Source: IPP Media

 

The duo was the Energy minister, Dr Medard Kalemani and Azan Zungu, Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union Affairs and Environment).

 

The visit was aimed to assess the destruction at both Kidatu and Mtera hydro power plant sites during which Kalemani called on people engaged in human activities near Great Ruaha River to stop doing so as it causes environmental destruction.

 

However, he said since his ministry holds the responsibility to oversee the protection of power generating infrastructures, they work together with National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) and other environmental stakeholders to protect the huge 2115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, because water from Great Ruaha River flows to the project.

 

 

For his part, Zungu called upon NEMC in collaboration with all stakeholders involved in environmental protection to meet within ten days to give an assessment on the environment destruction since the water was released from both Kidatu and Mtera dams.

 

As of now the water has ebbed in the Great Ruaha River compared to some days ago when floodwater threatened the existence of the bridge connecting Kilosa and Kilombero districts.

 

 

Morogoro Regional Commissioner Loata Ole Sanare said some people were partially affected while others lost their homes due to flooding, NEMC Board Chairman said one of the reasons for these effects was people engaging in human activities including farming along the river banks.