For, Makinda organised a special fete to
honour Sitta in Dodoma on Friday evening to congratulate him for
outstanding service when he occupied Speaker’s chair in the House
During the five-year period from 2005 to
2010 Makinda was Deputy Speaker. She showered praise on Sitta, who is
currently the country’s minister for East African Cooperation Affairs,
saying: “He is one of the best executive officers and administrators”.
The fete, held in the Parliamentary
premises, attracted several dignitaries, including Prime Minister
Mizengo Pinda , Members of Parliament, Bunge officers and the media.
“I know Sitta always advocated for good
governance, and we all witnessed this when he was the presiding officer
in Parliament. In that sense it is worth recognising his good leadership
through such a function,” Speaker Makinda said.
She said while he was Speaker of the National Assembly Sitta achieved a lot, including making tough and bold decisions.
“A lot of things that you see now in
Parliament and elsewhere were initiated by him. I know what I’ m saying
because I was his deputy,” Makinda said without getting into details.
She said veteran politician Sitta played a
key role in making her ( Makinda ) an MP in 1975 as he led others like
Maokola Majogo and the late Jackson Makweta in campaigns that helped
her get elected as National MP.
In those days national MPs were elected by
elected Members of Parliament after tough and rigorous campaigns. She
did not enter the House on Special Seats arrangement.
She said that in a civilized society it
was important to recognise someone’s outstanding leadership
contribution, including cherishing the good he did.
Premier Pinda who presided over the fete
as guest of honour said Sitta fulfilled his responsibilities well by
effectively leading fellow MPs to perform their duties.
“Sitta was a man of ‘standards and speed’
and you, Mama Makinda, are approaching his levels. I believe by the time
you finish your tenure of office you will have left behind a lot to be
remembered by fellow MPs and the entire public,” Premier Pinda said.
Speaker Makinda has begun in Tanzania a
history by accepting Bunge to have Special Committee on Budgetary
Matters, at present led by Bariadi West CCM MP Andrew Chenge.
Makinda will also go into history of books
of this country for agreeing to recommendations by Controller and
Auditor General (CAG) Ludovick Utouh that called for changing the budget
cycle, whereby instead of taking the government budget to Parliament in
June every year, the task is now performed between April and June.
In thanking remarks Sitta said: “This is a
special evening for me and my wife Margareth…a manifestation of true
Tanzania culture.’’
Bunge awarded Sitta a Sh10 million worth
plot at Itega in Dodoma municipality and a laptop. His wife Margareth
was awarded a refrigerator.
Bunge officers awarded the former speaker a
washing machine while Premier Pinda and his office workers awarded him a
television set.
It will be remembered that CCM removed
Sitta from the position of Speaker after 2010 general elections
proposing women candidates, including Makinda, to vie for the post.
SOURCE:
GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
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