Tanzania: Gold Firm Builds Sh2.5 Billion High School in Tarime Tanzania

MAMA Maria Nyerere on Wednesday laid a foundation stone for a secondary school named next the Father of the Country, Julius Kambarage Nyerere, in Nyamwaga village in Tarime district, Mara region.

A statement by Nyamwaga village government presented to Mama Maria said they had named the school next Mwalimu Nyerere in memory of Tanzania's initial president's exemplary leadership in serving the country.

African Barrick Gold (ABG) is financing construction of the school, which is scheduled to cost additional than 2.5bn/- upon completion, according to North Mara Gold Mine General Manager, Mr Gary Chapman.

Mama Maria Nyerere hailed the ongoing developments in the area with the support of the goldmine and challenged the residents to as well contribute to development projects. She described close availability of social services to the people as very significant in improving the people's lives.

"A lot of good things have been said here, but I still remember the 44 boreholes drilled by the mine, for which I thank the mine," she said at the colourful occasion attended as well by regional and district government officials.

Mr Chapman said they had spent 350m/- to drill the 44 boreholes between 2011 and 2013 which were presently benefiting additional than 70,000 people in seven villages around the mine.

Speaking about construction of the high school, the GM said by presently additional than 838m/- had been spent on the construction of phase one which included four classrooms, an government block and several teachers' houses. He said construction of phase two was due to commence any minute at this time and would cost 1.7bn/-.

It would involve construction of four additional teachers' houses, four classrooms, three laboratories, a library and a dining hall.

"North Mara Gold Mine believes that profits of the mine should be shared with the local communities, and construction of this secondary school is one of several projects being funded by the mine for the benefit of the communities", Mr Chapman said.

The GM further announced a donation of 20m/- for the purchases of computers for the new school which is set to have forms one to six students. "

In recognition of your (Mama Maria Nyerere) participation in today's event, North Mara Goldmine is pleased to donate to the school in your name 20m/- for school computers," Mr Chapman said. The mine, he said, helped the community by employing local contractors in a bid to empower them.

"A local contractor, Gimunta, was selected to construct this school, and this was done deliberately as part of fulfilling the mine's policy of empowering local communities," Mr Chapman said.

Mara Regional Commissioner, Mr John Tupa; Tarime District Commissioner, Mr Henjewele and Butiama District Commissioner, Ms Angelina Mabula, as well attended the occasion.