BARD AI
JF-Expert Member
- Jul 24, 2018
- 3,591
- 8,826
Jumuiya Ranchi hizo (Uraa) imepinga taarifa ya kuhusika kwake na operesheni zinazozuia maji kuingia kwenye Mto Ruaha Mkuu, na kutishia kumshitaki Deodatus Balile aliyewahusisha na sakata hilo.
Mapema wiki hii kwenye hafla ya mazingira mbele ya Makamu wa Rais, Dkt. Philip Mpango mjini Iringa, Balile ambaye ni Mwenyekiti wa Jukwaa la Wahariri Tanzania (TEF), alisema kuna familia 12 zinazomiliki ranchi ya Usangu, ambayo ilizuia maji kwenda Mto Ruaha Mkuu na kusababisha uharibifu wa mazingira.
Kufuatia ufichuzi huo wa TEF, Dkt. Mpango alisema Serikali itawachukulia hatua za kisheria “wahalifu” wa hali ya hewa na mazingira, bila kujali nyadhifa zao.
Akizungumza kwa njia ya simu jana, Katibu wa Uraa, Dk Emmanuel Swai, alisema tangu kuanzishwa kwake, ranchi hiyo haijawahi kuathiri mtiririko wa maji katika bonde la Ihefu na mto Ruaha kwa ujumla.
"Kwa kweli, hatuna umiliki binafsi wa ranchi hii, inamilikiwa na Narco [National Ranching Company Limited], na tumeigawa kwa vitalu 16. Mali hiyo iko katika eneo kame na mvua kidogo ya milimita 300-600 kwa mwaka,” alieleza.
Kwa mujibu wake, mito michache inayopita katika eneo hilo ni midogo na ya msimu, na maji hutiririka tu wakati wa mvua (Januari hadi Mei), ambayo inamaanisha hakuna maji kwa miezi sita hadi saba kwa mwaka.
"Kwa hiyo, ili kukidhi mahitaji ya maji ya ranchi hiyo, Tumechimba visima vifupi na virefu, na pia tuna baadhi ya madimbwi ambayo ni vyanzo vya maji kwa ajili ya binadamu na mifugo katika ranchi hii.”
Dkt. Swai alieleza kuwa watu walioshinda zabuni walilipa ada za upimaji vitalu, ambazo baadaye zilikodishwa kwa muda wa miaka 33 kuanzia 2007.
Aliongeza: "Kwa hiyo, uwekezaji unaoendelea katika Ranchi ya Usangu unazingatia mpango wa biashara uliowekwa tayari kwa kuzingatia ulinzi wa mazingira, ambao hupitiwa kila mwaka na mmiliki wa mali ambaye ni Narco."
Bosi huyo wa Uraa alibainisha zaidi kuwa ng’ombe wote wanaoingizwa katika ranchi hiyo wanafuata taratibu za serikali ambazo ni pamoja na utoaji wa vibali vya kusafirisha mifugo.
Kwa upande mwingine, Dkt. Swai alisisitiza kuwa wawekezaji wa ndani wanajulikana na serikali kwa kuwa wanalipa kodi na tozo zinazohusiana na ardhi na tozo zingine za huduma, na kwamba Uraa haimilikiwi na familia 12.
Orodha ya familia 12 zinazotajwa, haiwezi kuthibitishwa kwa kujitegemea, inajumuisha majina ya wanasiasa wakubwa na makampuni ya biashara nchini.
Dkt. Swai ameongeza kuwa "Uraa inadai kufutwa kwa taarifa ya uzushi na kuombwa radhi kutoka kwa Balile, vinginevyo chama kitatafuta hatua za kisheria dhidi yake ambazo ni pamoja na kumtaka athibitishe mashtaka yake dhidi yetu."
Jamii Forums imezungumza na Balile ambaye amesema: “Waambie Uraa waeleze ilikuwaje hadi notisi ya serikali Namba 28 ikafuta ranchi hiyo, lakini ikarudishwa na kamati ya Mawaziri wanane nini walifanya mpaka hilo likafanyika, wanapaswa kwanza kujibu hilo ili tujue nani anapaswa kumuomba radhi mwenzake."
