SGR SECURES 47M-FUNDING

THREE companies operating in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma
Region that include Mantra Tanzania, Game Frontiers Tanzania and Tanganyika
Wildlife Safari Corporation Limited under the ‘Friends of Mbarangandu’ umbrella
have donated forty five million shillings to help support various Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) programs in seven villages within Mbaranga’ndu
Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the Selous Game Reserve.
The funds will among other projects finance education, water,
bee keeping and tightening of security in the Selous Game reserve in a bid to
intensify fight against poaching.
Speaking during the handover ceremony held at the weekend, Friends
of Mbarangandu Chairperson Moshen Abdallah Shein said they have already given
up to 300m/- to support various community development projects in the last few
years.
“Our support is to ensure that communities where we operate
get access to basic services. We realize
the importance of having good investor-community relations that is why we do
whatsoever is possible to ensure that our relations get better.
Sheni urged local communities to play a leading role in
ensuring that resources within their area among which include the Selous Game Reserve
remain intact if they are to continue benefiting from the present and upcoming
investors.
“You are getting support from various investors because you
have resources that include wild life which are renewable. Play your part well
by ensuring that such resources remain intact otherwise investors won’t have
anything to give out if such resources are depleted,” he urged.
The Mantra Tanzania Managing Director Asa Mwaipopo during
the occasion said his company will work hand in hand with various communities
in ensuring that Namtumbo’s environment and surrounding are preserved.
“We are awaiting an operation license for our Mkuju River
Uranium Project and once it is secured, we will work hand in hand with all
stakeholders in ensuring that the surrounding areas are conserved like we have
done in the past,” he said.
“You should not develop hatred amongst you selves. These
funds are for the benefit of the entire community. Please ensure that these
funds serve the intended purposes,” he cautioned.
Earlier, the newly appointed Namtumbo District Commissioner
Abdallah Suleiman Lutavi said there was need for the Government to look for
community - friendly investors to minimize the occurrence of wrangles between
communities and investors.