A PROBE team formed to investigate allegations of misdeeds against suspended Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Affairs, Engineer Hosea Mbise, has completed its task and a report for the enquiry has been submitted to the Chief Secretary for further action, it has been learnt.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Professor Justin Ntalikwa, confirmed of the new development when responding to queries from the ‘Daily News’ in a telephone interview on Sunday.
“The probe team has completed the enquiry and the report was presented to me, I have submitted the same to the Chief Secretary (Engineer John Kijazi), who is the disciplinary authority for further action,” Prof Ntalikwa explained.
Sources privy to the probe team confided to this newspaper that among other claims, Eng Mbise, in his capacity, is accused to have misused funds allocated for the process of establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
The envisaged fund to be hosted at the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) is meant to ring fence earnings generated from natural gas.
During the telephone interview yesterday, the permanent secretary denied knowledge of the allegations, directing this newspaper to seek more information from the chief secretary. Eng Mbise was suspended from the powerful position in March, pending investigations into a number of alleged misdeeds.
The Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Affairs is charged with supervising the lucrative petroleum and natural gas. Other responsibilities falling under the portfolio include management of the electricity sector, new and renewable energy as well as energy development.
Subsequent to suspension of Eng Mbise, the former Assistant Commissioner in the same portfolio, Eng Norbert Kahozya, was promoted to Acting Commissioner for Energy and Petroleum Affairs. Eng Kahozya has, however, been removed from the post.
Prof Ntalikwa told this newspaper last month that the probe team had questioned all responsible parties regarding the matter. “The inquiry has taken long but the team, which is made up of commissioners, has assured me the work will be accomplished after two weeks,” the PS explained then.
Prof Ntalikwa explained then that existing legislations and regulations require that once a commissioner has been suspended for any wrongdoing and there is a need to form a commission of inquiry; then such a team should be led by an official with a rank of a commissioner or above from within the public service.
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