Makao WMA hunting block in tender conflict

 

Officers of the  Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI )collaring elephants to reduce conflicts with humans in a project funded by Mwiba Holding Ltd in Makao WMA earlier this year.

Makao primary school students getting free food which is provided by Mwiba Holding Ltd in Meatu district to reduce absenteeism and improve the level of education.

Secretary of the Makao WMA  Jeremiah Dishon 

By Joseph Mallya,Meatu

Maipacarusha20@gmail.com

A major conflict has arisen due to the Tender for a Hunting Block in the Makao Wildlife Management Area (MAKAO WMA), Meatu district.Simiyu Region.

The three companies that taken part within the tender, have opposed the results announced by the Makao WMA committee and have inquired the Ministry of tourism and Natural Resources  and the Meatu council to reverse the results.

Within the tender, four companies taken part, Bushman Safaris Trekkers Limited, Kilombero North Safaris Limited, EBN Hunting Safaris and Mwiba Holdings Limited.

However, in a "controversial" environment, the company of Kilombero North was announced as the winner of the tender.

The companies of Bushman, Mwiba and EBN, have opposed the results and explained that the rules and procedures of the tender were violated because the winner entered his application outside the time period of the tender application and was given the opportunity to improve his tender.

 The complaint letters of the companies, which have seen by Maipac blog, the companies have inquired to cancel the announced results due to the violation of tender procedures.

The official of Mwiba Company, Eribariki Lucas said what they are complaining almost is the tender procedures, being violated because the tenders were announced legally the bid was opening before the end and the winner making improvements that's against the law.

"All of us who do not agree with the results have already written letters challenging what was done and requesting the law be followed" he said

The Secretary of Makao WMA, Jeremia Dishon admits the violation of the Tender procedures to by opening tender them and asks the companies to improve.

"In case it could be a mistake on this we did with good intentions to make sure we get more income" he said

He said that they have received complaints from those companies, about the tender that was opened on December 5, 2023 and now they are waiting for instructions from higher levels.

"We have heard the complaints of those companies and we have already received an official appeal from Bushman Safaris Ltd and the EBN and Mwiba companies, they sent it to Director of Wildlife and others but we have received information" he said

He said the Kilombero North Safaris Limited Company had won the tenders.

"We are waiting for the decisions of the committee and the Ministry because we followed all the necessary procedures to make an assessment with the investor who was there, Mwiba Holding Ltd, who got 65 percent, but we also later assessed all thecompanies by visiting them and seeing how they work," he said.

He said in the tender, the Kilombero North company won by promising to pay 650 million shs per year, Mwiba promised  635 million, the EBN Safari Ltd company promised to pay 437 million shs and the Bushman company promised to pay 382 shs.

"According to the Rules, a company that does not agree with the results of the tender was given 14 days to appeal and we have received one appeal and we have seen the complaints of Mwiba and EBN which they sent to the Director of Wildlife so we are waiting for other instructions" he said

The Chairman of Makao WMA, Daniel Sagika said they believe the process went well and now they are waiting for decisions at the higher levels after inquiring for information.

The Director of Wildlife   Dr. Fortunata Msoffe, admitted that the tender for Makao WMA's was held but, however, she had not received an official complaint.

"I don't have official information about official complaints and in case we receive them, they will be worked on according to the law," she said

However, one government leader in Simiyu region, who asked to remain anonymous, said Makao WMA made a mistake in opening tenders ahead of time and asked those who submitted applications to correct them.

"I think the rules and procedure of bidding are clear, it is possible that they had good intentions but they have broken the law of bidding because there is no such kind of bidding in the world," he said.

However, the leader has said that the issue is being addressed at different levels to end the crisis.

The contract of Mwiba Holding Ltd is expected to officially expire on December 31 this year.

Since Mwiba Holding Ltd. invested in the Meatu District, it has been able to reduce the incidents of wildlife poaching in the area, and has helped increase the income of villages and councils.