3 Ministers to settle land conflicts in Simiyu

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa told residents of Simiyu Region yesterday that he would send a team of three ministers for talks with the districts’ administrations and the public in search for a lasting solution to chronic land conflicts between the districts and Serengeti National Park.

Majaliwa told residents of Mwakaluba and Mwandoya village on the fourth day of his tour of the region that he would send a mission of three ministers, namely the Minister of Land, Housing and Human Settlement Development, William Lukuvi, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Prof. Jumanne Maghembe and the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government Authority) George Simbachawene to solve the problem once and for all.

“I have decided to bring the trio to solve the problem for good as I have been continually hearing complaints on land conflicts ever since my arrival in this region,” he said.

“They will go to every district, talk with both farmers and pastoralists to establish the motives behind your conflicts with the National Park; and Minister Simbachawene will have to elaborate over their order to ban activities within 60-metre radius from River Simiyu,” he said.

Earlier Kisesa MP who is also Deputy Minister of State (Environment) Luhanga Mpina told the Premier that the residents had been banned from carrying out activities within the 60-metre margin of the river bank as of July 16 this year.

He complained against non-involvement of the residents in making the decision, wondering over  “how they would survive in a situation where there is no other source of water.”

But Majaliwa also vowed to do away with land conflicts across the country, saying he would form 100 land councils throughout the nation for timely land conflict management.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY