TWO cabinet ministers have been directed to tackle invasive wildlife, particularly elephants and hippos, causing significant disruption on farms in Simiyu Region.

Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, the CCM secretary general, issued this directive when starting a regional tour intended to cover Simiyu and Shinyangao regions,

Mohamed Mchengerwa, the Regional Administration and Local Governments state minister in the President's Office (PO-RALG), and Dr Pindi Chana, the Natural Resources and Tourism minister, were tasked with finding solutions to escalating human-wildlife conflict in the outstretched area.

In meetings with residents, they expressed growing concerns about elephants and hippos invading their farms and homes, with extensive property damage and recurring threat to lives.

The incidents are becoming increasingly frequent around Lake Victoria and other inland lakes in the wake of widening lake banks with heavy rains in the past season, resulting in severe crop losses, officials say.

Elephants meander from the Serengeti National Park into villages, with wildlife agencies saying that the hippo population in the lake has surged, prompting calls for harvesting to manage their numbers.

Busega MP Simon Lusengekile listed challenges faced by his constituents due to wildlife incursions, urging the government to consider culling as a means to ensure community safety, to which the party administrator expressed intent to raise the concerns with the minister for urgent solutions.

The PO-RALG minister addressed concerns raised regarding the local bus station and market, noting his being aware of complaints and envisaging to take appropriate action. 

He said that President Samia Suluhi Hassan has expressed concern over the situation during a regional tour, asking the relevant authorities to direct funding to build the market and improve local roads.

The minister said that progress has been slow, but expects to visit the site next month to assess how to conduct the necessary upgrades, elaborating that funding has been allocated for a modern market and an eight-kilometer paved road

Lamadi area residents will have their concerns prioritized, and the bus station project be integrated into the ongoing construction efforts for the market and road, he added.