A few days after the Government Spokesperson, Mobhare Matinyi, asserted that the government provides all services to the Ngorongoro division sub-district, residents have contradicted this statement, claiming it lacks truth. They argue that the government halted funding for development projects since 2021, diverting all funds to Msomera in Handeni district.
They further allege that this situation has led to a lack of healthcare services, resulting in a measles outbreak due to children missing vaccinations. They emphasize the absence of any health facilities in the sub-district, only poorly equipped dispensaries.
Additionally, the residents have appealed to President Samia Suluhu Hassan to visit the area and witness the actual conditions, stating that deaths are not caused by wild animals but by the suffering and death of women and children due to a lack of healthcare.
This information was presented at the end of the week in Arusha by leaders of the Ngorongoro pastoral council, some CCM-affiliated councillors, and village chairpersons. Together, they affirmed that this is the collective stance of all Ngorongoro sub-district residents.
Reading the statement, James Moringe, Secretary of the Pastoral Council, expressed their sorrow at the government spokesperson's declaration that Ngorongoro is a dangerous place for humans. He countered this claim, asserting that Ngorongoro is the only place globally where humans and animals peacefully coexist without harm.
"Mankind-animal conflicts have never been a threat since the establishment of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, especially when compared to the numerous Tanzanian urban deaths caused by motorcycle accidents and other motor vehicles," stated Moringe.
On December 15 this year, Government Spokesperson Matinyi addressed journalists in Dodoma, stating that Ngorongoro sub-district has four health centers, nine dispensaries, one hospital, electricity services, water, and roads in all villages. He also claimed the existence of a food warehouse and affordable food supplies as usual.
https://habaritanzaniagracemacha.blogspot.com/2023/12/sakata-la-tarafa-ya-ngorongoro-bado.html
Moringe contested these claims, highlighting the diversion of 500 million Tanzanian Shillings from the Nainokanoka dispensary to Msomera. He mentioned essential equipment removal from the Osinoni facility, the denial of a 500 million Shillings operational fund by the Ngorongoro Conservation Authority (NCAA) to the Endulen hospital, and the cessation of emergency services previously provided by the Catholic diocese through the Flying Medical Service.
Moringe, also a Laitole councillor, revealed that for three years, no funds were allocated for water projects in the Ngorongoro sub-district. He accused the government of redirecting funds meant for Ngorongoro to Loliondo and Sale sub-districts, affecting projects and listing the specific areas and amounts transferred.
While the government claims the voluntary nature of the residents' relocation to Msomera, Moringe pointed out that essential services, including affordable food, have been suspended for those unable to engage in agriculture.
The government allegedly terminated an agreement between the Pastoral Council and the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) for distributing affordable maize. Moringe insisted that this service was moved to Msomera.
Acknowledging government efforts in collaboration with NCAA and the Ngorongoro District Council to educate children from poor families, Moringe highlighted the students' hardships since the relocation to Msomera due to delayed funding.
"We are astonished to hear that the Ngorongoro sub-district is among the areas with electricity services in the country. There is no village or public institution with electricity in this sub-district except NCAA and major hotel investors, who are the primary source of our struggles," emphasized Moringe.
Contrary to Matinyi's claim of five secondary schools, Moringe clarified that there are only three schools: Embarway, Nainokanoka, and the Ngorongoro Girls' Secondary School.
These schools currently operate in hazardous conditions for staff and students after being denied construction permits and having allocated funds withdrawn.
Nayee Sumare, the Women's Representative, and Sein Nengosek, a Special Seat councillor, appealed to President Samia Suluhu Hassan to visit the Ngorongoro sub-district to witness the dire situation.
They asserted that many residents are dying due to a lack of healthcare, not from attacks by wild animals, as stated by the government spokesperson.
Edward Maura, Chair of the Pastoral Council and also a councillor from the Nainokanoka ward, proposed solutions to address the challenges faced by the residents.
They requested the government to instruct NCAA to provide construction materials and allow the resumption of stalled development projects.
Additionally, they suggested the government should reinstate the agreement between the Pastoral Council and NRFA to restore the affordable food distribution system.
They also called for the resumption of dialogue between the government and the sub-district residents to develop strategies for continued development and protection of residents' well-being.
Maura recommended that the government should restore the funding mechanism for educating students from impoverished families, managed by the Pastoral Council.
He also urged the government to instruct the district director to allow the use of all funds in village and public institution accounts for specific purposes.
" The government should restore operating funds for the Endulen hospital and reinstate the agreement between the Catholic diocese and the Ngorongoro district. Finally, the government should bring back the Flying Medical Service to provide maternal and child healthcare services to residents in inaccessible areas," emphasized Maura.
In a separate but equally urgent concern, residents pressed for compensation for livestock losses resulting from consuming toxic salt minerals distributed by the NCAA.
Maura, Chairman, insisted on government intervention to address the impact on local livelihoods and called for a fair and swift resolution to provide relief to affected families.
Addressing the reported measles outbreak, Dr. Charles Mkombachepa, the Regional Chief Medical Officer in Arusha, stated that there is no confirmation of an outbreak in the area.
However, upon suspicion, a team of experts was sent to collect samples for testing, including cases of pneumonia. Results are awaited to identify the specific illnesses affecting the community.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment