He said yesterday that he supported last week’s demonstration by Mtwara residents, who were protesting the government’s decision to build a 532km pipeline to channel gas to Dar es Salaam.
The demonstration was organised by eight opposition parties in the region, namely Chadema, NCCR-Mageuzi, SAU, TLP, APPT Maendeleo, ADC, UDP and DP, and the theme was “Natural Gas Comes Before Political Party Affiliations.”
President Kikwete said during his end-of-the month address to the nation on Monday that the decision to take the gas to Dar es Salaam was the right one, and warned politicians against misleading the public.
He said natural resources must benefit all Tanzanians regardless of where they were.
But Mr Murji said he would stand by the people’s wishes even if it meant losing his parliamentary seat.
“I commend leaders of the eight parties for their bold move to make sure that the natural gas benefits the residents of Mtwara. The people of Mtwara have every right to make these demands…this is what I stand for and I won’t mind losing my seat in parliament.”
The MP’s views were echoed by the Mtwara-Mikindani Municipality CCM chairman, Mr Ali Chinkawene, who also said supported Mtwara resident’s opposition to the construction of the gas pipeline to Dar es Salaam.
He said the government was supposed to build a gas processing plant in Mtwara where the natural resource was available so that it could benefit its residents.
Mr Chinkawene said a committee of CCM members discussed the issue and unanimously resolved to oppose the government’s plan.
“We don’t have electricity and nobody took the trouble to make sure that we are connected to the national grid. Construction of the Mtwara-Dar es Salaam road has yet to be completed 51 years after independence, but they want to construct the gas pipeline in a few months,” he said.
Mtwara residents say power plants and petrochemical industries should be built in the southern region, where the natural gas is found, to also benefit its residents.
In his address, President Kikwete said opposing construction of the gas pipeline to Dar es Salaam is unacceptable, for resources found in any region belong to the whole country and should also benefit all Tanzanians.
“I would like to assure Mtwara and Lindi residents, where gas was discovered and any place that we may discover other natural resources, that we won’t forget them. They will benefit equally as the government is committed to benefit all citizens,” he said.
The President said the total revenue that comes from all parts of the country is derived from various sources which are used to serve all citizens and not one part of the country where these revenues were made.
The NCCR-Mageuzi chairman, Mr James Mbatia, also supported the Mtwara residents.
Mr Mbatia, who is also a Nominated MP, said their move was a wake-up call for the government to discuss the issue with Mtwara residents on how the natural gas could benefit them.
Vunjo MP Augustino Mrema of TLP also supported the Mtwara residents saying they have the right to fight for their own development.
He likened the demands of Mtwara residents with those of his constituents residing near the Kilimanjaro National Park (Kinapa). He said they were not benefiting from revenues accrued from tourists climbing the Africa’s highest mountain.
However, Energy and Minerals minister Sospeter Muhongo said yesterday that the demands by Mtwara residents were likely to disrupt peace in the country.
“The natural gas belongs to all Tanzanians, and it does not exclusively belong to Mtwara residents. The protests are likely to cause disunity among Tanzanians,” Prof Muhongo said when reached by telephone. He said he would address a press conference on the issue today.
Academicians and government planners have, however, criticised the protests, warning politicians against playing with people’s sentiments on exploitation of natural resources.
The pipeline will be the second to be constructed in the country after the 232km pipeline from Songosongo to Ubungo in Dar es Salaam.
In this commercial capital of Tanzania e natural gas has replaced liquid fuel as feedstock in the generation of up to 115MW of electricity for the national grid. Tanzania has in excess of 40 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves that have attracted global oil and gas players.
Additional reporting by Florence Majani and Silas Nicodem in Dar es Salaam.
Source: The Citizen
President Jakaya Kikwete
No comments :
Post a Comment