jerrytz
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- Oct 10, 2012
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Director of PCCB Dr.Edward Hoseah
PREVENTION and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) is finalizing investigations regarding the Tegeta escrow account in which 300bn/- is alleged to have been siphoned by high-ranking individuals.
"We have so far worked on all issues of concern that were raised by the National Assembly; the final report should be expected very soon," the Director General of PCCB, Dr Edward Hoseah, told 'Daily News' in a telephone interview.
The saga, which has been on the limelight for months now, revolves around funds held in an escrow account opened at the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) by Tanesco and Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL) and later paid to IPTL's owner, Pan African Power Solutions Tanzania Limited (PAP) in 2013.
Reacting to questions from this paper, Dr Hoseah confirmed that the anti-corruption watchdog had almost completed investigations into the affair, which has attracted local and international attention.
The Controller and Auditor General (CAG) had submitted a separate report on the issue to Parliament which was later tabled in the House by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
In its report, the parliamentary committee called for disciplinary action by appointing authorities against ministers, High Court Judges and other high ranking government officials who benefited from the saga.
Lawmakers were of the view that the transaction which saw the Attorney General and the Ministry of Energy and Minerals sanctioning PAP acquisition of IPTL and having access to the over 300bn/- escrow account was dubious and had elements of corruption, money laundering and gross abuse of power.
After a heated debate on November 29, this year, the National Assembly made eight resolutions, one being that the PCCB, police and other security agencies take action against all those mentioned by the PAC report and others who will have been found culpable after investigations.
The august House also resolved that the PCCB Act should be brought to Parliament for review to ensure a new body that handles grand corruption and economic crimes that threaten the country.
Dr Hoseah expressed optimism yesterday that the amendment of the Act would give the anti-corruption watchdog more powers to curb corruption and economic crimes.
"We have been advocating amendment of this legislation to enable us deal with corruption and economic sabotage accordingly. "PCCB had as well made proposals to the now defunct Judge (Rtd) Joseph Warioba-led Constitutional Review Commission to include the new changes all in vain," Dr Hoseah said during the interview.
On Tuesday this week, President Jakaya Kikwete said he will act on the matter in a week's time and directed wide dissemination of the CAG and PAC reports on the issue.
Mr Kikwete, who officially resumed work on Monday after a rest following a prostate surgery last month has received the CAG and PAC reports as well as the Parliamentary resolutions on the alleged Tegeta escrow scam.
He called for thorough reading of the reports by members of the public, demanding that the documents be published in all mainstream and social media to enable all Tanzanians easy access to their contents.
Source:http://allafrica.com/stories/201412120991.html
