Zitto Kabwe in

President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday named members of a special committee that will review existing mining contracts.

They include Kigoma North MP Zitto Kabwe.

A statement that was issued by the Chief Secretary, Philemon Luhanjo, yesterday in Dar es Salaam, said the committee comprises 11 members. They are of different backgrounds.

They include lawyers and opposition MPs.
The team will be chaired by Judge Mark Bomani, a former Attorney General.

A notable appointee is Kigoma North MP Zitto Kabwe, who was suspended by Parliament after he had proposed the formation of a probe team that would investigate the controversial Buzwagi Mine contract.

His proposal provoked a heated Bunge debate, and once Kabwe was suspended, the debate moved into the public arena, as opposition leaders moved around the country to sell their position on the issue, while government ministers went around putting out the fires kindled by the opposition.

John Momose Cheyo, Bariadi East legislator on the ticket of the United Democratic Party (UDP), will also join the team.

Others are Dr. Harrison George Mwakyembe, the CCM MP for Kyela and Ezekiel Maige, a CCM legislator for Msalala.

Also in the list are Peter Machunde of the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange, David Tarimo of Price Waterhouse Coopers and Maria Kejo from the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

Salome Makange, a lawyer with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Mugisha Kamugisha of the Ministry of Finance and Edward Kihundwa from Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development are also included.

Terms of references include the reviewing of mining contracts and other documents related to commercial mining.

It will also evaluate and sort out the taxation system in the minerals` sector.

The team will also assess mining activities and sort out rights and responsibilities of the investor and the government.

The committee, which has been given three months to complete the job, will be obliged to meet with the Chamber of Mines and other key stakeholders before giving its recommendations.