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Lipumba promises to assist local gold miners
2005-09-27 07:25:14
By Joseph Shayo, PST, Geita
Civic United Front’s Union presidential candidate, Prof Ibrahim Libumba, has promised to compensate artisanal miners in Geita District whose prospecting rights were taken away by government and given to foreigners.
Addressing thousands of Mwanza residents at Ngayaga grounds, Prof Lipumba said the miners had lost homes through demolitions before they were expelled from the fields, despite having fulfilled their tax obligations.
Prof Libumba who on arrival in Mwanza was welcomed by 50 cyclists who sang songs in his praise, promised to ensure that justice would prevail if CUF formed the next government.
Before he went to Geita, he was shown an area where police allegedly destroyed houses belonging to two small-scale prospectors whose prospecting licences were also confiscated.
Some of the prospectors were still in remand, some locals claimed.
Prof Lipumba was applauded when he said the country was now up for sale with ’new vigour, new zeal and new pace’ in sarcastic reference to CCM candidate Jakaya Kikwete’s campaign slogan.
He said Tanzanians fought for the independence of South Africa, but expressed surprise that South African investors were discriminating locals in the mining industry.
He said foreigners were paid better salaries compared to locals with equal qualifications.
’We fought discrimination in South Africa because we did not like it. But the people whom we fought are now among us and perpetuating racial discrimination,’ Prof Lipumba said.
Prof Lipumba arrived in Mwanza from Bukoba, where he addressed a big campaign rally. He also addressed rallies in Buserere and Katoro wards.
He received 26 cards from CCM members who crossed over to CUF and also distributed cards to new members.
Prof Lipumba said the royalties from the gold companies to the government were little, besides the tax holiday they enjoy.
He said Tanzania had better not embark on the projects until such a time when it had enough experts and resources.
He assured artisanal miners that they would get equipment and loans to enable them to mine gold.
The CUF candidate said the small-scale miners would invest in the local market contrary to foreigners who take away all the profits.
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