The
discovery of natural gas reserves, apart from elevating Tanzania’s
economic status, has also triggered heated debate, putting the country’s
future at a crossroads. While the government has maintained that its
policy aims to create what it calls ‘a win-win situation’, some
observers believe Tanzanians have been locked out of the $500 billion
gas bonanza.
Energy
and Minerals minister Sospeter Muhongo did not take kindly to the
debate initiated by Tanzania Private Sector Foundation chairman Reginald
Mengi. Prof Muhongo believes Mr Mengi harbours selfish interests, and
does not speak on behalf of the masses as he claims.
But
even before Mr Mengi’s outcry against the exclusion of locals from the
lucrative natural gas sector, Mtwara and Lindi residents had rioted
against what they claim is their sidelining from the imminent boom. The
government’s response was to fire tear gas and bullets at them and
deploy the military to calm the situation. Countrywide, the nation is
divided on how gas revenues should be distributed and spent. Amid the
heated debate between Prof Muhongo and Mr Mengi, The Citizen asks in a special news analysis whether Tanzania could learn a lesson from Africa’s richest community.