Longido residents see fortunes in proposed soda ash project at Lake Natron
ARUSHA: RESIDENTS of Jilailai Ward in Longido District, Arusha Region, have expressed support for the proposed soda ash mining project at Lake Natron following clarifications provided by the government through the Vice President’s Office.
Speaking on behalf of the residents, Jilailai Ward Councillor Simon Waiteswi said the explanations provided by the Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office, Dr Richard Muyungi, had restored public confidence and optimism regarding the implementation of the project.
He said residents were satisfied with the government’s explanation of the anticipated benefits, which include improvements to social and economic infrastructure, particularly education, water supply, healthcare and roads.
“Residents are pleased with the explanations provided by the Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office, Dr Richard Muyungi, regarding this project, which is expected to improve water supply, education, healthcare and roads, alongside the construction of livestock dips and water reservoirs for livestock,” Waiteswi said.
He explained that residents of the villages expected to be affected by the project—Wosiwosi, Alaililai and Ilchang’t Sapukin—had initially expressed concerns about the possible loss of their land.
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According to Waiteswi, residents had sought clarification from the government and the investor regarding the project’s benefits, as well as precise maps and measurements identifying the areas designated for project implementation.
He said Soda Ash Ltd, the company investing in the project, had previously visited the ward and held discussions with village government leaders and residents. During the meetings, community members raised several concerns, but they felt that the explanations provided were insufficient.
Waiteswi said the latest clarification from the Permanent Secretary had helped ease those concerns, with residents now expressing readiness to support the project’s implementation and cooperate with the investor.
“The clarification provided today by the Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office has allayed residents’ fears. They are now ready to see the project begin and are willing to cooperate with the investor,” he said.
