From a special Correspondent in Tarime
Barrick Gold Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Mark Bristow, handed over Kenyangi Primary School, a new and modern learning facility built by North Mara Gold Mine, to local government authorities in Tarime on Sunday.
Dr. Bristow also inaugurated the school’s buildings, which included classrooms, an administration block, and teachers’ quarters, at a colorful ceremony witnessed by local leaders, community elders, pupils, and members of the Barrick North Mara Gold Mine Community Development Committee (CDC).
In his brief remarks, the CEO said investment in children’s education is significant to the development and success of the African continent.
“It is a great pleasure and honour to be here today. Celebrating investment in this school is celebrating the future of Africa,’’ said the CEO of the giant multi-national mining company.
Earlier, Dr. Bristow was accorded a warm reception colored by a popular traditional dance troupe called Nyakitali.
Addressing the public, Tarime Member of Parliament Mr. Mwita Waitara commended North Mara Gold Mine for rebuilding the school and relocating it from the village of Kenyangi to give way to mining operations.
“We thank North Mara Gold Mine for building a new and modern school in our area. We can proudly say this becomes one of the best schools in Tarime District. It’s a great favour,” Mr. Waitara said, noting that the school is one of the biggest projects supported by the gold mine in the area.
The head teacher of the school, Ms. Hadija Nusura, also thanked the gold mine for helping relocate the school, which will now be accommodating hundreds of pupils hailing from nearby Matongo village.
“I thank North Mara Gold Mine for relocating this school. Indeed, this is a wonderful gift that all of us should be proud of. We ought to thank the gold mine for these beautiful buildings,” she said.
Earlier, the President and CEO of Barrick, who was accompanied by Country Manager, Dr. Melkiory Ngido, and North Mara Gold Mine General Manager, Mr. Apolinary Lyambiko, took a tour of the new school to get a clear view of the surroundings.
As a memory of his visit and gesture of the mining company’s commitment to environmental conservation, Dr. Bristow was also given an opportunity to plant a tree on the school compound, ushering in a tree planting campaign.
He thanked the communities surrounding the gold mine, including traditional elders, for their concerted efforts, which have significantly helped reduce the number of intruders at North Mara Gold Mine in recent months.
The numbers of intruders recorded at the gold mine went down from 381 in April to 61 in August this year, according to Dr. Bristow.
“We have made enormous progress in dealing with the intrusions. The number of intruders dropped from 381 in April to 61 only in August. So we are on the right path,’’ Dr. Bristow said and appealed for continued efforts that would completely stem the instruction.
Barrick North Mara CDC Chairman, Mr. Godfrey Kegoye, chipped in by thanking the President and CEO of Barrick, describing him as someone who always sticks to his word.
“We thank Mark because if he makes a promise, he will definitely implement it,” the CDC leader said, referring to numerous megaprojects being supported by North Mara Gold Mine in the surrounding villages.
North Mara is operated by Barrick in partnership with the government of Tanzania through Twiga Minerals.