"Pressure mounts on govt to disclose details of deals with investors" 21 September 2014

Pressure is mounting on the government to be more open on its investment and supply agreements after major investors accused it of secrecy surrounding their contracts. Those who have come out of the closet to openly discuss the matter said they saw no sense in keeping deals with the government confidential...For many years, the authorities created the impression that the agreements could not be made public because the parties involved did not want the details disclosed. But that take on things has now been openly dismissed by gas and mining companies that are party to some of the controversial contracts entered into by the country and some investors. According to them, the opposite is the truth since it is the government that encourages secrecy and negotiates on the basis of confidentiality. But some national leaders and technocrats have spoken out against the practice. Like Consultant Richard Mushi of the Economic and Business Foundation Ltd, they say the secrecy was an avenue for unscrupulous officials and politicians used to raise money to support their personal goals and political ambitions...[T]he head of Statoil in Tanzania, Mr Øystein Michelsen...told The Citizen on Sunday that the Norwegian company had no problem with details of its contract with the government being made public. [refers to Statoil & Mantra Resources]