Following a recent illegal logging scam in Coast Region, and the consequences that followed including the abandoning of logs in two villages, some people have been urging Minister Meghji to step down. Do you think they are being fair to the Minister?


NO. Telling Minister Meghji to resign will not make any sense and will be unfair. Although the media unfolded the scandal, Meghji has been working hard to ensure that natural resources are protected. Forcing Meghji to step down will mean one step backward for the development of women in the country. I am sure men in the same ministry initiated the scam so if Meghji steps down that will be paying for offences she didn’t commit.
Agripina Matthew – Food Processor.

NO. I am of the opinion that Meghji stepping down is most unfair. The principle is simple: when the scam was uncovered, the reaction by Meghji showed openly how embarrassed she was. The steps she took indicated clearly that she was not a collaborator in the scandal. What is to be done according to me is to ensure that all officials from the ministry down to Rufiji District authority will be taken to task for issuing permits.
Moddy Moussa – Doctor.

NO. I think Minister Meghji should be left alone. Her contribution in the ministry is immense, although we are told that the number of tourists visiting Tanzania has gone down. Luckily, the revenue from the tourism industry has shot up. Time has come for us to call a spade a spade. Let all those who participated by collaborating with the unscrupulous businessmen be taken to task. The minister can have nothing to do with the logging scam.
Zebedayo Elikana – Clergyman.

YES. I think it would be fair for Meghji to step down. This will be an example for all those who are leaders but are negligent in sensitive issues such as the natural resources issue. It is flabbergasting to note that all this has been going on for a long time. How come the minister and her lieutenants did not note this scam until a newspaper uncovered it? Is it true that even the peacekeepers could not note such a sensitive issue? I think this is why we are told that Tanzanians ‘are sitting on gold’ but are poor.
Mzonge Masinge – Politician.
 

Compiled by Timothy Kitundu.