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Villagers defy Premier`s call to vacate area
2007-02-21 09:09:59
By Mary Edward, PST, Mtera
People living near Mtera Dam in Iringa and Dodoma regions refused to shift from their homes in spite of the on-going exercise conducted by the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) of spilling additional water from the dam.
Last week, the Prime Minister, Edward Lowassa, directed authorities of the two regions to ensure that people living close to Mtera Dam were shifted to avert possible deaths and inconveniences.
The spilling exercise commenced yesterday at around 08:50 by opening the first gate. The second gate was opened at 09:00hours.
Acting manager of Mtera Dam Power Production, Justice Mtolela, told PST over the phone that the exercise was going on smoothly.
He said TANESCO was planning to remove 180 square meters of water per second through each of the gates at Mtera Dam.
Mtolela added that the water would be channeled to Kidatu Dam through Ruaha River.
He, however, was not sure, whether the move would cause floods around Kidatu Dam.
He declined to give further comments regarding implementation of the Premier’s order.
Water spilling from Mtera Dam was last done in 2002, according to Mtolela, who said the exercise would be sustained.
Rains that hit Mtera Dam have filled the dam to 686.92 cubic meters of water.
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