All Municipal and District Councils across the country have been directed to set aside funds for the development of recreational grounds for children and sports growth.
Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, Sophia Simba
The directive was issued by the Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, Sophia Simba on Friday evening when winding up debate on her ministry’s budget.
She told the House that most municipal and district councils do not have recreation grounds and others were giving away such land for private development.
“In each city or municipal master plan you will find a land reserved for playground, unfortunately they are not developed as a result, people use them for unplanned activities,” she said. She said most of the playgrounds have been turned out to garages, business centres and it is among the problems her ministry has been trying hard to solve.
Minister Simba said the municipal and city councils falls under the Regional Administration and Local Government Ministry; therefore in most cases when such complaints arise, they have to forward them to the responsible ministry.
She was reacting to contributions by Zitto Kabwe (Kigoma North – Chadema), who wanted to know actions the ministry was taking against people who grab playing grounds, thus denying children the right to play.
Kabwe said the trend is mostly common in urban areas thus forcing children to play in very risk areas. He wanted the government to ensure that the playgrounds are available as well as sports gears.
By NELLY MTEMA, Tanzania Daily News
