President John Pombe Magufuli needs to drum up time and again the concept of building Tanzania that has made him a ball and chain. Although Magufuli has already said this time again the he doesn’t want to build Tanzania for himself but for the Tanzania, it seems, a few understand his mission-cum-vision.
As President’s already practically indicated, Tanzania isn’t his private estate. Therefore, whatever he’s risking doing is for you and me. If President Magufuli wanted to build the country for his benefit, his disparagers would have already showed some anomalies on this. When he decided to purchase airplanes to resuscitate the Air Tanzania Ltd, detractors accused him of spending money that wasn’t allocated by the parliament. Had there been any graft and malpractices, detractors would not cling unto complaining that the monies spent were not set aside by the parliament. For the President, if Magufuli were intending to benefit his people or himself, he’s already achieved that. For, if he even decides to serve only one term, his retiring pecks suffice to make him live comfortably. Refer to those who did nothing and retire and got retirement perks for doing nothing. Africa has a lot of such leaders.
If we accountably conduct ourselves and fairly treat President Magufuli, we must agree that, at least, he’s something to show in terms of achievements. While Tanzanians were used to leaders who loved to travel abroad squandering their taxes, Magufuli has flatly refused to replicate such a form of graft by putting a stop on such endemic and systemic abuses of public funds and resources. How much money has Magufuli saved by his frugality and strictness? Doesn’t he deserve kudos for this? As if it wasn’t enough, many public officers spent millions in self-serving activities and hiking their allowances and catering services provided by their family members, friends or partners. Have we easily and quickly forgotten how public offices became cash cows for a few corrupt elements in the upper echelons of power that used to spend much money and time on fake conferences, seminars and paying themselves per diems for such abuses and profligacy? We used to complain about a few corrupt elements selling public vehicles to themselves at throwaway prices. Go check in public departments if such a crime is still rife as it used to be. Come to public employment, it seems, we have forgotten how nepotism and rent seeking were endemically the order of the day. Mnyonge mnyongeni, haki yake mpeni. So, too, it seems, we’ve easily forgotten how the high and the mighty used to send their relatives to be medically examined and treated abroad after sabotaging our medical services while Magufuli, thrice, treated his mother, wife and late sister locally. Although this can be seen as a normal thing, looking at the history of our country and Africa in general wherein power means exceptionality and access to better service paid for by public money, it isn’t. As per the late father of the nation, Mwl Julius Nyerere, it needs the courage of the mad or one to pluck up one’s courage. This said, apart from being courageous, by allowing his beloved ones to be treated locally, surely, Magufuli showed how selfless he’s. Nonetheless, such things can be ignored, normalised and trivialised, they indeed aren’t. After exiting power, they’ll define him and his presidency.
While others sold public parastatals at throwaway prices, Magufuli’s busy reclaiming them for the benefit all Tanzania equally. While some of his predecessors made do with ghost workers, Magufuli quickly and singlehandedly purged them and saved billions he channeled to public services. Is this a small feat really?
Further, have we forgotten how our airports, borders, harbours, police stations, public offices and roadblocks etc. became private enterprises for making a killing for a few corrupt and greedy officials who used them to mint and print quick bucks?
Although the situation has improved tremendously, I seriously implore President Magufuli to introduce lifestyle audit in order to deal a blow to those who acquired wealth illicitly. If anything, this is the area Magufuli hasn’t zeroed in yet. I live in Canada. There is no way any citizen or resident can own any money or any property without showing how he/she acquired it. To make sure that everybody complies with this requirement; all Canadians and residents fill their tax returns annually. Whenever anybody’s tax return shows some wealth that’s no explanation, the authorities zero in and take the said wealth while requiring the owner to show cause or face the wrath of the law.
In sum, Magufuli needs ignore all these noises and fulfill his mission-cum-vision based on tenda wema uondoke ornemo profita in patria or no one is a prophet in his own land as Latin maxim suitably puts it. However, Magufuli seem to have reached his ultima thule even before finishing his first term in office.
Source: Citizen, yesterday.
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