Tanzania Islamic Peace Foundation chairman Sheikh Sadik Godigodi briefs journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday.(Photo: Omar Fungo)
Tanzania Islamic Peace Foundation has called on the Minister of Energy and Minerals Prof Sospeter Muhongo to stop insulting local investors by telling them they don’t have enough capital to invest in natural gas blocks in the country and urged Tanzanians to invest in their natural resources.
Addressing a press conference yesterday in Dar es Salaam, the Foundation’s Chairman, Sheikh Sadiki Godigodi said local investors have the right to invest in their land and it’s not true that they are not capable of investing in the natural gas business.
“We don’t agree with the statement by Minister Muhongo that local investors cannot invest in oil and gas… and even if it’s true, Tanzania has got many local investors who can organise themselves and buy the gas blocks to make sure that our natural resources remain in the country,” he said.
Godigodi said so far about three gas blocks have been auctioned but not one local investor secured a chance to invest.
“All of the oil and gas blocks went to foreign companies. We do not want to see natural resources belonging to Tanzanians benefit people outside the country and leave the citizens in poverty. We call on Tanzanians to wake up and protect their natural resources,” he said.
He underscored that the government through Minister Muhongo should sit with local investors and discuss how they can invest in oil and gas.
“We are warning Minister Muhongo to stop issuing statements of aggression and contempt towards local investors, saying that they do not have funds to invest in their natural resources. Tanzanian investors are capable because they contribute significantly to the development of our nation and they provide employment opportunities to our people,” he said.
He added: “Muhongo has shown that he does not have enough expertise in investment matters. Simply because an investor doesn’t have enough funds it doesn’t mean they can’t find partners to invest with. Muhongo’s statements against local investors will not contribute to building our nation… they will destroy it.”
In December last year, Moshi Urban Member of Parliament, Philemon Ndesamburo (Chadema) said the government’s argument that local Tanzanian businessmen have no financial muscle to own oil and gas blocks is aimed at safeguarding the interests of foreign investors at the expense of the locals.
He said discouraging the locals from investing in such a sector and embracing foreign firms is the same as embracing colonialism.
4 comments:
The World the world bank and International Monetary Fund was established was established to improve infrastructure in the industrialized countries. Suppose, the IMF institution main function was to support infrastructure and human development in Developing countries. However, these institutions have been looking down at Tanzanian and other African nations as not credit worthy despite their abundant of natural resources. Tanzanian Financial institutions need to establish credit worthy mechanisms for Tanzanian to have access to the financial institutions. The majority of investors coming to Tanzania could have good credit, but they may not cash on hand. Given this notion, the minister should be sacked out of his post and be replaced with someone who knows the Tanzania potential and their needs: Let the majority of Tanzanian own the treasure of the country using credit worthy mechanism established by credible financial institutions.
Dr. Temba
very interesting and i congratulate sheikh sadik godigodi and the rest of islamic foundation this is the way to go guys Godbless you.
tayali kashatumika kajamaa kanaakaaga kikiwa akina pesa watu huwa wanakitu mia na taasisi yake njaa ofisi haijulikani ilipo hapada wala nn nayeyeanakaamwembechai chumba chauwani kapanga tena
Wadau, mimi binafsi napenda kuona nchi yangu ikisonga mbele. Lakini lazima nikiri kwamba, kwa kiasi kikubwa wabongo tunapenda longolongo. It's a fact that gas and oil exploration requires CAPITAL of a magnitude that we as a nation (let alone as individuals) CANNOT afford. Vitalu vinapigwa mnada. Kuna mbongo ame-bid halafu hakupewa pamoja na kwamba ametimiza masharti? Most of those who are making noise and policiticizing this issue are simply rooting for an opportunity to play middleman roles. May I challenge our native capitalists to flex their financial muscle, if they have one, and stop crying foul? Kama mtu anaweza kutafuta investing partners, kwanini asitafute sasa badala ya kutaka apewe kitalu kwanza? Hii ni janja ya mabepari wetu uchwara wanaotaka ku-flip hivyo vitalu kwa faida yao binafsi na siyo kwa faida ya wabongo kwa ujumla wetu. Afadhali TPDC waendelee kuwa wawakilishi wa wabongo wote kuliko kuruhusu udalali ambao hautamnufaisha the average Joe.
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