ICT donation

Game reserve organization donates ICT equipment to District authority

BY TIMOTHY KITUNDU

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania - Singita Grumeti Reserves (SGR) and its sister organization, Grumeti Fund (GF) donated modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to the Serengeti District Court in Mara Region (over 900km from Dar es Salaam) last week.

The donation which includes HP computer desk top, HP printer LaserJet, Sollatek UPSs, toner as well as rims of printing paper is expected to see the district court issuing judgment copies within one week of ruling. This will be a great improvement as this process previously took up to three months.

SGR and GF Relationship Manager Mr. Ami Seki said the donation was in response to a request made by district court October last year and is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

“On behalf of Singita Grumeti Reserves and Grumeti Fund, I would like to hand over the ICT equipment which we believe will simplify the cores of Serengeti District Court) work.”  He said at a brief event held at the Serengeti District Court offices.

The Serengeti District Court Resident Magistrate Ismael Ngaile received the donation and promised that they will use the equipment to improve the court’s services.

“We are grateful for the assistance as it will increase efficiency and copies of verdicts will now be provided promptly,” the magistrate stated.

Speaking at the same occasion, Serengeti District Administrative Secretary (DAS) Mr. Cosmas Qamara hailed the Grumeti Fund and Singita Grumeti Reserves’ continued support towards the development of Serengeti district.

“I believe citizens will now start getting judgment copies within a week instead of three months. This is a milestone on justice delivery. This is not the first time we are getting assistance from Grumeti.  The Fund has made sizeable contributions in the region particularly in the education, health and water sectors,” Qamara said.

The event was also witnessed by Serengeti District Council Executive Director (DED) Ms Naomi Nnko and the District Council Chairman Mr. Juma Porini.

The top council officials also thanked the representatives of Grumeti Fund, and hailed their continuous efforts in supporting the community.

“Singita Grumeti Reserves is our valued partner, we appreciate their continued support and we call upon other investors to emulate,” the council Chairman said.

In 2013, SGR and GF spent more than Tsh.155 million ($ 70,455) to finance construction of a modern police station at Natta ward in Serengeti district.

In addition to spending millions of shillings in the provision of social services in about 22 villages of Serengeti and Bunda districts, Grumeti is also sponsoring 45 students by paying their tuition fees and other learning needs from the same villages each year.

SGR is a tourism company that operates several luxurious safari lodges in Western Serengeti. The lodges belong to Paul Tudor Jones, an American investor who has invested heavily in tourism and conservation sectors in Tanzania after falling in love with the great Serengeti eco-system.

The Grumeti Fund is a non- profit conservation and development organization which deals in conserving 350,000 acres of wildlife-rich concession area and community development support in Serengeti and Bunda districts.

The concession area being conserved by Grumeti Fund is an integral part of the Serengeti - Mara Ecosystem, the home of the great migration comprising more than 1.5 million wildebeests.

The presence of the American investor has greatly helped to reduce poaching incidents in western Serengeti, according to wildlife experts and local leaders.

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