Dr Nyansaho appointed PSSSF Director General

By Lake Zone Watch Writer

The North Mara Gold Mine in Tarime district in Mara region has won praise for establishing a clinic aimed at listening to complaints raised by surrounding communities, the purpose being to create harmonious relations.

The mine is being run by the Tanzania government and Barrick through a joint company, Twiga Minerals.

Last year, under its good-neighbourliness mechanism, Barrick North Mara heard complaints and different views from residents of 11 nearby villages.

The villages are Mjini Kati, Nyangoto, Kewanja, Matongo, Nyabichune, Kerende, Nyakunguru, Komarera, Genkuru, Msege and Nyamwaga.

Officially launching the good-neighbourliness clinic on Tuesday, Tarime District Commissioner Major Edward Gowele said establishment of the problem-solving machinery was a good step in ending complaints and conflicts between the mine and its neighbours.

"Let me congratulate Barrick North Mara for this bold move of creating this clinic. It's my hope that

this instrument would minimise complaints and conflicts and usher in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility between the villagers and the mining company," Major Gowele said at a function held at Mjini Kati.

I've inaugurated this clinic to visit every village to listen to people's complaints without any discrimination or favour," he added.

Major Gowele appealed to villagers living in Barrick's licensed area to vacate the place immediately without waiting legal action.

To increase transparency, accountability and the broad participation of various stakeholders, the clinic comprises North Mara Gold Mine workers, officials from the District Commissioner and Mara Regional Commissioner offices in-charge of complaint desks, the Commission of Human Rights and Good Governance, civil societies and community representatives.

Speaking at the same venue on behalf of the North Mara Gold Mine General Manager, the mine's head of community relations, Francis Uhadi, urged the people in the nearby villages to come forward and raise their complaints to the clinic for amicable solutions.

Under its Community Social Respondibility (CSR) programme, the gold mine continues to implement several projects in various key social sectors.

Key projects under implementation include the construction of a minerals market at Nyamongo township and a bus stand at Nyamwaga town.

Community representatives who spoke at the clinic launch commended Barrick North Mara for its spirit in spearheading development activities in the 11 nearby villages.