CCM’s Shinyanga regional chairman Khamis Mngeja (left) listens to party secretary general Abdulrahman Kinana shortly after he arrived in Isaka town to start an official four-day tour in the region. Right is CCM’s Publicity and Ideology secretary Nape Nauye. PHOTO | PETER NYANJE
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He noted that investors were businessmen and therefore logical for them to apply principles guiding their dealings, one of which is to make profit.
Kahama. The secretary general of the ruling party, CCM, Mr Abdulrahman Kinana, has urged big investors in the country to stop the tendency of only contributing for big national development projects and instead provide more towards assisting communities living in and around areas where they operate.
Addressing a rally on Tuesday after inaugurating a dispensary at Mwendakulima Village in Kahama District, Shinyanga Region, Mr Kinana said the investors should be more concerned about their relations with people near their projects.
The dispensary he inaugurated was constructed with assistance from the Buzwagi Gold Mine, property of Africa Barick gold (ABG).
“It is not enough to please the President or Prime Minister by contributing to big national projects, people living nearby should be given the priority,” he emphasized.
Mr Kinana noted further support of local communities was a global practice under what is knows as the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) .
“It is unfortunate that big investors have the tendency of going to Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Mwanza to contribute for big projects. This should not be the case,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Kinana cautioned Tanzanians against entertaining the misconception that investors were here to steal national wealth.
He noted that investors were businessmen and therefore logical for them to apply principles guiding their dealings, one of which is to make profit.
“But the profit should be shared between the investor, the nation and people living in areas that produce the wealth,” he said.
Meanwhile, addressing a rally in Kahama town, Mr Kinana said people living near the big mines would appreciate the investments if they were to benefit from them.
He also challenged companies sub-contracted by the mines to ensure their activities benefit local people as well.
“I’ve been informed that people who enter into contracts with big mines generate up to Sh25 billion monthly. This is a huge sum which could make a difference if part of the proceeds were to go to the people,” he said.