Balile aliongeza: “Katika taarifa yao kwa vyombo vya habari, kuna kifungu ‘sasa hivi,’ kinamaanisha nini? Je, wana uhakika kwamba ranchi inafanya kazi kulingana na mpango wake wa biashara? Wako tayari kwa ukaguzi maalum?"
Kifungu kilichotajwa kilikuwa kinapingana na majibu ya Dkt. Swai aliposema ‘sasa hivi,’ hakuna waziri, Mbunge au Jaji mwenye kitalu chochote katika Ranchi ya Usangu.
Kwa mujibu wa Hansard ya Bunge, ranchi ya Usangu ina ukubwa wa hekta 43,727 iliyogawanywa katika vitalu 16 kati ya hekta 2,000 na 3,000. Waraka namba 2 wa baraza la mawaziri wa mwaka 2002 unaeleza kuwa vitalu hivyo vimekodishwa kwa wawekezaji wa ndani kwa ajili ya kuendeleza ufugaji wa kisasa na kibiashara ili kuwa na ufugaji wenye tija.
==============
The Usangu Ranching Association (Uraa) has distanced itself from operations that restrict water flow to the Great Ruaha River, threatening to sue Deodatus Balile, who had linked them with saga.
Earlier this week at an environmental event graced by Vice President Dr Philip Mpango in Iringa, Mr Balile who is the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) chairman, said there were 12 families that own the Usangu ranch, which restricted the flow of water to the Great Ruaha leading to environmental degradation.
Following the revelation by TEF, Dr Mpango said the government would take legal action against climate and environment “criminals”, regardless of their status.
Speaking to this paper over the phone yesterday, the Uraa secretary, Dr Emmanuel Swai, said since its inception, the said ranch has never affected the flow of water in the Ihefu valley and the Ruaha river as a whole.
“In truth, we don’t own it per se; the ranch is owned by Narco [National Ranching Company Limited], and we have subleased the 16 blocks. The property is located in an arid region with barely 300-600 millimetres of rain per year,” he explained.
According to him, the few rivers that run through the area are small and seasonal, with water flowing only during the rainy season (January to May), which means there is no water for six to seven months out of the year.
Therefore, to meet water demand for the ranch, the Uraa secretary said: ““We have drilled both shallow and deep wells, and we also have some ponds that serve as sources of water for humans and livestock in this ranch.”
Dr Swai explained that individuals who won the tender paid surveying fees for the blocks, which were thereafter sub-leased for a 33-year period beginning in 2007.
He added: “Therefore, the continued investment at Usangu Ranch adheres to a predetermined business plan with environmental protection in mind, which is reviewed annually by the property owner - Narco.”
The Uraa boss further noted that all cattle introduced into the ranch follow government procedures which includes the issuance of livestock movement permits.
On the other hand, Dr Swai insisted that the local investors are known to the government as they do pay tax and levies related to land and other service charges, and that the Uraa is not owned by 12 families.
The list, which this paper has seen but cannot independently verify, includes the names of top politicians and leading enterprises in the country. Therefore, said he in a statement which The Citizen has a copy: “Uraa demands a statement withdrawal and an apology from Mr Balile, otherwise the association will seek legal action against him which include asking him to confirm his accusations made against us.”
When reached for comment, Mr Balile said: “Tell them that the government notice No 28 cancelled the said ranch, but it was reinstated by a committee of eight ministers, they should first respond to that.”
Mr Balile added: “In their press release, there is a clause ‘currently,’ what does it mean? Are they certain that the ranch is operating in line with its business plan? Are they ready for a special audit?”
The said clause was referring to when Dr Swai said ‘currently,’ no minister, Member of Parliament or Judge who owns any block in Usangu Ranch.
