We need natural gas policy, says Dr Semboja

There is need for the government to put in place natural resources’ policies, to avoid disputes during economic exploration, the University of Dar es Salaam Senior Economics Lecturer, Dr Haji Semboja has advised.

Speaking at a workshop on ‘Understanding social and economic policies, economic growth and development’ here recently, Dr Semboja said that earlier this week’s chaos in Mtwara could have been caused by a number of reasons, including lack of a comprehensive natural gas policy.

Dr Semboja urged the government to make sure that natural gas policy is put in place soon, to clear doubts and act as a reference over benefits that people will get from such resource exploration.

He cautioned that gas economy was a sensitive matter that has in the recent past triggered controversies in different parts of the world. He called upon the government and all gas stakeholders to be sensitive and avoid triggering chaos.

“Members of Parliament should ask the government to table the policy’s draft bill in the House, to enable legislators discuss it critically and make sure that it puts into consideration all gas necessary issues to benefit the country and its people.

Ms Betty Machangu (Special Seats -CCM) urged higher learning institutions’ experts not to remain quiet until when things go wrong. He urged them to be proactive in advising their government in a bid to make sure that things move in the right direction.

“What are the roles that professors and experts play in making our universities play part to help this country move in a right direction. I think they are not doing enough,” she charged, urging them not to sit back and watch the country moving in a wrong direction or until things get worse.

Speaking at the meeting, Mzumbe University Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Administration and Finance), Prof Faustin Kamuzora noted that peace was important for economic development, but cautioned that calmness alone would not transform the country’s economy.


“We need skilled human resource to increase productivity, efficiency, resources and good implementation of policies because much as peace is instrument for the country to develop it is not the lone factor,” he added.

He emphasised that the country had numerous good policies in place but insisted on the strong leadership, to ensure that such policies are implemented.

There are issues to be addressed such as rapid population growth, ignorance and poor infrastructures for the policies to bring desired results, Prof Kamuzora said.

Tabling his budget estimates for 2013/14 in the House on Wednesday, the Minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo noted that in 2012/13 the ministry had completed drafting the Natural Gas Policy and various stakeholders including residents of Mtwara and Lindi contributed their views.

He added that the draft has now been forwarded to the relevant authorities, while the ministry works on natural gas implementation strategy.The workshop was organised by the National Assembly in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the project dubbed the Legislative Support Project 2011-2015. It aimed at imparting skills to MPs ahead of ongoing budget debates in the House.

By ABDULWAKIL SAIBOKO, Tanzania Daily News

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