The government and the Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF) have been commended for their significant contribution to improving social services in Meatu District, Simiyu Region particularly in the sectors of education, health, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
While the government continues to ramp up investment in education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure across the district, FCF through its tourism arm, Mwiba Holdings Ltd has partnered with the local authority to support school feeding programs, student scholarships, health facility construction, and elephant deterrent initiatives.
During her recent working tour of Meatu, President Samia Suluhu Hassan reiterated her administration’s commitment to transforming rural livelihoods through sustained investment in key sectors, including cotton farming, roads, water supply, health, and education.
“Our development strategy places rural communities at the centre. We will continue investing in schools, health centres, and access roads, while also promoting strategic crops like cotton to uplift household incomes,” she said.
Minister of State in the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government , Mr Mohamed Mchengerwa, disclosed that the government has constructed four new secondary schools and two primary schools across Simiyu Region, and injected more than TSh 8.4 billion into the health sector in Meatu District alone.
“Infrastructure development is also gaining momentum,” he said. “The roads budget for Meatu has increased from TSh 1 billion in the 2021/2022 financial year to TSh 4 billion in 2023/2024, ensuring better access to markets and services.”
Meatu District Council Chairman Mr Anthony Philipo acknowledged the collaborative efforts between the local government and FCF in driving grassroots development. He highlighted FCF’s support in reducing elephant invasions and improving learning conditions.
“There’s a strong and productive partnership between the council and Mwiba Holdings. Their contribution to education—especially the free meal program at Makao Primary School—has boosted student attendance and reduced dropout rates,” he said.
Philipo also noted that previously rampant conflicts between elephants and local communities have decreased significantly following FCF’s introduction of GPS tracking collars and the construction of elephant control outposts.
“We’re seeing tangible results. Elephants are now being tracked more efficiently, and communities are safer,” he added.
According to FCF Project Manager Ms Aurelia Mtui, the organisation has fitted GPS collars on 10 elephants in the Mwiba Ranch area, at a cost of TSh 232 million, to better monitor their movement and prevent destruction of farms and property.
“We are committed to supporting community resilience. Beyond wildlife conservation, we are investing in long-term social projects that benefit the people of Meatu,” she said.
The collaboration between FCF and the government reflects a growing model of conservation-led development—where communities are not only coexisting with wildlife, but also reaping the socio-economic benefits of sustainable tourism.