MTWARA DAR-ES -SALAAM GAS PIPELINE DEBATE NEEDS TO INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE-BY MOHAMED MATOPE !
THE Mtwara–Dar-es–salaam gas pipeline debate needs to INCLUDE environmental issues
BY MOHAMED MATOPE
The drilling of natural gas off the coast of Mtwara and the government’s plan to construct the natural gas pipeline from Mtwara to Dar- es-salaam has become a source of contention between Mtwara residents and the authority. The ant –gas pipeline movement which was first started in a form of demonstration then followed by eruption of violence and public unrest was among the largest in the region.
The (ant-gas pipeline) movement was in part caused by lack of public participation in policy and decision –making process of the pipeline construction project. When people are becoming more intellectually aware of the existing democratic structures, thanks both to their education and to having more access to means such as the social media, it is not smart to bypass them and rule without their consultation.
Unfortunately, the amped-up rhetoric has overshadowed the potential benefits of natural gas drilling and the construction of 532 km long gas pipeline would provide to the country. Once completed, the project will generate six times the combined power currently produced by Kidatu, Pangani, Mtera and Nyumba ya Mungu. It would ensure more reliable and low cost energy supply and it would multiply economic development opportunities.
To put aside the economical benefits this project will bring to our nation, it is also important for people to have a better understanding of the possible negative consequences this project will bring to their communities. Gas production is a dirty business. There are many accidents associated with gas drilling process, and the environmental and economic consequences of these accidents can be massive.
At the end of the day, while the entire nation will benefit from the offshore drilling, Wamakonde, Wamakua and Wayao will bear the entirety of the danger caused by the offshore drilling.
The gas leak in the Gulf of Mexico, reminded the world how devastating a massive gas and oil leak can be. Fish, shellfish, marine mammals as well as birds were killed in droves by a slick extending across thousands of square kilometers. As the oil and gas reached the shore it destroyed valuable coastal wetlands and beaches, harming the animals that rely on these habitats, damage the soils, poison the drinking water as well as precious air.
Ironically, for the most part, gas pipeline debate in Tanzania ignores the human and environmental concerns. Instead, the media and other critics focus on constitutional and economic issues, while we all well know that there are very few good legal or economic arguments against offshore drilling. Most of the critics' arguments basically boil down to: outrageous conspiracy theories and unachievable demands such as; proportional gas revenue for the region.
The most astonishing thing to me has been seeing the leaders of major opposition parties maintain similar arguments. “Mtwara’s gas should benefit Mtwara residents”. Seriously! Who is going to pay for the gas drilling? Tanzania government or Mtwara government?.
It would simply be improbable for Mtwara region to receive equal proportion of oil revenue today, while for over fifty years the Mtwara region has largely lived at expense of other region’s natural resources.
There are, as in most things, no absolutes in this debate. Digging deeper than the rhetoric and slogans, I find that Mtwara residents have legitimate concern for the gas drilling as well as have every right to question their government, how they are going to benefit with the oil investment. However, the people who claimed to support the Mtwara residents’ cause are self centered type, who have hijacked what was a legitimate public discourse and turn it into political propaganda.
As a result, those who claim to speak for the people of Mtwara, often are speaking for their own self interest.
Having said that, economical challenge must move beyond what is convenient and toward what is necessary. No poor country can afford to sacrifice its economy to meet environmental challenges. But, that does not mean environment issues and offshore leaks accidents should be completely ignored. We need a better understanding of what risks we are willing to take.
The End;
Mohamed Matope is a syndicated columnist for Tanzanian and African blogs.
LeBron James To Produce His Own Sitcom With The Producers Behind Classic Shows Like Roseanne and "Cosby Show"
After LeBron James won his second NBA championship this year, he talked about the improbability of his journey -- ascending to world fame despite growing up with challenge after challenge in the inner city.
Now James plans to explore that theme as part of "Survivor's Remorse," a new show he's developing with Starz. While he won't star in the half-hour sitcom, the Miami Heat superstar will be one of the executive producers of the show, which will explore the lives of two men from the streets who attain fame -- one is an NBA star and one is not -- and how they deal with friends and families in the wake of that success.
"I think the main thing for me is, first of all, making it out of a place where you're not supposed to. You're supposed to be a statistic and end up like the rest of the people in the inner city -- [and] being one of the few to make it out and everyone looking at you to be the savior," James said in a phone interview last week.
