DC on the spot over hunting blocs allocation controversy
Chairman of the board of trustees of Makao Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Mussa Magembe, responds questions at a press conference held in Dar es Salaam yesterday. PHOTO|EMMANUEL HERMAN
What you need to know:
Makao WMA chairman Mussa Magembe and Board of Trustees chairman Reuben Kalekwa told a news conference in Dar es Salaam that for a long time now, the DC, Ms Maryrose Kigirini, has acted strangely on the issue.
Dar es Salaam. Leaders of the Makao Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Meatu district yesterday accused the area’s district commissioner of what they termed as interference in the process to acquire an investor for the WMA covering 471 square kilometres.
Makao WMA chairman Mussa Magembe and Board of Trustees chairman Reuben Kalekwa told a news conference in Dar es Salaam that for a long time now, the DC, Ms Maryrose Kigirini, has acted strangely on the issue.
“She has been pressurising members to allocate hunting blocs to a tourist hunting company that did not win a tender to operate in the area,” the two officials noted in a joint press statement, adding that the administration has allowed Mwiba Holdings Safaris Limited to operate in the WMA unlawfully.
However, when contacted by phone yesterday, Ms Kigirini declined to give details, only saying: “The matter is being handled. I would not like to comment anything at the moment.”
Her accusers claimed the interference has impeded development of Makao WMA intended to benefit over 20,000 people from Makao, Mwangudo, Iramba Ndogo, Sapa, Mbushi, Jinamo and Mwabagimu villages.
Mwiba Holdings Safaris was reportedly operating despite a warning from the Director of Wildlife Prof Alexander Songorwa through an official letter sent to the Maswa wildlife conservator. The Citizen on Sunday tried to get in touch with Prof Songorwa yesterday but he was not readily available.
According to Magembe and Kalekwa, Mwiba Holdings Safaris competed for the December 2012 tender alongside Tawico Limited and Fereck Safaris Limited. They said the three companies were scrutinized as required by law before the winner was announced.
They said Mwiba Holdings Safaris scored 41.40 per cent, Tawico got 42 per cent and Fereck Safaris Limited which won the tender scooped 84.22 per cent. The Dar-es-Salaam-based firm was then granted the rights to carry out investment, conservation and hunting activities in the WMA on May 8 with the authorization of the Director of Wildlife.
However, they said the district commissioner was insisting that Mwiba Holdings should be allowed to operate. Mwiba Holdings Safaris director Michel Allard yesterday said he would not comment on the matter as he did not personally know the two complainants. “Since their claims are about the district commissioner and not Mwiba, it will be more appropriate to contact the DC,” he said on phone yesterday.
Mr Mwita Matiko, the Fereck Safaris director, separately told The Citizen on Sunday yesterday that the DC’s acts amounted to breaching laws governing WMAs. He said the wrangles could land Meatu district council in court.
He said his firm last month handed Sh100 million to Makao WMA fund as part of the contract agreement. “Other plans are underway to provide all the services as stated,” Matiko said.
Mr Amir Mataka, the chairman of the Authorised Association Consortium Tanzania, an apex body for the management of WMAs in the country, said there are currently a total of 19 WMAs. He acknowledged he knew of the contact award to Fereck Safaris.
