Bungee Newsletter

Issue No 005 FEBRUARY, 2013

Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. points out the Standing Order that gives her power to make changes in the Parliamentary Standing Commitees

Bunge overhauls its Standing Committees membership into new committees and appointing new chairpersons to head the new committees. A major transformation to strengthen the work of the Parliament through the Standing Committees The changes are part of routine of Parliament was made during the recently ended 10th reforms as stipulated in the Parliamentary Session of the Parliament in Dodoma this year by Standing Orders 152 (3) which gives mandate to restructuring Parliamentary Standing Committees the Speaker to amend or make changes of this 8th for the second half life of the 10th Parliament. The Annex of the standing orders in consultation with changes were announced by the Speaker of the the Parliamentary Standing Committee depending National Assembly Hon. Anne Makinda on February on the needs of that particular time when he/she 8th 2013 when she called for the dissolution of deemed fit. all Parliamentary Standing Committees and their One of the changes in the upcoming new reconstitution in a new format. committees is the reduction of the watchdog Hon. Makinda announced the changes at the committees from three to two by doing away with conclusion of the Legislature’s 10th Session, the Parastatal Organization Account Committee and invited lawmakers to submit applications for (POAC), whereby by its activities will now be carried out by the Public Accounts Committee 1 (PAC), which will continue with its responsibility of analyzing the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) Apart from this change, the Speaker also formed audited accounts financial reports of ministries and three new committees namely the Budget other government institution and agencies. Committee, Regional Administration Committee and Defense and Security Committee, which was Initially, it was explained that the POAC activities split from the former Foreign Affairs, Defense and were been undertaken that it brought some Security. For the sake of persuing the interest of contradictions between the Parastatals and their National Foreign policy, the Speaker also formed Parent Ministries. For example an Institution was a Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation called before POAC for its accounts and annual Committee. In another development the Speaker activities at the same time it would be required formed the new standing Committee responsible to appear before the PAC under the umbrella of for the Budget approval and the other for the Local the Ministry they belong. For this matter, instead Government Authorities, majoring on non financial of having two Parliamentary committee dealing on issues as opposed to LAAC. the same matter, PAC will from now deal with all activities ranging from the Ministry and all agencies and institution under the Ministry.

New Bunge Staff member sharpens their HIV & AIDS skills

This was part of a routeen programme usually The National Assembly received a new impetus of organised in the effort to contain HIV and AIDS 29 new staff member betwwen August and October epidemic at workplaces as directed in the last year. The new staff were assigned to different Government circular No. 2 of 2006. units and some sections of the eight departments of the Parliament Secretariat. The new team The AMCA Inter-Consult Limited, a Dar-es-Salaam includes 10 who went to the Accounts Unit, five based consortium of various expertsin HIV & AIDS to the Library and Research, five to Administration related matters were the main facilitators of the and Human Resources, four to Parliamentary workshop that saw agroup of 47 members of staff Legal Counselling, three to Hansard, two to who attended the much-talked about workshop, Planning and ICT Departments. This time around aimed at building the capacity of the members in the staffers were the target group to receive the the fight against the scourge by imparting new ”HIV & AIDS dose” by attending the HIV/ AIDS knowledge on general awareness of the problem prevention training from Thursday 28th February and latest strategies to combat the epidemic, more to Friday 1st March 2013 at the New Savoy Hotel especially at the workplace environment. in Morogoro Municipality. Although, the major thrust of the workshop was on giving a dose on prevention of new

Participants of the recently ended Workshop on HIV /AIDS awareness held in Morogoro for new members of staff.

