As majority Tanzanians amounting to approximately 89% survive on a single meal a day, it has been established that the country is sitting on vast mineral and fishery resources. Reports from the Ministry of Energy and Minerals on a Geological Survey conducted way back in 2007 reveal that, Tanzania is extraordinarily blessed with huge deposits of precious minerals ranging from 2,222 Tonnes of Gold, 209 Mil. Tones of Nickel, 50.9 Mil. Carats of Diamond, 13.65 Mil. Tones of Copper, 103 Mil. Tones Iron, Tanzanite, coal, limestone, Soda ash, Gypsum, Phosphate and many others at a 70% accuracy of actual availability. Moreover, It has further been confirmed by Dr. John Magufuli the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries that Tanzania will now receive increased revenue from Fishing as his ministry have signed a contract with a Japanese company (JTCA) that will pay the government over 200 Bil. Tanzanian Shillings every year in Taxes and fees as more fishing companies are expected to come.
Despite the above vast and varied natural resources, Tanzania which, as of 2008 statistics has more than 39 Mil. People living below a dollar a day will remains swimming in the abyss of abject poverty if relevant attention and safeguard is not taken. It has further been put to the know that, Tanzania’s mineral wealth just like in other African countries has not been used to foster development but rather to ravage peoples’ lives.
Critically several issues can be raised as the major problems that play a key role in obstructing development by the majority fueled by mineral and fisheries’ wealth amongst other resources. Such include; corruption amongst government officials, international piracy in the form of illegal fishing in EEZs, greedy for quick wealth by unpatriotic business person, poor governance of resources emanating from institutional incapacity and unequal distribution of revenue from natural resources to local communities among others.
Several solutions to the current state have been advanced and such include; strict observance of the law and its amendment in case of loop holes, entering into win-win natural resource exploitation contracts and reviewing those already in place, adoption of people centered and problem driven policies and proper, transparent and participatory management of mineral and fisheries management. Joint security measures have proved a good start as they recently saved hundreds of illegally harvested Tuna from the Tanzanian EEZ after a joint security exercise involving Kenyans, Tanzanians and South Africans.
The above suggested solutions can only be adopted if pressure for their adoption will be put upon the government. This is therefore a perfect area for CSO’s to take a role and ensure integrity in natural resources management and exploitation. YET participants and their attached organizations should therefore take a lead in this in mobilizing and sensitizing other CSO’s to take necessary action before further and irreversible damage is done.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tanzania’s shocking vast wealth
Name Magreth U. Makinge.
Tanzania is a beautiful country, blessed and richest with natural resources including water bodies like Indian ocean, rivers , lakes like lake Victoria, lake Tanganyika, forests, also game reserves and national parks such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro conservation area.
Tanzania also has mineral deposit including gold, nickel, Tanzanite, diamonds, copper, iron ore, coal, limestone, soda ash, gypsum and phosphate. Gold, diamonds and Tanzanite are being fully mine by multinational companies.
Despite having all this resources, Tanzanians lives in extreme poverty which is below a dollar per day while 89% of the total population survives on a single meal per day.
In reflecting the two articles one on Tanzania’s shocking vast wealth which is about mining sector and the second one is about Magufuli lands Tsh. 200bn deeper fishing contract the following are the challenges/problems.
Poor mining policies which benefits the multinational companies but not Tanzanians, that the government get just 3% of the production and 97% goes to the foreign investor.
The Tanzania government has failed to manage its natural resources this cause the massive increase of poverty level within the country.
Poor negotiating mechanism on the party of our leaders, that the mining contract and license are not well negotiated by the government, as they are after their own interest and not after the interest of majority Tanzanians.
CSOs can contribute the following;
It is important now for CSOs to strengthen their capacities and create awareness to the communities around over the proper management of natural resources and lobbying the government to amend and change some of the policies which lead to unequal distribution and emphasize sustainable natural resource management.
To form coalition so as to have power as CSOs all together, this will enable CSOs to increase their ability in works and strengthened the capacity of CSOs to create awareness on natural resources.
YETS can contribute the following;
YETS 2008- 2012 should form an Association that will work irrespective of the CSOs in promoting awareness through projects during trainings and advocacy on potential natural resources the country has.
Last YETS should act as agent of changing agency.
Email:upendomak@yahoo.com
Tanzania is a beautiful country, blessed and richest with natural resources including water bodies like Indian ocean, rivers , lakes like lake Victoria, lake Tanganyika, forests, also game reserves and national parks such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro conservation area.
Tanzania also has mineral deposit including gold, nickel, Tanzanite, diamonds, copper, iron ore, coal, limestone, soda ash, gypsum and phosphate. Gold, diamonds and Tanzanite are being fully mine by multinational companies.
Despite having all this resources, Tanzanians lives in extreme poverty which is below a dollar per day while 89% of the total population survives on a single meal per day.
In reflecting the two articles one on Tanzania’s shocking vast wealth which is about mining sector and the second one is about Magufuli lands Tsh. 200bn deeper fishing contract the following are the challenges/problems.
