TANZANIA should stop implementation of uranium mining projects until the public is well sensitized and educated on its serious side effects to human and environments.
Apart from education, activists have also cautioned on the possible health and environmental effects calling for companies' maximum commitment and precautions on possible environmental hazards.
Speaking to reporters in Dares Salaam, Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) Acting Executive Director Ms Imelda Urio said the centre has discovered the government is almost done with at least two potential uranium investors but cautioned the mining activities should be halted first until a clear policy, regulations and legislation on the same are in place.
"The government has to stop all the processes regarding the uranium mining until necessary intervention are drafted first apart from public education which is equally very important," said Ms Imelda Urio, the Centre's Acting Executive Director. She added that the government should not rush into uranium mining without gathering enough local expertise on how to go about hazards that are likely to cause countless effects and massive loses to people and environment.
Other areas to be considered before the mining according to her include the fact that a lot of water, power and land will be needed for the major undertaking and whether the government was ready to make sure those facilities are readily available without causing any harm.
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It is high time for government of Tanzania to make serious decisions. I support the move of exploiting uranium, i wish it could have started some years back. Uranium is one of the best reliable sources of energy particularly electricity. The exploitation of uranium will catalyse industrialization of our country, hence economic development and attract reliable investor who will create jobs, and well-being of the citizens. However, knowledgeable and skilled local people in the country is key citizens to own and manage their resources. Precautions of environmental issues should be taken into account by formulating wider stakeholders participatory policy and Act. The government should act systematically so that by set date, it materialize. We need energy and manage our resources for public interest. Those companies which will be involved in the exploitation should set win-win profit share of at least 51 by 49 otherwise stop the exploitation Thanks
Uranium is a very valuable mineral but also very dangerous to human health. Proper plans should be prevailed before we go into exploiting it. Do not hurry; slowly but surely.