Legislators
want Tanzania-Kenya border in Serengeti to stay closed
By Lusekelo Philemon
16th May 2014
A Cross-section of Members of
Parliament yesterday insisted that the border between Tanzania and Kenya at
Bologonja point in the Serengeti wilderness, should remain closed.
The border lies between Serengeti National Park on Tanzania’s side and Maasai Mara on Kenya’s side.
MPs protested against government’s plan of opening the gate, saying it will pose a devastating impact on Tanzania’s tourism sub-sector which contributes 17 percent of the country’s GDP.
The lawmakers were debating the 2014/15 budget estimates for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, tabled on Tuesday evening by the responsible minister, Lazaro Nyalandu.
James Lembeli who is a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources called upon the government to protect the interest of Tanzania’s tourism business.
“There are rumors that the government wants to open the Bologonja gate to allow tourists from Masai Mara national park in Kenya to enter Serengeti National Park. If it is true, I urge the government to drop the plan and keep the gate closed,” Lembeli said.
“I am worried about this plan, because if it is true then foreign tourists will be able to enter Serengeti National Park through Kenya,” said Zakia Meghji, who is a nominated MP.
Meghji who is former Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism said the gate was closed 40 years ago in efforts to force tourists to enter Serengeti through Tanzania and not otherwise.
Serengeti wilderness is very rich in biodiversity, with a unique experience of annual migration of thousands of wildebeests.
The wildebeests have a tendency of migrating from Serengeti to Maasai Mara in Kenya something that attracts tourists to visit the famous park.
The lawmaker said wildlife policies of the two countries are different as Tanzania embraces sustainable tourism - low volume with high results.
The border lies between Serengeti National Park on Tanzania’s side and Maasai Mara on Kenya’s side.
MPs protested against government’s plan of opening the gate, saying it will pose a devastating impact on Tanzania’s tourism sub-sector which contributes 17 percent of the country’s GDP.
The lawmakers were debating the 2014/15 budget estimates for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, tabled on Tuesday evening by the responsible minister, Lazaro Nyalandu.
James Lembeli who is a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources called upon the government to protect the interest of Tanzania’s tourism business.
“There are rumors that the government wants to open the Bologonja gate to allow tourists from Masai Mara national park in Kenya to enter Serengeti National Park. If it is true, I urge the government to drop the plan and keep the gate closed,” Lembeli said.
“I am worried about this plan, because if it is true then foreign tourists will be able to enter Serengeti National Park through Kenya,” said Zakia Meghji, who is a nominated MP.
Meghji who is former Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism said the gate was closed 40 years ago in efforts to force tourists to enter Serengeti through Tanzania and not otherwise.
Serengeti wilderness is very rich in biodiversity, with a unique experience of annual migration of thousands of wildebeests.
The wildebeests have a tendency of migrating from Serengeti to Maasai Mara in Kenya something that attracts tourists to visit the famous park.
The lawmaker said wildlife policies of the two countries are different as Tanzania embraces sustainable tourism - low volume with high results.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
Appointees
on Operation Tokomeza enquiry denounced by opposition
By Sylivester Domasa
16th May 2014
Opposition Camp in Parliament has
faulted the appointment of two commissioners to the recently formed Commission
of enquiry charged with investigating last year’s botched anti- poaching
campaign ‘Operation Tokomeza’.
Early this month, President Jakaya Kikwete appointed an official probe team to look into the marred operation that was conducted last year to combat poaching but ended up facing wide spread allegations of human rights violations and subsequent condemnation from activists and international organisations.
In his appointment, the President selected Retired Justice Hamisi Msuni as Chairperson of the Commission of enquiry.
He will be leading Retired judges Lyimo Damian, Ihema Steven and Fred Manyanda (State Attorney) who will act as the Commission’s secretary.
Tabling recommendations of the opposition shortly after Justice and Constitution Affairs Minister Dr Asha-Rose Migiro had tabled her ministry’s 2014/15 budget estimates, Rashid Ali Abdullah, Deputy Shadow Minister for Justice, Constitution Affairs and Union, officially representing the opposition, objected the appointment of at least two of the commissioners.