2 infections through behaviour change, however Namibia calls for bilateral ties with the participants learned a lot on “Knowing your epidemic” strategy aimed at imparting knowledge and skills on how to prevent one from risk The High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia behaviours at our own working environment. to Tanzania Ambassador Japhet Issack said it is As the UNAIDS theme towards MDG 6 by 2015 high time for Tanzania and Namibia to move a step says: Getting to Zero: Zero New Infections, Zero forward from multilateral to bilateral relations. The Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths, the envoy who is also a Permanent Representative to facilitatorstook a lot of time guiding the participants UNEP and UN Habitant made the remarks when he to identify strategies for reaching the goal at our paid a courtesy call to the Speaker of the National working environment. Assembly Right Hon. Anne S. Makinda towards the end of February 2013. The major challenges observed by participants of the workshop as far as the working environment concerned is mobility due to frequent travelling coupled with promiscuous sexual behaviour, multiple and concurrent partnerships and incorrect and inconsistent condom use. The most important agreed lesson learnt was that when we become more knowledgeable on HIV transmission and prevention, it makes us see the scourge as a normal and manageable condition without any secrecy or fear, hence making not fearing to test, and disclosing our status, using protection and getting appropriate treatment. Right Hon. Anne S. Makinda (left), Speaker of the Tan- “The HIV and AIDS workplace intervention zania National Assembly in discussion with Hon.Japh- programme is the organization’s response et Issack, High Commisioner of Namibia to Tanzania aimed at protecting employees against new Ambassador Issack reiterated that parliaments are HIV infections,by reducing the risk factors for the best starting point to strengthen and perpetuate HIV infections for workers, maintaining the bilateral relations. Commending Tanzania for organisation’s commitment level to the fight creating conducive atmosphere in the realm of against the epidemic and mitigate its impact, with democracy, the envoy cited Tanzanian women the general objective of protectingits skilled and parliamentarians as an example to emulate. experienced workforce, including reducing public “Women parliamentarians here in Tanzania … be expenditure on AIDS related illinesses and deaths” it from the ruling party or from the opposition… are said Mr. Nyambele, the chair for the National strong, courageous and focused. We pray that our Assembly’s HIV &AIDS technical team, while women Members of Parliament from Namibia should opening the workshop on behalf of the Director for come to Tanzania and learn from their colleagues,” Administration and Human Resources. said High Commissioner Issack. The envoy cited It was advised that at least we should have such capacity building to the parliamentary members of workshops twice a year to reach out to all staff staff through staff exchange to start with, as an area members and receive current updates in the fight of concentration. He urged Speaker Makinda to avail against the scourge repeatedly in order to become some time to meet with the Speaker of Namibia and even more competent in this war chart away the forward. Responding to this noble call, Speaker Makinda assured the envoy of the readiness of Tanzania in establishing such relationship. Madam Makinda noted that despite various conferences under the umbrella of the SADC-PF which bring them together often, there has not been a deliberate move for the two to meet and share the concerns of their two countries. Speaker Makinda commended the smooth relationships between the two countries and she promised to see it prospering and being strengthened. 3 News in Picture.....

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Clerk of the National Assembly of Tanzania Hon. leading the delegation of Dkt. Thomas Kashililah handing over a the Members of the Tanzania Parliamentary prize of the craft from Tanzania to the Clerk Service Commission when he met his host of the Parliament of Singapore Miss Sheau Hon. Charles Chong, the deputy Speaker of Jiuan when he visited the Parliament of the Parliament of Singapore. The delegation Singapore recently. Behind is the Director of was in Singapore for a study tour. From left the Parliamentary Service Commission Mr. is Hon. , Hon. Hamad Rashid Raphael Nombo Mohamed, Hon. Salehe Pamba and Hon. Beatrice Shelukindo

Clerk of the National Assembly Dr. Thomas A group of 13 Students and their Lecturer Kashililah stressing a point to the Members from Bugando Catholic University of Health of the Press when he invited them recently and Allied Sciences posing in a group to clarify some the issue which took place picture infront of Msekwa Hall with Hon. Pius during the 10th Session of the Parliament. Msekwa, the former Speaker when they among the issue was the situation which visited the Parliament on a Study Tour on led to the postponment of some of the 21st February 2013 in Dodoma. private members motions and resolving of Parliamentary Standing Committees as required by the Standing Orders.

