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Msekwa: Maghembe retains final decision on proposed Ngorongoro hotel construction
2007-04-30 09:40:10
By Cynthia Mwilolezi, PST, Arusha
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ngorongoro Conservation Authority Area, Pius Msekwa has denied that his board is insisting and pressing for the construction of a hotel on the edge of the conservation area.
Speaking at a joint meeting attended by the management of Ngorongoro conservation area, representatives of livestock keepers in Ngorongoro and other stakeholders, Msekwa said the decision to construct the hotel in the area lies in the hands of the minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Prof. Jumanne Maghembe.
He clarified that before the minister determines the validity of the decision, officials in the Vice President`s Office responsible for environment have to carry out environmental impact assessment (EIA) and advise as appropriate.
With the EIA report before him, the minister will then proceed to decide on the proposal seeking permission to put up the hotel within the conservation area put forward by the investor, Msekwa explained.
``Apart from the minister`s anticipated determination of the matter, officials in the VPO responsible for environmental assessment have also been assigned with the duty to make critical assessment of the project on its impact to the environment before final decision,`` he said.
The clarification follows allegations that the Board had been insisting and pressing for the construction of the hotel on the proposed location despite advice by experts that it is contrary to conservation regulations and that it will cause disturbance to wild animals.
Prof. Maghembe is on record to have announced total ban on construction of tourist hotels within the conservation areas except around the areas.
Places recommended for the construction of tourist hotels in the area include Naenokanoka, Esiruwa, Naimbatati, Maseki and Empakai.
Recommended structures are the tent form and not corrugated iron sheets, which distract animal attention leading them to shift elsewhere.
Currently there are only four tourist hotels in the area and it is deemed that construction of more structures would cater for increased number of tourists to the area.
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