RC orders arrest of 4 cotton processing company officials

Geita. Regional authorities in Geita have ordered the arrest of four cotton processing companies’ officials for allegedly disobeying government directives.

The Geita regional commissioner, Mr Said Magalula gave the order yesterday during the regional cotton stakeholders meeting.

Those arrested with their respective companies in brackets were Mr William Matonange (Kahama Oil Mill Limited), Mr Pastory Mabuto (I.C.K) and Mr Dickson Ulotu (Freshon Investment Company Limited) together with a company official who was identified by only one name of Mr Kesi.

In the course of the meeting that was held at Geita District Council hall, the RC asked the Geita District Commissioner, Mr Manzie Mangochie, to call the district’s police commanding officer to the venue of the meeting. “Mr DC please call the OCD quickly as we cannot embrace this malpractice. You are given subsidised pesticides by the cotton board for you to supply to farmers on credit but you decide to sell them, this is not acceptable,” the RC said.

The RC order came after Mr Ulotu failed to present an accurate report on the supply of pesticides to farmers when he was asked to give a report.

Mr Ulotu said in the villages he was allocated he had never distributed pesticides, a report that angered the RC, compelling him to order for the arrest while awaiting further investigation procedures.

“Why didn’t you supply the agricultural inputs to farmers on credit, I need answers,” asked the RC.

Shortly, the head of Geita police station, Mr Enock Rayi arrived at the scene on behalf of the district police chief and the RC named the companies that failed to supply the inputs, directing the police to arrest the owners.

Opening the stakeholders’ meeting earlier, the RC warned that the government will not hesitate to bar from buying cotton any company that will fail to adhere to contract farming agreement for this season. Among other terms, the agreement requires cotton processing companies to supply farmers with agricultural inputs on credit basis.

THE CITIZEN TANZANIA: