THE
Tanzania Telecommunication Company Limited (TTCL) Board of Directors, confirmed
Dr Kamugisha Kazaura as CEO of the company.
The
new CEO told the 'Daily News' in an interview that he plans to increase revenue
and cut expenditure as well as creating industrial harmony among workers.
The
new development follows recent crisis between the management and workers which
forced the Deputy Minister for Communication, Science and Technology, Mr
January Makamba, as well as the board to intervene. Over a fortnight ago, the
TTCL board suspended the top brass of the company for various misconducts such
as embezzlement and abuse of office.
Mr
Makamba told this paper recently that the recently suspended top-brass of the
company now face criminal investigations. The Deputy Minister said he had
written to the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), directing
it to conduct criminal investigations on the accusations.
"Apart
from the board's actions, I thought it was necessary that there should be
criminal investigations as there are allegations related to embezzlement and
abuse of office which fall under PCCB Act," Deputy Minister Makamba, said
in an interview.
Adding;
"I wrote to the PCCB and sent dossiers (presented to me by TTCL staff) to
ask them to conduct investigations and bring these individuals to court in
accordance to the law. I hope that nobody will be spared." Apart from the
PCCB investigations, the Deputy Minister also hinted that the TTCL's Board had
decided to conduct a separate probe through the Controller and Auditor General
(CAG).
Asked
on how long the investigations will take, the Deputy Minister said the time
frame will depend on the course of the investigation. At a meeting recently,
the TTCL Board of Directors suspended three senior officials including the
firm's Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr Mrisho Shaban, Chief Marketing and
Sales Operations Officer (CM&SO), Mr Ernest Nangi and Chief Internal
Auditor (CIA), Godfrey Kilenga. During the meeting, the board appointed Dr
Kamugisha Kazaura as the firm's Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who was
before then TTCL's Chief Technical Officer (CTO).
Dr
Kazaura replaced Mr Said Amir Said, who had reached compulsory retirement age
and his employment contract had expired. "The board has decided to suspend
the CFO, the CM&SO and the CIA to pave way for investigations. The outcome
of the investigations will determine what steps to be taken," a statement
issued then by the TTCL's Board Chair Dr Enos Bukuku, read in part.
Asked
on whether the former CEO will be investigated, Deputy Minister Makamba
responded; "People to be investigated will depend on how investigations
proceed and what they (PCCB) uncover." Efforts to get comments from the
Director General of PCCB, Dr Edward Hoseah and Dr Bukuku were not successful.
To
fill the vacancy of the suspended officials, the board appointed Mr Alinanuswe
Mwakitalima as Acting CFO, Mr Peter Ngota (Acting CM&SO) and Mr David
Kalayi (Acting CIA). It has also appointed Mr Jotham Lujara Acting CTO and Adin
Mgendi Acting Head of National Information and Communication Technical
Broadband Backbone (NICTBB). Sources have it that more officials are under
spotlight and that further actions should be expected soon.
The
crisisridden management has been at the centre of attention recently, prompting
Mr Makamba and Dr Bukuku to convene meetings with TTCL staff. Government
sources say that despite huge resources, the company has failed to perform
efficiently for more than 10 years now due to mismanagement.
Daily
news Tanzania