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| Most Rev. Paul Ruzoka, Archbishop of Tabora and Chairman of Committee for Justice, Economy and Care for Environment |
Chairman of the committee for Justice, Economy and care for the Environment, Most Rev Paul Ruzoka has called on the government to plan well so that the investment policy also benefit and give priority to locals citizens.
Archbishop Ruzoka was speaking recently at the launch of the study of the revenue coming from the extractive industry sector. “I am appealing to the government that it should not forget that local communities must be the beneficiary of such investments,” he said.
He warned that extractive industry activities should be run properly such that it should not damage the environment.
Describing the history and activities undertaken by the committee Archbishop Ruzoka said that the committee began in 2007 involving major religious institutions; that is Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), the Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) and the Supreme Council of Muslims (BAKWATA), as a link with the government to discuss economic, environmental, justice and care for the environment in the country.
"We distribute news from detailed studies undertaken in the mining sector and look for proper ways that can benefit the public through the mining industry. In addition we have been able to visit various sites to see the mineralization and how the country can benefit from this important sector.
The study was conducted in three districts of Tanzania; Kilwa, Tarime and Geita and has shown that the district councils largely depend on revenue from mining with no effort to invest in other sectors. That called for an initiative that the district council should be empowered in order to look for other sources of income (diversification of revenue sources) for development activities.
Source: Pascal Mwanache- Kiongozi Newspaper TEC Dar es salaam