Land dispute lingers on as decision awaits JPM
Simanjiro. The minister for Land, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Mr William Lukuvi, has directed leaders of the Tarangire National Park and Mkungunero Game Reserve to desist from troubling herdsmen from Kimotorok and Irkushbor villages until President John Magufuli makes a decision over their dispute.
Mr Lukuvi, who is the chairman of a team of seven ministers who visited Kimotorok Village yesterday, made the comments, saying that President Magufuli was the one to decide on the dispute and that pastoralists should not be troubled for now.
He said after receiving recommendations on how to end the dispute from both sides, the issue would now be taken to the President to make a decision.
He clarified that they received views from residents of the villages, government leaders at regional and district levels, MPs and officials from the Tarangire National Park and Mkungunero Game Reserve.
"After receiving these recommendations in writing and verbally, we have noted them down and we will present them at a meeting of the Cabinet for discussion and the person who sent us will make a decision," said Mr Lukuvi.
For his part, Manyara Regional Commissioner Alexander Mnyeti said the dispute has lasted for too long, adding that it was now time it was ended so that the residents could engage in development and not in disputes.
Simanjiro MP James ole Millya said the residents of the area had suffered a lot in the dispute.
Loiborsiret Ward Councillor Ezekiel Lesenga thanked President John Magufuli for caring for and defending the area’s pastoralists who he said were being chased away.
For his part, the head of the Tarangire National Park, Mr Herman Bakiho, said the disputed area was being used for the reproduction of the wildlife of the Tarangire National Park.
Mkungunero Game Reserve manager Emmanuel Birasso said the disputed area is located in Kondoa District in Dodoma Region.
Last year the minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hamisi Kigwangalah ordered residents of Kimotorok Village bordering the Tarangire National Park and Mkungunero Game Reserve to relocate by September, but Manyara Regional Commissioner Alexander Mnyeti told the residents to stay put.