Iddi Simba joins team to review mining contracts

Industrialist and former minister Iddi Simba.

The just-formed presidential committee tasked with reviewing the mining contracts in which the Government has a stake has got a twelfth member - industrialist and former minister Iddi Simba.

This is according to a terse State House statement issued by Chief Secretary Philemon Luhanjo in Dar es Salaam yesterday, only a day after it was announced that President Jakaya Kikwete had delivered on his recent promise to pick a team of experts to study the matter and advise the Government accordingly.

``President Jakaya Kikwete has appointed Hon Iddi Simba one of the members of the committee charged with reviewing mining contracts under the chairmanship of (former Attorney General) Hon Mark Bomani,`` reads part of the statement.

Simba is a businessman-cum-politician who once served as Trade and Industries minister under retired President Benjamin Mkapa�s third-phase government.

He is held in high regard in both business and political circles in the country, particularly in connection with his championing of the need to empower indigenous Tanzanians.

The statement said the former legislator for Dar es Salaam's Ilala constituency was expected to work alongside his 11 colleagues named late on Tuesday.

These include fiery Kigoma North legislator Zitto Kabwe from the opposition Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), suspended from the National Assembly a few months ago over charges of improper behaviour.

Zitto has been under suspension since the last budget meeting after calling for the formation of a parliamentary team to probe the controversial Buzwagi Mine contract.

His proposal provoked heated debate inside and outside the House, with some opposition leaders going around the country urging the people to demand that the Government respond to the MP's arguments instead of making attempts to silence him.

A number of Government ministers soon made similar tours but this time specifically to undo the 'damage' done by the opposition camp.

Among the other members of the presidential committee are legislators John Cheyo (Bariadi East - United Democratic Party), Dr Harrison Mwakyembe Kyela - CCM), and Ezekiel Maige (Msalala - CCM).

Also in the team are Peter Machunde from the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange, David Tarimo from PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and Maria Kejo from the Justice and Constitutional Affairs ministry.

The others are Energy and Minerals ministry lawyer Salome Makange, Mugisha Kamugisha from the Finance ministry, and Edward Kihundwa from the Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development ministry.

The committee is expected to review mining contracts and any other documents related to commercial mining as well as evaluate and sort out the taxation system applicable to the country's mining sector.

It is also charged with assessing mining activities and sort out rights and responsibilities of investors on the one hand and the Government on the other.

The committee, which has three months within which to complete its work, is under instruction to meet with the Chamber of Mines and other key stakeholders before giving its recommendations.