The opposition named the two Commissioners as Retired judges Lyimo Damian and Ihema Steven but was keen to express support towards the Chairperson whose appointment they said is ‘unquestionable owing to his commitment and diligence in his execution of his responsibilities.’
Abudullah, who was making the presentation on behalf of Shadow Minister Tundu Lissu, alleged that the two commissioners in question have tainted reputations and unanswered questions related to their diligence in executing the charges of their offices.
“It has to be on record that, on June 16, 2003, CCM cadre and Singida Regional Chairman Joram Allute consistently appealed before the third phase president Mkapa to rescind Judge Ihema from the High Court,” he claimed before the noble House.
Further, he alleged that judge Iheme was appointed by the then Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi to be part of a team investigating circumstances that led to the extra judicial killings of Channel Ten correspondent in Iringa (2013) Daudi Mwangosi yet, according the opposition, his report remains a mystery.
On judge Lyimo, Tumbe MP (CUF) told the parliament that his very appointment and extension of time of service at the High court was openly challenged by a number of judges.
Lyimo was appointed just a year before his retirement and he was required to extend his time in service for three more years with effect from March 2008. The appointment brought about formation of a task force to examine judges’ employment after retirement, the House was told.
Earlier, tabling her ministry’s 2014/15 budget estimates, Dr Migiro said the President had appointed a team to probe Operation Tokomeza and the announcement was publish in the national gazette in May 2, this year.
The operation saw several ministers fired at the time, including well respected Ambassador Khamis Kagesheki who was the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Home Affairs Minister Dr Emanuel Nchimbi, Defence and National Service Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha and David Mathayo Minister in Charge of Livestock and Fisheries Development.
Early this month, President Jakaya Kikwete appointed an official probe team to look into the marred operation that was conducted last year to combat poaching but ended up facing wide spread allegations of human rights violations and subsequent condemnation from activists and international organisations.
In his appointment, the President selected Retired Justice Hamisi Msuni as Chairperson of the Commission of enquiry.
He will be leading Retired judges Lyimo Damian, Ihema Steven and Fred Manyanda (State Attorney) who will act as the Commission’s secretary.
Tabling recommendations of the opposition shortly after Justice and Constitution Affairs Minister Dr Asha-Rose Migiro had tabled her ministry’s 2014/15 budget estimates, Rashid Ali Abdullah, Deputy Shadow Minister for Justice, Constitution Affairs and Union, officially representing the opposition, objected the appointment of at least two of the commissioners.
The opposition named the two Commissioners as Retired judges Lyimo Damian and Ihema Steven but was keen to express support towards the Chairperson whose appointment they said is ‘unquestionable owing to his commitment and diligence in his execution of his responsibilities.’
Abudullah, who was making the presentation on behalf of Shadow Minister Tundu Lissu, alleged that the two commissioners in question have tainted reputations and unanswered questions related to their diligence in executing the charges of their offices.
“It has to be on record that, on June 16, 2003, CCM cadre and Singida Regional Chairman Joram Allute consistently appealed before the third phase president Mkapa to rescind Judge Ihema from the High Court,” he claimed before the noble House.
Further, he alleged that judge Iheme was appointed by the then Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi to be part of a team investigating circumstances that led to the extra judicial killings of Channel Ten correspondent in Iringa (2013) Daudi Mwangosi yet, according the opposition, his report remains a mystery.
On judge Lyimo, Tumbe MP (CUF) told the parliament that his very appointment and extension of time of service at the High court was openly challenged by a number of judges.
Lyimo was appointed just a year before his retirement and he was required to extend his time in service for three more years with effect from March 2008. The appointment brought about formation of a task force to examine judges’ employment after retirement, the House was told.
Earlier, tabling her ministry’s 2014/15 budget estimates, Dr Migiro said the President had appointed a team to probe Operation Tokomeza and the announcement was publish in the national gazette in May 2, this year.
The operation saw several ministers fired at the time, including well respected Ambassador Khamis Kagesheki who was the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Home Affairs Minister Dr Emanuel Nchimbi, Defence and National Service Minister Shamsi Vuai Nahodha and David Mathayo Minister in Charge of Livestock and Fisheries Development.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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