War on Katavi’s seat rages between RC, councillors

PETI SIYAME in Mpanda

Katavi Regional Commissioner, retired Major General , Raphael Mahuga

COUNCILORS from Mpanda Council and wananchi from Mwese Division have protested over the decision of the Katavi Regional Commissioner, retired Major General , Raphael Mahuga for transferring its proposed headquarter from Majalila Village in Katuma Ward to Kamkusu area in Tongwe Ward.

The tension has blown up while the Prime Minister , Mr Kassim Majaliwa is expecting to start his four-day maiden working tour in the region today (Saturday) and according to the timetable the PM has been scheduled to visit and inspect the area in Tongwe Ward where the headquarters in question was proposed to be situated.

Earlier, the establishment of Tanganyika District , Mpanda District had two councils Mpanda and Mpanda Municipality of which the former is now located in the newly established district.

Recently, retired Maj Gen Muhanga publicly announced that the headquarters of the council would be built at Kamkusu in Tongwe Ward instead of Majalila Village at Katuma Ward.

A cross -section of wanachi interviewed by the “Daily News on Saturday” claimed that the decision to transfer the construction of Mpanda Council ‘s Head quarters from Majalila Village at Katuma Ward to Kamkusu area at Tongwe Ward was against the decision reached by the Katavi Region Consultative Committee (RCC) which proposed the headquarters to be built at Majalila Village in Katuma Ward.

The Mwese Ward Councillor, Mr Juma Hawadhi on behalf of his people told reporters here on late Friday they were disheartened , upset and offended by the decision made by the RC to transfer the proposed headquarters to Kamsusu in Tongwe Ward.

“It is crystal clear that the government is keen to bring the necessary social services closer to wananchi but this area proposed by the region’s government to be the head quarters of the region is far-off while neighbouring Mpanda Municipality as well as Nsimbo Council Similarly , the special team was established to inspect and find the most suitable place for the construction of the HQ and Katuma Ward was chosen.

Consequently the RC’s meeting chaired by the former Katavi RC Dr Ibrahim Msengi endorsed Majalila Village at Katuma Ward as the proposed HQ,” added Mr Hawadhi.