There is need for the government to fully engage residents in gas-rich Mtwara Region for smooth implementation of the 542-km pipeline to transport natural gas from the region to Dar es Salaam, activists have recommended.
The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) Director of Advocacy and Reforms, Mr Harold Sungusia
The recommendations come a week after clashes pitting residents and police in the region over execution of the mega project. The activists cite lack of adequate awareness and misleading perceptions among the population in the region.
“What we have learnt is that citizens there are harbouring false perceptions on implementation of the project,” Acting Executive Director of the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), Mr Harold Sungusia told a news conference in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Sungusia also warned citizens in the region and the public in general against taking the law into their own hands, because doing so will not solve problems but rather help to escalate violence.
The centre in collaboration with the Southern Africa Human Rights NGOs Network Tanzania (SAHRINGON) dispatched a fact-finding mission to the region at the weekend, in the aftermath of the last week’s unrest that claimed three lives.
The activists have also proposed that the government should strengthen and reform the Police Force in Mtwara Region, claiming that the law enforcement officers there failed to act competently in detecting and thwarting the riots.
“The recently formed parliamentary-select committee on Mtwara should reach out to the people without delay and get their views to get accurate information,” Mr Sungusia said. The Mtwara Municipality was on Wednesday and Thursday last week rocked with riots as protesters opposing plans by the government to construct the pipeline went amok destroying property and blocking roads.
Areas that were most affected by the riots which have since then been contained include Mkanaledi, Mikindani, Magomeni and Chikongola. The areas turned out to be the battle fields between the police and gangs of youth.
By ALVAR MWAKYUSA, Tanzania Daily News
