Samia reinstates social services, lifts restrictions imposed in Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has ordered the restoration of social services, the holding of local government elections, and the lifting of all restrictions imposed on residents of the Ngorongoro area.

This comes in the wake of recent protests by residents, who have been demanding the restoration of their access to social services, mainly education, health, and water services.

Ngorongoro residents have also opposed the dissolution of 96 hamlets, 25 villages, and 11 wards—an order that effectively stripped them of their voting rights.

The minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office responsible for Policy, Parliamentary Affairs and Coordination, William Lukuvi, addressed Ngorongoro residents on Friday, August 23, 2024, in Oloirobi Village, located in the Ngorongoro Ward.

The residents had gathered in the area for five days from August 18, 2024.

Mr Lukuvi was accompanied by the Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Danstan Kitandula, Arusha Regional Commissioner, Paul Makonda, and the Police Force's Commissioner of Operations and Training, Awadh Juma Haji.

In his speech, Mr Lukuvi said President Hassan sent them to communicate and issue directives that authorities should implement effectively from the district to the regional level.

He said the President plans to meet representatives of Ngorongoro residents and arrangements will be made to enable them to present their grievances directly.

Mr Lukuvi noted that the president was aware of recent restrictions in social services and infrastructural challenges.

“Residents receive certain services from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), but some services are neither adequately nor promptly provided. Reports indicate that some schools are lacking essential amenities, with no efforts being made to address these issues,” said Mr. Lukuvi.

He also highlighted that some officials face difficulties in passing through gates, including private vehicle owners who are restricted after 4:30 pm, instructing the NCAA director to resolve all disruptions.

“Education services must be fully provided, and hospital services must be fully available. I want Mr Makonda to ensure that in all areas where services have been suspended, they are restored so that residents do not face difficulties in accessing social services,” he stated.

He issued a directive to repair a water pumping machine at the girls’ secondary school in the area to relieve students from the troubles of walking long distances to fetch water and that school toilets should be properly functional in a month.

Mr Lukuvi highlighted that the President has reviewed and read all the placards displayed by residents, received messages from their leaders, and has also taken steps, including sending Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa to Arusha to meet and speak with their representatives.

 Court ruling

The Arusha High Court has blocked the implementation of the Government Notice (GN) No. 673 of August 2, 2024, which dissolved wards, villages, and hamlets, including those in the Ngorongoro District, until further court notice.

The decision was made on August 22, 2024, by Judge Ayoub Mwenda, who heard the interim injunction application submitted by the Ngorongoro resident, Mr Isaya Ole Posi, represented by advocate Peter Njau.

After listening to both sides, Judge Mwenda granted the interim injunction and approved a suspension of the GN to allow for the hearing of the main application.

Speaking to reporters outside the Arusha Integrated Justice Centre, advocate Njau said that in the interim application No. 6953 of 2024, they presented their case to the court, resulting in the decision.

He stated that the interim application had two main issues, including seeking an injunction and the core of the case was asking the court to grant permission for the applicant to file a review of whether the order was valid.

“Judge Mwenda has approved our application and ordered us to provide copies of our application to the Republic side (respondent), so the government notice will stand to allow the hearing of whether that order was valid,” he said.

“My client and other Ngorongoro residents believe that the issuer did not have the proper authority and that the order was issued illegally. So, the court will review this in the main application,” he added.

Judge Mwenda adjourned the case until September 26, 2024, when the court will hear the main application submitted by Mr Ole Posi and make determinations.

On August 2 this year, a government notice was issued under Section 30 of the Local Government (District Authorities) Act, 1982, dissolving villages, wards, and hamlets in the districts of Ngorongoro, Bahi, Chemba, Kasulu, Kakonko, Hai, and Rombo.

 Regarding elections

Mr Lukuvi said President Hassan has directed that local government elections, slated to take place countrywide on November 27, be held in Ngorongoro, and preparations should proceed accordingly in the area as per existing boundaries.

“The President has sent us to assure you that your rights to vote in the forthcoming elections remain intact. The director of Elections (from the Independent National Electoral Commission) should ensure all polling stations are set up to enable citizens to exercise their constitutional rights,” he said.

He emphasised that for the elections to proceed, boundaries must be clear and instructed the election authorities to respect all existing boundaries of villages, hamlets, and wards.

“There are 11 wards here; each lawmaker should oversee their assigned ward, and every councillor should visit their wards to monitor the process and inform residents that no one has been denied their voting rights,” he emphasised.

The Ngorongoro District Council executive director, Mr Murtallah Mbillu, told The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, that preparations for the local government elections scheduled for November 27, 2024, were progressing well.

“Following the injunction, I, as the director, have begun implementing the measures put in place by the sector ministries, as the court has decided to suspend the order. As the executive director of the Ngorongoro District Council, I can confirm that other processes, such as election preparations and updating the permanent voter registry, are proceeding smoothly."

 Prof Kabudi

During the meeting, Prof Kabudi affirmed that all Tanzanians are equal and assured the residents that they will receive the same rights and treatment as those in other regions.

“Our country was founded by the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, as one united nation built on love, peace, and unity. President Hassan upholds these principles and urges you to preserve peace and stability while safeguarding the nation. Let us embody the spirit of peace and love, just like all other Tanzanians,” he said.

“Article 8 of the United Republic Constitution clearly states that all government authority derives from the people, and you are the people gathered here. You are Tanzanians and part of those who confer authority to the nation. Our Constitution states that the primary role of the government is to ensure the well-being of the people,” he said.

Furthermore, Prof Kabudi said this article requires people to have the right to participate in national affairs and that the President has a 4R philosophy constituting reconciliation, thus urging the residents to continue maintaining peace and patience.

“The President upholds the rule of law, and the government must enforce the rule of law, which is why it has accepted the court's decision to suspend the previously issued order,” he said.

Regional Commissioner Makonda stated that one of his qualities is upholding justice and truth and that he took an oath never to participate in the oppression of others' rights, noting that the positions they hold are a privilege from God.

“The President also values justice, which is why we are here. I have never come to Ngorongoro without answers; I do not go to places without answers, and the answers must be true because I will be accountable to the President and God,” he said.

“I would not want to stand before God and be reminded of my involvement in oppression and harming residents of Ngorongoro. I will not accept that,” he stated.

“I have high hopes that whatever will be said regarding my authority, whether in a village, ward, and district or at the regional level, those who delay implementation will be liable to consequences,” he added.

Thanking the government on behalf of the residents, Ngorongoro legislator Emmanuel Shangai said in the previous four years, residents have seen no leaders visiting the area, but today the President has sent them.

“I urge you to trust the government because the President is for all Tanzanians. It is possible that some of his subordinates misled him, which is why these issues arose,” he said.