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Invasion of Mbarali valley irks minister
2006-03-02 09:11:24
By Deogratius Kiduduye, PST, Mbeya
The Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office responsible for Environment, Prof Mark Mwandosya, has asked Mbeya regional authorities to submit to him a report on measures they have so far taken to address the invasion of Ihefu valley by Sukuma herdsmen.
The valley situated in Mbarali District is a reservoir for The Greater Ruaha River that flows into Mtera Dam in Iringa and Dodoma regions.
Speaking to the press after an official tour of the valley, Prof Mwandosya called for immediate action including a thorough evaluation of the invasion’s impact on the natural environment.
Said he:’This evaluation should be a matter of urgency and must include a report to be presented to the Vice President’s Office before it’s forwarded to the President for further action.’
He said since the President has entrusted him with the responsibility of ensuring the environmental health and safety, he will therefore endeavor to prevent any hazards to the country’s environments.
The Minister said he has decided to intervene because district and regional authorities have failed to find a lasting solution to the dispute, but he can’t act without getting the report from the two authorities.
’Our President is very serious about environmental health and safety, that’s why he speaks a lot about conservation to avoid desertification wherever he goes,’ he said.
Prof Mwandosya noted that apart from desertification, environmental hazards have many devastating impacts including drought which has led to food shortages and the on-going power rationing in the country, and cautioned that all activities that could lead to environmental destruction must be avoided and stopped at all costs.
Earlier, the Mbarali District Commissioner, Gilbert Dololo told the Minister that regional and district authorities’ efforts to preserve the valley were being frustrated by some unprincipled lawyers who have been deceiving Sukuma herdsmen that they’ll help them.
’We promise to support your efforts to ensure that the valley is conserved for the benefit of all Tanzanians who depend on it for survival,’ promised the DC.
Prof Mwandosya was on an official tour of the valley to assess the extent of the damage to the area following an influx of million herds of cattle from Mwanza and Shinyanga regions.
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