Magufuli’s directives spark up debate in parliament

Dar es Salaam. President John Magufuli’s statement on people living near or doing production activities near water sources has prompted debate in Parliament in Dodoma.

Addressing a rally in Karagwe on Tuesday November 7, 2017during the launch of the 59.1-kilometre tarmac road from Karagwe to Bugene, President Magufuli directed regional and district commissioners to be wise when implementing the Environmental Management Act, 2004 to avoid creating chaos and inflicting suffering on the people instead of development.

“Relocate people, who trespass on water sources, but be wise in relocating those living or doing production activities near water sources. Without being wise, citizens will be denied residential areas and places for carrying production activities,” he said.

Clarifying the President’s statement in Parliament on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 during the Question and Answers session, deputy minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Environment and Union Affairs) Kangi Lugola warned members of the public from misinterpreting the President’s directives made, while in Karagwe.

“The President is allowed by law to make directives as he did in Karagwe. People shouldn’t invade and destroy water sources following the President’s directives as the government will continue using the law to protect the sources from invasion and destruction,” he said.

But, Iringa Urban MP Peter Msigwa (Chadema) said the government’s directives were contradictory, saying while the President issued one directive, a minister on the following day issued something different.

“The President’s directives are orders. Everybody heard of what he directed something, which is different from what the minister clarifies regarding the same issue, living or doing production activities within 60 metres from water sources. Should we listen to the President or the minister?” he queried.

Responding to that, minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Environment and Union Affairs) January Makamba said, while the law prohibited people from living or carrying production activities 60 metres from water sources, he was permitted by the same law to design guidelines to people allowed to carry such activities under special permission.

“Following President Magufuli’s directives he made in Karagwe, I will formulate guidelines that will accommodate his directives, which are within legal bounds,” he said.

In another development, Home Affairs Minister Mwigulu Nchemba stood up to respond to a concern raised by Mbeya Urban MP Joseph Mbilinyi (Chadema), who claimed Mbeya was sidelined by presidential visits with no apparent reasons.

“People should be patient, the President is obliged to visit and find solutions to contentious issues facing them in their areas,” he said.