Majaliwa gives tough orders to Coast RC

Bagamoyo. Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, has directed the Coast Regional Commissioner, Engineer Evarist Ndikilo, to camp at Miono ward in Bagamoyo District and look for pastoralists who have been terrorising farmers.

Premier Majaliwa gave the directive when residents of the ward stopped his entourage as he was on his way to inspect infrastructure of Saadan National Park also located in the District.

The area councillor, Mr Juma Mpwimbwi, told Mr Majaliwa that farmers in the ward have been forced to endure beatings from pastoralists and though they have been reporting the incidents Police have not taken any tangible steps to assist them.

“We are being beaten by pastoralists, we have been reporting these incidents but nothing has been done. They (pastoralists) are using their financial powers to bribe their way,” complained the civic leader.

He also noted that in addition to serious water shortage, they were promised a tarmac road seven years ago but to date the project has not started.

For his part, another villager, Mr Shabani Mkwimbi, said though they have a police station and a court in the ward, but accountability of personnel at the two institutions was questionable.

“After talking with us please leave with the head of the Miono police station, Mr Maro and his assistant Mr Rashidi together with the magistrate in charge because they have done nothing to assist us. There is no farmer who has won a case against pastoralist here,” he complained.

But Premier Majaliwa assured the villagers that the government in power is theirs (wananchi) and there was no one who is above the law.

He said the problems with the head of police in the area will be dealt with by the Regional Police Commander, who was also in his entourage.

“Fortunately, the Regional commissioner is also here with us. He is the chairman of the peace and security committee in the Region, he will deal with this issue,” he said.

He ordered the regional Commissioner to camp in the ward and look for the poastoiralists who have been harassing farmers and take appropriate actions against them.