Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has directed the Ministry of Minerals to review mining licences held for years without development and make unused areas available to young Tanzanians seeking to enter the sector.
Dr Nchemba said the Government wants small-scale miners to grow into major investors, creating Tanzanian-owned mining businesses and ensuring the country’s mineral wealth delivers greater economic benefits to citizens.
“We want these small-scale miners to grow so that we can create Tanzanian billionaires. That is why these resources are in Tanzania—to benefit Tanzanians,” Dr Nchemba said.
He was speaking on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, when addressing residents of Sapiwi Ward in Bariadi District, Simiyu Region, during his working visit to the region.
Dr Nchemba said some individuals had accumulated several mining licences and kept them for years without developing them, denying young people access to areas where they could undertake mining activities.
“One person has many licences and has held them for 10 years while young people are looking for places to mine. I have directed the Minister for Minerals to assess these licences and, where they are not being used, make the areas available to young people,” he said.
He instructed the Minerals Ministry to assess licences that have remained inactive for prolonged periods and take appropriate action where holders have failed to comply with licence conditions.
The directive is aimed at opening up opportunities for young Tanzanians willing to invest in mining while discouraging the hoarding of mineral rights.
Road upgrade
On infrastructure, Dr Nchemba directed the Simiyu Regional Commissioner to initiate the upgrading of the Somanda–Nkololo–Matongo–Igegu road to regional status so it can eventually be maintained by Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads).
He said the road’s bridges should be constructed before the upgrading process is completed to prevent residents from being cut off during heavy rains and reduce the risk of deaths caused by flooding.
“Upgrade this road so that it can be maintained by Tanroads. But before that, the bridges must be built so that residents are not stranded and we do not continue losing lives to floods,” he said.
Ambulance charges
The Prime Minister also condemned reports of patients being asked to pay for ambulance fuel when they have been referred to higher-level health facilities.
He said ambulances should always have fuel and drivers available so that patients requiring referral can receive timely care.
“A patient who has been referred must be taken to a referral hospital quickly. If there is an ambulance, it must always have fuel and a driver,” he said.
Dr Nchemba ordered disciplinary action against health workers found collecting money from patients to fuel ambulances.
He also said the Government had abolished the practice of confiscating livestock belonging to citizens and that other laws governing livestock, wildlife and conservation would continue to be reviewed.
The Prime Minister further directed leaders and government officials to stop confiscating citizens’ working tools, including motorcycles, three-wheelers, bicycles and handcarts, for offences that can instead be handled through fines.
Cotton buying system
On cotton, Dr Nchemba directed the Minister for Agriculture to meet stakeholders within one month and submit proposals for a better cotton purchasing system that would benefit farmers and increase production.
The directive comes as cotton remains an important source of income for households in Simiyu and other cotton-producing regions.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Water Engineer Kundo Mathew said the Government had spent more than Sh10 billion on 22 water projects in Bariadi Rural Constituency.
She said another Sh3.2 billion had been allocated to complete three ongoing water projects.
Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Hamad Chande said the Government had received 516 claims for damage caused by wildlife during the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years.
"Of the claims, 469 had been paid, while the remaining cases were still being processed," he said.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI), Dr Festo John Dugange, said the Government had allocated Sh40 million for the design of the Duma and Gambosi bridges.
He added that a contractor had already been secured for the Dutwa road leading to the District Hospital.