Tanzanite- One to hire Maasai youth from Naisinyai

MARC NKWAME in Arusha

THE giant mining establishment operating in Mirerani, has resumed enrollment of local Masai youth to work at its Block ‘C’ quarries, after postponing employing new staff due to restructuring.

The joint venture between Sky Associates Limited and the government owned, State Mining Company (STAMICO), Tanzanite One Limited, operating at Mirerani Hills of Simanjiro District in Manyara Region currently it has 572 workers.

But the Corporate Social Responsibility agreement with the local community was that, 20 percent of the company’s staff was supposed to be made up of residents of surrounding areas, especially within Naisinyai Village where the firm’s mining operations are based.

The Directors of Tanzanite One, Mr Faisal Shahbhat and his partner Mr Hussein Gonga have assured local residents of Mirerani Hills and Naisinyai Village that the company will employ 20 locals this week on permanent basis in addition to taking on board 35 others on temporary field training with payment.

Before the decision, Tanzanite- One had only nine local Maasai’s from Naisinyai following recent retrenchment of more than 150 workers in order to reshuffle the firm which needed to be stabilized after the Sky Associate take over from Richland Resources Limited of UK.

The Company mines and process the rare Tanzanite Gemstones, found only in Mirerani area. Last week a number of irate Maasai residents marched to the gates of Tanzanite-One Limited, in protest, claiming that the company was hiring workers from other regions, by-passing or essentially snubbing Naisinyai residents.

The Manyara Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS) Mr Eliachim Maswi and the Simanjiro District Commissioner (DC), Mr Zephania Chaula were forced to intervene and advised the Sky Associate management to reconsider their hiring plans to take local residents under their wing.

“It is not a request, but the official agreements spell it clearly that priority for employment is to be given to local residents who are to account for not less than 20 percent of the company workforce,” said RAS Maswi.

On his part, DC Chaula warned that he will not take it easy next time the company gets into loggerhead with the local residents especially on matters concerning their breached rights.