According to Parliament Hansard, Usangu ranch encompasses 43,727 hectares divided into 16 blocks ranging between 2,000 and 3,000 hectares. The cabinet circular number 2 of 2002 states that the blocks have been leased to local investors for the development of modern and commercial breeding in order to have productive breeding.
THE CITIZEN
Mapema wiki hii kwenye hafla ya mazingira mbele ya Makamu wa Rais, Dkt. Philip Mpango mjini Iringa, Balile ambaye ni Mwenyekiti wa Jukwaa la Wahariri Tanzania (TEF), alisema kuna familia 12 zinazomiliki ranchi ya Usangu, ambayo ilizuia maji kwenda Mto Ruaha Mkuu na kusababisha uharibifu wa mazingira.
Kufuatia ufichuzi huo wa TEF, Dkt. Mpango alisema Serikali itawachukulia hatua za kisheria “wahalifu” wa hali ya hewa na mazingira, bila kujali nyadhifa zao.
Akizungumza kwa njia ya simu jana, Katibu wa Uraa, Dk Emmanuel Swai, alisema tangu kuanzishwa kwake, ranchi hiyo haijawahi kuathiri mtiririko wa maji katika bonde la Ihefu na mto Ruaha kwa ujumla.
"Kwa kweli, hatuna umiliki binafsi wa ranchi hii, inamilikiwa na Narco [National Ranching Company Limited], na tumeigawa kwa vitalu 16. Mali hiyo iko katika eneo kame na mvua kidogo ya milimita 300-600 kwa mwaka,” alieleza.
Kwa mujibu wake, mito michache inayopita katika eneo hilo ni midogo na ya msimu, na maji hutiririka tu wakati wa mvua (Januari hadi Mei), ambayo inamaanisha hakuna maji kwa miezi sita hadi saba kwa mwaka.
"Kwa hiyo, ili kukidhi mahitaji ya maji ya ranchi hiyo, Tumechimba visima vifupi na virefu, na pia tuna baadhi ya madimbwi ambayo ni vyanzo vya maji kwa ajili ya binadamu na mifugo katika ranchi hii.”
Dkt. Swai alieleza kuwa watu walioshinda zabuni walilipa ada za upimaji vitalu, ambazo baadaye zilikodishwa kwa muda wa miaka 33 kuanzia 2007.
Aliongeza: "Kwa hiyo, uwekezaji unaoendelea katika Ranchi ya Usangu unazingatia mpango wa biashara uliowekwa tayari kwa kuzingatia ulinzi wa mazingira, ambao hupitiwa kila mwaka na mmiliki wa mali ambaye ni Narco."
Bosi huyo wa Uraa alibainisha zaidi kuwa ng’ombe wote wanaoingizwa katika ranchi hiyo wanafuata taratibu za serikali ambazo ni pamoja na utoaji wa vibali vya kusafirisha mifugo.
Kwa upande mwingine, Dkt. Swai alisisitiza kuwa wawekezaji wa ndani wanajulikana na serikali kwa kuwa wanalipa kodi na tozo zinazohusiana na ardhi na tozo zingine za huduma, na kwamba Uraa haimilikiwi na familia 12.
Orodha ya familia 12 zinazotajwa, haiwezi kuthibitishwa kwa kujitegemea, inajumuisha majina ya wanasiasa wakubwa na makampuni ya biashara nchini.
Dkt. Swai ameongeza kuwa "Uraa inadai kufutwa kwa taarifa ya uzushi na kuombwa radhi kutoka kwa Balile, vinginevyo chama kitatafuta hatua za kisheria dhidi yake ambazo ni pamoja na kumtaka athibitishe mashtaka yake dhidi yetu."
Jamii Forums imezungumza na Balile ambaye amesema: “Waambie Uraa waeleze ilikuwaje hadi notisi ya serikali Namba 28 ikafuta ranchi hiyo, lakini ikarudishwa na kamati ya Mawaziri wanane nini walifanya mpaka hilo likafanyika, wanapaswa kwanza kujibu hilo ili tujue nani anapaswa kumuomba radhi mwenzake."
