Opposition lawmakers walk out of Bunge debating chamber in Dodoma yesterday. They boycotted Parliament protesting the reduction of live coverage time.
Dar/Dodoma. The main opposition party, Chadema, says it is ready to foot the bill for live broadcast of Parliament sessions by Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation after the government limited the service over mounting costs.
Chadema acting secretary general Salumu Mwalimu said yesterday the party would
also mobilise like-minded organisations to raise funds required to enable the State-run broadcaster to continue airing Bunge proceedings live.
“We know the government wants to hide something but if the problem is indeed the cost, we are willing to pick up the bill because our aim is to ensure Tanzanians enjoy their right to see what goes on in Parliament,” Mr Mwalimu said at a press conference.
He spoke in Dar es Salaam as opposition MPs in Dodoma walked out of Parliament on the second day running to protest the decision to suspend the popular broadcasts.
Unlike the chaotic scenes witnessed on Wednesday evening when armed security forcefully ejected them, the MPs voluntarily walked out of the debating chamber just after the end of the Question and Answer session.
The morning session will be the only one aired live in the current arrangement as explained by Information, Culture, Artistes and Sports minister Nape Nnauye.
Chadema chairman, Mr Freeman Mbowe, led the walk-out as CCM counterparts continued to debate President John Magufuli’s inaugural speech. They went on to hold a closed door meeting at the Msekwa Hall.As they streamed out, they booed security officers who were standing ready for combat outside.
Liwale MP Zubeir Kuchauka (CUF), Ms Esther Bulaya (Bunda-Chadema) and Mr Selemani Mbundala (Kilwa South-CUF) taunted the policemen, accusing them of assaulting lawmakers in complete disregard to the law.
“Yesterday you broke my finger, today I won’t let you break my arm but rest assured that you are going to pay for my blood,” shouted Mr Kuchauka.
Ms Bulaya said: “You were prepared to feast on our blood but you are not going to beat anyone today. There will come a time when even you lowly paid and poorly housed police will join our cause to protect the people’s interests.”
Mr Bundala accused the police of looting the opposition MPs’ of chains and watches. Bukoba Urban MP Alfred Lwakatare said MPs won’t be cowed, noting he had received calls from constituents expressing disgust at the broadcast switch off move.
Asked if they will continue with the protests, Kigoma Urban MP Mr Zitto Kabwe (ACT-Wazalendo) said the camp will announce a common stand after consultations.
“However, this issue is worrying and it is a wake-up call that things are not entirely okay. All authoritarian regimes begin by muzzling the media and their freedom of citizens to get information. This government is showing all the signs that it doesn’t want Parliament to query its business,” said Mr Kabwe.
In Dar es Salaam, Mr Mwalimu called on the Media Owners Association of Tanzania (Moat) and Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) to team up and object to government dictatorship.
Mr Mwalimu said Mr Nnauye was lying as to the real reason behind the TBC move.
“I have been in the electronic media for years and doubt TBC spends Sh4.2 billion on live broadcasts as claimed by the minister,” he said. He challenged the government to give a breakdown of the Bill.
@amtulya
@gadiosa2
news@thecitizen.co.tz
EmoticonEmoticon