| Kakobe relents on Tanesco power project | Send to a friend |
| Tuesday, 09 March 2010 10:55 |
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Bishop Zacharia Kakobe of the Tanzania Full Gospel Bible Fellowship (FGBF) has given in to government's pressure, allowing Tanesco to erect poles for high tension power line outside the church at Mwenge in Dar es Salaam. He however went down fighting, terming the government’s move to pass the high voltage electric transmission line near the church as part of state war against Christianity. He told reporters in his office yesterday that the decision was a continuation of an anti-Christianity crusade by a certain group in the government. He alleged that it was the same group that has been campaigning for establishment of Kadhi courts and country's membership to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (IOC). He said after the group failed in its mission, it turned its attention on Christianity and started influencing the government over the power line construction. Bishop Kakobe said he decided back off after being warned by other religious leaders that there was no way the government was going to abandon its decision as there were some people in the government who were out to sabotage Christians. According to the clergyman, the group, which he declined to name, went as far as altering the standard safety distance of the compact poles from 15 meters to 3 meters. “When we started the negotiations, Tanesco standard safety distance was 15 meters but all of a sudden they told us in our previous meeting that international safety distance standard is three meters and that would be used as yardstick in our case,” Kakobe said. He said although FGBF would not resist Tanesco from passing the line, he had already written to President Jakaya Kikwete, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda as well as to Energy and Minerals minister William Ngeleja to warn them of anti-Christianity plot. He added that he was contacting other church leaders so that they could take a joint stand over the issue. Mr Kakobe said the situation got worse to the extent that some of FGBF followers were transferred from their positions in some ministries. “I have proof that one of my followers was transferred to northern zone from the ministry of Energy and Minerals headquarters after she admitted to be FGBF follower,” he said. Responding to a question on how he has acquired government's confidential document, bishop Kakobe said he was ready to face any charges regarding the documents because as far as he was concerned holding important information from the public was inhuman. Kakobe also accused energy and minerals minister William Ngeleja of lying to the public that the government's decision over the issue had his (Kakobe’s) 100 per cent consent. He said in their last meeting they failed to agree on a number of issues one of which was the safety distance standard. “Logically if the decision had my approval the minister should have invited me at his press conference,” Mr Kakobe said. The government on Sunday gave Tanesco green light to proceed with their process of passing a high voltage transmissions line along Sam Nujoma road via FGBF to Kijitonyama substation. Mr Ngeleja said that the government had approved the Sh34 billion project funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and did not have intention of backtracking in its implementation. The minister’s announcement came after 77 days of standoff pitying Kakobe and Tanesco whose attempt to erect a 132KV transmission line was abruptly suspended after the Church mounted a public protest. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
