Natural gas conflict in Tanzania and the impacts to the population of Mtwara municipality

Abstract

The study explored the problem of Natural gas conflict and their impact to the society in Tanzania by examining the case of Mtwara Municipality which is located in Mtwara region. Specifically, it assessed the trend and the extent of Natural gas conflict, their impact to the society and possible interventions to be made. Data were collected from local and national government sources including leaders, politicians, traditional healers, various community members, youths, elders, religious leaders and police officers. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect information about the study. The study findings shows that, the conflict over natural gas is resulted by unfulfilled promises of government, natural gas transfer from Mtwara to Dar-es-salaam, inconsiderate and exclusive political agenda, Lack of information or education on natural gas project and lack of commitment of the government that resulted youth and the community of Mtwara to rally against the government after many measures taken to address the problem by the government has failed. These include providing education to the society on natural gas project, establish the development investment in Mtwara, To stop the project of transferring natural gas by pipe line to Dar-es-Salaam, the government to avoid the use of forces to resist the society. Therefore, this study recommends that, the central as well as local governments should take serious measures like education to the society, practice real benefit to Mtwara community following natural gas discovery, policies should be established which favour the local society on natural gas benefit also the government should be transparency on various community project and then the NGO have to be made to try to make various initiatives to provide an understand to the people about natural gas. Lastly it suggests some areas for further researchers solving the problem of natural gas conflict.