COAL MINE CLOSED AFTER CONFLICT

CLOSURE

01.05.2013

The Ruvuma regional commissioner Said Mwambungu has announced to close down all activities in the Ngaka coal mine following the long time compensation demands from the local communities.

The decision was unexpected done yesterday during a meeting held at Mtunduwalo village  in Mbinga district where the furious villagers claimed to loose hope to the government that it does not take serious measures to make sure their compensation is done in time and accordingly.

Speaking to the regional commissioner the villagers explained that their land was been taken by coal mine called TANCOAL Energy since three years ago, but unfortunately some of the villagers were very low paid while other were total not considered in the compensation.

Also they claimed that soon after the mining of coal started they faced another very serious problem of water pollution in the rivers and since then they have facing water born diseases despite the promise from TANCOAL Energy to provide water from bore holes.

John Nyimbo who was the first villager to raise his demand said, since last year when the land evaluation was completed, villagers have been complaining on the low compensation pay and no payment to some villagers but the government has been reluctant.     

Due to that situation several time villagers talked to many leaders including their Constituency Representative Honorable Gaudence Kayombo, the district security committee, the regional commissioner and some other officials who deals with land issues but still their claim are not solved.

“Honorable Regional Commissioner, today we want the mine to be close down until all our payment are settled, we will not be afraid of anything. Is better we die by a gun than dieing by hunger” Said Teodosia Mkwera.

She added after since three years ago villagers have been taken out of their land where they used to produce food crops and they were promised to be given another land plus the compensation but until now nothing has been implemented than few villagers who have been lowly paid.

Before villagers raised their furious demands, the Ruvuma Regional Commisioner Said Mwambungu asked them to calm down, as the government is taking measure to make final check to all who still demand to be compensated.

He said a team from the Ministry of Land affairs was expected to go to Mtunduwalo village on 2^nd May, 2013 and would stay seven days to make sure all the villagers are checked to prove their demand before payment.

Villagers did not agree with the regional commissioner and went on pressurizing that while the process is underway the mine should be closed first so that the government can put more insistence of their demand.

The meeting was also attended by Honorable Gaudence Kayombo who is an MP for Mbinga East Constituence. Kayombo also faced a hard time because villagers alleged him as betrayer and wanted him to resign as he promised before that if the villagers will be low paid he will resign.

But he defended himself saying he did not say that, instead he promised to make sure that the coal power plant is installed within Mtunduwalo Village and it was done so.

Although there was a shouting situation between Kayombo and the villagers, Kayombo ended up by supporting the villagers that the mine should be closed down until all villagers are compensated accordingly

Kayombo’s statement supported the Mbinga District Council Chairman Mr Oddo Mwisho who earlier supported the villagers that is better for the mine to be closed down until all payment is done to all villagers.

As the situation was tense, Ruvuma Regional Commisioner Said Mwambungu asked the villagers to give him a break of thirty minutes before he comes with the decision on what will go on.

After private seating the Regional Commissioner come out and announced to close down the mine at unknown time while the government is working on the villagers demands.