Media Wire Express Correspondent
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the immediate restoration of social services in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) following a five-day protest by residents.
The protests erupted after a government notice suggested halting social services within the conservation zone to bolster conservation efforts. The proposed plan, announced under Government Notice 673 on August 2, 2024, aimed to delist 11 wards, 25 villages, and 96 sub-villages, sparking widespread discontent among the local population.
Addressing a rally that brought together people from seven wards, Policy, Parliament, and Coordination state minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, William Lukuvi, communicated the President’s directive. He assured residents that the President has recognized their needs and their right to continue their daily lives within the conservation area.
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This move was further supported by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, who urged the residents to maintain peace and emphasized that their constitutional rights are safeguarded.
The government’s decision to restore services comes as an attempt to ease tensions and reassure residents, especially the Maasai community, who voiced concerns over restricted access to essential services and alleged violations of land rights.
This community had organized sustained protests, demanding the government respect and uphold their fundamental rights. The peaceful demonstrations had briefly impacted tourism activities in the region, with roadblocks set up on major routes
