By Mussa Juma, Meatu
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has dismissed claims by Kisesa MP Luhaga Mpina that elephants have become a persistent nuisance to residents of Meatu District, saying the government has already taken appropriate measures to address the issue.
Speaking during a public rally held at Meatu bus stand grounds over the weekend, President Samia said the government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, has established wildlife ranger posts in key areas of the district to curb human-wildlife conflict.
“The government has built three wildlife ranger stations and others are in progress. We are aware of the elephant challenge, and we are addressing it seriously,” she said.
President Samia urged the lawmaker to use appropriate government channels, including Parliament and direct engagement with the responsible minister, to present concerns from his constituency.
“If there are still challenges related to elephants, the MP should follow the proper procedures by communicating with the Minister for Natural Resources. It is not appropriate to raise such issues in public rallies just to gain political popularity,” she said.
Some residents of Meatu confirmed that cases of elephants invading farms and homes have significantly declined in recent years, thanks to increased wildlife monitoring in the area.
Joram Masunga, a local resident, noted that several camps for wildlife rangers have been set up through partnerships between conservation stakeholders and the government.
One such post, he said, was established in Ng’hanga Village, close to Maswa Game Reserve, with support from the Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF) and Tanzania Game Tracker Safaris at a cost of over Sh129.9 million.
“These camps have helped reduce elephant invasions and improved response times when such incidents occur,” he said.
Another resident, Rehema Masunga, added that the stations also provide housing for rangers, enabling them to stay close to affected communities and improve service delivery.
Earlier, MP Mpina claimed that the elephant population had increased in Meatu and was becoming a burden to local residents, urging the government to take further action.
Meatu District shares borders with several protected areas, including Maswa Game Reserve, Makao Wildlife Management Area, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, making it one of the regions prone to human-wildlife conflict.
