TEF, Mecira call for smooth eviction at the Ihefu valley

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Editors’ Forum (TEF) and the Media Centre for Information and Resources Advocacy (Mecira) yesterday urged the government to use compassion when evicting the 12 families who are alleged to be preventing water from flowing into the Great Ruaha River.

According to reports, the incident has seriously damaged the ecosystem and endangered the lives of millions of Tanzanians.

Speaking to the media yesterday, TEF chairman Deudatus Balile said their request came as a result of investments made in the basin, including highly valuable machinery and plants purchased with loans from banking institutions.

“They should be given at least a year for them to voluntarily vacate the basin,” he said.

The two organisations applauded President Samia Suluhu Hassan for calling for prompt prosecution of individuals responsible for the Ihefu Basin’s environmental destruction.

They lauded President Hassan, who days after the Head of State graced the opening of impounding water into a dam at the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Power Project (JNHPP).

During the event, the head of state seconded Vice President Philip Mpango’s directives that those implicated in restricting water flow should be accountable.

Meanwhile, TEF has called on the government to fulfil its promise of amending the Media Services Act of 2016 in the January Parliamentary session.

Different scribes said during a separate event that they would like to see the government’s promise fulfilled, expressing their views that further delay would deny the media fraternity a conducive working environment.

Arodia Peter said recommended amendments would bring joy among journalists.

“The situation has improved as compared to the recent past, but amendments will provide journalists with the provisions of the law that have been demanded,” she said.

For his part, Mr Balile said despite commendable improvement in the media working environment, media stakeholders were collaborating with the media in amending draconian laws that appear to be obstacles for the growth of the media industry.