JK gives up gold gift for orphans

BY THE GUARDIAN REPORTER

13th November 2013

President Jakaya Kikwete

President Kikwete has directed that a 227-gramme gold gift given to him by Nyamigogo Grand Vezir Holdings of Geita be sold and the proceeds given to orphans.

A statement from the State House circulated to the media yesterday said President gave the directive on Monday, shortly after receiving the gift valued at 16m/-.
“Now, what should I do with this gift? I return the gold to you so that you sell it and we shall give the money to orphans,” said the President.

The President who was on official visit to Geita region, applauded the management of the mine for increasing the value of gold and improving the lives of the surrounding communities.
However he advised them to put more efforts into improving the mining technology used at the site.

“You deserve to be applauded for your creativity which has added value to the gold and improved the lives of the community around here. But it is also a must that we improve the technology used at the mine,” he said.

Meanwhile it was wrongly reported that President Kikwete had lowered electricity connection fees in Geita and Shinyanga regions from 450,000/- to 170,000/-. The government lowered connection fees from January this year to enable more people access power. The error is regretted.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN