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Lowassa promises to resolve Mererani dispute
2006-04-10 08:53:55
By Correspondent Nasser Kigwangallah, Arusha
Prime Minister Edward Lowassa said yesterday the government was set to resolve a long-standing dispute between TanzaniteOne and artisanal miners at the Mererani tanzanite mining area.
The Premier was addressing Mererani residents in Simanjiro District, Manyara Region.
The residents had wanted to know whether the government was aware of the conflict which, they warned, continued to claim lives of miners.
For peace to prevail, Minister for Energy and Minerals would be dispatched to the area to get first hand information about the conflict, the Prime Minister said.
’I am bringing Minister for Energy and Minerals Dr. Ibrahim Msabaha immediately. I want a plan of action for Mererani,’ Lowassa said.
He praised Mererani residents for electing CCM candidates during the last October polls, saying they had a right to expect good service and prompt action in return.
The Premier reiterated President Jakaya Kikwete’s pledge that the government would review all mining contracts, so that local people also benefited from the lucrative business.
’We want to review all the contracts signed previously so that the mining sector become beneficial to our people who own this land,’ the Prime Minister said.
He said all problems confronting them such as roads; health facilities; employment and water would be solved very soon.
The Premier assured them that the pledges made by President Jakaya Kikwete would be fulfilled, but urged for patience and trust.
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