"When you make it out, everyone expects -- they automatically think that they made it out and it's very tough for a young, African-American 18-year-old kid to now hold the responsibility of a whole city, of a whole community. I can relate to that as well," said James, who was 18 when he entered the NBA.
James, 28, is developing the show with his longtime friend and business partner, Maverick Carter; Tom Werner, the producer behind classic shows like "Roseanne" and "The Cosby Show"; and actor Mike O'Malley, who will be an executive producer and is the show's writer. Paul Wachter will also be an executive producer.
TYRES'S BABY MAMA LOST THE CHILD SUPPORT CASE AGAINST TYRES
When Tyrese Gibson's daughter Shayla turned 5, he threw her a massive 300-PERSON birthday party ... complete with countless expensive gifts, DMK has learned. Tyrese revealed the insane party details in new court docs, and he used them as ammunition against his ex-wife's bid to increase his child support payments.
Tyrese's ex Norma Gibson claims he's an absentee dad and she deserves more support because he consistently blows off daddy duties -- but he says the birthday bash proves otherwise. In addition to the party -- at which Shayla received roughly 200 gifts -- Tyrese says he pays for Shayla's private school and her nanny, he regularly buys her new clothes, shoes, and around the holidays ... he spends "thousands" to play Santa.
Actually in the end the Judge saw this in favor of Tyrese and denied the case.Go ahed boy enjoy your fatherhood
Ngoma Africa Band going from strength to strength in Europe
Ngoma Africa Band going from strength to strength !
Ngoma Africa Band, a German based Tanzanian band is now one of the oldest and most successful Africans bands in Germany. Many African bands in Europe hardly survive for more than a year. Yet Ngoma Africa Band, founded by Ebrahim Makunja aka Ras Makunja in 1993, is still growing stronger. The band plays "Bongo Dance", which is a unique combination of traditional and modern Tanzanian rhythms with Soukous and Rumba. All theirs songs are in Kiswahili. Ngoma Africa Band has released several successful hits including “Mama Kimwaga” (Sugar Mummy), “Anti-Corruption Squad” and “Apache wacha Pombe” (Stop over drinking). In 2010 Ngoma Africa Band released a single in praise of Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete. The song titled “Jakaya Kikwete 2010” praises Mr. Kikwete’s good leadership skills and commitment to fight corruption. On 12th August 2012, Ngoma Africa Band received the International Diaspora Award (IDA) at the International African Festival Tubingen 2012, Germany, for their hard work in promoting East African music throughout Europe. Ms. Susan Muyang Tatah, CEO of the International African Festival Tubingen 2012 said Ngoma Africa Band was also chosen for the Award because of their creative performance on stage. It’s difficult to resist dancing at their concerts, she said. This year the band released a new CD titled "Bongo Tambarare" featuring "Supu ya Mawe" and "Uhuru wa Habari". The new release is already dominating air waves in Tanzania. "Supu ya Mawe" advices the listeners to work hard and be patient while pursuing their objectives in life. It also appeals for generosity towards the needy. "Uhuru wa Habari" praises African journalists who are bold enough to speak out the truth in environments where freedom of speech is quite limited. Ngoma Africa Band is famous for staging thrilling shows in festivals in different parts of Europe. The band’s joyful female dancers, wearing traditional costumes and dancing vigorously to their tunes, always leave fans asking for more. Ngoma Africa Band is composed of talented young musicians including soloist Christian Bakotessa aka Chris-B, Said Vuai, Matondo Benda, Jonathan Sousa, Aj Nbongo, Richard Makutima, Bedi Beraca "Bella" and Jessy Ouyah. For further information about Ngoma Africa Band and to listen to their music, please visit www.ngoma-africa.com.
By Stephen Ogongo Ongong’a
MASANJA MKANDAMIZAJI AFUNGUKA KUHUSU MADAWA YA KULEVYA NA SERIKALI KUSHIKILIA PASSPORT YAKE
Masanja Mkandamizaji afunguka alipolonga na Vijimambo kuhusu kudaiwa kuhusika na madawa ya kulevya na kuhusu kushikiliwa kwa Passport yake na Serikali, MSIKILIZE
Hii ndio Nyumba ya Ghorofa ya Masanja Mkandamizaji inayomhusisha na madawa ya kulevya
Hii ndio Nyumba ya Ghorofa ya Masanja Mkandamizaji inayomhusisha na madawa ya kulevya
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