Chadema's MPs leaving the Bunge after being kicked out by the Speaker.
THE Speaker’s chair yesterday continued to be tough on opposition MPs this time forcing three legislators outside the Parliament premises.
Deputy Speaker, Job Ndugai, seeming prepared to face any challenge, directed Godbless Lema, Tundu Lissu and Peter Msigwa all Chadema MPs outside the Bunge gates accusing them of disrespecting the chair.
The MPs were escorted by several police officers right to the gates and ensured Msigwa, Lema and Lissu drove out of the area. The game started after the question and answer session when the MPs switched on the microphones without Ndugai’s permission.
Ndugai had earlier threatened to chase out of the House any MP switching on the mike or standing without permission.
The MPs shouted for the Speaker’s guidance following a statement from the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Parliament, Policy and Coordination), William Lukuvi, which criticized the opposition speech on the Home Affairs’ budget for the year 2011/12 calling it seditious.
“I command you out of this chamber. Sargent-at-Arms make sure that you escort them outside the gates. These fellows have failed to respect the seat and I can’t tolerate that. Walk them out’’ he ordered.
The Nyamagana MP, Ezekiel Wenje (Chadema) was also forced out of the House, by the chairperson, Sylvester Mabumba on Wednesday accusing him of disrespecting the chair. Lissu, Lema and Msigwa have blasted Ndugai’s action.
Meanwhile, the Government has promised to issue national identification cards to Tanzanians this financial year, the House was told yesterday.
Tabling the budget estimates for the year 2011/12, the Minister for Home Affairs, Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, said during the first phase IDs will be provided to government workers, college students and businessmen.
He said 355bn/- has been budgeted for building offices and paying contractors. Nahodha said that the National Identification Authority has employed 105 workers to complete the job.
Nahodha also said that the Immigration department issued 36, 818 passports last financial year where as 35,546 were ordinary, 813 East African, 360 diplomatic and 99 for civil servants.
Source: The African