4 Makinda attends the 8th Meeting meeting of the Network of Parliamentary Staff with of EAC Bureau of Speakers effect from Financial Year 2013/2014. This kind of networking will enable EAC Parliamentary Staff to The 8th Meeting of the Bureau of the EAC share information and exchange their professional Speakers of the National Assemblies/ experiences. EALA re-confirmed that the first Parliaments of the East African Community took meeting of the Network of Parliamentary Staff will place in Nairobi, Kenya on 22nd February, 2013. take place in June 2013. The EAC Bureau of Speakers is composed by Members from EAC partner States of Rwanda, The Third EAC Development Strategy 2011 – 2016 Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, the United Republic of provided as one of the six strategic interventions Tanzania and East African Legislative Assembly for EALA; “Establishing Standing Committees in (EALA). Partner States’ Parliaments responsible solely for EAC Affairs”. In that regard the Speakers had The meeting which was chaired by Rt. Hon noted the provision of the said EAC Development Rose Mukantabana, Speaker of the Chamber of Strategy and had committed to establish standing Deputies, Parliament of Rwanda, congratulated committees in the respective National Assemblies. Rt. Hon. Margaret Nantongo Zziwa for her election not only as Speaker of the 3rd Assembly, but also EALA passed a Private Members’ Bill for the as the first female Speaker of the East African establishment of East African Parliamentary Legislative Assembly. They also congratulated Institute (EAPI) and had also signed a Memorandum the 3rd EALA upon its successful inauguration. of Understanding with the State University of New York (SUNY) Kenya to fund the Institute for the next During the meeting, the Speakers noted the three years. The Speakers also recommitted their achievements so far registered in the EAC respective National Assemblies/Parliaments to Integration Process especially the areas of finance the Institute with effect from the Financial Customs Union and Common Market which Year 2013/2014. have led to new dynamics in the markets of the EAC countries. As such, Parliaments have an The Speakers expressed the need to strengthen important role putting in place the necessary legal the Bureau of Speakers as an Organ of the frameworks for implementation or oversight of Community. The Speakers also keenly noted these stages of Integration. the need for the EAC Secretariat to ensure the involvement of Legislatures in all major functions of Regarding the functional r e l a t i o n s h i p s the EAC. They also congratulated EAC and EALA between National Assemblies/ Parliaments, EALA in particular for constructing its own premises. and among themselves, the Speakers noted that progress continues to be made in this area pursuant Regarding the Annual EAC Parliamentary Games, to the provisions of Articles 49(2) and 65 of the the Speakers congratulated the Kenya National Treaty. On the other hand, the Speakers further Assembly for successfully hosting the tournament noted that the National Assemblies/Parliaments in Nairobi from 7th – 14th December 2012. The were in the process of amending their Rules of Parliament of Uganda won the football competition Procedure to incorporate the harmonized Rules while the National Assembly of Tanzania won the of Procedure on how to handle EALA business. netball competition. The National Assembly of The meeting observed some notable milestones Burundi did not participate in the tournament. The in the Integration Process, had been in the next tournament will be hosted by the Parliament area of annual Inter-Parliamentary Relations of Uganda in December 2013. The meeting of the Seminar (Nanyuki series); Inter-Committee Bureau of Speakers wished the people of Kenya activities between Committees of EALA and peaceful, free and fair elections to be held on those of National Assemblies; regular exchange the 4th of March 2013, and pledged the support of information; EALA continued to hold rotational of their respective governments to Kenya during sittings in Partner States; and the meetings of this period. The Meeting decided that the next EAC Speakers continue to be held as agreed. meeting will be hosted by the National Assembly of Tanzania; that Kenya will be the next Chair of the The Meeting recommended that for sustainability Bureau. of cooperation and integration, each National Assembly/Parliament do annually budget for the

5 Parliamentary Service Commission and administration aspect of their operation also Undertakes Study Tour to Singapore wanted to explore how the Singapore Parliament and Oman involves the External Auditor and the treatment of Auditors reports as well as getting a glimpse The Parliamentary Service Commission underwent of how the Singapore Parliamentary Budget is a study visit in Singapore in its quest for building prepared and approved. The Commissioners capacity for its members undertook a study visit to were also interested in knowing how the the Parliament of Singapore during the last week Singapore Parliament manages the Constituency of February. development fund.

The delegation was led by the Commission’s The delegation which also met the Deputy Vice Chairperson and Deputy Speaker,Hon. Job Speaker of Singapore, Hon. Charles Chong who Ndugai. Other Members included Hon. Saleh was delighted to learn that Tanzania has made Pamba, Hon. Hamad Rashid, Hon. Godfrey Zambi, remarkable progress in the Administration of the Hon. , the Clerk Dr. Thomas House, closing the gender gap as well as operating Kashililah, Director of Commission Secretariat, on an unqualified financial reports. Mr Raphael Nombo and Secretaries to the Deputy Speaker and Clerk, Mr. Saidi Yakubu and During the courtesy call to the Deputy Speaker, Emmanuel Mpanda respectively. Hon. Ndugai informed his counterpart that they are aware of the evolution of Singapore and her Parliament into a modern state and legislature with a strong democratic tradition and readiness to reform its practices to meet the current needs and challenges. The two leaders concurred that their respective institutions are literally young and progressively growing and the need to harness the closer ties that exist between both Houses.

From Singapore the Commission visited Oman for a goodwill mission aimed at establishing the Oman Tanzania Parliamentary Friendship Committee. The delegation which was able to present their Deputy Speaker Hon. Job Ndugai giving his host the proposal to the President of the Oman Parliament, Speaker of Majlis Shura, Sheikh Khaled bin Nasser Majlis A’Shura, His Excellency Sheikh Khalid Al Mawwali in Oman an artwork of the Parliamentary Nasser Al Mawwali also extended the invitation for Building when himself and members of Parliamentary the Speaker to visit Tanzania in near future. Service Commission from Tanzania visited Oman The Deputy Speaker and his delegation also The main aim of the said visit was to learn how the visited Majlis Dawla, the Omani State Council, Singapore Parliament operates its Commission Sultan Qaboos University and many other areas and the functions, powers, duties and of their of significance. The delegation were also also able respective Commission. The Committee which to meet with the Acting Ambassador of Tanzania mainly aimed at scrutinizing the financial, planning to Oman, Mr. Abdallah Kilima for a courtesy call at the Tanzanian Embassy.

Produced by:

Department of Information, Civic Education,and International Relations, 6 Parliament Office, DODOMA