THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Tourism has commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for responding to the public’s concerns about dangerous and destructive wildlife by establishing centres and providing equipment to address the challenge across the country.

During the committee’s recent visit to Tanga Region, where they concluded a three-day tour inspecting various projects, the committee chairman, Timotheo Mnzava, expressed gratitude and praised the government’s efforts.

The committee visited a fully completed specialised elephant control centre in Goha village, Mkumbara Ward, Korogwe District in Tanga Region.

“We are pleased with the significant and excellent work carried out by President Samia through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism in addressing this issue in such a short time. On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank and commend her,” said Mnzava.

The centre, which cost 48m/- to build, is fully equipped by the government with furniture, a drone, a vehicle, and six officers who will be stationed there at all times.

The facility includes three large rooms, an office, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a toilet, and will support efforts to address wildlife challenges in more than ten surrounding villages.

Villages that will directly benefit from this centre include Manga, Mtitiro, Masira, Kwenangu, Mkomazi, and Mikocheni, according to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, which is responsible for building and managing the facility.

Mnzava also urged the ministry to ensure that once the centres are operational, all necessary equipment and staff are deployed and stationed at the locations.

The committee’s delegation included the deputy minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dunstan Kitandula, Permanent Secretary Dr Hassan Abbasi, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Police Commissioner Benedict Wakulyamba, and officials from the ministry and its agencies.