Lead by Example, EALA Speaker challenges legislators
Legislators should consistently be at the forefront with regards to enlightening constituents on the laws passed and on their overall mandate, EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Daniel Fred Kidega has said. At the same time, the Speaker is urging the Parliamentarians to ensure Governments of the day avail resources and consequently, service delivery to people is fully realized.
Rt Hon. Kidega made the call when he delivered a paper entitled “Leadership and Legislative Decision Making” at a seminar for legislators of the Parliament of Tanzania in Dodoma yesterday.
At the seminar, the Speaker took the legislators who numbered over 70, through the topic on leadership and legislative decision making in line with the mandate of Parliament which is legislation, oversight and representation. The Speaker delved on the theories of leadership – which include the autocratic, bureaucratic and delegative styles and on practical lessons of leadership on parliamentary affairs. Two discussants, Hon Anna Abdalla, a former long serving cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament and Hon Stephen Masele, a current legislator, also provided invaluable input and insights at the seminar.
Rt Hon. Kidega called on the Parliamentarians to pay key attention to the Appropriation Bill as a key deliverable in ensuring the resources are availed to their people. In the same dispensation, the Speaker called for oversight to ensure that the monies appropriated were put in the right place and that citizens were made well versed on the issues - as a way of creating awareness.
“Citizens might not think of the national budget for example – delivered this past week in the EAC Partner States as a law, but in reality, it is probably the most important piece of legislation enacted each year. As the peoples’ representatives, you must follow up on the issues contained therein (Appropriation Bill), and keep your constituents informed while oversighting on the usage of resources,” Rt. Hon Kidega said.
The Speaker implored Members to make effective use of the oversight tools including the Public Accounts Committees and the Public Audits. He termed Oversight as one of the crucial modes of checks and balances to ensure that programs are carried out legally, effectively and for the purposes for which they were intended.
The International Republican Institute (IRI), Tanzania and the Office of the Clerk of the Parliament of Tanzania, organized the two-day workshop on Leadership (June 11-12th, 2016) as well as legislative strategies and public policy. Its main aim was to enable youth and women Members of the Parliament to sharpen their skills and to provide them with a tools to increase efficiency as they perform their duties.
The EALA Speaker remarked that the new trend of the “tyranny of numbers” in many Parliaments were leading Members of the minority in the Houses towards embracing “activism within the Legislatures”.
“Legislators must find a way of dealing with the tyranny of numbers. However, we must not demean the sanctity of Parliament by transforming ourselves into activists. It may be a considerable move for Parliamentarians from either side to consider formation of caucuses in the House from across the political divide to push for matters. It is a given that Parliamentarians worldwide can work with caucuses as a useful tool to promote agenda”, he said.
“It is important for those in the ruling party to listen to what the opposition is saying. But the opposition parties in the House must also contribute ideas that are relevant also as way of enhancing governance,” Rt Hon Kidega said. “Both parties must be seen to provide leadership and enhance representation of the publics”, he added.
The Speaker told Parliamentarians to seek for objectivity at all times and to speak the truth. He cited challenges being faced by legislators as that of balancing the promises made versus the realities on the ground, competing demands between constituents and other stakeholders whose priorities may differ, as well as what may be construed to be personal interests of the legislators vis a vis the bigger picture.
He said there was need for a balance between Party whipping and allowing for freedom of Party Members to exercise their minds. The Speaker implored Members to be well read, researched and to understand the Standing Orders of the Parliament. “It is also important to enhance your debating skills, listen and to be astute negotiators”, he added.
Former legislator, Hon Anna Abdalla remarked that the challenges facing women in Parliament transcended party politics and there was need for Members to look at the bigger picture. Hon Abdalla who spent close to twenty years in Cabinet of the United Republic of Tanzania said the right time to clean up the image of politics was now.
“Pessimists often say, politics is a dirty game. Looking at the attendance here today, I would not at all say you all partake of the dirt. But we must enhance the image by sticking to what is right and by offering leadership and guidance”, the former legislator stated.
Hon Stephen Masele remarked that it was important for young Parliamentarians to learn from their seniors and to similarly share the experiences. He termed mentorship as a key component of leadership.
According to the IRI Resident Director, Robina Namusisi, Parliamentarians are representative of the diversity in the country as a whole. Therefore, various leadership traits are evident among this large group of leaders. The Resident Director termed the seminar a learning opportunity for legislators to identify their leadership traits and styles and how to use them in their legislative position.
“This is indeed a platform for peer learning as well as sharing lessons learnt and experiences. As well as, an opportunity to review public policies and policy making processes in Tanzania”, Ms Namusisi added.