16:30 04.07.2008 | All news from "Top Legal News"
Tanzania: MP Raises Queries Over Sh15 Million Salary Paid to Tanroads CEO
The former deputy finance minister made the appeal when contributing to the budget estimates of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development tabled on Wednesday by the minister, Dr Shukuru Kawambwa.
He said the circumstances under which the Tanroads CEO was employed were questionable because professionally Mr Mrema is not an engineer.
Mr Mporogomyi said data indicate that the CEO holds a Bachelor of Science in construction economics conferred to him in 1983 and a Master of Science in project management conferred to him in 1987.
According to the MP, Mr Mrema was not among the candidates shortlisted for the job after the contract of the former Tanroads CEO Dr Addo-Abedi from Ghana expired in September last year.
He said during the search for a qualified person to succeed Dr Abed there were other candidates who were shortlisted for the job, listing them as Mr Boniface Nyiti, Venance Ndyamkama and two others that he remembered by their single names as Mr Chacha and Ms Macha.
"This CEO was not among the candidates shortlisted during the process. It is surprising because it seems he was just handpicked and placed into the post," said the former United Nations employee.
He said even after he was handpicked to the post he failed to allocate the four candidates to relevant posts despite being directed by the Ministry for Infrastructure Development to do so.
"After he was handpicked to the post he transferred the four candidates to the ministry after he noticed that they were a threat to his job security. The ministry returned them to the agency, ordering Mr Mrema to give them regional posts," the MP told the House.
He added: "Despite the ministry's directives, the CEO said he could not post them in the regions since all posts were already filled." Failure to allocate them to those posts made the candidates remain redundant but earning their pay of Sh 2million per month, the MP noted.
Mr Mporogomyi, a trained economist and financial consultant, said that the terms of employment offered to Mr Mrema were questionable. The pay and allowances offered to Mr Mrema are those offered to an expatriate, he stated.
Citing figures, the MP said Mr Mrema earns $8,500 as monthly pay, $2,200 as housing allowance, monthly pension allowance of $850, $400 as monthly medical allowance and $500 transport allowance.
The CEO also gets annual performance bonus of $102,000, $3,000 in annual leave, commencement allowance of $9000 and another $3,000 as mobilisation and demobilisation allowance.
The MP also accused the executive officer of being corrupt, saying he ordered the Tanroads manager for Coast region to dismiss an employee he only identified as Mr Mabuye after he impounded overloaded lorries at Kibaha weighbridge.
"This faithful employee impounded the lorries carrying loads of 70 tons each, charging them a penalty of Sh18million, an amount that was paid. But a few days later the regional manager received a letter from Mr Mrema, ordering him to dismiss Mr Mabuye," he said.He said his presence at the agency has brought about a state of unrest after he introduced contract engagement on the workers, a decision the workers opposed. The workers are demanding their terminal benefits before the implementation of the new employment system, he stated.
Before being handpicked to the post, records shows he was Procurement Consultant for the Zanzibar Government, the MP noted. Mr Mporogomyi also wanted the government to provide explanation over the person's employment record and performance. Dr Kawambwa was expected to provide an explanation during the evening session.
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