in rural areas are, we’ll be able to know what is needed first. For many rural dwellers, development is second to none. I don’t think that the rice farmer in rural areas cares more about the new constitution than the SGR that assures him or her market for his or her produces not to mention making his or her mobility faster, easier and possible cheaper than it has been since independence.  The Sangara fisherman or trader in Mwanza cares less about the new Constitution compared to the SGR that is to cut the time he or she used to travel to and from Dar es Salaam tremendously so as to enable him or her make more trips; and thus more money.  For such a person the first priority is an open secret.

I’d argue that provided the process of ushering in the new Constitution started and partially was finalised during the forth-phase government, we can pick from where it was left or say butchered putting in mind that we need both the new Constitution and development premised on saving money for both.

            Secondly, to avoid burning money pointlessly on the process that the taxpayers’ have already bankrolled, there are some things we can consider and put in place such as agreeing or disagreeing about commuting our national parliament to the Constitutional Parliament so that the MPs can vote on the new draft Constitution already in place provided that it has already received the Wananchi’s inputs. So, too, we can shelve one of the two and finish the other first depending on our priorities and needs currently.

            There’s an assumption that Western Democracy, apart from being imperfect is always expensive. Thus, those embarking on it should bear the pangs and twangs of this borrowed concept of running the state as the major source and guidance of Citizenry’s Liberties and rights.

Magufuli started a new dialogue based on logical pitches that’d generate dialogue for the way forward.

           In sum, before knowing the way forward or condemning, we need to revisit the history of our Country though briefly in regards to the efforts to enact a new Constitution. Try to analyse and judge Magufuli’s three predecessors namely Ali Hassan Mwinyi, Benjamin Mkapa and Jakaya Kikwete then pass your judgement. Mwinyi and Mkapa didn’t even whitewash or play and ping pong in regards to the new Constitution while Kikwete dillydallied by initiating the process that he ended up butchering and burn poor taxpayers’ money. Who’s better among the four; the ones who didn’t do anything, the one who burnt public monies or the one who says openly that he’s neither going to burn public monies nor ushering the new Constitution? I’d argue that if we can’t enact the new Constitution now, we better amend the current one to accommodate important matters such as the code of ethics and others.

Source; Citizen, today.