Foreign direct investment and the livelihoods of local communities in Tanzania: the case of Geita Gold Mine
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Date
2009
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
T his study investigated the effects of GGM contributions to the livelihood of local
communities in Geita District. The specific objectives were to identify the planned
development programmes meant to improve communities’ livelihoods; determine the
effects of GGM activities on environmental assets and remedial efforts undertaken;
determine the contribution of GGM to household’s income and examine the relationship
between GGM and local communities. A total of 120 households were involved in the
study. Data were collected using checklists, questionnaires, FGDs, personal observations
and documentary reviews. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe the
results. The findings revealed some contributions from GGM in education sector as 39
classes, 5 teachers’ houses and 46 desks and construction of Nyankumbu girls’ secondary
school. The construction of 2 outpatient buildings and the HIV/A1DS prevention and
control programme in the health sector. However, about 95% of the respondents
livelihoods. Conversely, 70% of the respondents acknowledged increased incidences of
water borne diseases and skin rashes mainly as a result of pollutions emanating from
mining activities. This implies that the contribution of GGM was not significant since
negative impacts outweighed the positive ones. The study recommends that, the
government, investors and other stakeholders should ensure thorough cost benefit analysis
on socio-economic and environmental issues to meet the livelihood needs of communities
close to mines. This should include a mandatory' provision for mining companies to set
aside a percentage of their profits for the development of the communities in which they
operate. This will help to improve trust among stakeholders and minimize conflicts in most
mining sites in Tanzania.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Investment, Local communities, Geita Gold Mine, Environmental assets