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Katani Ltd hands back land for distribution to wananchi
2008-02-07 09:19:11
By Special Correspondent, Korogwe
Katani Ltd, a sisal growing company that had leased land in Korogwe District for cultivation of the crop, has ceeded it to the sisal board ready for distribution to small scale sisal farmers.
The announcement is contained in a declaration read by the Chairman of the Mkonge Umoja Saccos, Waziri Juma, on Tuesday before the vice-president Dr Ali Mohamed Shein, during his tour of Tanga Region this week.
Juma thanked the government for facilitating the process that led to the returning of the land, promising that once the land is in the hands of the people they would resume production of the cash crop more confidently.
He said since sisal production was introduced in the country way back in 1883, it has been carried out by large-scale farmers, including big companies and rich individuals.
The Saccos chairman described the move to return the land to the board and giving it back to the people as a major step that would bring about revolution in sisal production in the country.
``The aim of our society is to push forward this revolution…to be able to move forward in developing sisal growing along with large-scale farmers,`` insisted Juma.
Speaking to the people in separate occasions here, the Vice-President, Dr Shein commended Katani Ltd.
For the tough decision and urged Saccos officials to serve their members diligently ``so that they do not become disappointed.``
Korogwe legislator, who also doubles as Information, Culture and Sports deputy minister Joel Bendera, expressed satisfaction due to the decision because he fought for it for a long time at separate avenues, including the National Assembly.
``I would like to insist that the decision to give back the land to the small sisal farmers is good and would help not only them as individuals, but the country, as a whole,`` said the Member of Parliament.
In his official tour of Korogwe, the vice-president, Dr Shein launched the Mkonge Umoja Saccos and laid foundation stones for the construction of a hostel for a proposed health training center and for the CRDB bank building.
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