SINGITA Grumeti Fund (SGF), a subsidiary of a company in the hotel industry, has spent more than 273m/- to set up a modern police post at Natta village in Serengeti District, Mara Region.
The new post constitutes offices for the commanding officer (OCS), traffic, investigation, registry, cells for
men, women and juvenile boys, reception desk and three latrines.
Also included in the project are; police quarters comprising four bedrooms, two kitchens, two store rooms, two sitting rooms, and four latrines.
Two rain water harvesting tanks with capacity of 5,000 litres each, have been installed to serve the police quarters. The aim of putting up a police post in this village is to help improve security in the surrounding areas of western Serengeti.
Home Affairs Deputy Minister Mr Pereira Silima received and inaugurated the new police post on February 10. Mr Silima thanked SGF for financing construction of the police post and instructed Mara Regional Police Commander Ferdinand Mtui and the entire staff to ensure that the presence of new police post makes a difference.
“This is an important tool. I thank the SGF for donating 273m/- for its construction. It is a huge support and we value it,” Mr Silima said.
“This facility must show a difference and security must be enhanced here”, the Deputy Minister instructed. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Abdulrahaman Kaniki said the new police post was a boost to the on-going efforts aimed at modernizing the police force.
“This shows how the police force is supposed to be in this era and construction of this station is also in line with our plans to reach the grassroots and serve them well,” Mr Kaniki said during the handing over ceremony . He described the inauguration of the new police post as a historic event and asked area residents to make use of the security office.
“Our doors are open, give us reports that will help deal with criminals and we will arrest them wherever they are”, Mr Kaniki appealed on the occasion which was also witnessed by local leaders and dozens of ordinary citizens.
SGF Managing Director Mr Brian Harris said they have registered admirable achievements in areas of community development, wildlife conservation and tourism over the past ten years.
“The achievements we have registered have been brought by prevailing peace and calm in Mara region. Security and peace is an important thing not only for us but also to the surrounding communities”, Mr Brian said.
SGF has enjoyed good cooperation during construction of the police post from village government leaders and the police force at the regional and national levels.
“On behalf of Grumeti Fund I’m very happy to hand over this station to the Tanzanian police force today. It is our hope that this event will enhance our good relations and security in our areas and within the surrounding communities”, Mr Brian said.
Serengeti Acting District Commissioner (DC) Mr John Henjewele said construction of the police post will help to boost security of beautiful wild animals in western Serengeti.
“This is a timely support. It will also help to curb poaching around this area,’’ said Mr Henjewele who is also the DC for neighbouring Tarime District. SGF manages and conserves 34,700 acres in Serengeti and Bunda districts.
The organization receives funding from Singita Grumeti Reserves (SGR), a South Africa tourism company that operates several luxurious lodges, owned by an American investor, Mr Paul Tudor Jones, in western Serengeti.
The US tycoon has also been spending millions of money to support local development in around 22 villages of the two districts. Last year (2013) alone the investor approved 800m/- to support local development in the area, according to SGF’s Community Out Reach Department.
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