Poor mining policies which benefits the multinational companies but not Tanzanians, that the government get just 3% of the production and 97% goes to the foreign investor.
The Tanzania government has failed to manage its natural resources this cause the massive increase of poverty level within the country.
Poor negotiating mechanism on the party of our leaders, that the mining contract and license are not well negotiated by the government, as they are after their own interest and not after the interest of majority Tanzanians.
CSOs can contribute the following;
It is important now for CSOs to strengthen their capacities and create awareness to the communities around over the proper management of natural resources and lobbying the government to amend and change some of the policies which lead to unequal distribution and emphasize sustainable natural resource management.
To form coalition so as to have power as CSOs all together, this will enable CSOs to increase their ability in works and strengthened the capacity of CSOs to create awareness on natural resources.
YETS can contribute the following;
YETS 2008- 2012 should form an Association that will work irrespective of the CSOs in promoting awareness through projects during trainings and advocacy on potential natural resources the country has.
Last YETS should act as agent of changing agency.
Email:upendomak@yahoo.com
Beautiful Tanzania
By: Lilian Mwanga – YETS 2010
Tanzania is so beautiful and God bless it with a lot of valuable resources which cover a large part of he country, such as five key minerals are found in the country. For example gold (2,222 tones) nickel (209 million tones), diamonds (50.9 million tones), copper (13.65 million tones) and iron ore(103million tones) but it’s wonder the country known as poor whole over the world this is due to the fact that massive poverty continues to rock the majority of Tanzanians.
The issue is why are we poor despite of having all these huge deposits? It is a big shame of having something and don’t use it, this is what happening in the country. Local people have not access of their resources. Policy makers and politicians know all these and other evils which happen in the country but still they are quite.
The main problems are as follow.
Poor policies of minerals and investment, the truth is policy makers are making conducive environment for investors that’s why local people are still suffering despite of all wealth found in the country. The policies of minerals and investment favor much foreigners and this is proved whereby 97% of annual revenue from minerals are taken away, and only 3% remain in the country. In this situation why don’t we be poor?
Another problem is concerning weakness of CSOs. CSOs are not capable to attack various issues which bring the country to the massive poverty. Due to their incapability, CSOs are not well involved in decision making concerning various contracts which are signing everyday. Also there is no participation at the grass root level, people are not informed and involved in various issues concerning their wealth.
Suggested solutions;
Civil Society Organisation should be strengthened their capacity through various means such as drawing provision, due to this would give them chance to stand and advocate various sectors also would rise awareness to the community.
All CSO’s should form strong coalition and start campaigning against those evils which bring the country to the desert to create and rise awareness to the people. Also should lobby the government to review and change policies as well as contracts concerning minerals and fishery sector.
YETS should real be a good example by being agent of change, we should use properly those skills and knowledge which we acquire in the program and share with others to the benefit of the community. We should not be quiet when we see our environment are used to benefit foreigners, let stand as one and speak out by giving our views, opinions concerning the issues in order to influence changes in the country.
go_85lilian@yahoo.co.uk
Tanzania is so beautiful and God bless it with a lot of valuable resources which cover a large part of he country, such as five key minerals are found in the country. For example gold (2,222 tones) nickel (209 million tones), diamonds (50.9 million tones), copper (13.65 million tones) and iron ore(103million tones) but it’s wonder the country known as poor whole over the world this is due to the fact that massive poverty continues to rock the majority of Tanzanians.
The issue is why are we poor despite of having all these huge deposits? It is a big shame of having something and don’t use it, this is what happening in the country. Local people have not access of their resources. Policy makers and politicians know all these and other evils which happen in the country but still they are quite.
The main problems are as follow.
Poor policies of minerals and investment, the truth is policy makers are making conducive environment for investors that’s why local people are still suffering despite of all wealth found in the country. The policies of minerals and investment favor much foreigners and this is proved whereby 97% of annual revenue from minerals are taken away, and only 3% remain in the country. In this situation why don’t we be poor?
Another problem is concerning weakness of CSOs. CSOs are not capable to attack various issues which bring the country to the massive poverty. Due to their incapability, CSOs are not well involved in decision making concerning various contracts which are signing everyday. Also there is no participation at the grass root level, people are not informed and involved in various issues concerning their wealth.
Suggested solutions;
Civil Society Organisation should be strengthened their capacity through various means such as drawing provision, due to this would give them chance to stand and advocate various sectors also would rise awareness to the community.
All CSO’s should form strong coalition and start campaigning against those evils which bring the country to the desert to create and rise awareness to the people. Also should lobby the government to review and change policies as well as contracts concerning minerals and fishery sector.
YETS should real be a good example by being agent of change, we should use properly those skills and knowledge which we acquire in the program and share with others to the benefit of the community. We should not be quiet when we see our environment are used to benefit foreigners, let stand as one and speak out by giving our views, opinions concerning the issues in order to influence changes in the country.
go_85lilian@yahoo.co.uk
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