Geita DC seeks end to levy row

Geita. Geita District Commissioner Mr Herman Kapufi has directed the Lwamgasa Ward Executive Officer, Mr John Martin, to solve a levy dispute involving an artisanal miner.

It is alleged that the artsanal miner has not paid the required levy for carrying out mining activities at Kihesa Camp.

Mr John claims that Ms Diana Kulwa has not paid the revenue at the local government’s office, a situation which has created the current atmosphere.

He told this paper that earlier he reported the matter to the DC’s office on July 24, this year, requesting the office to settle the growing dispute between the local government at Lwamgasa village and Ms Kulwa.

According to him, apart from paying the revenue, Ms Kulwa was also supposed to distribute equally 30 per cent of the mined minerals to the village government.

She as the owner of the mine and her supervisor are entitled to 10 per cent apiece.

“Dianna owns the farm, but minerals found underground are the property of the government, so she should adhere to the laid down laws and regulations,” he said.

For his part, the chairman of Lwamgasa Village, Mr Lumumba Salvatory said the government had allocated the mining sites for residents.

He explained that the mining sites were earlier operated by the East Africa Gold Mines Ltd jointly with the State Mining Corporation (STAMICO).

Responding to the matter, Ms Dianna told this paper in a telephone interview that the local government at Lwamgasa village should arrange proper ways of collecting revenue and receiving their percentage of the total excavated sand bags.

The minerals officer in Geita Region, Mr Alli Said, noted that plans were underway to solve the dispute.