Over 50 new CSR Barrick North Mara projects worth 3.2bn/- completed

By Lake Zone Watch Writer

More than 50 new community projects funded with billions of shilling from Barrick North Mara Gold Mine Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme in various villages of Tarime district have been successfully completed.

Government officials in Tarime District Council say the projects worth 3.2 bn/- include construction of new classrooms, teacher’s houses, toilets, and teachers’ offices in various public primary and secondary schools.

“Implementation of Barrick North Mara’s CSR projects is going on well, and so far, 53 new projects have been completed, plus an additional old project which involved putting finishing touches on the tarmac road at Nyamongo. Actually, the number of completed projects is 54, “ Tarime District Council Executive Director (DED) Solomon Shati said in a press briefing on the progress of the projects late last week.

He said the education sector leads on the list, with 40 projects completed so far, followed by health which has 12 projects. Water and infrastructure have one project each.

The current CSR Barrick North Mara budget stands at 7.3 bn/- , according to the council official, noting that implementation of many more community development projects in villages adjacent the gold mine is underway.

Meanwhile, almost all local suppliers, including technicians involved in the implementation of the projects during the first phase, have been paid, according to DED Shati.

“The workmanship is satisfactory, and the value for money is seen in every CSR project. The good news is that all suppliers, including local technicians, were recently paid for the work that they have done during the first phase while the second phase is fairing well “, DED Shati added.

Mr Range Boaz, the Director of Ingwe Enterprises, one of the local companies which won the tender to implement the projects said they have enjoyed good cooperation from Barrick North Mara Gold Mine and government officials at Tarime District Council.

“ I have been paid and most of projects which include building of 14 classrooms and three teachers’ houses are at the final stages . Some have already been roofed and others are being roofed. We are ready for more projects, ” Mr Boaz said.

North Mara is one of the country’s gold mines which is run by Barrick Gold Corporation in partnership with the government of Tanzania through Twiga Minerals.