SINGITA Grumeti Fund (SGF), a subsidiary of a
company in the hotel industry, has spent more than 273m/- to set up a
modern police post at Natta village in Serengeti District, Mara Region.
The new post constitutes offices for the commanding officer (OCS),
traffic, investigation, registry, cells for men, women and juvenile
boys, reception desk and three latrines.
Also included in the project are; police quarters comprising four
bedrooms, two kitchens, two store rooms, two sitting rooms, and four
latrines.
Two rain water harvesting tanks with capacity of 5,000 litres each,
have been installed to serve the police quarters. The aim of putting up a
police post in this village is to help improve security in the
surrounding areas of western Serengeti.
Home Affairs Deputy Minister Mr Pereira Silima received and
inaugurated the new police post on February 10. Mr Silima thanked SGF
for financing construction of the police post and instructed Mara
Regional Police Commander Ferdinand Mtui and the entire staff to ensure
that the presence of new police post makes a difference.
"This is an important tool. I thank the SGF for donating 273m/- for
its construction. It is a huge support and we value it," Mr Silima said.
"This facility must show a difference and security must be enhanced
here", the Deputy Minister instructed. Deputy Inspector General of
Police (DIGP) Abdulrahaman Kaniki said the new police post was a boost
to the on-going efforts aimed at modernizing the police force.
"This shows how the police force is supposed to be in this era and
construction of this station is also in line with our plans to reach the
grassroots and serve them well," Mr Kaniki said during the handing over
ceremony . He described the inauguration of the new police post as a
historic event and asked area residents to make use of the security
office.
"Our doors are open, give us reports that will help deal with
criminals and we will arrest them wherever they are", Mr Kaniki appealed
on the occasion which was also witnessed by local leaders and dozens of
ordinary citizens.
SGF Managing Director Mr Brian Harris said they have registered
admirable achievements in areas of community development, wildlife
conservation and tourism over the past ten years.
"The achievements we have registered have been brought by prevailing
peace and calm in Mara region. Security and peace is an important thing
not only for us but also to the surrounding communities", Mr Brian said.
SGF has enjoyed good cooperation during construction of the police
post from village government leaders and the police force at the
regional and national levels.
"On behalf of Grumeti Fund I'm very happy to hand over this station
to the Tanzanian police force today. It is our hope that this event will
enhance our good relations and security in our areas and within the
surrounding communities", Mr Brian said.
Serengeti Acting District Commissioner (DC) Mr John Henjewele said
construction of the police post will help to boost security of beautiful
wild animals in western Serengeti.
"This is a timely support. It will also help to curb poaching around
this area," said Mr Henjewele who is also the DC for neighbouring Tarime
District. SGF manages and conserves 34,700 acres in Serengeti and Bunda
districts.
The organization receives funding from Singita Grumeti Reserves
(SGR), a South Africa tourism company that operates several luxurious
lodges, owned by an American investor, Mr Paul Tudor Jones, in western
Serengeti.
The US tycoon has also been spending millions of money to support
local development in around 22 villages of the two districts. Last year
(2013) alone the investor approved 800m/- to support local development
in the area, according to SGF's Community Out Reach Department.
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