Our Reporter
The Guardian
AUTHORITIES in Singida Region have issued a 45-day
ultimatum against people who have invaded the Mgori Forest Reserve to
move out immediately before legal action is taken against them.
Methew Mtigumwe (r)
Accompanied
by members of the regional security committee, Regional Commissioner
Methew Mtigumwe issued the order when speaking with villagers from five
villages along the forest reserve.
He described the forest reserve as a legal public entity whose land no one could claim to have ownership of.
“This is a public entity, hence no one can claim that he or she has ownership on it. I urge them to move out quickly to make way for development of the reserve,” he ordered.
Eng Mtigumwe said: “I give 45 days to all Mgori forest reserve invaders to get out... and politicians should stop interfering in this conflict...let them engage in their political work.”
The regional chief also gave one month for Singida District Council to ensure it provides weapons to security officers guarding the Mgori Forest Reserve.
Earlier, Singida District Commissioner Said Amanzi said the invaders - who appeared to come from Chemba District in (Dodoma), Hanang in (Manyara) and Singida Rural - were dangerous, cruel and were ready to kill any time.
He said there were village leaders and politicians who supported the invaders for political gain, a situation which did not need to be entertained.
For his part, the District Commissioner for Hanang in Manyara Region, Thobias Mwilakwa, vowed to cooperate with Singida Region to ensure that invaders were rooted out of the reserved area.
Mgori Forest Reserve has 39,361 hectares that are equivalent to 87.6 kilometres, was officially established in 2007 following the announcement in the government Gazette, but has been invaded by more than 300 people who have set up homes and carry out agricultural activities, charcoal burning and overgrazing.
He described the forest reserve as a legal public entity whose land no one could claim to have ownership of.
“This is a public entity, hence no one can claim that he or she has ownership on it. I urge them to move out quickly to make way for development of the reserve,” he ordered.
Eng Mtigumwe said: “I give 45 days to all Mgori forest reserve invaders to get out... and politicians should stop interfering in this conflict...let them engage in their political work.”
The regional chief also gave one month for Singida District Council to ensure it provides weapons to security officers guarding the Mgori Forest Reserve.
Earlier, Singida District Commissioner Said Amanzi said the invaders - who appeared to come from Chemba District in (Dodoma), Hanang in (Manyara) and Singida Rural - were dangerous, cruel and were ready to kill any time.
He said there were village leaders and politicians who supported the invaders for political gain, a situation which did not need to be entertained.
For his part, the District Commissioner for Hanang in Manyara Region, Thobias Mwilakwa, vowed to cooperate with Singida Region to ensure that invaders were rooted out of the reserved area.
Mgori Forest Reserve has 39,361 hectares that are equivalent to 87.6 kilometres, was officially established in 2007 following the announcement in the government Gazette, but has been invaded by more than 300 people who have set up homes and carry out agricultural activities, charcoal burning and overgrazing.
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