Will Tanzanians get those ID cards?
Adam Lusekeso
Daily News; Wednesday,May 28, 2008 @08:10
I GATHER that national identity cards will be ready by the end of December 2009. Plaudits will applaud. I don't. For once, the whole thing will cost 182 billion/-. Now such huge figures of money is a magnet for unsavoury characters like the ones who stole 133 billions of EPA monies.
Coordinator for the project, Dickson Maimu, has said that the tender is open to any company qualified to do the job adding: "I urge companies to compete for the tender, and I assure everybody that the tender process will be free, fair and transparent to all, provided the identity are ready in time."
Knowing Bongo, the tender might have already been awarded to one of the top officials in some party or government.
Just like in the EPA scandal. This time the top government officials might go and register a company either in South Africa or Mauritius. The name of the company has to be fancy, for most of Bongo officials are suckers for foreign names.
I just wonder if Richmond ID Card Manufacturing Company Ltd has applied in the tender. Or another company, the Kagoda ID Card Company Ltd, might also have competed for the tender. But I think, Tangold ID Company Ltd will apply to bag the tender. As you know Tangold, is wholly owned by the government.
But the wives and children of those signing for it can inherit the company! Just mark my words, dear readers, this 182 billion/- will not go without trouble. There is a national feeling that as a people we are being diddled senseless by ruthless conmen wearing natty suits.
Those who badly want the tender might be given suggestion on how to land the deal squarely on their laps. If they want it badly, then they will have to,er, 'contribute' to the party coffers while the party is readying for general elections for the year 2010. Now, as you know, the party plans to win by a landslide (kwa kishindo!).
They have to buy all those khangas for mamas who thankfully get a pair every five years. The caps, t-shirts and scarves will go to all those guys walking semi naked for four years. They are rewarded a t-shirt after every five years. There will be a lot of dosh floating around in the next five years. There will be some money to raise 'awareness'. There will be some dosh in the acquiring of offices, needless to say at highly inflated rent. In Kiswahili, the whole thing smacks of 'Ulaji'! I am definitely not doubting Mr Maimu's integrity.
But he had better keep his troops in line. Otherwise, we will not be having ID cards in the next five years. There will only be accusations and counter-accusations and a lot more 'shangingis' on our roads!
Mbwene2@yahoo.com