Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has suspended eviction of villagers in Serengeti National Park buffer zone so as to find out a solution to the long standing dispute between the national park and residents of 14 villages surrounding the area.
Serengeti National Park located in Mara region extended its buffer zone area by more than 500 in village areas in Serengeti and Tarime, thus causing the residents to live in fear without knowing their fate.
The villages which benefited from the President’s decision include Bisarara, Bonchugu, Nyamakendo, Nyamburi, Machochwe, Mbalibali and Merenga in Serenget district and Gibaso, Kegonga, Kenyamosabi, Nyandage, Nyabirongo, Karakatonga and Masanga in Tarime district.
The decision was announced recently by Minister for Land, Housing and Human Settlement Development, William Lukuvi on behalf of the eight ministerial committee during a rally held at Bisarara village in Serengeti District in Mara.
The committee is on a tour of various regions to give feedback to residents regarding the cabinet decision in resolving land dispute in 975 villages.
However, Minister Lukuvi told the villagers to be patient following the government decision until when experts will go to indicate demarcations and come up with proper land use plan for the villages.
Minister Lukuvi who is the committee chairman said the government through Serengeti National Park repossessed the land in 14 villages in Serengeti and Tarime District for buffer zone, and the president has agreed that the borderlines should be put back to its original position to allow villagers to continue using the land for various activities.
“President Samia loves you, and she is aware of minor land disputes, but she wants you to receive the decision as her message … she don’t want her people to suffer in due to a single issue for a long time,” Lukuvi said.
Mr Lukuvi further told the villagers that they were bordering the best national park in the world, therefore what they can give back to President Samia for her decision is to strengthen security in the national park.
Bisarara villagers commended the president for the decision because it has allayed their fear and allow them to carry out various activities in the area.
Msalala Serengeti resident, Zakaria Petro said the decision will make them to live in peace after being attacked by various authorities for a long time, including confiscation of their animals.
Mugumu Serengeti resident, Mniko Constantino pledged to support President Samia in the next general election in 2025 because of the various steps she had been taking during a short period of her leadership.
Serengeti Member of Parliament, Dr Amsabi Mrimi commended President Samia for such a decision because it is a huge relief for them.
