| Govt bows to pressure on Serengeti road | Send to a friend |
| Monday, 02 August 2010 15:36 |
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The government has partly bowed to pressure from international organisations and rescinded its decision to pave a road running across the world-famous Serengeti National Park (Senapa). President Jakaya Kikwete said in his end-of-the month speech on Saturday evening that the government had decided not to tarmac the 50km stretch passing though the park. The stretch is part of a road planned by the government to link Mara and Arusha regions from Musoma in Mara to Mto wa Mbu in Arusha through Loliondo in Ngorngoro District. The proposed project has drawn fierce criticism, mainly from international conservationists who claim that the project would jeopardise the spectacular annual migration of wildlife between Senapa and Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Reserve. “I am aware of these sentiments, most of which are aired by people from abroad. I want to assure them that I am also a staunch supporter of the environment, and will be the last person to allow something which is going to destroy the nature,” President Kikwete said as he sought to assure that world that the project would have no adverse effects on the ecosystem. But he insisted that there was no way the government was going to abandon the project completely as suggested by some people. “It is out policy to link all regions with all-weather roads,” he said, adding that the Musoma-Mto wa Mbu road was no exception. However, he noted that in view of environmental concerns, the stretch that runs through Senapa would not be paved. “The section will only be built to gravel level like other roads which run in the park,” he insisted. Stressing on the importance of the road, President Kikwete said people living in areas the road would pass through also deserved better social services like improved infrastructure. He said denying them that basic right because of Senapa, while they are living outside the park, was hard to explain and unfair. “I request the environmental activists to recognise this and give it due consideration. Considering only one side of the issue is not logical,” he said. He said he was amazed by the indifference shown by environmental organisations on the proposed project, saying vehicles moving between the two points travelled 204 kilometres through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Senapa, but no one had raised any concern while once 50km stretch of the proposed road passed through Senapa. President Kikwete said the government was open to opinion and views from many stakeholders on the issue, but these should also provide a solution to the problem of poor infrastructure people in Ngorongoro and Serengeti districts were facing. The project is a fulfilment of a pledge made by President Kikwete during the 2005 General Election campaigns. The 480km road hit a snag in the past, following concern that a section that would pass through the park would endanger the wildlife migration. The wildlife migration attracts hundreds of tourists every year, earning Tanzania and Kenya millions of shillings in foreign exchange. Campaigners are warning that the opening up of Senapa to commercial traffic would be disastrous because the proposed 53km of road through the world-acclaimed wilderness would jeopardise the animal trek and dent the park's ranking as one of the world's leading tourist attraction. Some of the lobbyists, including Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania, are now planning to hold meetings and raise petitions to persuade the government to go for an alternative route around the park and leave Serengeti untouched. “The Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST) is soliciting support from Environmental NGOs to form a coalition which will conduct a campaign to avert the construction of a commercial highway through this critical part of the Serengeti,” said the society in an email communication. On forth coming General Election, President Kikwete appealed to Tanzanians to elect leaders who would serve them diligently during the next five years. He said the government has managed to fulfil its responsibility to make the October 31 General Election effective. He said for the past three years the government has been giving the National Electoral Commission (NEC) money and facilities including competent workers to enable it effectively execute the preparations for the General Election. He said the government has also enacted a new Election Financing Act with intention of checking on the modalities of financing of election campaigns. “Our election process was going astray... I believe that this law, together with agility by PCCB (Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau) will instil fear among corrupt people,” he said. On Zanzibar referendum, President Kikwete urged the side that would lose in the exercise held last Saturday to accept the results and cooperate with the wining side. Results released in Zanzibar yesterday indicated that those who supported the formation of a government of national unity won by 66.4 percent. President Kikwete said in his speech that Zanzibaris should distance themselves from acts that would jeopardise the peace which has started to take root in the isles. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
Comments
I believe in the most Honoured Nyere's Legacy. I believe in Tanzanian development.
I can't believe in President Kikwete who is not telling the truth to the people.
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