Balile aliongeza: “Katika taarifa yao kwa vyombo vya habari, kuna kifungu ‘sasa hivi,’ kinamaanisha nini? Je, wana uhakika kwamba ranchi inafanya kazi kulingana na mpango wake wa biashara? Wako tayari kwa ukaguzi maalum?"
Kifungu kilichotajwa kilikuwa kinapingana na majibu ya Dkt. Swai aliposema ‘sasa hivi,’ hakuna waziri, Mbunge au Jaji mwenye kitalu chochote katika Ranchi ya Usangu.
Kwa mujibu wa Hansard ya Bunge, ranchi ya Usangu ina ukubwa wa hekta 43,727 iliyogawanywa katika vitalu 16 kati ya hekta 2,000 na 3,000. Waraka namba 2 wa baraza la mawaziri wa mwaka 2002 unaeleza kuwa vitalu hivyo vimekodishwa kwa wawekezaji wa ndani kwa ajili ya kuendeleza ufugaji wa kisasa na kibiashara ili kuwa na ufugaji wenye tija.
==============
The Usangu Ranching Association (Uraa) has distanced itself from operations that restrict water flow to the Great Ruaha River, threatening to sue Deodatus Balile, who had linked them with saga.
Earlier this week at an environmental event graced by Vice President Dr Philip Mpango in Iringa, Mr Balile who is the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) chairman, said there were 12 families that own the Usangu ranch, which restricted the flow of water to the Great Ruaha leading to environmental degradation.
Following the revelation by TEF, Dr Mpango said the government would take legal action against climate and environment “criminals”, regardless of their status.
Speaking to this paper over the phone yesterday, the Uraa secretary, Dr Emmanuel Swai, said since its inception, the said ranch has never affected the flow of water in the Ihefu valley and the Ruaha river as a whole.
“In truth, we don’t own it per se; the ranch is owned by Narco [National Ranching Company Limited], and we have subleased the 16 blocks. The property is located in an arid region with barely 300-600 millimetres of rain per year,” he explained.
According to him, the few rivers that run through the area are small and seasonal, with water flowing only during the rainy season (January to May), which means there is no water for six to seven months out of the year.
Therefore, to meet water demand for the ranch, the Uraa secretary said: ““We have drilled both shallow and deep wells, and we also have some ponds that serve as sources of water for humans and livestock in this ranch.”
Dr Swai explained that individuals who won the tender paid surveying fees for the blocks, which were thereafter sub-leased for a 33-year period beginning in 2007.
He added: “Therefore, the continued investment at Usangu Ranch adheres to a predetermined business plan with environmental protection in mind, which is reviewed annually by the property owner - Narco.”
The Uraa boss further noted that all cattle introduced into the ranch follow government procedures which includes the issuance of livestock movement permits.
On the other hand, Dr Swai insisted that the local investors are known to the government as they do pay tax and levies related to land and other service charges, and that the Uraa is not owned by 12 families.
The list, which this paper has seen but cannot independently verify, includes the names of top politicians and leading enterprises in the country. Therefore, said he in a statement which The Citizen has a copy: “Uraa demands a statement withdrawal and an apology from Mr Balile, otherwise the association will seek legal action against him which include asking him to confirm his accusations made against us.”
When reached for comment, Mr Balile said: “Tell them that the government notice No 28 cancelled the said ranch, but it was reinstated by a committee of eight ministers, they should first respond to that.”
Mr Balile added: “In their press release, there is a clause ‘currently,’ what does it mean? Are they certain that the ranch is operating in line with its business plan? Are they ready for a special audit?”
The said clause was referring to when Dr Swai said ‘currently,’ no minister, Member of Parliament or Judge who owns any block in Usangu Ranch.
According to Parliament Hansard, Usangu ranch encompasses 43,727 hectares divided into 16 blocks ranging between 2,000 and 3,000 hectares. The cabinet circular number 2 of 2002 states that the blocks have been leased to local investors for the development of modern and commercial breeding in order to have productive breeding.
THE CITIZEN
