By Lake Zone Watch Writer
The ruling party CCM in Tarime District has hailed North Mara Gold Mine for pumping huge amounts in terms of billions of shillings into the social and economic development of villages in its neighbourhood.
The gold mine is run by Barrick Gold Corporation in partnership with the government of Tanzania through Twiga Minerals.
“Barrick is currently disbursing plenty of money for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects and service levy,” Tarime District CCM Chairman, Marwa Daudi Ngicho said in Nyamongo early this week.
Besides service levy that the gold mine pays directly to the Tarime District Council very often, reports available show that about 7.3 bn/- from Barrick North Mara CSR programme is currently being spent on the implementation of various community development projects in the area with education, heath and water sectors getting top priority.
Ngicho made the observation during the commemoration of this year’s World Malaria Day held at Nyamongo Secondary School grounds under the sponsorship of Barrick North Mara Gold Mine recently .
He said CCM will continue giving the giant mining firm full cooperation in order to enable it achieve its gold production goals among other things.
“We are together with Barrick, and we will give you any assistance you might need,” the district CCM boss noted.
He also thanked the mining company for sponsoring commemoration of the 2023 World Malaria Day event that saw the distribution of mosquito nets free of charge in a bid to fight malaria in villages surrounding the gold mine.
The theme of this year’s World Malaria Day is “Time to deliver zero malaria: invest, innovate, implement “, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).